Sheila Denise Clayton-Christie aka Sheila Denise is a singer, songwriter, worship leader, and music producer whose passion is leading worship and evangelism. Born and reared in the Church of God (Cleveland,TN), she began writing songs at the age of thirteen as a way to cope after the death of her maternal grandfather. Singing since the age of two, as a pastor’s daughter she began leading songs in the choir, directing, and playing the drums at a young age. Being somewhat reserved in her youth, she sometimes shied away from the mic, but in 1983 on a youth missions trip to The Philippines, she sang her first public solo to represent her missions team visiting from the U.S. It was there that the Lord revealed her calling to the ministry of music. In 1998, she released her first CD, “Who Says I Have a Lifetime,” (RSC Records). In 2003, she released her sophomore project, “From Everlasting to Everlasting” (Shurfine Gospel). Following that project in 2006, Sheila wrote songs for “When the Righteous Cry.” This special CD was written to raise autism awareness. Two years prior her youngest son, Daniel, was diagnosed with autism from mercury poisoning. She and a team of worship leaders from around the country held a night of praise and worship, featuring Judith Christie McAllister and keynote speaker, Dr. Julie A. Buckley, MD.----Daniel’s autism specialist. He would later recover three years following the event. Sheila not only wrote all or most of the songs on each of her projects, but also co-produced them.     

With a passion to see people worship freely, Sheila facilitates praise and worship conferences as well as sings and travels with her band to lead worship. A veteran in the recording studio, she enjoys the role of both producer and artist. She has written songs for other artists as well as sang background on their recordings. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Sheila is known for leading worship in local churches and conferences, as well as outreach events. While attending Philippian Community Church, her late pastor, Bishop Lawrence C. Callahan, Sr. recognized Sheila’s gift of music, and often prayed for and encouraged her to continue. It was common for Sheila to write and sing songs inspired by his sermons, as well as write theme songs for church events. The choir sang several of her original songs, including the anointed, “Let this Mind.” Her original songs could also be heard at special events in the city to honor the occasion. She has received numerous awards for her music, including with the Gospel Music Association (GMA). She has sang on numerous networks, including The Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) in Jacksonville for more than two decades.  This door opened after being seen singing “Mary Did You Know” in the city-wide Christmas production, “The Giver of Life.” Believing in her music, she submitted her upbeat, calypso tune, “The Happy Song” to Pastor Donnie McClurkin’s Back to Holiness New Artist Showcase. He loved the song and invited her to come and sing it before thousands. Indeed, it was a hit! As the song became popular on radio, Sheila begin touring and answering the call to continue her ministry of music. She has shared the stage with Nicole C. Mullins, Brian Courtney Wilson, William Murphy, Cece Winans, Martha Munizzi, Fred Hammond, and others. 

In June 2020, after years of being encouraged to step into the role of producer vs co-producer, Sheila launched her independent record label, Dacori Music and Media, LLC (DMM). The vision of DMM is to edify, give hope, and heal through music and media. She immediately released on all digital platforms her single, “Shine” that she penned to encourage love over hate during our country’s civil disorder and social unrest. Sheila is also a published author, having penned the amazing story of her youngest son’s journey and triumphant victory over autism.  In addition to singing and producing music, she serves as a sought-after autism advocate reaching out to families of loved ones with autism, to provide support and education, with an emphasis on day-to-day living.  Because of her son’s miraculous recovery, Sheila’s message to families is that autism is not a dead-end diagnosis. Recovery is possible. Dacori will continue to make a difference as it contributes to healing the mind, body, and spirit through music and media.