Since the age of three, R… Read Full Bio ↴Artist Description | Ricky Dillard & New G
Since the age of three, Ricky Dillard watched church choirs. His Grandma used to stand Little Ricky on top of his baby potty and he would direct and sing. At five years old, he began directing the junior choir at St. Bethel Baptist Church. In 1981, he formed the first gospel choir at Bloom High School. “There were so many church kids there and they liked to sing,” he says. “So, I started a group called Ricky Dillard and Company and we sang at school. One of my teachers, Don Bondurant, said, ‘you should start a gospel choir’ and I did.” In spite of his love for performing, Dillard thought his future lay in radio announcing. He attended Columbia College for a couple of years, but dropped it because “The curriculum bored me and I was really tired of school anyway.” He took a job as a front desk clerk at a Holiday Inn and later worked as a file clerk while performing in a professional back-up group called Love, Salvation & Devotion (LSD) on the weekends.
In 1984, Dillard joined the late Milton Brunson’s Thompson Community Singers. At the same time, he started hanging out with renowned club DJ Frankie Knuckles and began recording dance and hip-hop records. Aside from a half dozen-guest appearances on various dance tracks, Dillard recorded his own album “Let The Music Use You” which was released in Europe and was imported into the United States. In spite of his growing success in the club market, Dillard says, “My heart was in the gospel. I always wanted to do gospel. The other stuff was just an opportunity to record. I wanted to bring a more contemporary style into gospel for choirs.” It’s those contemporary innovations in gospel that have caught Kirk Franklin and the Winans explaining their motivations to the more sanctified members of the church at times. “I don’t criticize because I believe all music was created to praise God and all we’re doing is taking back what the devil stole from us and using it to please God.”
Dillard says God led him to found the New Generation Chorale in 1988. The next year they won the McDonald’s Chicagoland Choir competition. One day he met producer Butch McGee in a parking lot. McGee had heard of him and signed Dillard’s group on their reputation alone. New G’s first album The Promise was released in 1990 and won them a Grammy® nomination and a GMWA Excellence award in 1991. The next year the choir was featured in Steve Martin’s movie “Leap of Faith.” By the time their second live album A Holy Ghost Take Over debuted in 1993, Dillard was a consultant on Whoopie Goldberg’s “Sister Act II” movie and the choir had appeared on a PBS Television Special “Going Home To Gospel” featuring Patti La Belle and Albertina Walker. In 1994, New G won their first Stellar Award for contemporary choir of the year and recorded all the background vocals for Gospel Queen Albertina Walker’s Stellar Award winning album He Keeps On Blessing Me. “It was a delight to work with the Queen,” Dillard laughs just thinking of the experience. “She keeps me laughing.” In 1995, New G’s third album “Hallelujah” was released and the choir had its first club hit. They collaborated with Frankie Knuckles and Adeva on Walkin’ from their Welcome to the Real World album. The Virgin Records single became a Top 20 hit on Billboard magazine’s club chart.
By 1996, New G had moved to Detroit-based Crystal Rose Records. Their debut Worked It Out sold 30,000 pre-orders out of the box. New G had their biggest promotional push yet. The album premiered at Dillard’s alma mater before 1,500 screaming students. They capped the push off with a listening party/concert at the Cubby Bear nightclub and a Record Town appearance that rang up almost $10,000 in one day sales. The album quickly jumped to the Billboard gospel top ten and stayed on the chart for months. Then, in 2000 the group leaped back on the charts with the scorcher No Limit CD. The single The Holy Place, a classic choir vocal with a subtle hip-hop rhythm, buoyed the sales. Beginning back in 1997, the group made their first tour of Europe where they were particularly successful in Germany. “I was surprised that we were so embraced,” Dillard says. “But years before I told the choir that we were going to be international and God made that happen for us.” Aside from international acclaim, the group has opened for Patti LaBelle and Bonnie Raitt among others. In 2004, the group released top seller, Unplugged… The Way Church Used To Be, an album that revisited traditional church choir anthems and incorporated the “Ricky Dillard Sound”.
