Raymond D. Reeder has, with extraordinary facility, penned memorable Gospel and R&B songs, coordinated production and arrangements for recording sessions and musical theater, provided intricate keyboard contributions and performed as a professional lead and background vocalist.
Notably, the Maryland resident wrote and performed on Tony Terry’s 1991 mega-hit single, “With You”, and garnered a coveted ASCAP Writers and Publishers Award. Reeder also wrote the haunting, “I’m Sorry” featured on Terry’s "Heart of a Man".
Reeder also contributed to the catalog of the legendary Isley Brothers’ “Smooth Sailing” project with “I Wish”. He performed with Angela Winbush and served as pre-production coordinator on projects for A. Winbush Productions, Inc. In addition, he performed as a background vocalist/arranger and featured soloist during the Isley’s 1990-93 World Tour, which featured Winbush.
Reeder has worked in various capacities with other noted artists including René & Angela, the late André Crouch, the late Edwin Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, Jennifer Holiday, Yolanda Adams, Keith Pringle, Tony Maiden & Bobby Watson of "Rufus", Greg Phillinganes, Paulinho Da Costa, Rodney Franklin, The Teagle Family, Jackie Ruffin, The Richard Smallwood Singers, and Richard Smallwood with Vision. For fellow Grammy winner Smallwood, he penned the breathtaking, “Be Open” on the 2000, Stellar award winning “Healing: Live in Detroit”
In October of 1995, Reeder had the pleasure of merging The Union Temple Baptist Church Youth Choir with selected professional singers from the Washington metropolitan Area to perform with the late Michael Jackson for the BET broadcast of a United Negro College Fund benefit program.
In 2001 Reeder was awarded a coveted Grammy for Co-Producing Yolanda Adams “The Experience”. He also performed background vocals on Adams’ award winning Elektra Records debut “Mountain High, Valley Low” single, “Fragile Heart”. Reeder also composed Adams’ title track "Save the World", and served as vocal coordinator and conductor on two Adams music videos. He produced The Union Temple Baptist Church Youth Choir's critically acclaimed project "God Reigns", and served for several years at the church as its music administrator.
Reeder recently performed as Bishop Washington in the Debbie Allen hit musical “Freeze Frame…. Stop the Madness” at the JF Kennedy Center, Washington DC. Impressive writing and arranging theater credits include "Lord I'm Coming Home", "Spell No. 7", "Breakfast in Harlem", "Wait Till The Fat Lady Sings", "Dream Girls", "The Panama Limited Blues", "Blues in the Night", "Bubblin' Brown Sugar", "God's Trombones", and "Once On This Island". He was a vocalist in the 1991 production of "God's Trying To Tell You Something", and was the vocal contractor for the 1994 production of David Talbert's "Lawd Ha' Mercy". Reeder performed at the John F. Kennedy Center Terrace Theater as one of three wise men in the annual holiday production "Black Nativity" directed by the late Helen Hayes Award winner, Mike Malone.
He has one film performance credit as an extra in the 1991 Eddie Murphy movie, "Boomerang".