. . . . . . . . . . About Henry W Poates, Lead singer for Witness Henry was involved in music from the time that he was able to hold a guitar. That was around the age of 6 years old. His father, Henry Sr. could not read music, but had an uncanny ear for music and taught young Henry Jr. some chords on the guitar. His father also taught him to play the mandolin and the 5-string banjo. Henry was able to attend some guitar classes at Rockville Music in his hometown of Rockville, Maryland. He had 6 lessons, but had to quit when his mother became ill. His music teacher was the world-renowned jazz guitarist, Charlie Byrd, years before Byrd became famous. Henry continued to teach himself how to read music and to play guitar and electric bass. Henry joined a semi-pro music group, the Mark IV, as bassist and vocalist in the early 60's. He later performed professionally with The Shades of Grey as bassist and vocalist until his dad died in the early 70's while he was away on tour. He quit the Shades of Grey and returned home to take care of his growing family and aging mother. Henry blamed himself and also God for his father's demise. His dashed dreams as a professional musician, growing resentment and bitterness led to him quitting music entirely. In his anger and pain he turned away from God and the Church for well over 30 years. He destroyed his marriage of almost 26 years and remarried to only have that marriage fail after 9 years. At a particularly low point in his life, and after suffering two heart attacks, he returned to Church and asked Jesus Christ for help. He revived his relationship with Jesus and started to write and record Christian songs. He worked on several original Christian songs and recorded them over a three-year period. Witness and Witness Ministries are a result of his letting go and allowing Jesus back into his life. . . . . . . . . . . about the "Witness-Live" CD After Henry formed the group Witness, he expanded the Ministry to include recording and production of Witness's music and other unpublished, unrecorded Christian artists. This is done through Witness Music and Witness Music Publishing. While Henry was forming the group, God brought some very talented people to the group. Soprano, Sarah Dudley and Alto, Deniese Woods joined the group and believe in this Ministry as do all who participate in it. Sarah and Deniese sing back-up vocals and both also perform lead on several tracks on the CD. Henry's wife, Joanne, assists Henry with some of the narration for the program. Opal Hill signs the program and the songs for the hearing impaired. The Live Concert/Program is entitled "Love Is The Answer" and takes the audience on a journey through different elements of love. Through songs and narration, Witness presents the relationships between husbands and wives, parents/grandparents with children, relationships between people, and most importantly our relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. The CD, "Witness - Live!" is from the concert that the group performed at the Oxford Assembly of God Church, Oxford, Florida on February 25, 2006. The CD includes only the songs from the program; the narration is not included. The CD was mixed and produced by Henry W Poates under Witness Music as an Independent label.