Roy Cotton II Ushers In The Hymns Revolution

Roy Cotton II is content to describe himself as a church musician who possesses a fond appreciation for the “hymns of the church”. Groomed to follow in his pastor/musician father’s footsteps, Cotton gravitated toward the organ at the age of 14 and was voted “Mr. Music” by the end of his senior year in high school.  Four years at the prestigious Hampton University studying classical piano helped him to develop and perfect his gift as he studied under the tutelage of the internationally recognized composer Dr. Adolphus Hailstork. Today, he is recognized an in demand musician, producer. composer and arranger having worked with the greats including Jennifer Holliday, Tamela Mann and Richard Smallwood to name a few.  The loving and devoted husband and father of three exercises his gift while serving as Director of Music and Creative Arts at the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship under Dr. Tony Evans.

His favorite and early church recollections begin with the choir’s performance of a hymn and anthem accompanied by the pipe organ leading off every Sunday morning as part of the worship experience.  As he served in minister of music positions across the south and east, Cotton found himself interacting with church worship teams and choirs with a limited and even fleeting knowledge of hymns.   They were disappearing at a rapid pace from Sunday worship and church musicians were ill equipped to play the beloved songs that serve as the bedrock of the church.  Sensing a need and a call to action, Cotton started Songflo, a worship arts technology company to offer resources and educational assistance to urban churches.  Preparing easy to use STEMS (separated tracks enhancing musicians and singers) and making them readily accessible and for use in local churches across the nation , Cotton assembled a group of singers and musicians to record over 50 hymns, and Bring Back the Hymns Volume One was born.

Bring Back the Hymns features the musical artistry of some of today’s most beloved singers and musicians including Kathy Taylor, Chrystal Rucker, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Chester D.T. Baldwin, Dr. Judith Christie-McAllister, Oscar Williams and Candy West adding their own unique and inimitable touches to classic hymns.  Bring Back the Hymns comes in songbook form, demonstration and performance tracks.  The 12 track disc alone is a spirit filled church celebration from beginning to end and worthy of being heard and celebrated.

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