7th Aug, 2012
The Gospel Guru Interviews Former Harlem Globetrotter Harold ‘Lefty’ Williams
Former Harlem Globetrotter Harold ‘Lefty’ Williams is one who dared to dream at an early age. Williams, one of seven children grew up with a love for basketball and God, even at an early age he learned if he wanted something it wasn’t going to come easily.Williams held fast to his dreams and went on to become one of the Harlem Globetrotter’s.
Now, the basketball star travels the country speaking on topics ranging from substance abuse, child abuse, HIV/Aids, abstinence…etc. Get into my interview with the former Globetrotter below where we talk about everything from his debut album, transitioning from an athlete to recording artist, and more. Be sure to check out Lefty’s debut album “From The Hardwood 2 Hard Praise” on iTunes, and you can take a listen to his single “In Your Presence” below.
- Describe Harold ‘Lefty’ Williams in three words. I can do it in one. Humble.
- Tell me about your debut album. The debut album is called “From The Hardwood 2 Hard Praise.” Everyone knows me as a professional athlete or a former Harlem Globetrotter. But not a lot of people knew me as a Gospel artist, a lot of people thought I was a basketball player trying to sing, but I really was a singer trying to play basketball. On the project that’s out, God gave it to me 3 years ago. I’ll never forget, when I got the project and God begin to birth it in me I was like man I’m ready to give birth to this thing. I’ll never forget my brother Marvin Winans Jr. encouraged me and told me that it took him 5 years to release his project, and he was like Lefty be encouraged and keep working. I’m really excited about that.
- What was your most memorable experience during the making of “From The Hardwood 2 Hard Praise”? When I went in the studio to record “Fight Of Faith.” It’s basically a song that talks about you fought the good fight of faith, you held on to my every word. Basically it’s a deliverance song, talking about i’m coming to deliver you. And went into the studio to record that track, when I came out everyone was so full of worship. I couldn’t even move on, we basically ended the session that night on worship.
- Do you have a favorite or standout track on the album? My favorite track is “In Your Presence” just because I know where I was when God gave it to me. I know exactly what I was going through… still traveling on the road, from country to country, state to state, arena to arena. Still dealing with what I was dealing with. I was in Germany and my wife and I had lost our baby, and in the midst of that we almost lost her. The Doctor said my wife only had an hour to live. So “In Your Presence” is one of my favorite tracks.
- Tell me about your transition from an athlete to a recording artist. How was that? It was literally a faith walk. Being a professional athlete traveling across the country from arena to arena,traveling internationally… i’ve been to 24 countries. And you’re use to a certain way things go, and when you turn into an artist and go into full time ministry… it was literally a faith walk. I give a lot of thanks to Paula White. God used her to help me, she brought me on TBN’s ‘Praise The Lord’ and that kinda really launched my ministry from an artist and ministry stand point. I thank God for people like her and Marvin Winans Jr. who has been a real encourager . People who believe in me make the transition a little easier. I thank God for people like Lisa McClendon, God has brought her and her husband Pastor Maurice in my life and they’re nurturing what God has given me.
- What is your favorite role? That of an artist or an athlete? My favorite fole is the blend between the two. When I came home God birthed something in me called “Dare 2 Dream.” And my slogan is “A Delay Is Not A Denial” so many doors have been slammed in my face trying to pursue this dream whether as an artist or an athlete but ultimately it has not been denied. I’ve had different record labels trying to sign me, but I didn’t go that route. When I came home God birthed “Dare 2 Dream” into me and I put together a “Dare 2 Dream” tour. I’m traveling 40 cities, 40 schools and impacting their lives and teaching them “Dare 2 Dream.” They’re getting a blend of Lefty. I do my basketball tricks, motivational speaking, and I do my singing . So they’re geting the artist and entertainer.
- Ultimately, what do you hope to accomplish with “Dare 2 Dream”? Just impartation.When I was young I grew up in a single-parent home. My mom did the best she could, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the young age of 14 and she’s still here…the Doctor gave her up to die. I want people to understand that accountability as a man is very important so when i’m traveling and doing these things i’m trying to impart hoping that they see my heart as I impart with them. i’m just trying to let them know that they can do it, God doesn’t have a respect of person. Men today (not everyone) don’t want to be held accountable for anything, and it’s important that we are held accountable over a lot of things. So when I talk to these guys and young women I tell them if they have any trouble to reach out to me. Hit me up on twitter, facebook, etc…just so they can actually interact with me so we can help each other be held accountable for one another.
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