‘A superb talent’: Gospel community mourns singer Troy Sneed after coronavirus battle
The gospel music world is in mourning after losing one of its own to the coronavirus.
Troy Sneed, a Grammy-nominated gospel artist whose career spanned decades, died at a Jacksonville, Florida, hospital early Monday after suffering complications from COVID-19, his publicist Bill Carpenter confirmed to the Associated Press. He was 52 years old.
“Troy was like a brother to me,” Mike Chandler, CEO of Rejoice! Musical Soul Food radio network, told local station Action News Jax, which also confirmed the death. “He was a businessman. He was a husband; he was a father. He was an industry leader, so it’s not just my loss. It’s a loss to the whole industry.”
Sneed, a Florida native, launched his career in music at Florida A&M University where he majored in education with a minor in music, according to Billboard.com. He would go on to join the school’s choir.
After graduating, Sneed taught briefly at a Jacksonville elementary school before Savoy Records executive Rev. Milton Biggham tapped him for a position as the Georgia Mass Choir’s assistant minister of music, Action News Jax reported. He spent the early part of his career traveling and singing with the group and arranging the music on their albums.
He even appeared with them in the 1996 film “The Preacher’s Wife,” starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington, the Associated Press reported.
Sneed would go on to form Youth For Christ, a chorus of young voices from the Georgia Mass Choir, and helped produce their 1999 album “Higher,” which earned him a Grammy Award nomination in 2000, according to Billboard.com
“He was one of the most talented men in our industry, but more importantly Troy was a good person and he did a lot of good work,” said Chandler, according to Action News Jax. “The world is going to miss him.”
News of Sneed’s passing has rocked the gospel community. On Monday, fellow artists, friends and fans of the late singer flocked to social media to offer their prayers and condolences.
“I’m so sorry to hear of Gospel Artist Troy Sneed passing! You will be missed Troy RIH we love you,” tweeted fellow gospel music star Hezekiah Walker.
“Great songwriter and producer. Wow,” gospel artist and actress Lexi Allen also wrote. “Prayers going out to his wife and family. I am in disbelief. Wow.”
Singer Ricky Dillard wrote: “Sad to learn of the transition of Troy Sneed. He proved that there is room for everyone in our industry, but his masterful work as an independent. May he RIP.”
In a lengthy Instagram post, singer-songwriter Jonathan Nelson thanked Sneed for “giving me a chance.”
“’The Struggle is Over’ was 1 of the songs that gave me space in this music biz,” Nelson wrote. “You gave me great insight and asst as I was building my platform. Thank you for every connection! God knows exactly who to place in your path.”
During his tenured career, Sneed also found success as a solo act. He released a total of seven albums and had several chart-topping songs including “My Heart Says Yes” and “Work it Out,” the AP reported. According to Billboard, 10 of his inspirational tunes made the Hot Gospel Songs chart, with “Work It Out” snagging the chart’s No. 2 spot in September 2008.
The singer and his wife launched their own record label, Emtro, which produced several gospel radio hits.
Sneed is survived by his wife, Emily, and their four children: Evany, Troy Jr., Tyler and Trey, Action News Jax reports.