The Voice And Ministry Of Sonny Rivera

Luis "Sonny " Rivera was born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y. He began to explore his talent to sing early in his intermediate years having sung in school choirs, semi-annual productions performing at Lincoln Center Avery Fisher Hall twice, as well as playing trombone for his JHS band. He was accepted into the Laguardia Music & Arts High School as an art major, even though music was still his passion, not knowing God had a greater plan and purpose for his musical inclinations. Later he was given the opportunity to sing background music for artists such as Amel Lareiux, Horace Brown, and others while singing for an upcoming R&B group with his cousin and his best friend called Slyte Touch throughout the city.Upon giving his life to Jesus Christ at age 20, he began to sing gospel music for his church, Friendship Baptist in Jamaica, Queens. Initially playing drums and percussions, he started singing in the youth choir before being called to lead what was then known as devotional. It was through this assignment he came face-to-face with his calling to lead praise & worship. He began singing for choirs such as Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship, Clarence Brown and York College Choir, Jae Nixon & Dunamis, as well as one of his mentor's groups Marshall Carpenter & Nu-Praize where he was given an opportunity through Marshall's wife, Sheila Carpenter, to sing for a BBC televised Gospel Christmas special featuring Alvin Slaughter, Helen Baylor, and Jaci Velasquez. He has even had his hand in acting in a musical production called "The Wizard of Education" which was executively produced by Michael Winans. More.....