{"artistName":"Meet Ellen Hayes","artistId":55529,"artistDefaultImage":"https://artist.radioairplay.com/airplay_pictures/pictures/001/115/457/bda267d57391732f9348d4ec59db8823_300.png","srcset":"//artist.radioairplay.com/airplay_pictures/pictures/001/115/457/bda267d57391732f9348d4ec59db8823_sm.jpg 50w,//artist.radioairplay.com/airplay_pictures/pictures/001/115/457/bda267d57391732f9348d4ec59db8823_md.jpg 80w,//artist.radioairplay.com/airplay_pictures/pictures/001/115/457/bda267d57391732f9348d4ec59db8823_lg.jpg 200w,//artist.radioairplay.com/airplay_pictures/pictures/001/115/457/bda267d57391732f9348d4ec59db8823_300.png 340w","artistBio":"\u003cp\u003eDetroit has long been a hub for extraordinary soul and R\u0026amp;B talent, and as the birthplace of Motown, it's also rich in Gospel music heritage. Among the city’s revered Gospel artists is Ellen Hayes, a dynamic singer whose powerful voice has inspired believers for decades. With her deep, soulful alto, Ellen embodies the essence of both traditional and contemporary Gospel music. Not just a vocalist, she's a multi-talented musician—an organist, pianist, songwriter, and choir director—who has been nominated four times for the Rhythm of Gospel Awards. Now, she's poised to make a significant impact on the Gospel scene with her much-anticipated album, We Owe It All to You.\n\nOriginally from Ecorse, Michigan, Ellen moved to Detroit as a child when her father, a pastor, was called to establish a church. The family lived in the upper floors of a converted bar, where her father began his ministry. Ellen's upbringing in the church deeply shaped her faith and her music. She reflects, \"When I was growing up, I didn’t always see the value of it, but as life unfolded, I realized how crucial those lessons were.\" It was in the church that her love for music blossomed, influenced by her mother, a talented pianist who played for the choir. Captivated by the sound of the piano, Ellen learned to play by ear, first mastering the organ and then the piano. Though she initially gravitated towards jazz, pop, and soul, her passion for Gospel music eventually took hold. By her twenties, she was directing and playing for her church choir, a ministry she continues more than 40 years later.\n\nAt just 16, Ellen felt the call to music ministry. When her father restricted certain songs in church, she began writing her own, drawing directly from scripture. This creative challenge not only sparked her songwriting career but also deepened her understanding of the Bible. Her forthcoming album showcases this biblical foundation, especially in tracks like \"The Holy City,\" inspired by prophetic dreams of Heaven, and \"God Will Supply,\" which evokes the spirit of old-time church.\n\nEllen’s recording career began in her twenties with the Gospel group True Inspiration, founded by her brother Dr. Raymond Edison. The group recorded two albums and earned a reputation for their powerful performances. After 20 years with True Inspiration, Ellen launched her solo career with her 2012 debut album, Step Into Your Blessing, which earned four Rhythm of Gospel Award nominations. In 2018, Ellen’s song \"Oh King\" was featured in the Gospel Music Workshop of America's 50th Anniversary live recording, further establishing her as a significant voice in Gospel music.\n\nEllen’s musical journey continued with the formation of Ellen Hayes and Harmonee, an all-female group featuring her three daughters. Known for their impeccable harmonies, the group carried on the family’s rich musical legacy. A devoted wife, mother of eight, and grandmother of 20, Ellen remains deeply involved in her church, Word of Truth Church in Detroit, where she serves as the musician.\n\nIn 2024, Ellen released Another Chance featuring the Word of Truth Mass Choir. The powerful single, with lead vocals by her daughter Cynthia Gross and Levi Sims, has been embraced by the Gospel community, earning a spot in the GMWA National Convention's New Music Seminar songbook and climbing the MediaBase and Billboard Gospel charts. With this success, Ellen is already looking ahead to her next project, set for release in 2025, continuing her mission to uplift and inspire through her music.