By By Janet Little Cooper
Just like a hand grenade being thrown and exploding, the musical talents of Atmore resident, Lewis Banks Jr., are being thrown and exploding all over the world with the release of his first music video.
Banks stage name is Holy Ghost Soldier GRENADE. The name Grenade represents: God's Re-enlisted Noble, Always Destroying Evil."
"God told me that I was going to be his grenade in service," Banks said. "God told me that he was throwing me out into the world. Wherever he tells me, I'll go."
On Sept. 17, 2005, Banks, who graduated from ECHS in Atmore, answered that call by bringing his talent to the town of Atmore, as he included local friends, family and residents of his hometown in his first music video entitled My Everything.
More than 100 people stood in awe of Bank's musical ability as he rapped about
his relationship with God the Father. Others joined in dancing and singing
to the beat. Bank's parents, Rev. Louis and Teresa Banks sat atop a motorcycle for one scene of the video shoot. His dad is pastor of El Bethel Temple in Atmore.
Bank's first album and video, My Everything, came to him during a sleepless night.
"I couldn't sleep," Banks said. "I just kept asking God why he had done all this for me
and at 3 a.m., that morning the answer came as I put pen to paper and wrote My
Everything.
The Christian rap song is set with a sample of a 1970's song. The words 'You are my
everything' are heard in the background as Banks sings about his everything, Jesus.
The video hit the market on Dec. 1, 2005. Bank's has 1000 copies that he is marketing on his own.
The DVD includes the video to My Everything, an interview with Banks and a biography of him as well. DVD's are available for purchase at the Gospel Lighthouse Bookstore in Atmore located on Lindberg Avenue next door to Stabler's Fine Fashions. Christian bookstores and music stores in Pensacola, Mobile, Foley and Brewton are also carrying Bank's first release.
Bank's is using television, Internet, radio, posters, t-shirts and his favorite, word of mouth to get the news of his video out.
The video is currently being shown on WHBR Channel 33 cable station and is soon to be released on Word Network – Gospel Grooves and TBN, the cable Trinity
Broadcast Network – on The Christian Video Show.
According to Bank's, Bobby Jones Gospel will be airing the video on a special showcase soon. The song is also slated to hit 93BLX in Mobile and Internet sites www.epicenter3000.com and www.holycultureradio.com
"The sky is the limit with this video," Banks said. "God has given me a world-wide vision that will be fulfilled in Jesus name."
Banks is always in tune when it comes to lyrics and music. He writes at least one rhyme a day every day.
"I am always coming up with some hot material for the kids," Banks said. "We are planning for another video shoot in the near future now."
When not recording, Banks is busy serving as Youth Pastor at Nations Outreach Center in Monroeville. Bank's is excited about the youth's increased excitement about sharing their faith.
Banks has a lot of plans for the future. He plans to introduce new artists from the area and pursue music production in a dream of having a local state
of the art recording facility.
For more information on booking the Holy Ghost Soldier, or to purchase the DVD, contact Lewis Banks Jr. by mail at P.O. Box 62, Atmore, Alabama 36504 or call 253-0017.