Ricky Dillard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ricky Dillard
Dillard in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Ricky Rydell Dillard
Also known as	Dr. Ricky Dillard
Born	(1965-02-25) February 25, 1965 (age 60) Chicago, Illinois
Genres	Contemporary Christian music, gospel, Christian R&B, urban contemporary gospel, black gospel, contemporary R&B, house music
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter
Instruments	vocals
Years active	1987–present
Labels	Muscle Shoals, Malaco, Crystal Rose, EMI Gospel, Light Records, Entertainment One, D.J. International Records, Trax Records, Jack Trax, Motown Gospel
Associated acts	New Generation Chorale, New Generation, New "G", New G, Milton Brunson, Tiff Joy, Hezekiah Walker, Donald Lawrence, O'landa Draper, Karen Clark Sheard, Farley "Jackmaster" Funk, Larry Heard, Tamela Mann, Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson, Kim Burrell

Ricky Rydell Dillard (born February 25, 1965) is a famous American gospel musician. He started his music journey in 1987. At first, he made Chicago house music. Later, he became well-known for his powerful gospel songs and for leading amazing choirs.

Many of his albums have been very popular. They have reached high spots on music charts like the Billboard Gospel Albums chart. Ricky Dillard has also been nominated for Grammy Awards more than once!

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Ricky Rydell Dillard was born on February 25, 1965, in Chicago Heights, Illinois. His mother and grandmother taught him to love gospel music from a young age. He started singing in church choirs when he was just five years old.

As he grew older, Ricky got the chance to direct the youth choir at St. Bethel Baptist Church. In 1981, he even started the first gospel choir at Bloom High School. In 1984, he joined the Thompson Community Singers, a famous gospel group.

Music Career Journey

Ricky Dillard began his recording career in 1987. He started in Chicago house music, which is a type of dance music. He was introduced to this style by a famous DJ named Frankie Knuckles. Ricky worked with other well-known producers like Farley "Jackmaster" Funk and Larry Heard on his early house music songs.

Starting His Gospel Music Journey

In 1988, Ricky Dillard formed his own gospel choir called Ricky Dillard's New Generation Chorale. With his choir, he released his first gospel album, Promise, in 1990. This album was a success, reaching No. 15 on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart. It was even nominated for a Grammy Award!

He continued to release many more gospel albums. His album A Holy Ghost Take-Over came out in 1993 and reached No. 3 on the Gospel Albums chart. In 1995, Hallelujah also charted well.

Continued Success and Awards

Ricky Dillard's albums kept doing great. No Limit (2000) appeared on both the Gospel Albums and Christian Albums charts. His album Unplugged (2004) also charted on the Independent Albums chart.

In 2011, he released Keep Living, which reached No. 3 on the Gospel Albums chart. His album Amazing came out in 2014 and was a huge hit. It reached the top spot, No. 1, on the Gospel Albums chart! Amazing was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album.

Ricky Dillard has continued to release new music. In 2019, he signed with Motown Gospel. His 11th album, Choirmaster, was released in 2020. This album was nominated for two Grammy Awards. He also won "Traditional Choir of The Year" at the 36th Annual Stellar Awards.

In 2022, he released Breakthrough: The Exodus. He even appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show to sing one of his songs. He has won several Dove Awards, including "Traditional Gospel Album of the Year." In 2023, he recorded his 13th album, Choirmaster II, which is set to be released in 2024. He was also honored for his 35 years of excellence in gospel music.

Achievements and Recognition

Ricky Dillard has achieved great success in gospel music. All of his gospel albums since Promise in 1991 have appeared on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart. Some of his albums have also charted on the Christian Albums, Independent Albums, and even the main Billboard 200 chart.

He has been nominated for two Grammy Awards:

• In 1992, for Promise in the Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album category.
• In 2015, for Amazing in the Best Gospel Album category.

Ricky Dillard has also received many nominations and awards at the Stellar Awards, which celebrate gospel music. In 2015, he was nominated for many categories, including Artist of the Year and Choir of the Year. In 2021, he won Traditional Choir of the Year. In 2022, he received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award and won Choir of the Year, Traditional Choir of the Year, and Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year.

Discography