Lonnie Hunter

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Lonnie Hunter | image = | caption = | image_size = | birth_name = Lonnie V. Hunter III | alias = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1965|7|20|mf=y}} | birth_place = Harvey, Illinois | origin = Chicago, Illinois | instrument = Vocals, singer-songwriter | genre = Gospel, urban contemporary gospel | occupation = Singer, songwriter | years_active = 1998–present | label = Muscle Shoals, Black Smoke, Tyscot | associated_acts = The Voices of St. Mark | website = {{URL|lonniehuntermusic.com/}} }}

'''Lonnie V. Hunter III''' (born July 20, 1965) is an American gospel musician. He started his music career, in 1998, with the release of ''Lonnie Hunter & The Voices of St. Mark'' by Muscle Shoals Records. His second album, ''Next Level'', was released by Muscle Shoals in 2003. The third album, ''I'm Back'', was released by Black Smoke Music Worldwide in 2011. This was his breakthrough album on the ''Billboard'' magazine charts placing on the Billboard 200 along with the Gospel Albums and Independent Albums chart. As of 2015, he is signed to Tyscot Records, for his next release. Hunter is the voice of the 2015 Stellar Awards.

==Early life== Hunter was born on July 20, 1965,<ref name="TWEET">{{cite web|title=Hey everybody this is Lonnie's assistant, make sure you wish him a Happy Birthday today... GO!!!!|url=https://twitter.com/lonniehunter/status/93671807864938496|first=Lonnie|last=Hunter|publisher=Twitter|access-date=March 28, 2015|date=July 20, 2011}}</ref> in Harvey, Illinois,<ref name="AM Bio">{{cite web|title=Lonnie Hunter : Biography |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lonnie-hunter-mn0000827399/biography|first=Jason|last=Ankeny|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=March 28, 2015}}</ref> as Lonnie V. Hunter III,<ref name="BMI">{{cite web|title=Songwriter/Composer: HUNTER LONNIE V|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&page=1&fromrow=1&torow=25&querytype=WriterID&keyid=668335&keyname=HUNTER+LONNIE+V&CAE=195604157&Affiliation=BMI|publisher=Broadcast Music, Inc.|access-date=March 28, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> to father Lonnie V. Hunter, Jr. and mother Marie.<ref name="BIO">{{cite web|title=Bio|url=http://www.lonniehuntermusic.com/bio/|first=Lonnie|last=Hunter|publisher=Lonnie Hunter Music|access-date=March 28, 2015}}</ref> He has a sister, Cherie, which Lonnie is the youngest of five children.<ref name="BIO"/> Hunter received his bachelor's degree in Public Administration/Public Relations by Western Illinois University.<ref name="BIO"/> He served five years in the U.S. Air Force, and was part of their Jazz band.<ref name="BIO"/>

==Music career== His music career began in 1998, with the release of ''Lonnie Hunter & The Voices of St. Mark'' on June 23, 1998 by Muscle Shoals Records.<ref name="AM Disc">{{cite web|title=Lonnie Hunter : Discography |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lonnie-hunter-mn0000827399/discography|author=AllMusic|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=March 28, 2015}}</ref> His subsequent album with the label, ''Next Level'', was released on February 25, 2003.<ref name="AM Disc"/> The third album, ''I'm Back'', was released by Black Smoke Entertainment Worldwide on April 26, 2011.<ref name="AM Disc"/> This was his breakthrough released on three ''Billboard'' magazine charts, and those placements were on The ''Billboard'' 200 at No. 135 along with the Gospel Albums at No. 4 and No. 18 on the Independent Albums chart.<ref name="AM Awards">{{cite web|title=Lonnie Hunter : Awards|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lonnie-hunter-mn0000827399/awards|author=''Billboard''|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=March 28, 2015}}</ref> Hunter was signed to Tyscot Records, in early 2015, for the release of his next album. He was named the voice of the 2015 Stellar Awards. For several years, he was host of the syndicated Lonnie Hunter Show which broadcast on Radio One. In addition to playing contemporary Gospel music, Lonnie's show featured Clues & Categories game and a weekly Talent Show. His humor, love for music and ministry made the show a top-rated show across the country and revealed Lonnie's genuine love for the people of God as he offered laughter, wisdom and good counsel to his many listeners seeking his advice.

==Personal life== Hunter resides in New Jersey and serves as Pastor of Worship of the 26,000 member Bethany Baptist Church in Lindenwold, NJ.

==Discography== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Album details ! scope="col" colspan="3" | Peak chart positions<ref name="AM Awards"/> |- !style="width:3em; font-size:90%"|US !style="width:3em; font-size:90%"|US<br>Gos !style="width:3em; font-size:90%"|US<br>Indie |- !scope="row"|''Lonnie Hunter & The Voices of St. Mark'' | * Released: June 23, 1998 * {{nowrap|Label: Muscle Shoals}} * CD, digital download | – | – | – |- !scope="row"|''Next Level!'' | * Released: February 25, 2003 * {{nowrap|Label: Muscle Shoals}} * CD, digital download | – | – | – |- !scope="row"|''I'm Back'' | * Released: April 26, 2011 * {{nowrap|Label: Black Smoke}} * CD, digital download | 135 | 4 | 18 |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.lonniehuntermusic.com/ Official website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hunter, Lonnie}} Category:1965 births Category:Living people Category:African-American songwriters Category:African-American Christians Category:Musicians from Chicago Category:Songwriters from Illinois Category:21st-century African-American musicians Category:20th-century African-American musicians