Annette Bingaman
I was born in Louisville, Kentucky, the youngest of three; my sister being the oldest, then my brother and then me. The love of God was instilled in me as a very young child by my Mother and Father who played very prominent roles in our church.
My father was always a very studious man and knew(knows) his Bible well. I used to sit and listen to my dad talk scripture hour upon hour and have always held such a high admiration for him. In his 90s now, my dad can still sing like a songbird and, when he sings, you can feel the presence of the Lord for he sings with his heart.
My mother was the church pianist. She wrote many gospel songs. I remember as a small child running and getting a notebook for my mother as she was playing the piano because I could see the spirit of the Lord touching her. I used to lay my head against the piano leg and fall asleep each night until my dad would gently tap his hand on my shoulder and tell me it was time to retire for the evening. I used to pray that I would someday just get a touch of her talent on the piano.
My parents formed a trio consisting of my older siblings and myself when I was only 6 years of age. I remember that the first time we sang in public was at a general convention in front of about 2,000 people – my little knees were trembling – and then my Dad stood up behind me and placed his hand on my shoulder – the fear left me. I have sang since that time.
When I was 10 years old, I asked the Lord to come into my heart. Since that time, I have never been the same. I have had my tests, trials, tribulations, been lied on, been ridiculed, made fun of, but I have held true to one thing – I have a Heavenly Father who knows my inner being more than even I – and He loves me and knows the sincerity of my heart. I learned that He is our only TRUE friend to the end, and He has done more for us than anyone else ever has – I came to rely upon Him for my strength, for understanding, for a love that far surpasses any love we could ever experience here on this earth.
I started playing saxophone at the age of 13 when I picked up a friend’s instrument and just “took off” on it. I went on to play many solos in church services. I sang many songs in our church, but I never felt it was about “me” or “my voice” or “my instrumental ability” – it is to be used as HIS vessel to comfort hearts, heal the broken, show them the way to HIM.
So - It is for HIM I sing – for HIM I play – to honor HIM – to draw those who are searching for something missing in their lives to HIM – to introduce to them their TRUE source of unconditional love, acceptance, a refuge from the storm. I have experienced the storms of life many times, and the Lord is what has pulled me through. He has been my BEST FRIEND, and I hope to introduce that FRIEND to others through my voice.
I was born in Louisville, Kentucky, the youngest of three; my sister being the oldest, then my brother and then me. The love of God was instilled in me as a very young child by my Mother and Father who played very prominent roles in our church.
My father was always a very studious man and knew(knows) his Bible well. I used to sit and listen to my dad talk scripture hour upon hour and have always held such a high admiration for him. In his 90s now, my dad can still sing like a songbird and, when he sings, you can feel the presence of the Lord for he sings with his heart.
My mother was the church pianist. She wrote many gospel songs. I remember as a small child running and getting a notebook for my mother as she was playing the piano because I could see the spirit of the Lord touching her. I used to lay my head against the piano leg and fall asleep each night until my dad would gently tap his hand on my shoulder and tell me it was time to retire for the evening. I used to pray that I would someday just get a touch of her talent on the piano.
My parents formed a trio consisting of my older siblings and myself when I was only 6 years of age. I remember that the first time we sang in public was at a general convention in front of about 2,000 people – my little knees were trembling – and then my Dad stood up behind me and placed his hand on my shoulder – the fear left me. I have sang since that time.
When I was 10 years old, I asked the Lord to come into my heart. Since that time, I have never been the same. I have had my tests, trials, tribulations, been lied on, been ridiculed, made fun of, but I have held true to one thing – I have a Heavenly Father who knows my inner being more than even I – and He loves me and knows the sincerity of my heart. I learned that He is our only TRUE friend to the end, and He has done more for us than anyone else ever has – I came to rely upon Him for my strength, for understanding, for a love that far surpasses any love we could ever experience here on this earth.
I started playing saxophone at the age of 13 when I picked up a friend’s instrument and just “took off” on it. I went on to play many solos in church services. I sang many songs in our church, but I never felt it was about “me” or “my voice” or “my instrumental ability” – it is to be used as HIS vessel to comfort hearts, heal the broken, show them the way to HIM.
So - It is for HIM I sing – for HIM I play – to honor HIM – to draw those who are searching for something missing in their lives to HIM – to introduce to them their TRUE source of unconditional love, acceptance, a refuge from the storm. I have experienced the storms of life many times, and the Lord is what has pulled me through. He has been my BEST FRIEND, and I hope to introduce that FRIEND to others through my voice.
