James “D.C.” Wilson, III, simply known as “D.C.”, was born and raised in Washington, D.C.. He fell in love with music at a very early age and formally began studying music in the third grade taking piano lessons. Having decided on a career in music early on, he continued with it on to getting his degree in music at Southern University.
Upon graduating from college D.C. joined the group LA Connection and within one year the group was signed to MCA Records and released their album “Now Appearing”. A few years later D.C. moved to Los Angeles. Upon arriving he was recording in the studio with Charlie Wilson and went on tour as a keyboardist for The Gap Band. Subsequent to that, having met Bernadette Cooper from the group Klymaxx, D.C. was signed to her publishing company as a songwriter and began writing with her and started having songs covered by major artists. D.C. landed his first official job as a producer producing the legendary Gladys Knight, as well as collaborating with her as a songwriter.
From 1996 to 2001 D.C. toured as a keyboardist for Warner Bros. recording artist Eric Benet. In 2002 D.C. was recognized by the National Academy Of Recording Arts And Sciences as he was a producer and songwriter (including the first single “If I Were Your Woman II”) on the album “At Last” by living legend Gladys Knight, which won a Grammy for Best R&B Album- Traditional R&B. D.C. was called upon again by Miss Knight to produce material on a Christmas album she recorded on her choir. Initially asked to do three cuts, as a result of Miss Knight being so pleased with his work, and there being such a beautiful working relationship, D.C. ended up producing seven tracks on the album, which was released in November 2006.
Earlier in 2006 D.C. was involved in a show, a competition for singers, being taped as a pilot, called “Next Shining Star”, serving as a keyboardist and the musical director for the band. He presently is the musical director, keyboardist, and singer/rapper for saxophonist Derrick Edmunson in his band, “Quiet Sterm”, who played for musical genius Stevie Wonder in a performance on May 27 of this year.
In 2007 D.C. served as musical director, keyboardist and vocalist working with J. Rosalynn Smith-Clark for her stage play entitled “Soul Sistahs”. The play had a one night only performance held in the Paramount Theater on the Paramount studio lot in Hollywood on June 21, 2007.
In addition to working with Ms. Smith-Clark, D.C. worked with Malcolm-Jamal Warner playing keyboards for him in his one man Show entitled “Love & Other Social Issues”. In addition to playing with Miles Long, and Malcolm for other various shows, and for Malcolm in the recording studio, D.C. was the keyboardist for Malcolm’s one man show when he performed in Winston-Salem for the National Black Theater Festival in 2004.
D.C. regularly plays keyboards for Evelyn Champagne King, whenever she has a “live band” date. From 2008 to 2015 D.C. was the keyboardist, and at times also the musical director for the weekly show R&B Live. He also has toured with El DeBarge, and recently played, and served as musical director for Christopher Williams. From February 2016 to the present time he is a keyboardist for the Sunday service Vessels Of Honor Ministries in North Hollywood.
While still performing at R&B Live, D.C. came to the attention of Mickey Stevenson, Motown’s first A&R man, whom D.C. now looks up to as a mentor, and refers to him as “Big Brotha”! D.C. began working with Mickey, serving as an arranger, a producer, and a vocal coach to some of the artists that Mickey was working with, and more recently served as an arranger and producer for a lot of the music for Mickey’s upcoming stage play entitled “Show Girl- Les Gemmes”.
Continuing to be more involved in stage plays, D.C. was the Musical Director, and keyboardist for Los Angeles playwrite and producer Edward Morton’s stage play “Double Life”, and is presently serving in the same capacities for Edward’s new upcoming stage play “Computer Love”, opening in February, featuringTony Grant from Tyler Perry’s OWN network show “Love Thy Neighbor”, and from the recording singing group Az Yet.
Continuing to work with Mickey Stevenson, D.C. served as a producer on original material for up and coming artist, singer/songwriter Teuila King, who is a cast member of Mickey’s stage play Sing It From The Heart. D.C. also produced, along with Mickey, an original song written by Mickey to promote and support Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, entitled “Put Kamala In The White House”.
One of the most fun gigs was the opportunity to perform with the phenomenal actress and singer Tichina Arnold. D.C. was contacted to be the keyboardist in the band that was put together to do two shows playing for her at the club Senator Jones.
Just recently D.C. served as Musical Director, and keyboardist for singer Parrice Smith, a former member of the recording group Az Yet, at the 2025 Pre Grammy party held in Hollywood, and will be performing in those capacities for Parrice’s upcoming tour dates.
