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Chicagoan Up For Gospel Grammy Award

(CBS) – In one of Chicago's toughest corners, Jonathan McReynolds found both his faith and his voice.

Now, barely out of college, he's nominated for a Grammy, and he records with superstars like India Arie.

CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports.

"I sang in the living room often," McReynolds, 26, recalls. "I never wanted to actually sing in public. I hated it, I was deathly afraid of it."

He adds: "My mother said, 'Jonathan, if you don't start using that gift, when your voice changes, it's all just going to go away.'"

Fortunately, McReynolds listened to his mother and found purpose as a musician at their South Shore church.

Now, his recording, "Life Music: Stage Two," is nominated for a Best Gospel Album Grammy Award.

"At this point, the only way god can surprise me is by not surprising me," he says.

McReynolds now travels the world performing and teaches music at his alma mater, Columbia College. He credits his mother, Janice, with helping him flourish in one of Chicago's toughest neighborhoods by telling him he was something special -- not as an artist, but as a person.

"The feeling of always being exceptional, that's a strong motivator for a person," he says.

The musician hopes his nomination can help motivate others in his neighborhood to believe in themselves.

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