We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful James C. Birdsong, Jr.. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with James C. below.
James C. , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
First and foremost, I am grateful to God for this opportunity to share my story in Bold Journey. I appreciate this very much. I have been asked this similar question on various media platforms from television to podcasts throughout the United States and abroad. As a member of the Gospel music industry, I learned as a child to always have God first and foremost in your life. I am grateful for my parents, the late Rev. James C. Birdsong, Sr. and Belinda Germany-Birdsong for installing these foundational principles in me along with family members, teachers and elders. I learned this lesson by observing those who were walking in their purpose, and a testimony to share with others. I applied these lessons and now as an adult at 43-years-old, I am encouraging today’s youth, especially in the African American community to remain in the Will and Purpose of God in their lives, move forward in their purpose and they will succeed. This is the path we should focus on while doing the the necessary steps in identifying our purpose.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I was born and raised in Richmond, California. I lived in a two story, five bedroom, two bath Victorian house at the corner of Maine Avenue and Harbour Way South, which is in the southside of the city near Cutting Boulevard, the Port of Richmond, the Richmond Marina, Point Richmond, the Chevron Richmond Refinery, the BNSF Richmond Yard and Interstate 580 West towards the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. Richmond is located across San Francisco Bay northeast of San Francisco and north of Oakland. As the public throughout the United States and abroad, I am truly blessed to be a member of the renowned famed Birdsong family. Our legacy and roots are in music and ministry. I am the cousin of R&B legend Cindy Birdsong, a former member of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells and the Supremes, Otis Birdsong, a retired 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. His music has been sampled by Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Dalf Punk, Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg and Erykah Badu. My great uncle was the late Rev. Sidney Birdsong, Sr., a respected icon who served as the pastor of the historic Solid Rock Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California. Even though I grew up around singing, ministry and the importance of giving back to the community, my professional journey in the Gospel music industry did not begin until 1996 when I was 16-years-old. When I was a student at my alma mater, Fairfield High School in Fairfield, California, my English teacher asked the class to write a paper based on a topic of our choosing. I decided to write about Gospel music. The teacher gave me a A for the grade on my paper. At the same time, a classmate and I would visit websites of major artists and record labels at the library for the school’s one hour lunch period. I continue to do my research of the Gospel music industry all the way into my twenties after graduating high school in 1998. God blessed my mother and I to take the major step of faith in 2005 to relocate in Atlanta, Georgia. This is where I placed my plan into action and the rest is history with a resume of awards and more. Currently, I am the Founder of Birdsong Association of Broadcasting & Arts, Inc. (BABA), a 501c3 nonprofit organization in Atlanta with additional operations planned for Los Angeles, DMW (DC/MD/VA) and New York City to help today’s African American youth in K-12 pursue their dreams and goals of the performing arts and broadcasting through programs, initiatives, scholarships, partnerships with local school districts and HBCUs (Historical Black Colleges & Universities), productions and workshops. We have the administration and board members with the organization. Currently, we are in a hiatus and transitional period. I am also a songwriter, promoter and record label executive who is in the process of launching a record company in Gospel music along with my business partner, David Robinson in January 2024. The public will know more about this record label and the first artist who is a renowned Stellar Award nominee as time comes.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I am going to based my response to our young people, especially in the African American community. My motto is, “If you put God first and foremost in your life, work hard and you will land somewhere” will help them to overcome and succeed. I applied this lesson as a child and teenager, especially growing up as a student in the special education program that begin at 3-years-old following my healing from a speech impediment and ministry calling that occurred 40 years ago. We have today’s generation who is God is raising up to carry the torch among their peers. At the same time, they need love, encouragement and guidance. I challenge parents, grandparents, foster parents, guardians and even the elders to do their part to be supportive with our youth. They will appreciate you down the line.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The Bible is the most important source that motivated me to move forward in my journey of life. The Word of God gives us strength as an guidance. One of my favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:13 (KJV) when it reads, ” I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” This is a principle that helped me through the years, and now I am sharing this with today’s youth. I also like to read autobiographies/memoirs of those who have succeed in life as a testimony for others to be overcome. For instance, when Patti LaBelle released her memoir, “Don’t Block The Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime,” I had the opportunity to read the book and could not put it down. I remember reading Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?” that made the New York Times best sellers list. This book touched millions of people around the world as they are on their journey with a purpose ordained by God. I am also the author of my autobiography/memoir titled, “The Best is Yet to Come: A Testimony of One Young Man’s Redemption” that received so many positive reviews. As an author, the book will be have a follow up in the near future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jamescbirdsongjr.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamescbirdsongjr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamescbirdsongjr
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealJBOnline
Image Credits
James C. Birdsong, Jr. Official Photo
Courtesy of Emily Heath Photography
Faith Brought Me Through: James C. Birdsong, Jr. 43rd Birthday Virtual Celebration Flyer
Courtesy of Jorad Holmes (LevelUpGraphix)
2023 1st Annual Prisoner of War in the Mind Conference Red Carpet
Courtesy of Fervently Creations
James C. Birdsong, Jr., Lillian Lilly of the Mississippi Mass Choir and Rev. Larry Jointer at St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Brookhaven, Mississippi Courtesy of Tiffany Colaman-McGee
Billboard Internet Radio Gospel Chart Plaque Presented to James C. Birdsong, Jr.
Reggie Campbell (It’s Gonna Be Alright featuring Lemmie Battles)
Courtesy of We Make The Brand
Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees
Courtesy of James C. Birdsong, Jr.
Kingdom Ambassadors Global University Class of 2023 Commencement Ceremony at Carey Hillard’s Banquet Room in Savannah, Georgia
Courtesy of James C. Birdsong, Jr.
GGMA Xchange Magazine January 2023 Issue James C. Birdsong, Jr: A Man of Integrity
Courtesy of GCMA Xchange Magazine (Gospel Choice Music Awards)
College & Career Youth Motivation Day 2023 at Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta, Georgia
Courtesy of James C. Birdsong, Jr.
