“The Prodigal Comes Home” . Michael English notable Southern Gospel singer from North Carolina reached the top of the Gospel Charts and won 4 Dove awards in 1992.
Less than 2 weeks after winning 4 Dove awards, one for Artist of the year and for Male Vocalist of the year, English turned in his awards and confessed to having an affair with a married background singer. Soon after the Gospel industry removed Michael English recording’s from the charts. Headlines blared all over the world about the very popular English and his fall from Grace.
How could life become much worse for one of the best in Gospel.
But with his disgrace live did become much worse for English when he then became divorced he also battled drug addiction and soon became homeless also Michael stated that he had been arrested several times due to drugs.
English has told a compelling moving testimony based on his life. In 2007 the release of Michael’s autobiography ‘The Prodigal Comes Home”. A very well written book based on the rise and fall of one of Gospel musics finest artists. Michael writes about how he had to hit rock bottom and beyond before he could get back up.
Open and honest English told the tale of a man who felt back then that singing was enough and finally was able to pull himself from “lying in a pool of his former self” and “trying to make a deal with God.”. English has been featured on many talk shows and tearfully and very thankfully tells of a pastor friend of his that told him to say “Yea though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil.” Michael stated that this was all he could bring himself to say for 10 days. English hopes his testimony will help others and seems to never mind in the telling of a man who had found himself at rock bottom with no one but God to turn to. English admits that back then he was more concerned with how he sounded that the meanings of the many songs he had sang.
English fans see a different Michael English than the one from 1992. English is now back with the Gaither Vocal Band touring with greats such as Mark Lowry, David Phelps, Wes Hampton and Bill Gaither and is very happy. At the height of his popularity with the Gaither Vocal Band you can see a younger Michael English singing ‘I Bowed On My Knees’ and he is chewing gum, even though his vocals at that time were powerful and impressive back then he sounds better now. The husky soulful voice breaks down in tears when he sings and though not as powerful a singer as he once was to hear him now is amazing. English today is able to touch deep down in to the heart and soul. English has found new meaning and it shows.and it sounds like redemption.
Michael English has remarried and now has another lovely daughter named Bella and lives in Tennessee.
The best of Micheal English recordings is most notably “I Bowed On My Knees And Cried Holy’ English is in his element with this song. English also recorded ‘In Christ Alone” and ‘Daystar’ in the height of his popularity and his amazing soulful vocals really shine strong in his peak. The blending of 2 soulful voices English and Wynonna Judd recorded in 1994 a very powerful ‘Healing’ which was also featured in the 1994 movie ‘Silent Fall. In 2000 English released ‘Heaven to Earth’ once again amazing critics with the power of his vocals.
Hearing English sing ‘House of Gold’ with Mark Lowry in the lead is awesome showing not only is he powerful as a lead but as a back up vocalist as well English shows a softer side with ‘Your Love Amazes Me’ and with “Freedom”.
Listen to English sing ‘Lord Feed Your Children’, ‘Give Up’ and ‘I’m Free’ with the Gaither Vocal Band Reunion in 2008 and you are sure to be moved. English puts his entire heart, mind body and most importantly his soul in his recent recordings.
I first viewed Michael English singing ‘I Bowed On My Knees’ back in the day with him chewing gum and to me he seemed just a little too cocky, arrogant and more concerned with his great looks for a Gospel singer. I just never felt that his heart was in it. Back then I was not one of his fans even though I loved his very unique voice. But today I am one of his strongest supporters after being able to witness a new and improved Michael English. He may have gained some weight and lost little of his good looks and his voice has lost a lot due to his drug abuse and smoking. Today English is more charming to me as he is right now with the struggles he has faced visible on his face and form.
I have never heard him sing any better than he is doing today. Today Michael English believes in what he is singing.
Michael English is touring with the Gaither Vocal Band and for concert information contact Ticket-master. For more information about his powerfully moving book ‘The Prodigal Comes Home’ check out Amazon.com.
