Meet James C. Birdsong, Jr. | Gospel Music Industry Professional

We had the good fortune of connecting with James C. Birdsong, Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James C., can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
Through the years, the most important lesson I learned at a young age is always have God first and foremost in your life. Without Him, this would not been possible. My father, the late Rev. James C. Birdsong, Sr. and my mother, Belinda Germany-Birdsong installed those lifetime principles. They taught me to never allow any obstacles to hinder me from moving forward in pursuing dreams and opportunities. As I shared in multiple press interviews on television, radio and print throughout the country and abroad, I am a child of the inner-city who was born and raised in the southside of Richmond, CA. I grew up attending church and surrounded by family, friends. loved ones and influential people in my life. My teachers from elementary to high school motivated me for excellence. This lesson continues to be an impact in my life today at 41-years-old.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Hello and thank you so much Shoutout Atlanta for this opportunity. I appreciate it very much. Birdsong Association of Broadcasting & Arts, Inc. is a is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Atlanta, GA. Known as BABA, it was established in 2019. The organization will provide school scholarships, organize fundraisers, host an annual Gospel Concert and Pre-Concert VIP Awards Gala as our benefit, workshops, productions, and programs. The proceeds of these events will help today’s African-American youth from K-12 grade in metro Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C. and throughout the United States to attend college at HBCUs (Historical Black Colleges and Universities), provide mentorship opportunities and careers in performing arts and broadcasting. The organization consists of the administration (President, Secretary and Treasurer) and nine board members with more to be appointed. Our additional operations planned for Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, D.C. will each have a board member to serve along with us. They will serve as directors of those operations. The board members are professionals in the gospel and secular music industry, the entertainment arena, media broadcasting, education, religious affairs, corporate spectrum, and community advocacy. As a member of the Gospel music industry and entertainment arena with a strong, rich legacy in the renowned famed Birdsong family, God gave me this vision in 2018 as my ultimate goal for today’s youth in the African American community as the next generation of actors, actresses, film makers, playwriters, vocalists, recording artists, songwriters, producers, camera operators, engineers, studio personnel, record label executives, educators, entrepreuners, media personalities and other career fields. It has been a blessed journey for me with a strong support system. I reflect to my early years of childhood at the corner of Maine Avenue and Harbour Way South in Richmond, CA, a city located 17 miles northeast across the bay from San Francisco. I am a product of the inner-city. I have shared my testimony of being an overcomer on multiple media platforms around the world. I recently turned 41-years-old on May 16th, 2021. There is still more work to be done. God is not though with me yet.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am so glad you asked me this question. I first moved to Atlanta in 2005 with my mother, Belinda Germany-Birdsong from the San Francisco Bay Area to attend college and pursue my career in the Gospel music industry and entertainment arena at large. I lived here for six years until we moved back to California in 2011. First, we lived in Long Beach for six months and then made our return to the Bay Area for two years. We were living in Berkeley at the time until I moved back to Atlanta for good in 2014. My mother returned here two years later in 2016. While living here the first six years, I had the opportunity to visit various famous landmarks, tourist attractions, shopping malls and other spots. If I had family members or guests to visit Atlanta, I would take them to the King Center, Six Flags Over Georgia, the Georgia Aquarium, the Atlanta Zoo, the Georgia State Capitol, Lenox Square Mall, Midtown Atlanta, the Atlanta University Center and venues related to my field. For the restaurants, I would discuss it with them first and proceed from there. There is so much here in Atlanta. Once they have the opportunity to see the city and surrounding arenas for themselves, they do not want to leave.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to acknowledge my family, the Birdsongs for their love, prayers and support throughout the years. God has truly blessed our family to develop a strong, rich legacy and heritage in music and ministry. The legacy built by our elders now continues to influence many people of all ages and nationalities.

Website: www.jamescbirdsongjr.net

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jamescbirdsongjr

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheRealJBOnline

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jamescbirdsongjr

Image Credits
James C. Birdsong, Jr. Award Recognition Flyer Impact Award of Honour – Music Courtesy of Antigua Barbuda Gospel Music & Media Awards (ABGMA) James C. Birdsong, Jr. Award Recognition Flyer Gospel Artist Music Association Virtual Awards Courtesy of Jorad Holmes Birdsong Association of Broadcasting & Arts Official Logo Courtesy of Birdsong Association of Broadcasting & Arts (BABA) Black Men Succeed Magazine Photo Courtesy of James C. Birdsong, Jr. Honorary Doctor of Sacred Music Degree Photo Courtesy of Emily Heath Photography The Best is Yet to Come: The Birdsong Family Los Angeles Edition Book Signing Podium Photo Courtesy of Brittany Jackson