Aretha Harden, was born February 23, 1971 in Las Vegas,
Nevada, and started her gospel singing career at the age of 6 at
Pilgrim Rest Baptist church, when there was a call for someone to
lead a song, and no one else would volunteer. Needless to say,
she shocked parishioners and family alike with her powerful
voice. As a lifelong member of Victory Missionary Baptist
Church she continued to sing in the choir until the following year
at age of 7, when Aretha was the only black child singer invited to
sing with the choir at UNLV, which choir was comprised of
various professional singers and educators from across the United
States.
At the age of 14, she sang a solo for Black History month at
Chaparral High School, and continued to sing locally, until she
gained notoriety at 16 when she sang the National Anthem at the
COMDEX Convention in Las Vegas. Again that same year, she
was requested to sing a solo gospel selection for the National
Black Attorneys Convention at their Gospel Evening, and to again
perform the National Anthem for the convention opening.
After graduating high school, Aretha sang as the lead artist
for the gospel group F.A.I.T.H. (For Always In Truth and Honesty)
and recorded her first album entitled with the same name. Sales
of the album continued for nine years, during which time she
participated as one of the Section Leaders of the City-Wide Youth
Choir in Las Vegas for 20 years; was engaged in local
performances; performed studio singing for various gospel artists;
and participated in the Gospel Music Workshop of America
Choir/Las Vegas Chapter.
Aretha then continued her singing career shortly thereafter
with the gospel group Futrell, opening a concert which featured
Commissioned and Yolanda Adams. Later, she opened for Brian
Duncan, Commissioned, Darryl Coley, and the Dynamic Twins.
She also opened several shows at Mandalay Bay Casino/Resort’s
House of Blues Gospel Brunch.
In 2004, Aretha got an invitation from James Smith, Director,
of Las Vegas Mass Choir (LVM) to join the choir as a member,
Section Leader, and later a Board Member. When the choir
launched their debut project entitled Mass Appeal, Aretha was the
lead singer on the track entitled New Life. LVM was designated
“Choir of the Year” by the 4th Annual Hollywood Gospel Insider
Awards in Hollywood, CA. Since then, Aretha, together with LVM,
has performed on several television shows, including “I Gospel,” in
Charlotte, N.C., “Jeff Majors Gospel of Music,” in Los Angeles,
“Bobby Jones Summit” in Nantucket, Conn., Gospel Music
Workshop of America, House of Blues Gospel Brunch, and
“Heavenly Sent” on the WORD Network in Las Vegas.
In 2006, they received the Las Vegas Black Music Award for Best
Performance by a Choir. LVM are proud supporters of the Jerry
Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon and World Vision which
provides relief support to children in Africa. LVM also traveled
to Melbourne, Australia to participate in the Melbourne Jazz
Festival.
In 2014 and 2015 Aretha was the featured artist at the
House of Blues Kirk Franklin Gospel Brunch, appearing four to
five times each year. She continues to be an exceptional gospel
performer in the Las Vegas area, as well as throughout the United
States.
Awards
Gospel – Best Female Performer
Black Music Awards - Las Vegas
Christian Artist Convention, JOPLIN, MO (with F.A.I.T.H.)
Small Group Award (First Place and Grand Prize)
Gospel Choir of the Year (with Las Vegas Mass Choir)
4th Annual Hollywood Gospel Insider Awards
Appearances/Performances:
Aretha has shared the stage with:
Stevie Wonder, New Kids on the Block, Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, Peabo Bryson, Oleta Adams, Stephanie Mills, Dionne Warwick, Roberta Flack, Michael McDonald, R. Kelly (Help song benefitting Katrina victims), Clint Holms (9/11 Tribute song to Firemen), Memorial for Danny Gans, The IBG Company (Oh Happy Day), Percy Gray, Crystal Akins, Sharra Addison, Tremaine Hawkins, Edwin Hawkins, Angela Spivey, Andre Crouch, Bobby Jones, Jeff Majors, Yolanda Adams, Neil Diamond, Rhianna, Black Eye Peas, Beyoncé, Neo, David Foster, Earth, Wind & Fire, Babyface, Ruben Studdard, Natalie Cole, LL Cool J, Jack Yates, Donna Summer, All for One, The Canadian Tenors, The Tenors, The Ten Tenors, Rachelle Cash, Tamela Mann, Vashawn Mitchell, Tobbi and Tommi, Mary Mary, Jonathan Butler, Sheila E., Erikah Badu, Joe, Bobby Jones, SWV, Lenny Williams, Kindred The Family Soul, Michelin Tire Corporation, GNC Vitamin Corporation, GMAC Motor Corporation
Aretha has just completed her current project entitled God’s Permission Reloaded!, on which she has written all of the songs. The original God’s Permission CD was released in the Summer of 2011. On this Reloaded! project she has re-recorded all of the original songs and added a couple of new tracks.
