Gospel singer and organist Lonnie Hunter III was born and raised in Harvey, Illinois. He was inspired to perform by his mother, herself a professional gospel vocalist, and after graduating high school, he served five years as lead singer for the U.S. Air Force Jazz Band. In 1980, Hunter accepted the position of Minister of Music with the St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church Cathedral in Harvey; nine years later, the church's choir took top honors in the Singsation National Gospel Choir Competition. Their debut album, Lonnie Hunter III & the Voices of St. Mark, followed on the Muscle Shoals label in 1998, with a second release, Next Level, again with the Voices of St. Mark, appearing from the imprint in 2003. It would be eight years before the next Hunter album hit shelves. I’m Back, this time on Black Smoke Music, was released in 2011, and featured Structure, Hunter's own hand-picked choir. This would prove to be a breakthrough album for Hunter, charting well on the Billboard gospel and independent album charts. In addition to his music, he also hosts the syndicated "Lonnie Hunter Show" on FM Radio One and in 2010 won the Stellar award for "Announcer of the Year." Hunter signed to the Tyscot label to release his fourth album, 2015's #Getitdone. ~ Jason Ankeny