Hey, there!  I'm J. Teddy and I'd like to tell you about myself.  I attended the Westminster Choir College of Princeton where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. I’ve taught a variety of courses including Choral Music, Marching Band, General Music, Musical Theater, Drama, String Orchestra, Piano, and Guitar, and I’ve instructed at every grade level (k-12) in both the Clark County and Camden City Public Schools. As a professional musician and recording artist, I’ve toured extensively throughout the United States and abroad, performing an eclectic repertoire ranging from classical and country music to jazz and gospel in such prestigious locations as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Vatican in Rome, Italy. I am currently the CEO of J Teddy Music Incorporated, the President of Prize Records, Inc., an advisory board member and administrator for the Paul E. & Helen S. Meyer Foundation, and most recently, the Director of Music at Hope Baptist Church, where I began serving in September 2005. I am the husband of Pamela Camille, and the father of two daughters – J’Nissi ReJoice and Judaea Shaddai, and one son – Jireh Zamar.

What is your favorite scripture?
What shall we then say to these things?  If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31

In your opinion, what is the best movie ever made?
Ok...are you ready for this?  "A Walk to Remember."  (So what if it is sort of a "chick flick", I thought it was great.)

What is your favorite color and why?
Green, because...
"green is the color of Spring;
And green can be cool and friendly-like;
And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain, or tall like a tree.
When green is all there is...
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why?"
- Kermit the Frog

If you could use one word to describe yourself, what would it be?
Supercalifragilisticexpialodocious.
But usually, compassionate.

What is your favorite television show?
The Cosby Show.  (I would say "My Wife and Kids", but I've never actually seen it.  I just like the actors in it and heard it was pretty good.)

Who has had the most profound influence on your life?
I'd have to say my father in the ministry, Rev. Dr. Silas M. Townsend.  (That is, of course, besides my mom.)

What are the last three albums you listened to?
That would be Patti LaBelle "Burnin'", The Jackson Five "Greatest Hits", and The Sugar Hill Gangs "Rappers Delight."
But if you actually meant the last three CDs, that would be Las Vegas Mass Choir "Mass Appeal" (they're my friends), Tye Tribnett "Victory" (that's my cousin), and J. Teddy "Won't Go Back" (that's me).

If you could speak any language other than English what would it be and why?
Ebonics.  I'm from Camden, New Jersey.

What drives you to be the person you are?
My wife.  Believe me, she's been behind the wheel for a long time.

What are your hobbies?
I love watersports, thrill rides, canyoneering, and anything else wild and adventurous.

If you could spend an entire day with any one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
Jesus, but at the risk of that answer being taken, I'd say his earthly father, Joseph or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

If you could have any other job which would it be?
I am the Director of Music at Hope Baptist Church, an Administrator of Philanthropy at the Paul E. & Helen S. Meyer Foundation, and the CEO of J. Teddy Music, Incorporated.  I love everything God has me doing in this season of my life and would not rather be doing anything else.  How blessed I am.  Thank you, Jesus.

What issue in the world today is closest to your heart?
The crisis in the Middle East. But “how can we have peace in the middle east when there’s none at home? How can we have understanding in the land when there’s none in the woman or the man? How can we heal the wounds of the world if we cannot heal our own?” –Rachelle Ferrell

If you could say one thing to the Body of Christ, what would it be?
Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (That is my mom’s favorite verse).