By IAN SCHMIT Messenger staff writer for The Message
 
Fort Dodge, IA—Fort Dodge native and Stillman junior Thomas Davis Jr., has returned many times to Fort Dodge, performing at Gospel Explosion in the past years; however his recent return will mark a special event.
 
On Wednesday, August 4, 2010, he will be performing at the Webster County Democratic Party's celebration of President Barack Obama's birthday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Democratic Headquarters, 29 N. 12th St.
 
The gospel singer will be performing some of Obama's favorite music, including songs by Stevie Wonder, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. He'll also include an original arrangement of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."
 
Davis was asked to perform at the celebration by event organizer William Doan after he heard Davis sing at Joseph Crooks' funeral last year.
 
"He told me 'You are a profound singer,' and how my singing was bringing grown men to tears, and how that's a very rare thing for Fort Dodge," said Davis.
 
Davis is currently studying pre-law and history, which is a passion of his, he said. However, he's leaving his future as a musician open. He currently sings with two groups in Alabama - The Harmonic Brothers and Soulcentric.
 
"As a gospel artist, my goal is really to save souls through my music and to spread the word," said Davis. "I'm just preaching with music and trying to touch people's lives."
 
Music has always been a huge part of Thomas Davis Jr.'s life.
 
He first discovered it in church, where he learned to play drums at the Second Baptist Church. It wasn't long after he moved from Fort Dodge to Emelle, Ala., when he was 9 years old, that it became an even more pivotal part of his life.
 
It was a Monday night choir practice and everyone else had been let out. Davis stayed behind, and let his voice do what came natural to him.
 
That's when someone told him, "Man, you can sing!"
 
"That's where it took off," said Davis.