She recently was chosen as the featured performer at the gala opening of the Museum of African American History in Detroit, an event that received worldwide attention. The band was renamed to honor Bishop W. McCollough, the leader of the House of Prayer at that time. Today there are 133 United Houses of Prayer in 28 states and about 200 brass shout bands throughout the church. The shout band is made up primarily of boys, girls, men, and women who are connected through spiritual as well as family ties. For the youth in the House of Prayer, it is a natural thing to grow up wanting to be a part of the adult band.
Many parents buy their children horns or other instruments when they are young.
Most of the McCollough Sons of Thunder members have little or no musical training. In 1957, when he was about 13 years old, he approached the band to play, but he had to return when he was 14 years old. All I wanted to do was play my horn. I had no musical background or training, so I played by ear. I had to fast and pray that God would give me the revelation and understanding I needed to play my horn.