Originating from Kansas City, Missouri, DeWayne Woods built his reputation as a gospel performer and praise-and-worship testifier after completing musical studies at the Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts. A chance introduction to John P. Kee launched his professional path, placing him as a central figure in Kee’s New Life Community Choir before he moved on to the Company, Kee’s follow-up ensemble. He lent his voice to many prominent names across contemporary gospel and supplied backing vocals for Celine Dion, Kirk Whalum, Kurt Carr, and Karen Clark-Sheard, among others, until he stepped out to establish his own solo career and ministry. The debut album Introducing DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet produced the major gospel success “Let Go” in 2007, which earned the singer multiple honors and enabled his relocation from Chicago to Atlanta, where he became Director of Worship & Arts at Divine Faith Ministries International. After contracting the HIV virus in the ’90s, Woods drew attention by disclosing that he had discontinued the medications controlling the condition, placed his health in God’s hands, and announced his healing. Whether healed or not, the decision never interrupted his singing, ministry work, or positive outlook. His second project, My Life’s Lyric—again produced by P.J. Morton, Daniel Weatherspoon, and Aaron Lindsey—appeared in 2010.
