A Little Something Different by The Lighthouse Gospelettes

Later on, other members of the group were: Pamela (Roach) Elder, Gwendolyn (Roach) Rittenberry, Gloria Green, Mamie (Robinson) McClain, Barbara "Bobbie"(Pittman) Richie, Juanita (Harris) Johnson, Mary (Henry) McKinney.

Through the years the group has had various members and musicians, however; one original member of the group, Alma Stroud, still stands strong as the 1st Soprano and mother of the group. She has been singing with The Lighthouse Gospelettes for over 40 years. The Lighthouse Gospelettes are blessed to have had her talent throughout the years and at present. She brings an enormous blast of spirit to the group.

The current "Lighthouse Gospelettes" have been singing together for more than twenty years. Inspired by the late Ms. Isolene Roach, (mother of Alma Stroud and Lisa Roach-Wilmore), Cassandra Stroud, Dierdra Stroud-Lee (also pianist) and Lisa Roach-Wilmore began singing as a trio. Later, this trio pulled together with Alma Stroud and formed today's Lighthouse Gospelettes: Alma Stroud, Lisa Roach-Wilmore (Sister of Alma Stroud), Dierdra Stroud-Lee and Cassandra Stroud (Both daughters of Alma Stroud & George Stroud, Jr.). When this group first started, they only had a pianist, George Stroud, Jr. Currently, the musicians are: George Stroud, Jr. - Bass Guitar (Alma's Husband), Stanley Stroud - Lead Guitar (Son of Alma and George Stroud), Takeio Stroud - Percussion (Alma and George's grandson, Son of Stanley Stroud), Howard Stroud, Jr. - Keyboard (Nephew of George and Alma Stroud), Dierdra Stroud-Lee - Keyboard (Daughter of Alma and George Stroud). Since Takeio Stroud (Drummer) is residing in Nashville, TN, they are blessed to have back with them Dennis Daniel - Percussion (Cousin of Alma Stroud & Lisa Roach-Wilmore and other members). The Lighthouse Gospelettes are also blessed with Rodney Stroud (Son of Alma and George Stroud) as Sound Technician, Stanley Stroud (Lead Guitarist) as Sound Engineer/Technician and Edward Barnett (who is like family) as Stage Hand/Asst. Sound Tech.

This family group is inspired by the Word of God and love to sing praises to God. Their reason is "For it is through him we live, move and have or being". They were offered an opportunity to record by Robert Mitchell, Sr., and owner of 2U Production Company. They worked diligently with producer, songwriter/composer, Pastor Michael Dennis of Atlanta, GA, Don McKenzie, Overdub Producer and Mixing Master of McMix Productions in Atlanta, GA. Also, co-producers were their very own Howard Stroud, Jr. (Music) and Dierdra Stroud-Lee (Vocals). The members of the Lighthouse Gospelettes are very talented songwriters/arrangers as well. In April of 1999, The Lord blessed The Lighthouse Gospelettes by enabling them to complete and release their first CD Recording Titled, "Thank You Lord For Saving Me'.

If you haven't heard their first CD release titled, "Thank You Lord For Saving Me", you should take a listen. This CD is powerful and spiritual. It will lift you up and help you to make it through your darkest days.

Currently (September 27, 2002), the Lighthouse Gospelettes have released a new CD titled, "A Little Something Different" under their own Indie Label: Getan Records. The CD was Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Mark Smith of Full Moon Studio, Watkinsville, GA. The Lighthouse Gospelettes are the Executive Producers of this new CD Release. The Lighthouse Gospelettes produced, wrote and arranged 10 of the 13 songs on this full album CD. Others were written by Pastor Michael Dennis of Atlanta, GA.

The CD, "A Little Something Different" is Spirit-filled and straight from the heart of the Lighthouse Gospelettes. They have gospel music styles on this CD to reach a wide range of audiences. The CD title song, "A Little Something Different", indicates that there are various styles of gospel music, but it is not only the melody or the rhythm behind gospel music that touches the hearts of people, but also the words, the meaning, and the spirit. Gospel music has always been positive and inspiring since the late Thomas Dorsey, and the powerful sounds of Mahalia Jackson to the current cross over sounds of artist like The Winans, and Kirk Franklin. As we say in "A Little Something Different": "Gospel For Nation Is What We Need.... To Reach All People".

Performances and activities include, but are not limited to:

February 22-25, 1995 - Bobby Jones Gospel Explosion XI

July 13-16, 1995 - Bobby Jones Gospel Explosion XII

April, 1996 - Classic Center Grand Opening in Athens, Georgia

June 26, 1996 - Winder, Georgia's Community Awareness Day

July 21-Aug 3, 1996 - UGA's Musicale American program for visitors during 1996 Olympic games

September 18, 1999 - Performed in Athens, GA on the 1st Annual Edward Wright Memorial Afrocentric Festival

September, 1999 - Performed in Washington, DC on program to support Prayer in the School System

November 10, 1999 - Appeared on the Bobby Hurd Television Show (Live Taping)

November 27, 1999 - Performed during the Bobby Hurd's Share The Harvest Breakfast Program

January 17, 2000 - Program in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., Crossroads Interdenominational Church, Athens, GA

May 2000 - UGA's Annual Earth Day Festival

May 27, 2000- Gospel Music Extravaganza in Madison, Georgia

June 25, 2000 - Gospel Concert at the Gardenview Chapel, Athens, Georgia

October 21, 2000- East of Athens Dedication Ceremony for the new "Triangle"

November, 2000 - Bobby Hurd Television Show

Year 2000 - Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA- (Rev. R.L. White, Pastor) Mt. Ephraim Gospel Choir Anniversary Concert w/ Luther Barnes

December 19, 2000 - Athens-Clarke County Downtown Parking - Christmas Luncheon

December 31, 2000 -Jan 1, 2001 - He is Risen Outreach Ministry Church - Atlanta- New Years Celebration Television Program

February 10, 2001 - University of Georgia, Georgia Museum of Art - "Art and Soul Festival"

October 26, 2001 - Performed at Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church in Atlanta for a banquet held for Mt. Ephraim's Music Ministry

November 24, 2001 - Performed in Forest, Mississippi - Willie R. Ward Scholarship Program.

The group has performed on numerous Gospel programs and Gospel Concerts such as their very own, "Steppin -Out" Concert held at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Athens, GA, where they introduced their first CD recording titled, "Thank You Lord For Saving Me" to Athens, GA and surrounding areas. They were privileged to give a live performance concert at the Thomas Lay Park of Athens-Clarke County named after the late, Mr. Thomas N. Lay, 1st cousin of George Stroud. They have traveled to York, SC to perform on Gospel Singing Programs at the Gold Hill Baptist Church. They have also performed in Dublin, GA, Augusta, GA, Lithonia, GA, as well as various areas in throughout Atlanta, GA as well.

The Lighthouse Gospelettes have performed on various gospel concerts with other well-known gospel recording artist such as, The Fabulous Williams Brothers, Slim and the Supreme Angels, Willie Neal and the Gospel Keynotes, Tommy Ellison and the Five Singing Stars, The Blind Boys, The Highway QC's, the Swanee Quintet, The Truthettes, The Lumsey Sisters, The Jackson Southernaires, Blair and the Violinaires, PeeWee and the Psalmsters, Shirley Caesar, Dottie Peoples, The Friends, The Pilgrim Jublilees, The Mighty Clouds, Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC's, Keith Wonderboy Johnson, The Angelics, Luther Barnes, Bobby Jones, Daryl Coley, John P. Kee, Vickie Winans and others.

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