Exclusive Interview with Al Mac Will Urban Country Gospel Singer

Near death experiences have opened the eyes of many who received an epiphany of the true call on ones life. A distant story became an up close and personal reality for Al Mac Will (Alice McAfee Williams), an Urban Country Gospel singer based in Los Angeles California who allowed the experience of  ‘death’ to serve as a springboard for what is now becoming an emerging genre of inspirational music.

“In order to live you must die,” Al said.

Nearly 21 years ago, Al’s bowel was nicked after undergoing a planned cesarean section at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in LA. Doctor’s gave her only 72 hours to live and encouraged her to make the final arrangement for her burial. Digging beyond the doctor’s report, Al knew her time was not over and God’s plan for her life was just beginning.

“It was in those moments I learned to clearly hear God’s voice and He encouraged me to truly embrace the person he was making me,” Al said.

She was determined that God would have the final say. She would live! Yet, what would it mean? Al detailed the number of times she spent running away from herself and everything God was taking her to.

“There were days I wanted to just to pay someone to take the nasal/twang out of my voice. I didn’t like it. I wanted to sound like Aretha Franklin. I was also afraid that the music coming out of me would not be accepted by the church because it didn’t sound like 11’oclock Sunday morning (music),” she said. “I was not able to fully accept myself and my gift because it did not fit in the mode I was born into.”

Raised in a predominately “gospel” upbringing and gospel/spiritual background, Al has more than 47 preachers and pastors in her family bloodline.

“I never wanted to be an urban country gospel singer, but it is the gift God gave me. It is His will for my life and I had to embrace it.” “God said in order for you to embrace your call you must wrap your entire arms around it. Give me yourself cheerfully.”

The Urban Country Gospel sound combines the best elements of Gospel, Country, R&B and Pop. It is a unique musical combination of gentle funk with a driving but subtle bass beat; the twang of sweet steel guitar and a groove that’s new yet familiar. This sound did not come easy to Al. The beginning road to this place would be marked by Al’s near death experience which lead to a deep transformational process of embracing herself in all God was getting ready to take her through.

MENTORS

Living past the first 72 hours was enough for Al to celebrate, yet she knew a new level of death would have to be experienced before she would really live again.

“God saved me for a reason and I would be a fool to continue to waste it on doing what I want to do.” Over the next several years, Al slowly recovered and began to sing again. She was beginning to gain ground.  In that time, entertainment legends such as Louis Gosett Jr., The Williams Brothers and Stevie Wonder begin to surround her and support the new sound emerging from her vocal chords.

“Stevie told me…’work on it until it feels good to you’ and create a different sound so people will not be able to put your music in a box,” Al said.“(Stevie Wonder) was a mentor to me and he made me feel like I could make good decisions about my music. God used him to bring out what I never knew existed.”

Gaining a new sense of confidence in herself and her new sound, Al began to truly live again. God was in the midst of her tears and cheers. Instead of holding back her sound, she spent several years documenting her experiences and perfecting the music, which lead to the compilation of more than 50 songs.

“Everything I experienced or went through I created into a song. I realized what we are trying to get rid of is what God is trying to use,” Al said.

“In this time, I realized my music could not be constrained to Sunday morning, but it needed to be tool for healing in our everyday lives. That is what Urban Country Gospel represents – Our everyday walk in this life with God and our fight to live even when we feel like we want to give up and die.”

A NEW LIFE

Al’s dual singles “Stand Still” and “Holy Is the Only Way” is now playing on radio stations across the nation. The debut record is available on Xodust Word & Music/Thank You Entertainment distributed byFontana/Universal Music Group.

“Urban Country Gospel is easy listening. Everything on the project people will be able to relate to. If you believe in something go for it and don’t let anyone stop you. Also, know God for yourself and he will give you life,” Al said.

Urban Country Gospel will be around for a while and so will Al Mac Will. She lives her life to the fullest with God and is now changing the lives of others through music in a way she could have never imagined.

“I’m not just a music artist. I am a servant being used as an instrument to tell you about what is possible.” “Your life is a gift — use it to glorify God and empower the lives of others.”