His experience of meeting Rev. Cleveland for the first time was a very interesting and inspiring one. While at the James Cleveland workshop in St. Louis, Missouri, The Byrd Family Singers were called to the stage to sing.  As the trio stood on stage, trying to figure out how all three voices could be heard with his sisters Joyce and Shirley standing center stage, with Dennis some fifteen feet away at the piano, and only microphone available, Rev. Cleveland walked over and asked what was wrong.  They explained the dilemma.  Cleveland then asked what song were they going to sing.  Byrd explained that they were going to do a song called “Walk Around Heaven”.   “Just like on the album, accept we’re not doing it as a solo.  I’ve rearrange it and added a background part to it.”  Rev. Cleveland smiled and said, “you all sing it, and I’ll play it.”  When Rev. Cleveland began to play, and it sounded just like the recording.  That’s when Dennis remembered that Rev. James Cleveland and Cassetta George wrote “Walk Around Heaven”.  When the song ended, they received a standing ovation.  So inspired by his experience, upon returning home he organized the Woodward High School Gospel Choir.  This young choir of teenagers, raised enough money to charter a plane, which took them to the James Cleveland Workshop (GMWA), held in Los Angeles, California the following year.  After graduating from high school, this choir continued on as Dennis Byrd and The Toledo Angelic Choir.

During his High School years, Dennis served as Junior Class President and Student Director of the Woodward High School Advanced Chorus.  With a gifted ability to play the piano "by ear" Dennis accompanied over 50% of the participants each year at the Annual High School Talent Show, which included Pop, R & B, Gospel and Country Western Music.  

Byrd has also composed dozens of motivational school songs including a new ABC song for kids.   His music seminars, workshops, and special appearances at school assemblies have inspired hundreds of students at all grade levels, and have given teachers a more contemporary approach to using music as a teaching tool.  Some of the schools in the Atlanta area include Whiteford Elementary-Atlanta, Dunbar Elementary - Atlanta, Mt. Vernon Christian Academy-Atlanta, Northwest Academy-Atlanta, Northcutt Elementary-Riverdale, Stephenson Middle-Stone Mountain and Rock Chapel Elementary-Lithonia where Dennis composed the Rock Chapel  Alma-mater.  Dennis also composed Alma Maters for FaithWorks Fame Academy in Gwinnett County, Apple Tree Academy in Dekalb County and he composed the Pride Song and the Alma Mater for North Metro Academy of Performing Arts in Gwinnett County and he composed the lyrics to the Shiloh High School Fight Song, also in Gwinnett County Georgia.   Dennis has also written dozens of commercials and jingles for businesses.

Of the more than 300 compositions written by Dennis Byrd, the more well-known include "Genesis", recorded by Dennis Byrd And The Toledo Angelic Choir, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark and The UNAC Convention Choir and the Gospel Soul Children of New Orleans Louisiana, “ I’ve Come A Long Way”, “Can’t Hide From God”, and “Yes Jesus Loves Me”, recorded by the late Rev. Donald Vails and “The Voices Of Deliverance”. “ One Day” and “ The Lord Has Been So Good”, recorded with The Toledo Angelic Choir,  “I’m On My Way Up”, recorded by The Bowling Green University Gospel Choir, “ I’m Glad That Jesus Found Me”, recorded with the Mt. Zion Young Adult Choir of Danville, Illinois, “ Thank You So Much”, “ I Need You Power”, “ A Crown of Righteousness”, “ Jesus Can Fix It”, “Walk In The Spirit”, recorded with the New Home Baptist Church of Toledo, Ohio, “ When It’s All Over”, recorded by Chris Byrd and True Victory, and “Genesis II” recorded with Reverend Rance Allen and The University of Toledo Gospel Choir.

Pastor Byrd’s preaching ministry began in 1973 at the True Vine Baptist Church in Toledo, OH under the leadership of Pastor W. L. Barnes.  He attended the University Of Toledo majoring in Religion, Speech Communication and Broadcasting.  His pastorates include the 1st Baptist Church of Port Clinton, OH, Family Baptist Church in Toledo, OH, where he served as Co-Pastor and Minister of Music, and Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Danville, IL.  In 1986 Pastor Byrd was elected to the church that he grew up in, New Home Baptist Church of Toledo, OH, where he served faithfully until 1991 when he was elected to the New Hope Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA.   Here is an interesting footnote: In 1971 while serving as Youth Minister, Pianist and Choir Director, at True Vine Baptist Church, the entire church traveled to Atlanta, GA to fellowship with The New Hope Baptist Church.  Little did he know that 20 years later he would be called to Pastor here in Atlanta at the same church. 

