The Bell Singers: Bio
The Bell Singers of Memphis, Tennessee
The Bell Singers were formed 34 years ago by Mrs. Dora Bell who wanted to do something to keep her children out of the streets so she kept them in church and thus formed "The Bell Singers". They are a group of dedicated Christian people striving hard to promote gospel throughout the nation. They have been in existence since 1973, there are nine members within the group: Mrs. Dora Bell, Stella Bell-Alexander, Patricia Bell-Artison, Linda Bell-Ellis, Toiann Leach, Joetta Watkins, Thomas Watkins III, Rev. Manuel Somerville and Willie Artison. They enjoy singing for the Lord and don't mind letting the world know whose side they're on. Over the years the Lord has blessed them to release six recordings, the latest entitled "God Is Wonderful", was released May 2005. They have performed on stage with many other national artists such as Lee Williams & the QCs, The Williams Brothers, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Doc Mckenzie, The Canton Spirituals, just to name a few. They have appeared on The Bobby Jones Gospel Explosion X in Nashville, TN; The American Gospel Quartet Covention in Birmingham, AL; The Bobby Hurd Workshop and Showcase in Decatur, GA; and many other Gospel Festivals. They have had the pleasure of performing in many different cities and states and have received numerous awards, certificates, trophies, etc., throughout their 34 years of singing God's Praises. In the year 2001 they received the "Family Musical Group of the Year" award from the Eastern Arkansas Gospel Music Awards. They were selected as "The Memphis Artist of the Month" for January 2005 by the Memphis Gospel Internet Headquarters and received a very favorable review of their latest CD "God Is Wonderful" from Gloryland Gospel for Independent Artist for the month of May 2005. The Bell Singers will continue to strive forward spreading God's word in song and because They Are The Bell Singers, they know that with the help of God they will succeed in whatever they set out to do in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Rev. Willie L. Bell - Manager (Deceased 4/23/07)
Rev. Willie Bell, born August 12th, was the Manager of the Bell Singers for 33 years. He passed away on April 23, 2007. (He will be GREATLY missed). He was a member of the Christian United M.B. Church in Memphis, Tennessee where Rev. J.L. Armstrong is Pastor. He and Mrs. Dora Bell were married 64 years, they had 14 children together and there are 9 children living today. His hobbies and interests were Auto Repair and Reading the Bible.
Mrs. Dora Bell - Founder & Spiritual Advisor
Mrs. Dora Bell, born September 21st, is the Spiritual Advisor for the Bell Singers. She has been a member and Lead Singer of the group for 34 years. She is the founder of the group. She is a member of the Christian United M.B. Church in Memphis, Tennessee where Rev. J.L. Armstrong is pastor. Her hobbies and interests are singing and sewing. Mrs. Bell Leads the song on our latest CD entitled "Just A Closer Walk With Thee".
Stella (Bell) Alexander - Secretary
Stella Alexander, born September 20th, is the Secretary for the Bell Singers. She has 5 children. Has been a member for 34 years. She is a Lead Singer and Sings 1st Soprano. She is a member of the Christian United M.B. Church in Memphis, Tennessee where Rev. J.L. Armstrong is Pastor. Her Hobbies and Interests are Sewing, Reading and Singing.
Patricia (Bell) Artison - Promotional Manager
Patricia (Bell) Artison, born May 21st, serves as Lead Singer and is the Promotional Manager for the group. She has been a member for 34 years. She is married to Willie E. Artison, CEO of Sacred Love Records, Manager/Booking Mgr for the Bell Singers. She is a member of the Philadelphia M.B. Church in Rossville, Tennessee under the leadership of Rev. O. Williams, Jr., where she serves a Deaconess and as one of the Lead Singers of the Mass Choir. Her hobbies and interests are singing and working on computers. She also enjoys going to movies, gospel plays and concerts. Pat can be heard leading songs on the latest CD such as "God Is Wonderful", "Thank You Lord", "So Glad", "Sit Down With Jesus", "We Need To Pray", and "He's Coming".
Linda (Bell) Ellis - Treasurer & Clothes Coordinator
Linda Ellis, born September 5th, is Treasurer for the group. She has three sons, "Travis 27, Tre 15 and Trenton 14 and she has 1 beautiful little grandbaby girl (Jamiera)! Linda enjoys singing, going to movies, plays, gospel concerts and meeting new friends. She has been a member of the Bell Singers for 34 years. She is a member of the Union Grove M.B. Church in Memphis, Tennessee where Rev. Bobbie G. Jones is Pastor. Linda Lead songs on the latest CD such as "I'll Wait Right Here" and "I'll Make It Alright".
