Come this Sunday, June 12, Ghana’s gospel praise king, Joe Mettle, will debut his long awaited album, ‘My Gratitude’. Having worked with all the notables in gospel industry including the legendary likes of Minister Danny Nettey, Soul Winners, Joyful Way Inc., Cindy Thompson, Rev. Tom-Bright Davies, among others, the perfect timing is here for the young and passionate Joe to outdoor his masterpiece courtesy a celebration launch at his resident church, Exhibition Assemblies of God, in Dansoman, Accra this Sunday.

Born Joseph Oscar Mettle to God-fearing parents, Joe’s childhood was one of a stint with ministry that shaped his perception about life. Just at a tender age of eight, Joe begun playing drums and then started showing signs of becoming a music prodigy with his huge interest in music. His passionate love for African rhythms was touching and reflected in his music influence hence the style that defines him now even though there is always the bit of contemporary dimension to it. His calling to the music ministry trailed the music path he chose from infancy- gospel music- and it is worth saying that he is one of the most sought after praise and worship ministers having headlined many gospel concerts.

Prior to joining the legendary gospel group, Soul Winners, where he distinguished himself as a unique vocalist with dynamic abilities, Joe worked with several greats in the industry including a recent feature on Joyful Way Inc’s celebrated ‘Higher Praise’ album. However, it was with Minister Danny Nettey’s IAT Crew that he nurtured his talent the more and learned the rudiments of ministry. After Elder Appiah left for the US, Soul Winners brought on board Joe to be the group’s lead vocalist while work was on going on the group’s hit album, ‘Aboloo’. Joe’s inclusion worked so well that the title track which he led became a signature praise song across the gospel landscape and in households. Ever since then many invitations have been trickling in and timely has been the season that his spiritual mentors have given him the green light to churn out his own album and begin ministry.

Speaking to this writer in an interview about, ‘My Gratitude’, his maiden album as a solo minister, Joe related that, ‘I have come to realise that we often ask more whenever we our needs are met and we continue to seek luxury and the likes but rarely offering any appreciation or gratitude for the things we receive. When all is going on well we tend to be happy and want things to remain so but we are blinded to the fact that thanksgiving for what we receive should be our foremost thoughts. I therefore saw it wise that I needed to show God my heart-felt gratitude for all He has been to me over the years and now hence the album title, ‘My Gratitude’.

According to Joe, the album reflects his musical influences all over the years with a unique blend of African rhythms with contemporary edge that run through different genres and this is evident in the album’s first single, ‘Nhyira’ (Blessing). The producers Joe worked with on ‘My Gratitude’ include the multi-talented Kofi Dua Anto (KODA), Francis Osei and T. Kof, attesting to the dynamism the album has with live instrumentation coming from seasoned instrumentalists in the country. The much anticipated album promises never to disappoint but only to bless.

Come this Sunday, together with other ministry colleagues and partners such as Ps. Helen Yawson, Soul Winners, Eugene Zuta, John Sena and Em’ Praise, the Love Media Concept in collaboration with Joe Mettle Ministries will stage a grand celebration launch of Joe Mettle’s debut album ‘My Gratitude’ at the Exhibition Assemblies of God Church in Dansoman. This is one celebration one should not miss!

Joe Mettle is a notable gospel music minister who worked with many gospel greats as a supporting vocalist and has been blessed to minister on the same stage with world renowned gospel artistes such as Don Moen, Israel Houghton, Micah Stampley, Alvin slaughter, Sonnie Badu and Cece Winans. He recently started an outreach project known as the Community Worship Project (CWP) -a quarterly praise and worship event which features worship leaders in various communities across the nation with the aim of bringing to fore quality music in the most creative way to give praise to God and foster unity among various churches in our vicinities. His charisma and youthful dynamism quickly sell him out as anointed music vessel mandated to bless this generation and take gospel music to the unreached. ‘My Gratitude’ is his debut album which is set to be released on Sunday to set a new direction to his ministry.