Over the years they've been a good number of secular artists who have come out with full-length gospel albums. From Philip Bailey (The Temptations) and Troy Johnson, to Michelle Williams (Destiny's Child) and Woody Rock (Dru Hill), they've come hard and fast.
 Now you can add Dave Hollister to that illustrious list.
On the 26th of September 2006, this former Blackstreet member and solo act made his departure from the R&B world official with the release of his first gospel release, Book of David: The Transition.
It really comes as no surprise, as Dave Hollister built his R&B credentials on a Gospel foundation. His gospel prowess is well known, considering that he grew up spending most of his time in church. Both of Dave's parents were preachers and it was at his father's church that he received his vocal training. This platinum-selling artist (as a member of Blackstreet) is best known for rocking his soulful Gospel voice with music that mixes streetwise hip-hop and smooth R&B flavor.
Earlier in his career, Hollister tried straight gigs, working as a bank teller and attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, majoring in accounting. But while performing and writing in college, he lent his "preacher man" vocals to back up Patti LaBelle and Mary J. Blige, Tupac Shakur and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. His big break came when superproducer Teddy Riley handpicked him as an original member of Riley's popular soul group Blackstreet. Hollister wrote and produced the group's Top 10 hit, "Before I Let You Go," which spent 21 weeks on the charts and helped propel the group's debut album to double-platinum status.
In 2004, Dave Hollister, an original member of Teddy Riley's Blackstreet, surrendered his R&B career. He was confronted with a life or death choice that would lead to his first gospel recording. In order to appreciate the significance of this new album, one must understand the odyssey that brought him to the doorway of death.
He was on his way from a hotel where he was hosting a show. By his own admission he was driving drunk. His poor mental state was augmented by the eighth of an ounce of cocaine he'd consumed in addition to the liquor.
It all happened so fast.
Topanga Pass, a winding road overlooking a cliff outside of Los Angeles became a maze as he lost control of the wheel. The car crashed into a guard rail. Then he recalls that it flipped three times. Amazingly, this preacher's kid walked away from the accident unscathed.
Narrowly escaping the kiss of death, Hollister realized he needed to make some major changes in his life. He
chose to rid himself of the wanton lifestyle the entertainment world offered him as an R&B artist. The decision was divinely inspired: “God told me if I went back to R&B I would die.”
His so called friends vanished with the past he denounced. “I had money and fame, but I didn't have God and I didn't have peace,” he shares while being grateful for R&B songstress Kelly Price who has been a faithful friend and supporter during his transition. He was fortunate to leave the industry with money in his pocket and the void he felt is filled with a renewed relationship with Christ.
Dave is tongue-talking saved and hopes to disciple others in the R&B industry, starting with a famous neighbor who lives down the street from him in Chicago : R. Kelly. “He's just confused right now, but I've been talking to him.”
On his new CD, artist/producer Hollister and his production team PAJAM, Shep Crawford, Warryn “Baby Dub” Campbell, Mike City, Clubhouse, Jessie Wright, Reginald Lewis and Daniel Weatherspoon offer up a mix of cutting-edge Gospel/R&B with a smattering of old-school jams and soulful vocals.
Like the biblical David he is a man after God's own heart and says his hand is on the plow and there is no turning back.
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