Toiann Preyer Leach - Lead/Background Singer
Toiann Preyer Leach, born April 27 has been a member of the group for 15 years singing, tenor, baritone and lead. She is the first born of Evangelist Ellis J. Smith and of the late Pastor of the Georgia Avenue Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Marvin J. Preyer. She is married to Dayton "Randy" Leach and has a little son, Dayton Leach, Jr who is 9 years old. She is a member of Macedonia M.B. Church under the leadership of Overseer T. L. McCray. I am proud to be a part of a group of saved young ladies, and might I add, that don't mind giving God "all" the praise every where we go. Our goal is to minister to the saved as well as the unsaved, and to guide the back-slider on back into the ark of safety. If we can bring one lost soul to Christ through our singing ministry, then that's worth more to us than having a grammy or a stellar award in our possession. For what profits a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Toiann lead songs on the latest CD such as "On Calvary" and "He'll Work It Out".
Joetta Watkins - Chaplain
Joetta Watkins, is a proud member of the St. John M.B. Church of Atoka, Tennessee, where Rev. Autrell Williams is Pastor. She was formerly a member of the gospel group, "The Halliburton Sisters". She has been a member of the Bell Singers for 6 1/2 years. She serves as lead singer and "fill-in", whatever spot is needed in the background. She has been happily married to Thomas Watkins, Jr., for 21 years and is the mother of four lovely children, "Chelita, Tasha, Cierra & Junebug". Her hobbies are reading the word, singing, spending time with her family and meeting new people. Joetta lead songs on the latest CD such as "God Is Good" and "Fix It Jesus". Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 - I can do ALL Things through Christ which strengthens me.
Rev. Manuel Somerville - Bass Player & Men's Clothes Coordinator
MANUEL SOMERVILLE WAS BORN FEBRUARY 13, HE HAS BEEN MARRIED FOR 7 MONTHS. HE ENJOY SPORTS. GOING TO CHURCH AND SPENDING TIME WITH HIS FAMILY. HE STARTED OUT AS THE DRUMMER FOR THE GROUP AND THEN A FEW YEARS LATER GOD ELEVATED HIM TO BECOME THE BASS PLAYER. HE IS ALSO THE MENS CLOTHES COORDINATER, WHEREVER THE BELL SINGERS HAVE TO GO MANUEL IS THEIR DRIVER & GOD IS THE CO-PILOT. HE HAS A LOVELY WIFE TAMIKA, AND TWO BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRLS, MYKIA & SHYIA. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE GREATER ST.JOHN M.B.CHURCH IN COVINGTON TN. HIS PASTOR IS REV.T.J.LEWIS. HE HAS BEEN WITH THE GROUP FOR 11 YEARS & IS VERY HAPPY WITH THE THINGS THAT GOD HAS DONE FOR HIM & THE BELL SINGERS.HIS FAVORITE SCRIPTURE IS PSALMS 51 WHERE DAVID IS ASKING THE LORD TO CREATE IN HIM A CLEAN HEART & RENEW IN HIM THE RIGHT SPIRIT. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MANUEL WANTS THE BELL SINGERS TO KNOW THAT WHEN YOU ARE BURDEN DOWN, JUST LOOK TO THE HILLS FROM WHICH COMETH OUR HELP, BECAUSE ALL OUR HELP COMES FROM THE LORD. MAY GOD BLESS YOU REAL GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thomas Watkins III - Drummer
Thomas Watkins III, born 12/1/89. He is the drummer for the Bell Singers. He has been a member for 2 years. He is involved in playing football, basketball and track for Munford High School. He is going into his Senior Year in High School and he says "Ya'll will hear about me in this coming up year"! What you say!
Willie E. Artison - CEO of Sacred Love Records, Manager & Booking Manager for The Bell Singers
Willie is the CEO of Sacred Love Records, where there are several artists under his label, including the Bell Singers. He and Patricia Artison have been married almost 21 years (October 18th). He is an active member of the Philadelphia M.B. Church in Rossville, Tennessee, where he serves as a Deacon and President of the Men's Fellowship and Interim President for the Male Chorus. He also sings in the Male Chorus. He even helps out the mass choir and male chorus with his keyboard skills every now and then. He enjoys singing, listening to good Gospel CDs, sports, excercising, spending time with his wife and family and always willing to learn new things!