"Joyous Word"

Nathan Best was born December 13, 1960 in North Miami Beach, Florida to Nathaniel Best Sr. and Dorothy Best. The age was three for Nathan’s mother to begin vocal training for him and his five sisters. Nathan’s mother was a recording artist on The Chess Record label out of Chicago, Illinois in the early 60’s.  At the age of five years old, Nathan’s mother gave him an opportunity to lead the song: “I want Jesus to walk with me” on her first solo album, entitled: (Try Him).  From that point Nathan began touring with his mother, father, and sisters.  They toured with the great quartets of the 60’s and the 70’s (The Five Blind Boys, The Volinares, the Soul Stirrers, etc.).  At the age of twelve, Nathan began playing the piano for his Dad’s church in Cincinnati Ohio (1972). In 1993, Nathan became one of the members of the legendary group, The O’Jays, in   which Nathan replaced Sammy Strain. In the same year the group received The Soul Of America Award. In 2005 the group was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.  Nathan says the group was a tremendous learning experience.  Before Nathan became a member of the O’Jays, he sang for the Love Center Choir, under the leadership of his pastor, the late Bishop Walter Hawkins. Also he served under the teachings of Bishop Hawkins brother, the Father of Contemporary Gospel Music, Mr. Edwin Hawkins, who wrote the great song, Oh Happy Day.  He also served as the keyboard player and background vocalist for the R&B group, Levert, and the music director for R&B singer, Ms. Miki Howard.  Nathan has performed on Sinbad’s Summer Jam Festival on HBO, New York Undercover, Robert Townsend’s TV, Dick Clark’s Rockin’ in the New Year, and in a host of arena’s, and stadiums around the world.