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New Harvest

Faith and family are always a potent combination. So when three young men join forces with their uncle and set their sights on spreading the gospel, it's not surprising that God is blessing their efforts. New Harvest has quickly emerged as one of gospel music's most acclaimed new groups, winning the Exalting Him National Talent Search and performing in such prestigious venues as the famed Apollo Theater.

New Harvest is led by Terence O. Hayes, Sr., a veteran who spent 21 years in the Air Force, and has dedicated himself whole-heartedly to God and country. His talented nephews, Norman McDuffie, Joe Byrd, and Tim Wilson have been performing with their uncle for many years, and what began as family fun has turned into their calling.

"Every Sunday evening we'd sit around the piano and sing hymns and songs from some of our favorite artists like Commissioned, the Winans, and John P. Kee," says Terence of New Harvest's roots in Dayton, Ohio. "When the group started, the Air Force called me to go on a remote tour of Korea and I began writing songs for the group. I came back to the states and said 'Lord, if this is your will for us, I want you to open the door.'"

God did just that. He began opening doors for the group to minister, and they began honing their sound, creating an engaging blend of contemporary and traditional gospel music that never fails to bring audiences to their feet. Their voices are strong and passionate and have that special family blend. On stage, their spirit-filled footwork combined with those incredible vocals creates a memorable experience. The group exudes an energy that washes over the audience like a powerful wave, lifting them and taking them to a higher plane, closer to their heavenly father.

While the members of New Harvest were developing their vocal chops and stage presence, they were also logging time in the recording studio. "The very first project we did was in 1997 and the guys were like 12 and 14-years-old," Terence says of that early effort that made them regional favorites. "Radio stations started playing that CD every Sunday morning and during the weekdays, we heard it being played on college radio and also on other stations. It was such a blessing."

Their second independent release spawned the hit "I Know That He Can," which brought the group national exposure. A talent scout from "Showtime at the Apollo" heard the tune, came to see the group in Dayton and was so impressed; she booked them to play the noted New York venue. "We got on that legendary stage and the house was full of people," recalls Terence. "The Apollo Theater is not known for gospel, yet we were able to stand on that stage and sing gospel music. That was a great experience and to this day, people say they saw us at the Apollo. We're thankful for that."

New Harvest was so enthusiastically received, they were asked to return and perform again at the Apollo. Their exciting stage presence has also led to performances on INSP Network's I Gospel program. They were selected to teach their hit "I Know He Can" to the Gospel Music Workshop of America's Youth Division Mass Choir. The group has also excelled in other competitions. New Harvest took third place in the Tuskegee Airmen Talent Show, competing against mainstream R&B, rap and dance acts. They also took top prize at the first annual Back to Holiness Conference New Artist Showcase, sponsored by platinum-selling recording artist Donnie McClurkin.
One of the prime vehicles that helped propel the group's career to a new level has been Exalting Him. Terence says a local retailer encouraged them to enter the competition. "I'm an avid music lover, so I'm always going to music stores," says Terence. "One of the salesmen told me about Exalting Him."

New Harvest bested a competitive field of 1000 aspiring artists to take top prize in the competition in 2005, winning a record contract with Vital Communications, a division of Daywind Music Group. Produced by Bubba Smith and Kyle Bynoe, New Harvest's Vital debut perfectly captures the group's live energy and the spirit of revival that infuses any New Harvest performance. "The CD offers both traditional and contemporary gospel and there's even a little rap that Kyle brought in," says Terence. "I think people will enjoy hearing this new product. There's a message in each of the songs. God can speak to you through a song and take you to the place where he is. That's what I'm hoping this CD does."

The songs on the CD are a blend of up-tempo numbers that will make listeners want to shout as well as tender ballads that will remind them of God's love and mercy. The first single, "I Can't Stop Praising Him," is a soul-stirring worship anthem that prompted Donnie McClurkin to join the group on stage during a recent performance. "When you praise God, you're so overwhelmed in Him, he just takes over," says Terence. "That's what the song is about and it's powerful."

"Don't Cry" is a poignant ballad sure to touch peoples' hearts. "The message of a song is really what draws all of us," says Terence. "The message in 'Don't Cry' is that you don't have to cry anymore. God knows all the things, the hurt and the pain. He is there for you."

Encouragement is a recurring theme in the songs on the album. "Cast All Your Cares" is a smooth, soulful ballad that urges the listener to turn their worries over to Jesus and let him shoulder the burden. "Put it All in God's Hands" is a sweetly stirring number that also serves up a message of surrender and reminds listeners of the peace that awaits when we turn it all over to our heavenly father.

Musically New Harvest blends traditional and contemporary gospel, adding a touch of the Philadelphia soul style and infusing it all with their own unique musical gifts. The result is a fresh, innovative sound that is breaking down walls and uplifting souls.

New Harvest has come a long way since the early days when they were just young boys singing with Uncle Terence. "God has allowed me to do this," says Terence, who has been married 27 years and has seven children of his own. "I sacrificed a lot of my family time because I knew God was calling us to do this."

A recipient of the Air Force's Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Terence kept the group going despite deployments overseas and other obstacles. "I didn't let that kind of pressure affect what I saw in the group," says Terence, now retired from active service, but still working for the Air Force Institute of Technology. "We could have easily given up, but we didn't. He brought us peace and kept us encouraged.

"We have God in us. Whenever we hit the stage, it's like new life and a new spirit just comes over us and we give it all we have. It's an incredible feeling!"