Who Is Bethany?

Growing up in the inner city doesn’t afford many opportunities for artistic outlets or creativity, however, Bethany Devine found both through music and song. Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Bethany’s calling was sure at the tender age of five. Bethany comes from a musical household that included her father, Elder A.W Devine, pastor of two thriving churches, her mother Ercille Devine, an entrepreneur and homemaker and 9 brothers and sisters, Bethany being the youngest.  Both parents were musicians, her father, a guitar player, was affectionately known as the “guitar preacher”. Her mother, a pianist and powerful Psalmist, has been lovingly referred to as the “Songbird of the South”.

Having this foundation in music, she began singing in her father’s church and by the age of ten began experimenting with songwriting and arrangement. Some of her early influences were such gospel and secular greats as The Clark Sisters, The Winans, Prince and Anita Baker; she was also drawn to a variety of musical genres including jazz, country, hip-hop and classical.   

While still very young, Bethany and her sisters formed a Christian singing group, appropriately named DIVINE. The group began performing regionally sharing original songs that were written and arranged collectively. On stage, a twelve year old Bethany would draw praise and adulation from seasoned performers and renowned artists on her commanding and confident stage presence as well as her pure and anointed vocals. The group began to grow in popularity and were blessed with many opportunities including signing a recording contract and making a featured appearance on the Stellar Awards. 

With her passion for singing growing, Bethany began to train classically to strengthen her vocals, she focused diligently on honing her craft and devoted herself to God’s calling for her life. Her Music Ministry began to flourish and soon she found herself traveling regionally, receiving much more notoriety and fans.  It was during this time in her life that Bethany was faced with a trial so horrible, so unthinkable; she didn’t think she would ever recover.

Always very sociable and friendly, it was nothing for Bethany to befriend those who were supporters of her music. This proved detrimental when she encountered someone claiming to be a fan and decided to engage this person. She was assaulted by this person and was left feeling lost and confused.  Bethany survived the attack physically but emotionally, mentally and spiritually, she was merely a shell of her former self. “I was always a very personable person, very popular and outgoing, but after the attack, I found myself fearful and leery of people and crowds”. Shame and fear caused her to retreat and become distant, almost reclusive, disillusioned and weary from the pull of ministry, Bethany decided to put singing on hold indefinitely. Her beautiful voice, the one that had caused so much joy to listeners’ ears, the one that was such an intrinsic part of her identity, was silenced.

Consuming herself with her college career, Bethany went on to earn a B.B.A in Finance, and went on to also receive a M.S degree in Finance as well. Love however, began calling. Talks with her family and time spent communing with God in prayer, helped Bethany realize what her first love was. She was reminded of her purpose, to communicate God’s heart through song.  Love began the process of healing her, God’s love, her family’s love and the love she found in her new husband, Handson Donohoo. Within this community of love, she found a safe place to begin writing songs, these songs would be the foundation for her debut album release “Fruit of the Spirit”.

In 2005, Bethany lost someone who represented a constant form of support and foundation in her life, her father. This loss was particularly painful for Bethany and her family but through it she learned how precious life really is and how it should be lived with active purpose.  Now completely healed and made whole through God’s healing grace and armed with her purpose and passion for Christ, Bethany is ready to showcase her growth in the things of God as well as her gifted songwriting and vocals. Her second love offering to her supporters is appropriately entitled “Spirit of Love”. Bethany hopes this work will empower the listener and provoke an awakening of love in their hearts. She prays that this project will direct them to the true giver of peace, Jesus Christ, and minister healing to those who are broken.