Pastor Derrick Monk

“Charismatic” is the best way to describe the ever so multi-talented gospel recording artist, Derrick Monk!  One reporter had this to say:    “Derrick Monk enters a room with charisma so genuine he could change a rainy day to blue skies.”

Derrick Monk has had the blessed opportunity to meet and work with some powerful individuals in the entertainment industry from top record artists to movie industry moguls.  By far his most impressive association and the one he savors the most is his association with the late, great James Brown.  It was during 1992 that Derrick met the legendary James Brown, AKA “The Godfather of Soul”.  A moment Monk calls a life-changing moment, (meeting James Brown), which led to his being A&R Director/Producer/Songwriter for “The New James Brown Enterprises” in Augusta, Georgia. 

This association changed the face of Monk’s career and led to a lasting relationship; one that lasted until the death of James Brown, his mentor, his friend and as Monk likes to affectionately call him, “pops”.  One of Derrick’s saddest and most cherished moments was when he was asked to perform “God Has Smiled On Me” at the star-studded home-going celebration for his friend and mentor – James Brown, which aired nationwide on CNN World Wide.