James C. Birdsong, Jr. is an aspiring Gospel vocalist, songwriter, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, advocate for our children and author of The Best is Yet to Come: A Testimony of One Young Man’s Redemption, an inspirational memoir published nationally and to this date, received positive reviews and appearances on multiple television, radio and print media platforms nationwide and globally. A native of Richmond, CA, his efforts have caught the attention and respect of politicians, community, media and entertainment leaders and luminaries. A member of the famed Birdsong family, his lineage includes R&B legend Cindy Birdsong, a former member of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells and the Supremes, former four-time NBA All-Star pro basketball player Otis Birdsong and the late Edwin Birdsong, a GRAMMY®-Award winner and legendary 1970s era funk keyboardist, who’s music has been sampled by Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, and Dalf Punk. Dr. Birdsong was the great-nephew of the late Rev. Sidney Birdsong, Sr., a respected icon who served as the pastor of the historical Solid Rock Baptist Church in Los Angeles from 1959 to his death in 1976. An alumnus of Fairfield High School in Fairfield, CA, Dr. Birdsong earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Education at Beulah Heights University in Atlanta, GA. He recently earned a Graduate Certificate in Marketing at the University of Phoenix in Phoenix, AZ, the Doctor of Sacred Music and Doctor of Sacred Human Letters (Honoris Causa) from New Covenant International Bible College in Columbia, SC. An award-winning Gospel music industry professional, Dr. Birdsong is the recipient of the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement and Marquis Who’s Who Top Artist Award, a multiple listee in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World, the Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award, the Congressional Record, the Black Essence Award in Gospel Music, and numerous citations, honors, nominations, proclamations, and resolutions. He is an inductee on the Wall of Tolerance at the Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, AL, and the National Society of Leadership & Success in Jersey City, NJ. His memberships of major music organizations include the Gospel Music Workshop of America Atlanta Chapter (GMWA), the Stellar Awards Gospel Music Academy (SAGMA), the Gospel Music Association (GMA Dove Awards), the Gospel Artist Music Association (GAMA) and the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM). He is working on his next book for youth as a discussion of topics they face today from dating and relationships to the hip-hop culture and advice on how to enroll in college.
