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ABOUT US
Some of the musical projects Will did while heading EGI, were
production of a song called, "Wizzdom/Freebase" for TK Productions (1980), "After Loving You" - a project picked up by MCA International's Recent Future Music (1984), production of Randy Cotton's hit CD, "Call on Jesus", and countless others. To date, Will has produced dozens of recording projects. Seven of these projects were released on his label, EGI Records, including "A COMMEMORATIVE TRIBUTE TO FLORIDA MEMORIAL COLLEGE" (now Florida Memorial University). This production is a mix of contemporary gospel and inspirational music celebrating the college's 117-year history; proceeds were earmarked for scholarships. The other fundraising recording, "WE CARE", boosted financial support of relief efforts for the starving refugees of Ethiopia. Will's company has promoted over 110 concerts/shows which resulted in job development for hundreds of professional entertainers and cultural performing artists. Also, his company provided entertainment for the 1995 Super Bowl (Miami) and Summer Olympics (Miami) which followed. EGI has promoted concerts with The O'Jays, Billy Paul, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Bill Summers and Summer's Heat, Shirley Caesar, Richard Smallwood and the Smallwood Singers, Dorothy Norwood, Chi'lites, Betty Wright, Timmy Thomas, and many many more. Will was also commissioned by the City of Miami's Convention and Visitors Bureau to take professional music groups out to different pow wows throughout the South. He is a recipient of numerous awards including the "WE CARE" gold record award (1985), Metro-Dade County Vanguard Award (1993), and the 1995 Certificate of Appreciation from Metro-Dade County, just to name a few.
Will is a an accomplished professional drummer and record producer. During the past 33 years, he performed with many major music recording artists like Gladys Knight & The Pips, James Brown, Al Green, Betty Wright, The Ink Spots, The Commodores, Chi-Lites, Roy Ayers, Minister Randy Cotton, and his own R&B band known as Omari. Will recorded with B.B. King during the making of King's 50th Anniversary album; the single on that project, "MY GUITAR SINGS THE BLUES", earned a GRAMMY IN 1985. The company is also managed by Will's son, Omari "Omeez-e" Covington who has become a dynamic, young producer in his own right. He is following the legacy of his father.
Introducing Odell Padgett, solo musician/pop jazz organist, writer, producer, and teacher.
Some of the artists that I have worked with in the past which includes writing and producing are: Carol Douglas (“Burning” album, which was on the soundtrack for the movie “The Sweeper”), Musique (“Push, Push in the Bush”), Mary Davis, featuring the SOS band, and Maurice Davis who sang duets with Celine Deon (“Beauty and the Beast” and Walt Disney video “For the Children”).
- Worked with Keith Diamond on several projects (Billy Ocean’s “Caribbean Queen” album, etc.)
- Worked with the legendary Brooke Benton and Tyrone “Crusher” Green, drummer for the legendary Wilson Pickett; worked with various other artists within the music industry.
- Toured two years in Europe with the Variety Orchestra and the Jazz Trio, under the sponsorship of the Department of Interior for United States Special Services Entertainment.
- Launched Goldtrack Records, and independent record company, operating out of Orlando, Fl.
- Master’s Degree in Music & Education. The band, chorale director and teacher in the New York City public school system.