On Purpose pauses for a picture after performing at Jazz Vespers at St. Paul Luteran Church in Birmingham.

Dwight with the Birmingham B D B horn section.

Dwight in Florida.

Dwight conducting the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra Of Central Alabama.

Marlon Spears heavy into thought during an in-depth solo.

Rita Tucker

Jay Fowler at the Jazz Vespers performance at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Birmingham

Lenora Ramsey

Dwight with an all-star horn section.

4th Ave Taste of Jazz. Dwight and original members, Lenora, Marlon,and my favorite drummer,Davyd Houston, my favorite nephew.

Maestro Marlon Spears' hands in action.

Dwight and the group perform at the Fourth Avenue Taste of Jazz Festival in Birmingham, Alabama

Marlon Spears

A portion of the crowd at the 4th Avenue Taste of Jazz Festival.

Dwight in rare form at outside music festival

Rita "Feeling It"

Dwight getting into his solo during the performance.

Warming up before the Jazz Vespers performance at St. Paul Lutheran Church

Rita and Dwight at Jazz Vespers

Marlon at Jazz Vespers

Rita at Jazz Vespers

On Purpose welcomes one of the country's best bassists, Rita Tucker, to the group.

On Purpose also welcomes their new drummer, the dynamic Jay Fowler.

Stopping for a picture before performing for the Juneteenth Festival sponsored by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, (left-right) bassist Bernay Johnson, Dwight, Lenora, and the awesome drummer Brian Brownlee.

Dwight at the 2008 Juneteenth Festival

Marlon's wife, Keta, is the lovely lady in purple enjoying the music as On Purpose performs at the 2008 Fourth Avenue Taste of Jazz Festival.

Lenora and Dwight take a moment to speak with Cher and Steve after performing at the Fourth Avenue Taste of Jazz Festival on a humid summer night.

Performing at the Music Oasis for City Stages annual festival.

Davyd, Dwight, and Marlon at  City Stages Music Oasis.

Dwight's playing the Yamaha MIDI Wind Controller at a recent gig.

Dwight onstage at Birmingham's Juneteenth Festival in 2007

Dwight speaking to the crowd at the festival. Larry O. Gay was the photographer.

Marlon solos on the keys during a gig.

Lisa, Ted, and Dwight celebrating their January birthdays at a Big Daddy's New Band gig. Lisa is the vocalist for Big Daddy's New Band, and Ted is the keyboardist for the group.

Dwight's solo has the crowd in awe at a gig in Birmingham. Photos taken by Tommy Ellison.

Play it, Dwight!

Dwight's daughter, Aisha (on the right), with friend Shawn came from Nashville to enjoy the music of On Purpose featuring Dwight Houston at a performance.

Tommy and Cher enjoying an On Purpose featuring Dwight Houston set.

Chris, Steve, and two other friends enjoy the show.

At the "Birmingham Weekly" newspaper's Summer Concert Series while the TV camera rolls.

Original members of On Purpose: Marlon, Lenora, and Dwight (left to right) enjoy a bite to eat after discussing business.

Dwight playing at the 2006 Stokin' The Fire festival in Birmingham with Big Daddy's New Band.

 Dwight and the group, before we were officially On Purpose. Mario (far left) played bass and Greg (with hat) played percussion. Circa 1997.

On Purpose's first photo shoot. Norman (far left) was the bass player and Davyd (far right) was the permanent drummer at the time. Circa 2000.

Davyd, Marlon, Norman, and Dwight prepare for a benefit concert in the park for Norman's church. Photo was snapped by Lenora. Circa 1998.

Drawing of original members of On Purpose

Dwight and members of the group pause from a recording session when Debra Gravois and her son came by the studio for a visit. Although Debra is now deceased, her memory will always be in our hearts for her friendship and inspiration.