| Ted &
Sheri "The Healing Starts Right There" is more than a creative catch phrase for Ted Winn and Sheri Jones - it is their story. Struggling to deal with his emotions, Ted Winn grew up without his father in the house. Sheri Jones, battled with issues of self-esteem, perhaps brought on by her experience with sexual and emotional abuse. Healing is what she needed. Healing is what he needed. The Lord brought them together with Church Howse Music to form the powerful music ministry of Ted & Sheri, and the healing really did start right there. Ted & Sheri individually have labored among Gospel's best. These Memphis natives and long-time friends started with the Voices of Binghamton, and have since individually served as supporting voices for such notables as Richard Smallwood, Kurt Carr, Donald Lawrence and Kim Burrell. Sheri describes herself as gospel gypsy of sorts. "I have been singing for the last couple of years with many different people, and it has taught me a whole lot about leadership and being subject. But honestly, the background is my passion. I get a sense of exhilaration giving someone the sound they need. I'm so comfortable in the background that it almost makes me nervous because now it's my time to come out front. It's time for me to exercise all that has been poured into me by the many different leaders I've been working under." Leadership sometimes requires you to face your own issues. Sheri shares that she has come to a place where she is ready to speak to, and for, those who have had suffered what she has. "Now I understand, that is the purpose in why these things happened to me. It happened to me for me to minister healing to someone else, and in that process I’m receiving healing in areas that have not been healed in me." And it's a continual healing process, one that requires a patience that brings about wisdom. Ted says, "I look back and see that God has a time for everything. This is the time that this project should come out. I can see in my life where spiritually, emotionally and psychologically I wasn't ready before. But this is a place God has called me to, a higher place of integrity, discipline and maturity. I appreciate God for holding us until now - ultimately the devil can't hold back what God has for you." The much-anticipated project is now, in due season, poised to blaze the charts and touch lives as it was ordained to do. Featuring the heavenly synergy of Ted & Sheri, and the production genius of Myron Butler and Anthony "Tonex" Williams, as well as Ted & Sheri’s production hand on, "Thank Him" the stream of healing flows throughout. Among the standout tunes is, "Come Ye Disconsolate" which was brought to the forefront by none other than Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack in the 1970's. Ted & Sheri revive it and make it their own adding to their mix the Tri-City Singers. Tonex contributes "Stronger" and the melodic "When You Pray". The interlude "The Morning After" is a cutting tune that discusses what happens when you give in just a little bit. Sheri says, "What it deals with is understanding consequence before you engage in circumstance. It's an awareness song that says you don't have to live in a regretful state if you don't go into certain areas in the first place." Ted elaborates, "I wrote it from the perspective in light of all that I've been reading about where we are with HIV and AIDS - it's the twenty-year anniversary." Many can't conceive a gospel artists painting such a real picture of what's going on in the real world, but Ted & Sheri would have it no other way. "We are going to tap into things that are considered risqué by the church.” says Ted. "I am definitely ready for the challenge. I understand that it might flow into some controversy, but that's where God has called us. One of the kids I mentor recently told me he is HIV positive and he’s only eighteen. We are dealing with some real stuff and we've got to meet people where there. "I get so frustrated when I go to church or musicals and people just do a set or have a show. Ministry is important. Lives should be touched and changed. People should be healed spiritually, mentally, and even physically. Without ministry we are simply wooing people with our gifts. Gifts given to us to glorify God and to build up the Body." It is there that Ted & Sheri hope to fill a void, coming in the name of ministry and more songs of healing. Perhaps the most illustrative song on the project is the title cut, "The Healing Starts Right There (Ted & Sheri's Song)", penned by Ted. "It's basically a chronological perspective of the lives that Sheri and I have lived. What's really interesting is that God gave me insight on some things the two of us had not talked about. We had spoken about things we went through growing up, but I didn't speak to her about writing that song in particular." Sheri remarks, "It was weird because there are things he spoke about concerning me that -- as close as we are -- I had never shared with him. The detail that it's expressed in is a synopsis of what I had been dealing with. It's really amazing how God will connect people. Ted was able to tap into me and read me." Ted has learned that it's the same sensitivity that he struggled with as a young man that has enabled him to tune in. "One thing I was very confused about is that I was very emotional and we know that's not really consistent with most men. I asked the Lord why he made me like that. Why do I read newspaper articles, and magazines and watch television and feel it. The Lord told me 'I made you that way so that you could write and share other perspectives; so you could write from the seat of the emotion and other people will feel the heart in your music.' " And that heart opens up not only to tell the story, but also to confirm that there is hope. On "Your Day", written by Ted & Sheri, the melody lifts effortlessly and the lyrics minister encouragement - even to Sheri, "It ministers to the place that we have been in. Wondering why life treats you unfairly, why good things are happening to everyone but you. It offers a message of hope and that's something that we all need." The Healing Starts Right There• pulls from Ted & Sheri's life experience, and in the project's mere existence exhibits that very hope. Through the hurt and the waiting Sheri has discovered that curves in the road of life represent something more than a painful exercise, "Whatever it is, it was purposed and designed. God allowed it and ordained it to happen to you so you could go and encourage somebody else. Its not designed to take you out - it's your anointing!" Ted & Sheri just want you to know that your healing comes with your understanding; it comes with your yielding - and not one moment before.
ALTHOUGH THEY MAY SEEM NEW TO THE
GENERAL PUBLIC, TED & SHERI BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE FRUITS OF THE GOSPEL
MUSIC INDUSTRY YEARS AGO. THEY HAVE MINISTERED AT AZUZA, BISHOP T.D. JAKES'
WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED CONFERENCE, THE GOSPEL SUPER BOWL CONCERT, BISHOP
EDDIE LONG'S HEART TO HEART WOMEN'S CONFERENCE IN THE BAHAMAS, AND SHARED
THE STAGE WITH STEVIE WONDER DURING A CHRISTMAS CONCERT IN LOS ANGELES.
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