In a world where racism, division, and moral uncertainties are eroding the fabric of society, Helen Baylor steps forward with a message of hope, carried on a fiery-winged musical vehicle that has taken Christian music by storm. Possessed with the seeming ability to call heaven down with her voice, r&b pop veteran Baylor follows her stunning previous Grammy-nominated releases, with her current releases "Helen Baylor... Live" and "My Everything".
"Helen Baylor . . . Live" and "My Everything" are the latest and most riveting, righteous, and rocking chapter in the life of a woman unafraid to wear her turmoil's and triumphs clearly on her sleeve for all to see.
"Helen Baylor . . . Live" was recorded at Denver, Colorado's Heritage Christian Center, before an audience of 3500, and was produced by Bill Maxwell, Helen's hit making soul-mate on the last five of her seven albums. Helen and her topnotch band turn in great renditions of new material and praise & worship standards that have to be heard to be believed. Smooth, tender intros slide gracefully into classy funky/rock grooves. An inspired choir joins Helen on a few songs that takes the sound down more of a Gospel road.
"My Everything" is her newest studio project featuring the hit duet with Pastor Marvin Winans and a inspirational version of "Lord Your Holy." This album featured producers Bill Maxwell (The Winans, Andre Crouch, BeBe & CeCe Winans), Chris Harris (Jaci Velasquez, Anointed) and Mark Baldwin ( Kathy Troccoli ), "My Everything takes the breadth of Helen's genre-crossing sound to a new level.
All of Helen's albums feature several songs written and co-written by Baylor, each burning with the fire of dedication to bringing the Gospel message to those who are confused and hurting. Raised in Compton, California, Baylor has a special place in her heart for those who live in the turmoil of the inner-city. "When I was growing up, we didn't have the tension that exists today. There were more positive role models, stronger families . . . it breaks my heart to see those neighborhoods now. It's like a spirit of death and destruction has taken over those streets."
It was on one of those streets in South Central L.A. that Helen Baylor gave a performance which changed the course of her life. At the tender age of 12, Helen's parents and aunts dressed her up and brought her to their favorite nightclub, convincing the owner to let her sing a song with the band. When that mighty voice came out of that pint-size frame, the audience roared its approval and Helen was on her way to a career that included opening for the likes of Stevie Wonder, B.B. King and Aretha Franklin, all while Helen was still in high school.
The pressures of success began to take their toll. Landing a part in the road company of the Broadway musical "Hair" at 17, Helen began experimenting with drugs, in an effort to "fit-in" with the crowd. "I was the youngest person in the show, and I wanted to belong so badly," says Helen.
For 12 years, Helen Baylor enjoyed the fruits of her remarkable talent, touring with Chaka Khan and The Captain & Tenille, as well as working as a studio vocalist. Finally, the turbulent lifestyle caught up with her. In 1981, Helen took stock of her situation and realized something had to change. "I was associating with drug dealers, shaking up with James (now her husband) and pawning nice things just to buy a $25 bag of weed. I wasn't working much anymore because my reputation as a musician was going downhill."
Helen credits the prayers of her grandmother for bringing her back to the faith of her childhood. "I'd never completely let go of the God I knew as a child, but when I was a teenager, I just didn't find Jesus very interesting. By 1981, when I went to church with my grandmother, I knew what I'd been missing. I cried at the altar, and bought a Bible. But I still dabbled in drugs and it took me a year to finally turn my life over to the Lord completely."
It was six years before Helen Baylor sang again. "I wanted to sing Gospel, I couldn't go back to secular music after what I'd been through. But God didn't open the doors until six years later - not to even sing a solo in the choir!"
Listening to Helen Baylor now, it's hard to imagine that she couldn't get a solo spot in the church choir. It's also tempting to wonder why she wouldn't take her pipes into the pop field. "I have a call on my life to minister the Gospel. There's nothing wrong with other people doing secular music, but I'm sold out to preach the Gospel message."
In 1993, Helen Baylor was ordained by her pastor, Dr. Frederick K.C. Price at Crenshaw Christian Center. In 1995 she received her Honorary Doctorate Degree in Sacred Music from Friends International Christian University.
Dr. Baylor is currently on the board of St. Domenics in Tulsa, Oklahoma. St. Domenics is a maternity facility, offering housing, healthcare and counsel to young unwed mothers. In addition to St. Domenics, Dr. Baylor also holds a seat on the board of Elizabeth Home in Ft. Worth, Texas, a facility offering the same services. Having spent time in a similar environment as a teen, Dr., Baylor has a heart for young women finding themselves in this complicated and sensitive situation.
Now Dr. Helen Baylor ministers powerfully and under the anointing. God has gifted her to sing and minister under the anointing. She openly and candidly shares the Word of God with the same anointing. God uses Dr. Baylor greatly in the areas of healing and deliverance.
Dr. Baylor and her family are currently members of Vine-Life Christian Fellowship in Riverside, CA, where the pastor is Dr. Robert L. Wilks Jr.
Dr. Baylor, along with her husband, takes her music and message throughout the United States and abroad, sharing the good news to those who are lost and exhorting and encouraging the Body of Christ to perfection.
Helen Baylor| Posted June 01, 2018
I have loved Helen Baylor's songs for many years and to just come across them on Youtube I feel so bless. I can't stop listening. Mt. Zion, The Sea of Forgetfulness, Awesome God just to name a few.
She is blessed by God.