Gospel Singer Shirley Miller In the genre’ of Gospel Music few artists have experienced a more diverse and expansive journey, then that traveled by Minister Shirley Miller. Shirley’s ministry journey started at the tender age of three as she was called on, to sing her first solo during a service at her family’s Oakland California church. Raised in that church, Shirley as a young girl dedicated her life and talents to the Lord. Her desire was to present to the world, the Gospel of God’s mercy and love, not only through her song but also by her own words and life example. She has walked true to her promise and the result of her dedication has brought forth-remarkable fruit. The years to follow have allowed her to minister here at home and abroad, touching people of various walks of life. Ministering in places such as: communities across the United States and Europe, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Jamaica, Damascus and the Country of Liberia, West Africa. Whether singing in a small storefront church or in one of the most prestigious musical venues around the world. Shirley’s commit-ment to her calling has never wavered. Minister Miller’s world-wide ministry began at the Ephesians Church Of God In Christ in Berkeley, California as one of the lead singers of the Edwin Hawkins Singers. A group of devoted young people at that time just singing songs, to up lift their own bay area and church home audiences. They had no idea that God had a plan that would soon make them one of the most famous gospel choirs or groups in the gospel genre’s history. The choice to re-arrange an old Gospel Hymn and record it, in hopes of raising enough money through sales for the singers to go to their church yearly convocation birthed the phenomena entitled “Oh Happy Day”. The year was 1969 and “Oh Happy Day” the song and album became a smash hit on Pop Radio Programs, going to #1 on the Billboard Charts both Gospel and Pop. It is recorded as one of the fastest million selling songs ever tracked in any musical genre’. Shirley Miller being one of the founding members of the Hawkins Singers was soon chosen to be the voice to carry that song around the world. As one of the renowned “Edwin Hawkins Singers” Shirley appeared on some of the most viewed television shows of that time, to include “The Dick Cavett Show” “The Hollywood Palace”, “Tom Jones Show” “The Mike Douglas Show ” and “The Andy Williams Show” “The David Frost Show” “The George Burns Television Special” “The American Band Stand” “The Jerry Lewis Telethon” and many more. Shirley has been a featured artist at “The Stellar Awards” in Chicago and “Bobby Jones Gospel” in Nashville, Tennessee, “The Saturday Night Sing” and “The PTL Club”. In 1998 Minister Miller was featured in her first solo album a worldwide release entitled “I Must Go On” on the Light Records Label. With in weeks the album started its’ climb up the Billboard Gospel Chart and immediately racked up impressive sales that exceeded 50,000 copies. To her dismay however, Light Records Company failed as a business during the most crucial time for that release and was unable to garner the momentum needed to push the project to it’s fullest potential. Nevertheless, Shirley continued to work and was featured on several of the “Love Alive” albums with Bishop Walter Hawkins and the internationally acclaimed “Love Center Choir”. She also sang as part of the critically acclaimed “Walter Hawkins and The Family”. In 1992 in support of the “Love Alive IV” album release, Minister Miller was invited to and completed a 15 city tour with Bishop Walter Hawkins and the Love Center Choir. In reprise of her signature performance of the ground breaking Gospel phenomenon “Oh Happy Day”, Shirley is the soloist on the title cut of the album The Edwin Hawkins Singers 20th Anniversary “Oh Happy Day!” Currently Minister Shirley Miller continues to walk out her God given assignments. In an article in the San Francisco Chronicle Newspaper, she spoke of her work at the Ark House, a residence for people living with HIV/AIDS. The Ark is one of the first such facilities founded operated by an African American Church. In Shirley’s words: “ It’s hard to talk to a man about Jesus when he’s hungry, homeless, and sick she continued and concluded by saying “ This is all about love you know”. For four decades Minister Miller (Mother Miller, as many call her these days) has inspired us and countless others, to join with her as she sings praises to our God. A God that she has continues to present as intimate by nature, all inclusive by choice and limitless in power. Shirley Continues, to keep her promise to Him and He continues to respond with favor. Favor which has most recently brought her through a successful battle with cancer, and has quickened her to become an activist to encourage and minister to fellow cancer survivors. You see her life, her work and her song are an obedience response to a loving, God, and as she would say. “You see it’s all about love you know”.