“The Grace Thrillers has become a musical institution,” says CEO and founder, Noel Willis. Founded in 1971, the group has chalked up an enviable list of achievements, and has built up a vast repertoire of songs that have inspired people throughout the years. The Grace Thrillers has attained international recognition, and has performed in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and throughout the Caribbean.
While performing in North Carolina in the USA, the group was selected to appear on the famous “Bobby Jones Gospel” on BET, where their outstanding performance made an indelible impact on the audience.
The group has an impressive line-up of achievements:
1984 Represented the Caribbean in the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) sponsored World Gospel Festival in Chicago, U.S.A.
1986 The Rainbow Production Award for being the most consistent gospel group and for the best gospel album. The Tibby’s Auto Supplies Award for Spiritual Ministry through Music and Song.
The Grace Thrillers has also won numerous awards from musical sponsors involved with the non-gospel genres:
1987 The Rockers Award for Best Gospel Album
1988 and 1992 The Jamaica Music Industry Award (JAMIA) for Best Performing Gospel Group.
1991 The Gospel Celebrations Award for its contribution and pioneering role in gospel music.
(The 20th Anniversary). That same year ten gospel groups from across the island of Jamaica paid tribute to the Grace Thrillers at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in Kingston.
1991 The Mayor of Opa-Locka, Florida proclaimed July 1 as ‘Grace Thrillers Day.’
In 2005 the CEO and Founder Noel Willis was honor with the Order of Distinction OD by the
Government of Jamaica.
In March 2014, the Group was Honor with The JaRIA Outstanding Contribution to the Music
Industry Honour Award, by Jamaica Reggae Industry Association,
June 2014, the Funder Noel E Willis received an Lifetime Award for contribution to Caribbean
Gospel Music by Canada Caribbean Gospel Music Award
The Grace Thrillers has performed with some of gospel music’s elite, including the Hawkins Family, the Commissions, the Richard Smallwood Singers, Candi Staton, Shirley Caesar, Jesse Dixon and the Williams Brothers just to name a few.
Today, The Grace Thrillers is as vibrant and popular, despite numerous changes in personnel. It’s current membership, including CEO and founder Noel Willis, consists of: Latoya Hall- Downer,
Noel Willis, Jr. Alrick O’Connor, Mary Lewis-James, Shalli Burchell, Kreina Mc Morris, Althea Malabre and Cadian Brown
This new complement of singers were assembled over eleven years ago, and have produced three albums to their credit, the latest “A Reecon of You” Additionally there will be two new releases in the month of June “ My God is Awesome and I have a God (medley). With this new complement of singers the journey continues.