Travon Potts
Encyclopedia
Travon Marcel Potts is the youngest of three sons born to Malcolm and Mary Potts on June 3, 1970.
lessons in a Suzuki
program at the University of Southern California
. Over the next 14 years he studied classical music. At the age of 12 he began to play piano for his church choir (Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church) in Los Angeles, California
.
In high school
he began jazz
training and started playing for the high school jazz band. While in high school he developed his love for song writing. At the age of 19 he co-wrote and co-produced his first song “Consider Me Yours” for Virgin recording artist Kipper Jones. That same year Potts joined Faithful Central Baptist Church now known as Faithful Central Bible Church.
While at Faithful Central he began playing piano for the youth choir. In 1991 Travon began dating Tandria Thomas and they married in 1994. In 1995, shortly before the birth of their first child (Thomas), Travon took a hiatus from song writing and music production to lead the youth and young adult ministries at Faithful Central. At the end 1996 Travon decided to end his hiatus from song writing and music production by resigning from his position as leader of the youth and young adult ministries.
singing duo, ages 13 and 11 at the time, were brought to him as a possible project for development (Charles and Taylor). After completing a demo package and shopping to different record labels, Jackie Patillo, GM of Integrity Gospel/Sony signed Charles and Taylor to a record deal. Charles and Taylor went on to receive a Dove Award nomination for their self titled project produced by Potts. With this new focus on music ministry, Travon and his wife and business parterner formed a new brand by the name of Providence Media Group.
, Whitney Houston
, BeBe and CeCe Winans and so on). Though originally brought in as a keyboardist and programmer, Travon quickly was recognized by Lawrence as a song writer. The musical relationship between Rhett and Travon yielded many collaborations in song writing that led to songs on BeBe Winans (“Thank You”), The Honeys and multi-platinum selling EMI (UK) artist Eternal
. Eternal scored an overseas hit from this writing team (“Angel of Mine”). Monica also recorded and released “Angel of Mine” as a single from her The Boy Is Mine CD. “Angel of Mine” went on to #1 on the Billboard pop chart for 4 weeks. Travon went on to form his own production company, Silvercrest Entertainment. Under the Silvercrest Entertainment brand Travon went on to write and produce songs for diamond selling artist Christina Aguilera
(“Blessed”), Public Announcement (“It’s about time” #5 R&B, “Mamacita” #7 Pop), Trin-i-tee 5:7 (“Spiritual Love”, “My Body” Top 10 gospel, “Rescue Me”) and LaShell Griffin (“Faith”, “Get Away”), Oprah Pop Star Challenge Winner. In December 2000, while expecting their third child (Clarke), Travon, his wife, son and daughter (Madison) moved to Alpharetta, Georgia.
Travon under the Providence Media Group brand was producer
and executive producer
to Charles & Taylor’s self titled Integrity Gospel / Sony release in July 2005. Providence Media Group then produced “Once again Mike Phillips” for Hidden Beach Recordings
artist Mike Phillips. Also, under this brand work began on the next project for popular CCM / Gospel artist Javen. Javen is well known for his work and ministry at Without Walls in Tampa Florida under Pastors Paula and Randy White. Travon and Tandria saw the vision to expand youth music ministry in Gospel and CCM within Providence Media Group. They created the group The Net. The Net was formed to train musically talented youth to use their talents for music ministry. The Net met each week under the guidance of Travon and Tandria in a mentorship program. In addition, Travon and Providence Media Group partnered with Destiny Style Records in Marietta, Georgia to produce Destiny Style Record artists. Through this union Potts went on to produce the Gospel top 10 single "His Will" for Destiny Praise on their self titled album. Potts left Destiny Style Records to expanded formed Clean Energy Entertainment with Tandria. Under this production company Potts went on to write "One" with American Idol finalist Chris Sligh. In 2011 Potts was brought on as music supervisor and scored the film "A Cross To Bear".
Early life
At the age of 3 Potts started taking pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
lessons in a Suzuki
Suzuki method
The Suzuki method is a method of teaching music that emerged in the mid-20th century.-Background:The Suzuki Method was conceived in the mid-20th century by Shin'ichi Suzuki, a Japanese violinist who desired to bring beauty to the lives of children in his country after the devastation of World War II...
program at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
. Over the next 14 years he studied classical music. At the age of 12 he began to play piano for his church choir (Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church) in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
.