Now in a new stage in his life, Ricky decided to take more control of career. In 2006, he parted ways with Crystal Rose Records and started his own label, Animated Entertainment Inc. With backing from Alliant Music Group and EMI Gospel, this company is ready to soar. The first project from the label is the new Ricky Dillard & New G project entitled The 7th Episode: “Live in Toronto”. This historical project will definitely delight the ears of many as it truly defines a new level of ministry for Ricky & his aggregation.
(http://www.yourmusiczone.com/go/ymz/music_artist_more/dillard_ricky_new_g/)
Grateful
Ricky Dillard & New G Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of gratitude,
I am so grateful for the things that You've done
I′ve got an attitude,
Of gratitude,
I am so grateful for the victories You've won
When I think about,
What You've done for me
Died on Calvary
I′m grateful,
I′m grateful,
I'm grateful to------ You Lord!
I′ve got an attitude,
Of gratitude,
I am so grateful for the things that You've done
I′ve got an attitude,
Of gratitude,
I am so grateful for the victories You've won
When I think about,
What You′ve done for me
How You saved my soul,
Died on Calvary
I'm grateful,
I'm grateful,
I′m grateful to------ You Lord!
VAMP
Grateful... oh yes I am
I′m grateful, I'm grateful, I′m grateful
Grateful
The lyrics to the song Grateful by Ricky Dillard & New G speak about the singer's gratefulness to the Lord for the incredible things He has done for him/her. The opening line "I've got an attitude of gratitude" sets the tone for the rest of the song, showcasing a positive attitude towards life and faith. The singer goes on to express their gratitude for the blessings they have received, whether it be the things that the Lord has done or the victories that He has won on their behalf.
As the song continues, the singer puts their gratitude into perspective by reflecting on the ultimate sacrifice that the Lord made for all of us. They sing about how He saved their soul and died on Calvary. This point in the song is particularly powerful, as it highlights the depth of love and compassion that the Lord has for humanity, and how He gave up His own life to save us from sin.
Overall, Grateful is a beautiful song that celebrates the power of faith and the many blessings that come with it. Its upbeat melody and inspiring lyrics make it a popular choice for worship and praise services around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got an attitude,
My mindset is one of...
Of gratitude,
...appreciation and thankfulness
I am so grateful for the things that You've done
I am incredibly thankful for all the actions you have taken on my behalf
I've got an attitude,
My mindset is one of...
Of gratitude,
...appreciation and thankfulness
I am so grateful for the victories You've won
I am incredibly thankful for all the battles you have won in my life
When I think about,
When I reflect on...
What You've done for me
...all the things you have done for me
How You saved my soul,
...how you rescued my spirit
Died on Calvary
...sacrificing yourself on the cross
I'm grateful,
I am filled with gratitude and thankfulness
I'm grateful,
I am filled with gratitude and thankfulness
I'm grateful to------ You Lord!
My gratitude is directed towards you, God!
VAMP
Repetition of praise and gratefulness
Grateful... oh yes I am
I am definitely filled with gratefulness
I'm grateful,
I am filled with gratitude and thankfulness
I'm grateful,
I am filled with gratitude and thankfulness
I'm grateful
I am filled with gratitude and thankfulness
Writer(s): Reed Dennis E
Contributed by Lucy N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cindy Hunt
That is how a choir should move!!!
TA3000
I like this song alot....its has a nice grove to it.
Jessica Dixon
I love this song!
ldylana64
One of my favs...... as Ricky would say, "Sing Children!"
Sarah Moses
This is my praise song. I've got an attitude of gratitude. The words usher in the spirit of the Lord. Praise be high .
Renee Lewis
Yes I am grateful! Thank you lord!!! I love you!!!!
Quantice White
I love this song man , the band smashed this song
Jabari Lucas
i love choirs like these
Pedro Silva
Muito bom
Kevyn Williams
Love This Song I Grateful. Glory To Jesus Christ