DaMarra Chanel Underwood wants to get out the message of Jesus Christ by way of her beautiful soprano voice.

“The voice came from God, so why not use it to glorify him?” Underwood said. “My main message is to inform people that without God, you can’t make it through life. He’s all you need.”

The determined 17-year-old Creative And Performing Arts High School senior is well on her way to doing just that.

This year, the Chartiers City resident released her debut CD, “Ol Skool Gospel,” a collection of gospel hymns and spirituals that she has rearranged. The record was recorded over a one-year period at Mr. Small’s studio in the North Side. Underwood chose all 12 songs.

“My songs are soulful. My music is not contemporary. It’s a genre all its own,” she said. “I was relieved that I was done because people would get to see all of the hard work that I put in.”

The songs include standards such as “Amazing Grace,” “Blessed Assurance,” “Oh How I Love Jesus” and “I Surrender All.” In addition to lead vocals, Underwood performs the soprano, alto and tenor backup parts on some of the selections.

“A lot of the songs I sing at church a cappella, and I just rearranged them. I chose to sing gospel hymns and spirituals because the music has more feeling and is easier to understand than today’s music,” Underwood said. A litany of local musicians like Roger Humpheries Sr. and Roger Humpheries Jr. lent their unique sound to the CD.

“She is an amazing child, and she doesn’t take for granted what she has,” said Underwood’s mother, Gloria. “This is her life and her singing style, and this is what she wants to do. She set her mind on gospel, and I’m not going to take that away from her. I’m truly blessed.”

Underwood began singing at the age of 8 in the youth choir at her church, Metropolitan Baptist Church of the North Side, where she has been a lifelong member.

“From there, I went on to sing for different organizations and other churches,” she said.

It is estimated that Underwood has sung at more than 60 churches in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.

Underwood has performed on KDKA’s “Pittsburgh Today Live” three times and for Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato’s inauguration. She was one of the opening acts for one of her idols, Yolanda Adams, when the singer performed in Pittsburgh last summer. More recently, she sang for first lady Michelle Obama and other delegates’ wives during the G-20 Summit.

“I really can’t put into words how proud I am,” said her father and manager, Howard Underwood. “She just gets up and sings songs that have feeling to them. She sings them without straining or forcing it. We are so proud of her. She handles her life very impressively.”

Underwood maintains a 3.8 grade point average and spends time bowling and going to movies with her friends. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the National High School Scholar Society and class president.

Right now, though, Underwood is focused on marketing “Ol Skool Gospel.”

The disc is available at Stedeford’s Record Shop in Greenfield and Dorsey’s Record Shop on Frankstown Avenue.

It can be purchased online at www.cdbaby.com . Songs can be downloaded on itunes.

“I work hard and I try not to get discouraged and I don’t let others determine my future. I put God first and stay focused,” Underwood said.

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