\n\n\n-- \nOlivia LONG\nFreelance Publicist\nLinkedin\n+33 6 59 04 30 02\n\u003c/p\u003e","musicPath":"/music/Meet+Ellen+Hayes","playStationPath":"/stations/277553831/play","stationId":277553831,"bioPath":"/music/Meet+Ellen+Hayes/_full_bio","similars":[{"musicPath":"/music/Karen+Clark+Sheard","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/34b/34b51f693cf9bdd3d3a5f8ee8bbce990_md.jpg","artistName":"Karen Clark Sheard","artistId":13790,"station_id":113478229},{"musicPath":"/music/Rihanna","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/b13/b131435bad3240710a09ff0f30175556_md.jpg","artistName":"Rihanna","artistId":2538,"station_id":113262743},{"musicPath":"/music/Kierra+Sheard","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/c72/c7212570dba84b2bbffb6f798f8e099a_md.jpg","artistName":"Kierra Sheard","artistId":13474,"station_id":113300022},{"musicPath":"/music/Deitrick+Haddon","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/af4/af4aaa2ff56e9289b1623643330bdcc3_md.jpg","artistName":"Deitrick Haddon","artistId":12780,"station_id":113265569},{"musicPath":"/music/Faith+Evans","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/c7a/c7a33d3953f2ca86440b94a87aa61cb8_md.jpg","artistName":"Faith Evans","artistId":7085,"station_id":113263857},{"musicPath":"/music/Tamia+Washington","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/538/5383cf2222f19f857780f3013d17912a_md.jpg","artistName":"Tamia Washington","artistId":9781,"station_id":113264091},{"musicPath":"/music/Brandy","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/bde/bdebbae315728255de319830d504ccb0_md.jpg","artistName":"Brandy","artistId":4811,"station_id":113262719},{"musicPath":"/music/Celine+Dion","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/2f3/2f32e10755b19a4e361f9cff82dcd183_md.jpg","artistName":"Celine Dion","artistId":9702,"station_id":113262808},{"musicPath":"/music/Alicia+Keys","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/769/7695e35b2f18b3123cdd12cef3bbac21_md.jpg","artistName":"Alicia Keys","artistId":57,"station_id":113262118},{"musicPath":"/music/Fantasia","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/046/04632fac1ed6e289f85c086761d4e67a_md.jpg","artistName":"Fantasia","artistId":2491,"station_id":113265749},{"musicPath":"/music/Shekinah+Glory+Ministry","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/582/5825eabfe9a37233755f239cfed59135_md.jpg","artistName":"Shekinah Glory Ministry","artistId":11740,"station_id":113276704},{"musicPath":"/music/Ledisi","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/2d7/2d7d67af319c7f7f57b4cc670ce9caa3_md.jpg","artistName":"Ledisi","artistId":10757,"station_id":113335361},{"musicPath":"/music/India+Arie","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/494/4946c76283f8945b937c09a7730b30e4_md.jpg","artistName":"India.Arie","artistId":861,"station_id":113264950},{"musicPath":"/music/Marvin+Sapp","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/48a/48ad4b99edeac2ddf394e2d89c03834c_md.jpg","artistName":"Marvin Sapp","artistId":10762,"station_id":113262525},{"musicPath":"/music/Kim+Burrell","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/3ab/3ab32dca4a586aed9059778bba670884_md.jpg","artistName":"Kim Burrell","artistId":15660,"station_id":135150462},{"musicPath":"/music/Smokie+Norful","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/413/413aff838093821b7749fa787a70eeeb_md.jpg","artistName":"Smokie Norful","artistId":12805,"station_id":113271631},{"musicPath":"/music/Donnie+McClurkin","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/deb/debcb76aca18fa960024efa99dac6f63_md.jpg","artistName":"Donnie McClurkin","artistId":11728,"station_id":113276891},{"musicPath":"/music/Take+6","artistDefaultImage":"https://artist99.cdn107.com/c3a/c3a600b4f148d8c84010c6db508b914b_md.jpg","artistName":"Take 6","artistId":7659,"station_id":113408259}]}