Nashville, TN (February 8, 2021)
The powerful voices and writer behind the song “9 Makes Us 1” discuss their historic collaboration as part of #CarryTheChange: Conversations on Race and Relationship brought to you by the One Voice Initiative and the Gospel Music Association. It is the first music collaboration to be featured on the series. The program airs at 6:00 p.m. CST on Monday, February 8th, 2021, on YouTube and Facebook. The series creates a space for honest conversations and aims to lead artists to create music that brings forth lasting healing and unity in the Church.

The Wardlaw Brothers and Legacy Five perform in two genres of music traditionally separated more often by race than by the style of music. The groups united in the fall of 2020 for a ground-breaking music collaboration called “9 Makes Us 1.” Their nine voices fused under the nine fruits of the Spirit–Love, Joy, Peace, Goodness, Faithfulness, Patience, Kindness, Self-Control, and Gentleness to convey one message–unity. The effort is a strategic and God-appointed mission to transcend music genre classifications by putting race aside in a musically-creative environment all for the glory of God.

Penned by Luther Wardlaw and produced by Tyrone Dickerson and Luther Wardlaw, “9 Makes Us 1” is a powerful song of unity that our nation and world need to hear now,” says Tony Wardlaw. “The song simply says that there is no place for hatred and that we all need to have empathy for one another. We must consider what it’s like to walk in each other’s shoes and try to look past each other’s differences to live and survive as one–just as Christ Jesus would have us all be one.”

Scott Fowler of Legacy Five adds, “When I was first approached about Legacy Five joining forces with the Wardlaw Brothers, my answer was an immediate YES! We’re in! The recording session was an amazing day of unity and brotherhood. The Holy Spirit was there. This is not a publicity stunt for either group. We are men of different backgrounds coming together with one goal – unity. And, what better way to do that by being an example of the nine fruits of the spirit that make us one.”

The Wardlaw Brothers have become one of Gospel music’s most notable groups with their incredibly tight vocal arrangements and dynamic stage presence. Tony, Luther, Carl, Jamie, and Rodney Wardlaw are biological brothers who have garnered a Stellar Award nomination for their GOD’S BEEN THERE album and a GMA Dove Award Nomination for their #1 Billboard Gospel Album, STAND THERE.

Legacy Five has earned four GMA Dove Award Nominations including two nominations in 2020, Southern Gospel Song of the Year for “What Kind Of Man,” and Southern Gospel Album of the Year for PURE LOVE which they were awarded. Legacy Five’s rich four-part harmony is delivered by group members Matt Fouch (bass), Bryan Walker (baritone), Scott Fowler (lead), and Lee Black (tenor). Josh Townsend is the group’s talented pianist.

Martin Wardlaw summed up the effort, “Many social situations plague our world, and sometimes things seem hopeless. Through Christ and the power of unity, healing and change can be accomplished. By believing and actively applying the fruit of the spirit, a wellspring of hope can be ignited and we can all live united as one. That is the hope of “9 Makes Us 1.”

“9 Makes Us 1” is available as a single-song release on all music streaming and digital platforms.

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