In high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
he began jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
training and started playing for the high school jazz band. While in high school he developed his love for song writing. At the age of 19 he co-wrote and co-produced his first song “Consider Me Yours” for Virgin recording artist Kipper Jones. That same year Potts joined Faithful Central Baptist Church now known as Faithful Central Bible Church.
While at Faithful Central he began playing piano for the youth choir. In 1991 Travon began dating Tandria Thomas and they married in 1994. In 1995, shortly before the birth of their first child (Thomas), Travon took a hiatus from song writing and music production to lead the youth and young adult ministries at Faithful Central. At the end 1996 Travon decided to end his hiatus from song writing and music production by resigning from his position as leader of the youth and young adult ministries.
Ministry
After having success under the Silvercrest Entertainment brand, Travon’s focus shifted toward music ministry. A young gospelGospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
singing duo, ages 13 and 11 at the time, were brought to him as a possible project for development (Charles and Taylor). After completing a demo package and shopping to different record labels, Jackie Patillo, GM of Integrity Gospel/Sony signed Charles and Taylor to a record deal. Charles and Taylor went on to receive a Dove Award nomination for their self titled project produced by Potts. With this new focus on music ministry, Travon and his wife and business parterner formed a new brand by the name of Providence Media Group.
Career
In 1997 Travon joined forces with prominent song writer and producer Rhett Lawrence (who has produced Mariah CareyMariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
, Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
, BeBe and CeCe Winans and so on). Though originally brought in as a keyboardist and programmer, Travon quickly was recognized by Lawrence as a song writer. The musical relationship between Rhett and Travon yielded many collaborations in song writing that led to songs on BeBe Winans (“Thank You”), The Honeys and multi-platinum selling EMI (UK) artist Eternal
Eternal (band)
Eternal were an English R&B girl group formed in 1992. The group featured two sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett, alongside Kelle Bryan and Louise Nurding...
. Eternal scored an overseas hit from this writing team (“Angel of Mine”). Monica also recorded and released “Angel of Mine” as a single from her The Boy Is Mine CD. “Angel of Mine” went on to #1 on the Billboard pop chart for 4 weeks. Travon went on to form his own production company, Silvercrest Entertainment. Under the Silvercrest Entertainment brand Travon went on to write and produce songs for diamond selling artist Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
(“Blessed”), Public Announcement (“It’s about time” #5 R&B, “Mamacita” #7 Pop), Trin-i-tee 5:7 (“Spiritual Love”, “My Body” Top 10 gospel, “Rescue Me”) and LaShell Griffin (“Faith”, “Get Away”), Oprah Pop Star Challenge Winner. In December 2000, while expecting their third child (Clarke), Travon, his wife, son and daughter (Madison) moved to Alpharetta, Georgia.
Travon under the Providence Media Group brand was producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
to Charles & Taylor’s self titled Integrity Gospel / Sony release in July 2005. Providence Media Group then produced “Once again Mike Phillips” for Hidden Beach Recordings
Hidden Beach Recordings
Hidden Beach is an American independent record label specializing in Urban Alternative, R&B, Soul, Inspirational and Contemporary Jazz music genres...
artist Mike Phillips. Also, under this brand work began on the next project for popular CCM / Gospel artist Javen. Javen is well known for his work and ministry at Without Walls in Tampa Florida under Pastors Paula and Randy White. Travon and Tandria saw the vision to expand youth music ministry in Gospel and CCM within Providence Media Group. They created the group The Net. The Net was formed to train musically talented youth to use their talents for music ministry. The Net met each week under the guidance of Travon and Tandria in a mentorship program. In addition, Travon and Providence Media Group partnered with Destiny Style Records in Marietta, Georgia to produce Destiny Style Record artists. Through this union Potts went on to produce the Gospel top 10 single "His Will" for Destiny Praise on their self titled album. Potts left Destiny Style Records to expanded formed Clean Energy Entertainment with Tandria. Under this production company Potts went on to write "One" with American Idol finalist Chris Sligh. In 2011 Potts was brought on as music supervisor and scored the film "A Cross To Bear".