Sophomore Josiah Swithers is one of the boys in a group of Kaneland High School students chasing their dreams and recording music. Swithers isn’t alone though. Just like Whitney Houston and Jennifer Hudson, Swithers got his start singing in church.

“It all started at church in the fourth grade when I was about nine years old,” Josiah Swithers said.

He always wanted to be like one of the older kids that he looked up to who sung at his church. Since then his passion for singing has expanded and become more complex leading to great opportunities.

Swithers’ brother, Isaac, a junior, realizes his brother’s potential in singing, and they work  together in singing and rapping.

“If he would expose himself more, Joey would be famous,” Isaac Swithers said.

“I love working with Josiah because he can do a lot of different things and that makes it easier on me as a rapper,” Isaac said.

This duo has worked together on many songs throughout their careers. The brothers record their songs at a studio in Rockford, Illinois, as well as one in their home.

“I guess it’s something I’ve always been around, and it’s my way of expressing myself. My escape from the real world, I guess,” Swithers said.

The sophomore writes his own lyrics and songs. That hard work is paying off. Swithers has met with Reach Records, a Christian record label in Florida, for making beats. He will be returning to Florida next spring break to speak with Reach Records again about a record deal.

Swithers would like to pursue his career through college. He has met with Judson University in Elgin, Illinois. If Swithers wants to become a professional singer so he would need to get his bachelor’s degree in music theory or music performance, which are offered at Judson University. Most professionals usually return to get their master’s degrees.

“Singing makes me happy. I’m going to continue singing for as long as I can,” Swithers said.