For 50 years, Grammy Award-winning soul singer Gladys Knight has been in the music business. And it took that long for her to find the real purpose of her music.
"I have been living and working all of my life to get here," Knight said during a promotional brunch with representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deseret Book and Salt Lake's media, that preceded a personal appearance at Deseret Book Friday.Knight was in town to promote her new inspirational album, "Many Different Roads," which was released through her own record label, Many Roads, and distributed by Shadow Mountain (Deseret Book).
"I've always wanted to do a gospel album," Knight said. "I've always wanted to do an album that praised Heavenly Father, but the business politics got in the way.
"Let me tell you, it's wonderful working with a music company and with people who aren't afraid to acknowledge God.
"I've always prayed. When I was with the Pips, we'd have a prayer chain before we went on stage. My mother would do it, and I've always done it. And before, when I would talk about prayers, the interviewers and the media would ask me to talk of something else. And that was before I joined the (LDS) Church."
Knight said she felt blessed that she was able to make this type of album at this stage of her life.
"All the things I had been through, and all those music awards and recognitions have finally come together and made sense," she said. "I feel privileged that I have been chosen at this time to do this album. I want to 'Reach out and touch someone.' Make that everyone."
Ronald A. Millett, president and general manager of Deseret Book -- which will be stocking the album -- said he first met with Knight about the album last spring.
"We had planning sessions of the album's concept and what she wanted it to be," Millett said. "And the real challenge we faced was the fact that this album's message was going to be different than her traditional albums. It's been a pleasure working with her and her family."
At the CD signing display at the downtown Deseret Book (in the ZCMI Mall), a drove of fans began lining up early to meet Knight. Each had a different reason.
Susan Panther, from West Valley, wanted Knight to meet her daughter, Katie, 4.
"Katie has diabetes," Panther explained. "And in the album's liner notes, Gladys mentioned her mother's fight with diabetes. (Knight) is such an inspiration to us, and I wanted her to sign the album for Katie."
A group of students from the Brigham Young University Student Honors Association made the 22-mile trek up I-15 in the snow to see Knight.
"We love her music," said student Kristie Yorke. "And we also wanted to meet her to see if she'd be willing to be either our keynote speaker, or a performer at our Honors Week function next semester."
Accompanying Yorke were six others including Ebony Keith, who said her favorite song by Knight was "Midnight Train to Georga."
"Then again, I'll probably think of a bunch after you leave," she said with a laugh. The others agreed and laughed, too.