Carl is a devoted member of the Greater Mt. Hermon Church of God in Christ, pastored by his uncle Rev. Herman Wayne Bell, where he serves as Sunday School Teacher, Minister & Choir Director.
Carl is no stranger to gospel music. His grandmother the late, Mother Cecelia Cole Bell sang with her brother Dan and sisters Mattie & Lettie Cole. They called themselves the "Hallelujah Four Quartet". Listening to the stories of old, Carl gained a newfound love and respect for "Old School" Traditional gospel music.
Carl felt that the younger generation needed to know about the gospel pioneers and singers who came before them, so in 1999 he organized the, Annual CECE MUSIC AWARDS (TM). Named after his late grandmother, Carl has honored such gospel greats as: Eugene "The God Father" Smith, Rev. Samuel Patterson, Rev. James Whitehurst, Min. Jessy Dixon, The Gay Sisters and Rev. Donald Gay just to name a few.
In 2003, after being questioned by his sunday school class about the Beginning and the Fall of the Angels, Carl wrote a book titled: The ANGELICS - BOOK 1: THE DAY OF DARKNESS. This opened the door to many new friendships and blessings along the way.
THE CROONER
Everyone knew of Carl's directing and teaching capabilities but no one had ever heard him sing solo or as a lead vocalist, because Carl didnt lead a song nor did he sing solo, since he was a child in the Angelic choir. However things were certainly about to change. When everyone heard Carl sing, his vocal styling and enunciation was immediately compared to the great singer, Nat "King" Cole. It was later explained to Carl that he was a distant relative through his great-grandfather, Bishop Blanche Chester Cole.
Hailed as the "Nat King Cole" of gospel music, Carl's music has been embraced by many regardless of denomination and are sure to please the most choosiest of listeners.
A reviewer wrote - "What do you call it? What genre is it? Gospel jazz? Gospel Pop? Maybe sacred? But whatever it is, singing about Jesus has never been sang so smoothly and I'm looking forward to more from this silky voice crooner."
