by Morgan Mizell

NATCHEZ — Brandon Mitchell and S.W.A.P. (Singers With a Purpose) recently released their title album single “Amazing,” on May 20 which quickly climbed the charts of iTunes Christian and broke into the Top 100 category on the same day.

The single will begin heavy radio rotation next month but is currently available for purchase on iTunes and all other digital media outlets.

“We are an independent unsigned artist,” Brandon said. “All the proceeds go back to us and the ministry and helps us to do what we do — record, travel and spread the message of Jesus Christ.”

The group, which is a small ensemble, has been together for 10 years. However, some of the members have changed. The group primarily consists of family members. In fact, of the seven members, only three have a different last name.

“We have all been singing our whole lives,” Brandon Mitchell said. “It has been like second nature to us, but we are the first to have an ensemble while others in our family have usually done quartet music.”

Aside from singing as a group, music ministry surrounds the group members. Brandon and his wife Trinity both serve as ministers of music at churches in Jackson. Brandon works at College Hill Church and Trinity works at Shady Grove Baptist Church. Brittany Mitchell is the assistant minister of music at Zion Chapel African Methodist Church in Natchez, Mississippi. Group member, and brother, Birdon “Trey” Mitchell is the Connectional Music Director for the youth of the A.M.E. Church.

All members of the group are trained vocalists with three members holding degrees in vocal performance — one from Alcorn State University and two from Mississippi Valley State University.

The songs on the album were written by Brandon and his wife. The album itself has been in the works for four years.

“Since we are an independent group, there is no record-label funding and everything has been out-of-pocket,” Brandon said. “If it were not for the people giving love offerings and the sales on iTunes, it would be very difficult.”

Many stories of sleepless nights, long drives from work to the studio in Tennessee and decisions about scheduling time-off to make events surround the making of this album.

“This album is a story-line of who God is to us,” Trinity said. “It is just a tremendous, wonderful, testimony-filled album and we are excited.”

Brittany Mitchell said the album, especially this song, speaks to her about how she feels about God in her life.

“When you think about people doing something in your life it may be good or great, but you will never laugh at the same joke as hard as the first time you heard it,” Brittany said. “But, every time God does something for us, over and over, it is simply amazing because of the God we serve.”

The group has been fortunate to work with three different recording studios: J.S. Studios in Jackson; Big Bradford Studios in Nashville, Tenn., and Nick Sparks Productions in Nashville.

Brandon said their producer, AyRon Lewis, has been a patient man with the group while they have fought deadlines and financial burdens to make this album a reality.

“It is a funny story as to how we got such a veteran Gospel music producer,” Brandon said. “I wrote him an email and for some reason he read it. When he called me he said he was not sure why he was doing it, but that if we could get him to Natchez, he would come listen to us.”

Group members all agree they want the album to do well, and they have high hopes after the response to the release of this single. Most of them would like to be able to reach a point of having this ministry be their main career, but they really want their music to touch people and help them form a deeper relationship with God.

“Nothing warms my heart like having someone say I listened to your music and I decided to change my life,” Trinity said. “These songs are our story, but many people feel the same way we do, but they don’t have an outlet.”

Although there were times of desperation during work on this album the group did not give up and they have already begun to write music for the next album. They credit God and all of those who worked on the album, especially this single with its success.

“The beauty of all of the hard work was being there the other day and watching professional violinists and be recorded while we were fighting back tears,” Trinity said. “I was not around for the first album, but I know the struggle of this album, and it is so special to me to see all of our hard work paid off.”

The group is thankful for those who have believed in them and supported them.

The group will have album release parties in different places across the state later in the year, and they will be performing at other venues in the near future. Those interested in more information about the group, their music and their ministry can visit their website at brandonmitchellswap.com.