Gospel singer Tricray Astwood had always dreamed of sharing his talent with the world.The 25-year-old will finally get his chance, starting next week.Over the next four months he will be performing at 23 different venues across the United States including a Boston Red Sox Game with Tourism Minister Wayne Furbert, and two televised WNBA games.He is also set to perform at the largest church in the US, the Lakewood Church in Texas, and will take the stage at the Judah Nation Conference in Orlando, Florida.Mr Astwood will visit eight different areas overall including: Orlando, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Nashville, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles.“God is doing some good things,” he said of his upcoming Let Judah Reign tour.Named after his debut gospel album, the tour is sponsored by the Department of Tourism, with additional support from the Seventh-day Adventist Church and Cornerstone Bible Fellowship.“I am not nervous,” he said of the massive undertaking. “I find that the more the people [at the event] the easier it is.”Mr Astwood has been singing for as long as he can remember, but performed his first solo at age seven.He said he became a Christian at age nine — along with his mother, grandmother and aunt — shortly after his father Craig Astwood died in a bike accident in 1993. His father had committed his life to God shortly before his death.“I have been walking straight ever since. At first going to church was sometimes boring, but it was the first place I ever saw live music, the keyboards and a live band.“Once I developed a personal relationship, I realised that living with Him was a lot better than living without Him.”Mr Astwood decided he was going to try and make a career out of singing at age 16. Years later he attended Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida and got an associate’s degree in recording arts and a bachelor’s in music business.He said it’s been a challenging road, but this tour — assisted by US booking agents Quency Phillips and Dierdre Clayter — will get him one step closer to becoming a world renowned praise and worship artist like Israel Houghton or Kirk Franklin.“It’s not easy trying to make it into the industry. I am breaking into it finally but I am grateful to God for every step he has ordered.“The thing is when you decide you want to take a career in singing it takes a lot of dedication and time. Basically what I did was I only worked for the after-school music programmes, which I loved, but it was only three hours a day. The rest of the day I would be practising.“Also people, because I am new, it’s hard getting [some organisers] to stick to their word. Because if a bigger opportunity comes up for them they will make that a priority over you.“It’s just a lot of work and I have to keep at it and try not to be discouraged.”Mr Astwood said he chose gospel music over other genres because of its ability to touch people’s hearts.“We can entertain people with any other music and I am not putting that down, but gospel is something that, once people hear it, it can change lives.“My song ‘Moving On’, it’s my testimonial song that actually helped someone and encouraged them not to commit suicide. That is why I do it. It’s for that reason.“I look to minister versus perform [because] you can leave the show and feel changed, not just get the audience very excited for the two hours you have there and go back to your life but you go home actually feeling differently about a situation.”His chance to step into the international limelight actually came about through former Government Minister David Burch. He connected the singer with booking agent Mr Phillips of Fuzion Artist Management.The agent was interested and agreed to take him on — the rest is history.“It’s just been a blessing and I am excited to make this dream come true. I went to school out there in the US but the dream of touring I have had ever since I wanted to be a singer so I am getting to do it on a pretty good scale considering.”He believes he has what it takes to really make a name for himself in this profession.“It goes back to the whole ‘being called’ to do it.“When I was younger I got into a new artist showcase. These were recording labels and managers and they said I didn’t have the look, sound or what it takes to make it.“I didn’t take that and let that be the end. I just used it as a bridge and staircase and walked up it instead.”Mr Astwood hopes to be an inspiration to his audiences overseas and is looking forward to great things ahead. He said: “I have never really experienced it. This is all new for me, but I am expecting something good to come out of it.“I want to take my career to the next level and be able to support myself financially in singing and be able to go all over the world.”He encourages young people to strive for their goals, but said it’s important to be educated in whatever field they chose. Once they know everything they can about the craft, he said it’s vital not to let anyone deter or discourage you from your path.“Yes, listen to opinions, but be careful with that. Have a plan and know how it works, just persevere.“You are not going to get it the first time. Plan on it being a rough ride, but if you can handle it you will be fine.”Follow Mr Astwood on his Let Judah Reign tour on Twitter and Facebook. He plans to post his appearance dates in the near future and encourages Bermudians to stop by the event if they are in the area.