Voices of Fire Set to Bring the Praise to Netflix

It all started with a dream. Build the world’s most inspiring, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-background choir, and share the beauty of gospel music around the world.

That’s the vision of Bishop Ezekiel Williams, Pharrell Williams’ uncle, that burns throughout the Netflix documentary, Voices of Fire. After 3,000 submissions and 300 invited auditionees, it’s time to see if this diverse, 75-voice gospel choir will come to fruition.

Debuting November 20th, Voices of Fire takes viewers on a journey with Bishop Williams and his team of gospel music leaders and opens up the lives of everyday people from Hampton Roads Virginia, who are finally getting or seizing their opportunity to sing.

Dream Team Choir Leaders

The making of any real gospel choir requires key ingredients from its choir leadership staff.

You must have a lead musician (Larry George) who knows his way around a Hammond organ, and who can assemble a “churchy” band to bring the rich music, breaks, and style that supports a gospel choir.

A gospel music god-mother (or diva), who can “shonuff” sing and has lived to experience the evolution of gospel music groups and choirs, will always bring out the best in a new choir. Virginia’s Queen of Gospel, Peggy Britt, represents that element of wisdom to seal the authenticity of the gospel choir sound.

And how great can a real gospel choir be with a boring, unanimated choir director? Is a gospel choir really a gospel choir if the choir director doesn’t make you want to get up and make some Holy Ghost noise for Jesus? But better yet, Patrick Riddick, transforms gospel choir first-timers and veterans alike into praise machines who know how to follow direction, usher in the presence of God and leave everything on the table for each song.

Leaders Love

One thing that’s important to the body of Christ if you’re going to promote diversity and inclusion is love. The love and kindness that draw and unite people together must be front and center above any other mission or goal.

Bishop Williams and his team accomplish just that by treating everyone with respect and fairness, showing that you can have a “singing competition” without the drama and pettiness seen in many competition shows.

As you watch, take note of and put into practice how people who may not look and sound like the Bishop and his team, how people who weren’t raised in the black church, were treated. Love has a special impact

When Opportunity Knocks, Answer.

One of the most relatable aspects of Voices of Fire is the life stories of the regular, everyday people who come together in pursuit of joining the choir.

From receptionists, postal workers, to real estate agents and teachers, this microcosm of the world in Hampton Roads Virginia will speak to every viewer.

Voices of Fire pulls you into each choir member’s story and creates a special connection between their humanity and yours. As you follow their stories of pain, defeat, second chances, and triumph, you will see yourself and identify with their struggles and the pursuit of not letting another opportunity pass them by.

All of the diverse backstories give their collective voice greater meaning and inspiration.

As you watch Voices of Fire, put yourself on the screen, and ask:

• What dream have I given up on because I thought it was too late?
• What gift has God put inside of me that I thought I’d never have the right opportunity to use and bring others hope?
• What’s been holding me back from living in my God-ordained purpose?

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The new Netflix series is produced by:

• A. Smith & Co. and i am OTHER
• Executive Producer: Pharrell Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am OTHER
• Executive Producer: Arthur Smith and Frank Sinton for A. Smith & Co.
• Executive Producer: Bianca Barnes-Williams

Be sure to tune in to the global premiere on November 20, 2020, only on Netflix.