DETROIT BASED RECORD COMPANY HAVING MAJOR NATIONAL IMPACT

Michigan Chronicle, July 1998 and GMWA TODAY, August 1998
Story by Steve Holsey

The idea of starting the company came from Ben Whitfield Jr., an attorney whose clients include such notables as the famed Clark Sisters and popular R&B songstress Aaliyah. Both acts are from Detroit. Fortunately for Whitfield, there were two gentlemen, also from the Motor City who shared his vision, producer/songwriter/ studio owner Michael J. Powell and Brian A. Spears, whose expertise ranges from managing to publishing. Rounding out the "Crystal Rose Quartet" was Donald Lawrence, record producer and leader/director of The Tri-City Singers.

Unlike most record companies, Crystal Rose has a mission statement. It is as follows:

"Without compromising the message of spirituality, Crystal Rose Records remains steadfast to the cultivation, education and development of Christian artists while building musical bridges that give birth to a new level of excellence in gospel music that crosses all music genres and all generations, irrespective of culture, race, age and religion."

Sitting: Ben Whitfield, Jr - Standing left to right: Michael J. Powell, Donald Lawrence, and Brian A. Spears