Philip R. Willis was born to Rev. & Mrs. W. R. Willis, Assistant Pastor of the First United Pentecostal Church of Hannibal, Missouri, Rev. Calvin S. Albert, Founder & Senior Pastor. At the age of seven, Phil's parents moved to Oak Lawn, Illinois, a southwest suburb of Chicago, Illinois, to assume the pastorate of the Calvary Tabernacle Church, where his musical journey would begin.

At the early age of eight, Phil soon began to develop a love for the African-American form of music and worship. His ear for music would take him on a trip that would last a lifetime. Phil's grandmother, Mrs. Laura W. Albert, and his mother, Mrs. Dorcas R. Willis, both being accomplished musicians, sheet music reading musicians that is, wanted nothing more than the first child and grandchild to get off on the right foot. Little did they know what was in store. After countless instructors throwing up their hands, while trying to convey the importance of learning to play any instrument the right way, including one sending Phil back to his mother claiming to have learned more than he had been paid to teach during his particular lesson, the thought of spending any more hard earned money on lessons for Phil was now a fleeting memory.

Phil would soon have a chance to enhance his ability as a youth service organist on Thursday nights, and eventually take the plunge on Sunday, when it really counted. You better know this ultra conservative, middle class, white suburbia Pentecostal congregation would not be too pleased with the musical taste of such a young man.

Phil would spend his spare time listening to all of the Gospel Music greats from Rev. James Cleveland to the First Church of Deliverance, 4315 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. His goal was to pattern, with a passion, his music, his sound and his life, around his musical roots, that only the Gospel Music Capital of the World, Chicago, Illinois could offer.

Equipped with a Master of Music Education and a Master of Music Performance degree, and a graduate of Florida Theological Seminary, Dr. Willis is more than prepared for any task at hand.

The 'Professor', as he is known, has enjoyed a life filled with the sounds of Traditional Gospel Music in many forms. He is without a doubt the most powerful organist, singer, preacher and all-around performer to grace the Gospel Music stage today.