At New Hope he served faithfully for nine years and under his administration the church mortgage was paid off 10 years ahead of schedule.

With a desire to worship in an atmosphere of peace, in August of 2000 Pastor Byrd and First lady Rosalyn Byrd founded FaithWalk Ministries Unlimited with the support of his mom, children and the majority of the New Hope Congregation,

Ministry and music have been Byrd family traditions. His dad, the late Deacon Jimmie Lee Byrd, was an accomplished singer and the oldest son of a minister, the late Reverend J.L. Byrd of Monroe, Georgia.  “Papa Byrd” is the featured soloist on “Walk In The Spirit”, a big hit from the “Thank You So Much“ CD. 

Dennis performed 2 of his compositions, "Thank You So Much" and "I Need Your Power Everyday" on BET’s “Bobby Jones Gospel Show” along with the New Home Choir of Toledo, Ohio. https://youtu.be/jf5U7EYvodI

He has 2 sisters and 3 brothers who are all gifted in music and four of the 5 siblings are Ministers Of The Gospel.  His wife of 36 years, First Lady Rosalyn Byrd is also a very gifted singer and a lead soloist on nearly all of his recording projects.  Their children are all gifted singers, composers, directors and musicians.

Dennis introduced his youngest brother Chris to the industry when he helped him to produce his first Album entiled "Attitude Of Praise" on his label, Houseofbyrd Records which was later picked up by Tyscot Records.  Chris has over a dozen recordings to his credit, his own label and is the Music Director/Producer for the Rance Allen Group.
 

Dennis is also a liscensed DJ.  While in Danville, Illinois he was Christain Programing Director at WYOU Radio Station and hosted the "Joy In The Morning Gospel Broadcast" each weekday morning from 8-12.  While at WYZE Radio in Atlanta, GA Dennis was a co-host on the Reggie Gay Gospel Show each Wednesday morning on AM 1480 WYZE Radio in Atlanta, GA.
 
Since retiring from traveling as a recording artist, Dennis enjoys spoiling the grandchildren and he also finds more time to write, produce and do more to help his congregation and other local church ministries.  Dennis recently served for several years as "Musician In Residence" at Greenforest Community Baptist Church in Decatur, GA assisting with the New Ambassadors Choir, the Brotherhood Choir and assisting with special projects within the music ministry and early morning worship services.  He composed the theme song for the Annual Teen Conference at Greenforest and produced their CD entitled "I'm Going To Wait" and also composed the theme song for the Annual Cushite Conference entitled "Lift Your Hands Up".  He also put to music and co-wrote the song"Praising The Hell Out Of Yourself" along with the late Dr. George O. McCalep, Jr., renowned Pastor and Author; also featured on Dennis Byrd's "Praises From Da House CD. https://youtu.be/w9ukY99xa2s

Dennis is also Founder and CEO of HOUSEOFBYRD RECORDS and MAMA BYRD MUSIC PUBLISHERS.

While employed with the Grady Heath System in Atlanta he produced a video of Grady Nurses singing a song that he composed for the Annual Nurse Week Celebration entitled "Because We Care".  He has also served as the Master of Ceremonies and DJ for several departmental special events.  Dennis was also featured on V103 with Ron and Wanda doing a Rap that he composed intitled "Five Fundamentals For Patient Care".

https://instagram.com/p/uqEm_pKZca/

 Since retiring as a Senior Pastor after 45 years of service, Dennis has taught music at North Metro Academy Of Performing Arts in Norcross Georgia, DELTA STEAM Academy in Lithia Springs Georgia and is currently teaching at Greenforest-McCalep Christian Academy in Decatur Georgia. Dennis also serves as Minister Of Music at the historical Good  Hope Baptist Church in Good Hope Georgia.

On March 25, 2023 Dennis Byrd was inducted into the Woodward High School Alumni Hall Of Fame. 

Dennis Byrd Praises From Da House 

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n7GGek9_FQgXbu749jfvmyATtDST9h7N4&feature=shar

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