Micah Stampley

Gospel singer, songwriter, choir director, and music minister Micah Stampley was born September 7, 1971 in Los Angeles, California, although his family moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana shortly after he was born, and he grew up there. He showed a talent for music and singing early, and was participating in his father's choir by the time he was four years old, and by seven years old he was actually directing the choir, although he had to stand on a table in order for the choir to see him. He learned to play piano at the age of 13. The family moved to Natchitoches shortly before Stampley graduated from high school, and he finished his schooling there. Blessed with a beautiful, multi-octave voice and a flair for arranging harmonies and directing vocal ensembles, his career as both a musician and minister was set, finally becoming complete when he met and married fellow gospel singer Heidi Jones in 1998. Jones became Stampley's partner as a songwriter as well, and when he was signed to evangelist T.D. Jakes' record label, he was on his way, developing a contemporary gospel and praise style that mixed R&B, hip-hop, funk, and whatever struck his fancy into a powerful musical statement that won him both critical accolades and an expanding fan base. His debut album, Songbook of Micah, appeared in 2005, followed by Fresh Wind... The Second Sound in 2006, Ransomed in 2008, Release Me in 2010, One Voice and Shout in 2011, and Love Never Fails in 2013.