Emtro Gospel Recording Artist/Owner

Not long ago, this young man dreamt of stopping wide receivers in the NFL, but a high school injury ended his professional hopes. During the recovery process, God revealed to him the calling of music, which had been in his life since childhood. From his early days as a member in the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Gospel Choir, Troy Sneed continued to hone his musical talents in the industry. The FAMU Gospel Choir Advisor, the late Prince J.D Olds, recognizing Troy’s leadership qualities and musical gifts offered him the position of Minister of Music. During this season of growth, he worked, traveled with, and was mentored by renowned gospel music artists such as the late Rev. James Cleveland, the late Thomas Whitfield, the late Mattie Moss Clark, Twinkie Clark, LaShun Pace, and the late Rev. James Moore

Upon receiving his degree from FAMU in Elementary Education and Music, Troy worked as an educator in Jacksonville, Florida for two swift years. As another door opened for him through Rev. Milton Biggham, Executive Director of Savoy Records, who offered Troy the position of Georgia Mass Choir’s Assistant Minister of Music. For more than a decade, he toured worldwide with the award winning choir. Troy appeared with Georgia Mass Choir in Penny Marshall’s movie and Disney production of “The Preacher’s Wife”, starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington.

Keeping his sights on the Lord, this relationship also opened another door of opportunity with the debut of his first solo project entitled “Call Jesus” and a second project entitled “Bless That Wonderful Name” both on the Savoy label.

In the fall of 1998 a new course was sparked as Savoy recorded and Georgia Mass presented a 400 voice youth choir entitled “Youth for Christ” which was directed and produced by Troy. This audio and video recording, appropriately entitled “Higher” garnered the project a nomination for the 43rd Annual Grammy “Choir of the Year” Award. Troy Sneed, singer/songwriter/musician and now Grammy nominated producer had again proven he could succeed at another level of the music business.

Troy continues to seek and obey Christ in every endeavor of his life, and God continues to open windows and pour out blessings. In 2003 Troy began Emtro Gospel, a gospel recording label which has multiplied by leaps and bounds. God has allowed Troy to build a phenomenal roster which to date includes Alvin Darling (new release “You Can Make It” October 20, 2009), Bonafide Praisers (“Work It Out”, R&R Billboard #2 Song of 2008), Bruce Parham (“Call Jesus” R&R Billboard #29 Song of 2008) , Candi Staton, Kevin Jarido, Joe Leavell & St. Stephen Temple Choir, L. Spenser Smith, Rudolph McKissick, Jr & the Word and Worship Mass Choir, Wilmington Chester Mass Choir, Youth for Christ (single “The Struggle is Over charted as #1 on Billboard for over three months, 2006), and of course Troy Sneed. In 2008, Emtro Gospel was ranked third among the gospel industry’s most outstanding labels, according to Billboard Radio and Records Year End Charts, and Troy named as one of Billboard’s top three gospel producers for the second consecutive year (2007, 2008).

Troy has been able to see the vision given to him by God, for Emtro Gospel and in 2007 Troy joined with his son, Troy, Jr (affectionately known as TJ) to begin a second label entitled T Records, understanding to whom much is given, much is required. T Records is currently the home for the Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir (“Hold On For Life”, 2008), and Supreme 7 (“Another Yes”, 2008).

He, however, will always be a musician at heart and although, best known for his energetic praise and worship hit "Hallelujah", Troy also rekindled an old love affair with the ivory keys in the release "In Due Season", (June 2009) which was nominated for two Stellar awards. Sneed concluded an 82 week tour in December 2010, setting up the release of his brand new album entitled “My Heart Says Yes”, slated to be in stores April 2011. The title cut, due to its phenomenal radio success, climbing into Billboard’s top ten in under a month, will be available for digital download February 1, 2011. An early report shows that the song is connecting with people all over the world, as Sneed uses an off the stave falsetto, comparable to Maxwell and Robin Thicke, to appeal to the music lover in all of us. Sneed is also busy producing new records for Bishop Bruce Parham, Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Bonafide Praisers and pastor George Lee III and the Mighty Fortress.