The Funky Divas Of Gospel: Bio

Jim White - Soloist/Executive Producer

Jim White has been singing for as long as he can remember. His mother was a professional singer/pianist who sang just about everything. “She was my greatest influence musically and encouraged me to sing. She taught me to appreciate all types of music .

Jim was bitten by the R&B/soul bug at eleven years old when he bought his first album “Dance ‘til Quarter To Three” by Gary “U.S.” Bonds. "I played that album until the vinyl wore out", says White. "After that it was James Brown, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett and so many others. Today I still lean toward R&B but I also love folk, Celtic (yes Celtic), blues, pop standards and of course, gospel”.

Jim began singing professionally when he was fifteen and really hasn’t stopped. He is also a filmmaker and does voice-overs for radio and television, working from his home-studio for clients all over the U.S. In 2000, after years of producing other peoples’ work he recorded his first solo CD called Hearts of Fire. In 2006 he released a CD titled “Songs My Mother Sang” - available on this website, and produced the Divas new CD “Gospel Is Not A Spectator Sport!”. He will be returning to the studio soon to record a new CD based on the music of T-Bone Walker.

“I love singing Gospel. I love connecting with audiences, and I am thrilled to part of this very special group”.

Barbara Whitney - Keyboards, Accordion, Percussion, Singer, Band Leader

Barb has had a great love of all music since before she could even walk. She began playing the piano at the age of five and then the accordian several years later. She graduated from UNH with a bachelors degree in music composition. Recently she has studied voice at the Jeannie Deva voice studio in Boston. Her latest passion is studying West African Drumming.

Barb is a prolific composer and song writer, with three songs having been performed by the Funky Divas. She is currently working on several recording projects of original music. One of them is a CD of music with Reiki meditations. Barb teaches music privately and also performs with the Jeannie Daniels Band, and with Lesley Smith and the Theater Of Life Puppets. Barb is the music director for Unity of the Seacoast and has written and performed over 20 songs for their services in the past year. She also has started a Drum Circle there which meets monthly and is open to anyone who wants to play. In her own words she says, "the Divas are a very funky group to play with. There is lots of great talent here and things are always changing. The group is truly a living, breathing entity".