Omaha Performing Arts and Salem Baptist Church brought award-winning songwriter Percy Bady to North Omaha for, “The Conversation: Gospel Musicianship” — and what unfolded was more than a lecture, it was a testament to the genre’s enduring power.
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Percy Bady — an award-winning songwriter, musician and producer — sat down with Ananias “Markey” Montague, Salem Baptist Church’s minister of music and fine arts, for a discussion that examined gospel music’s history, its influence and its lasting mark on contemporary sounds. The event took place at Salem Baptist Church in North Omaha and was presented through Omaha Performing Arts’ Voices AMPLIFIED! initiative, which aims to connect community members with professional musicians while offering insight into the artistry behind gospel music.
Hosted at the church located at 3131 Lake St., the program delved into the creative and technical sides of gospel music, covering songwriting, music production and performance. The conversation underscored the genre’s deep roots in the Black church and its far-reaching impact on American popular music, providing attendees with a rare look behind the scenes.
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Bady, a Chicago native with a career spanning decades, has written, produced or performed alongside artists such as Toni Braxton, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams and Fred Hammond. His professional accolades include a Gospel Music Association Dove Award and a Grammy nomination, giving him credibility that spans well beyond the gospel aisle.
His experience across multiple genres offered a unique vantage point on how gospel music has shaped the broader recording industry — all while maintaining its ties to faith, community and cultural traditions. This crossover perspective helped bridge the gap between sacred music and the secular world.
Montague, who leads Salem’s music and fine arts ministry, brought a local angle to the discussion. Also a Chicago native, he has worked with nationally recognized musicians and has been instrumental in building Salem’s musical footprint within Omaha and beyond.
“Gospel music is more than a sound. It’s part of our history, our faith and our cultural identity,” Montague said. “What makes this conversation important is that we’re connecting the musical excellence of the past with the creativity of the next generation. When we bring artists like Percy Bady into our community, we’re creating opportunities for people to learn, grow and understand the power of the music that came out of the church.”
The event served as a learning opportunity for experienced musicians, emerging artists and everyday community members alike, offering a window into gospel music’s creative process and cultural significance. It also emphasized the need to recognize the Black church’s often-overlooked contributions to the American musical landscape.
To make the event accessible, organizers used a choose-what-you-pay registration model, including a free admission option. This approach aligns with Omaha Performing Arts’ broader mission to keep cultural programming within reach for the entire community.
The collaboration between Salem Baptist Church and Omaha Performing Arts highlights how community partnerships can expand access to arts education, giving local audiences a chance to connect with nationally recognized artists in an intimate setting.
About Omaha Performing Arts
Omaha Performing Arts (O-pa) is steward of the Orpheum Theater and the Dick & Mary Holland Campus, which includes the Holland Performing Arts Center, Steelhouse Omaha, and the Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement. O-pa presents a wide spectrum of performing arts and entertainment, including Broadway, jazz, dance, comedy, family, popular entertainment, and live music. The organization also serves the growing community in Omaha and the region through a broad range of education and engagement opportunities. As Nebraska’s largest arts institution, O-pa is recognized as a leader both locally and nationally. For more information, visit o-pa.org.
About Salem Baptist Church
Salem Baptist Church has a history dating to 1922. It is the most prominent African-American congregation in Nebraska and is dedicated to transforming lives. Salem Baptist Church aims to spread the gospel and make disciples in Jesus’ name. Its mission is to retire debts, renovate facilities and raise a new generation of Christian leaders. For more information about Salem Baptist Church and its mission, visit salembc.org.
Why it matters: Gospel music hasn’t just influenced the charts — it has shaped the very fabric of American music while staying rooted in the Black church and its traditions. Conversations like this one, bringing together a Grammy-nominated artist and a local minister, remind us that this legacy is alive and worth passing on to the next generation.
