Commissioned

Contemporary gospel group Commissioned was formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1982. Founded by former Winans bassist Fred Hammond, the original line-up also featured Keith Staten (vocals), Karl Reid (vocals), Mitchell Jones (vocals), Michael Williams (drums), and Michael Brooks (keyboards). Commissioned released their debut album, I’m Going On, in 1985, reaching number 11 on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart. Their next album, Go Tell Somebody (1986), was even more successful, hitting number 2 on the chart. More success followed with 1987’s On the Winning Side (number 6), 1988’s Will You Be Ready? (number 6), 1989’s Ordinary Just Won’t Do (number 4) and 1990’s State of Mind (number 4). However, after six successful albums, Keith Staten and Michael Brooks left Commissioned to pursue solo careers. Not missing a beat, the group brought in new vocalist Marvin Sapp and keyboardist Maxx Frank for the 1991 album Number 7, which, ironically, reached number 7 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart. Their eighth album, Matters of the Heart (1994), was the final to feature founding members Fred Hammond and Michael Williams, who departed Commissioned after this release. The remaining members continued as a quartet for their 1996 album Irreplaceable Love, which hit number 3. The album featured new vocalist Montrell Darrett, who would depart – along with Marvin Sapp and Maxx Frank – by the release of Time and Seasons (1999), which featured new members Chris Poole (vocals) and Marcus Cole (vocals / keyboard programming). After a membership shuffle, Fred Hammond returned to the group he started and brought together a new line-up which also featured Marcus Cole from the most recent incarnation of the band. Commissioned continued as a live unit until 2006 before splitting up. Various band members have reunited on several occasions over the years, and the group continues to perform live on occasion. Founding members Karl Reid, Mitchell Jones, and Michael Williams reunited and released the 2025 single “Think on These Things,” a collaboration with American Idol winner Roman Collins.

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