Necia Bray-Gates is a singer/songwriter originally from Detroit Michigan. In the late 1980’s, her family packed up and headed for California and her exposure to Hollywood and the music industry made her aspire to be amongst the writers and singers that she would hear on the radio. She attended the Los Angeles County High School For the Arts and refined her skills as a performer. Shortly before graduation, she joined For Real – a female R&B quartet. After seeking a record deal for months upon months, finally they were discovered by an A&M Records executive while they just happened to be singing at the airport. At the young age of 17, Necia started her career as a songwriter.
For Real worked with many talented producers and legendary songwriters such as: Babyface, Dianne Warren, Dallas Austin, Stevie Wonder, John B., Brian McKnight, Mervin Warren, Stephan Bray, and the list goes on. They had a song featured on the Waiting To Exhale soundtrack (Love Will Be Waiting At Home), which sold over 7 million records. The group also performed and were featured in the Martin Scorsese produced Grace of My Heart. They also landed major roles in the film Shake, Rattle and Roll (Renee Zellweger and Howie Mandel). For Real ended their career as Grammy, Billboard and Soul Train nominees.
After years of touring, recording, and performing Necia decided that she would begin to work behind the scenes for a change. She signed a publishing deal with EMI Publishing and collaborated with producers like Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette), and Dallas Austin. She also contributed to the multi-platinum TLC Fan mail album. Around this time, Necia started a family with her husband and decided that she wanted to devote her time and passion to her children.
Her passion for music never faded away. She began writing songs with her children for fun, and when parents of her children’s friends, and neighbors started requesting that she instruct their children as well, Songwriting For Kids was started. With her passion and drive, she introduced her new program to the Fulton County School District, which accepted it as an After School Enrichment Program. The BET Foundation featured the program in their annual Summer Camp for girls. It was also accepted at RISPA ( a performing arts school in Alpharetta, GA). Necia now has dozens of young protégés she gives instruction to. She is successful in harvesting their creativity by helping them bring out the ideas that are inside their hearts and minds. She teaches her students the basic rules of songwriting by exposing them to the successful songwriters from many different genres of music. But, she also encourages their creativity, by not forcing them to follow any specific formula guideline. Necia Bray Gates now has a new mission: to help create the next generation of great songwriters.
For Real worked with many talented producers and legendary songwriters such as: Babyface, Dianne Warren, Dallas Austin, Stevie Wonder, John B., Brian McKnight, Mervin Warren, Stephan Bray, and the list goes on. They had a song featured on the Waiting To Exhale soundtrack (Love Will Be Waiting At Home), which sold over 7 million records. The group also performed and were featured in the Martin Scorsese produced Grace of My Heart. They also landed major roles in the film Shake, Rattle and Roll (Renee Zellweger and Howie Mandel). For Real ended their career as Grammy, Billboard and Soul Train nominees.
After years of touring, recording, and performing Necia decided that she would begin to work behind the scenes for a change. She signed a publishing deal with EMI Publishing and collaborated with producers like Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette), and Dallas Austin. She also contributed to the multi-platinum TLC Fan mail album. Around this time, Necia started a family with her husband and decided that she wanted to devote her time and passion to her children.
Her passion for music never faded away. She began writing songs with her children for fun, and when parents of her children’s friends, and neighbors started requesting that she instruct their children as well, Songwriting For Kids was started. With her passion and drive, she introduced her new program to the Fulton County School District, which accepted it as an After School Enrichment Program. The BET Foundation featured the program in their annual Summer Camp for girls. It was also accepted at RISPA ( a performing arts school in Alpharetta, GA). Necia now has dozens of young protégés she gives instruction to. She is successful in harvesting their creativity by helping them bring out the ideas that are inside their hearts and minds. She teaches her students the basic rules of songwriting by exposing them to the successful songwriters from many different genres of music. But, she also encourages their creativity, by not forcing them to follow any specific formula guideline. Necia Bray Gates now has a new mission: to help create the next generation of great songwriters.