For four decades, the Harmonizing Stars of Boston has established a gospel music ministry that has inspired, encouraged and spiritually touched the hearts and souls of thousands of people from all walks of life. Tonight, they celebrate their 40th Anniversary at the X&O Restaurant in Stoughton, Massachusetts. We caught up with group member Dr. James Bruce, Sr. to learn more about the group and his personal endeavors.

BO: 40 years singing is quite an accomplishment. What have been the keys to your group’s longevity?

JB: I believe the key to my group’s longevity has been the fact that we are all related; we all love the Lord; we attend the same church; we love and respect each other; and as importantly, we love what we do.

BO: Where has your group performed, what performances were the most memorable?

JB: Over the past forty years, we have performed at almost any conceivable place. What makes that possible is the fact that we sing acapella style, so we are the instruments, so wherever we go, we are the performance. In terms of actual venues, we perform mostly in church settings. Otherwise, one might hear us on the street corner, in the park, school, hotel, concert hall, the Massachusetts State House,. hospitals, Boston City Hall, in the television studio, nursing homes, on the public bus or train, the T (MBTA) train stations, and yes, even night clubs. We love our acapella gospel music ministry and are willing to take it to wherever we feel people will be blessed.

Our most memorable performances- include a live performance at Foxwoods Casino and Resorts for BET’S Gospel Show Host Dr. Bobby Jones, and recent performances include being the featured gospel performance for Steppin’ Out, an annual music event sponsored by Dimock Health Center, and Winning the New England Urban Music Awards, and performing for the Mayor of Boston, and then on another occasion for the Governor of Massachusetts.

JB:  You also run a flower shop. What got you started in that industry?

In addition to singing, I operate a florist named Mr. J Floral Specialist in Roxbury. For almost 25 years, I have maintained a passion for connecting and communicating with people through flowers. While I was studying law at Northeastern University Law School, I was inspired by my late grandfather who arranged flowers for the church and the home for more than thirty years. I felt that this profession could allow me to express and share my artistic skills and talents with people worldwide, and I could be free to be as creative as I wanted, and at the same time people could be made to smile.

Although, years later, the industry began to experience a shift towards less demand or lower priority for consumers. When I saw the industry changing I realized that I should begin preparing to change me, so I embarked upon a journey to earn a PhD in Business, and so I did in August 2008.

BO: You also run Next Step Enterprise Business Solutions. What services does your business provide?

JB: Yes, I also own and operate Next Step Enterprises Business Solutions. As a Doctor of Philosophy in Organization Management, I operate as a Consultant /Expert and provide custom solutions for individual and business development.

BO: I just have to ask, where do you get your suits from?

JB: The Harmonizing Stars of Boston believe in supporting local businesses that provide quality products and services, so we support selective local men’s clothing stores.