EMI Gospel CELEBRATES SUCCESSES AND EXPANDS
MEDIA INFORMATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 3, 2004
Label Adds 6 New Artists To Diverse Roster
Brentwood, Tenn. - Only half way into 2004, the staff of leading Gospel label EMI Gospel is celebrating a recent string of successes and blazing new trails into the future as they announce several new artist signings to their increasingly diverse roster.
Among their latest victories is the RIAA Gold certification of Smokie Norful's debut release, "I Need You Now", and the #1 Billboard Gospel charting debut release, "Spirit & Truth", from Bishop Eddie Long presents New Birth Total Praise Choir.
Adding to their already strong stable of diverse talent, EMI Gospel is announcing the signing of six new artists. With 5 solo releases and a string of awards and accolades to her credit, Atlanta-based vocal powerhouse LaShun Pace is the latest artist to call EMI Gospel home. The two-time Stellar Award winner and Soul Train Award winner is currently preparing material for her EMI Gospel debut, a studio recording which will be released in early 2005.
Winner of the 2004 Stellar Gospel Talent Search, Houston, Texas native Micah Stampley has inked a deal with Dexterity Sounds, EMI Gospel's joint venture label with Bishop T.D. Jakes. While his solo debut is slated for an early 2005 release, Stampley is being formally introduced to Gospel music lovers via three selections on Bishop T.D. Jakes' newly released "He-Motions" project.
Hailing from Philadelphia, the dynamic Williams Sisters bring their core traditional sound of rousing drives and 'hallelujah' choruses to the label. Comprised of sisters Janice, Renee, Juliette, Vannessa and Patricia, The Williams Sisters' EMI Gospel debut, "Power In The House", releases July 13, 2004 and includes a live version of their popular regional hit, "Jesus Will Pick You Up".
The writer of such Gospel classics as "Available To You" and "My Mind Is Made Up", three-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter, arranger and producer Darius Brooks has also signed with EMI Gospel. Chicago-based Brooks' prolific career spans nearly 20 years, and has afforded him the opportunity to work with artists ranging Gospel greats Shirley Caesar, Vickie Winans and the late Milton Brunson to mainstream luminaries such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and George Duke. Brooks' EMI Gospel debut, "Your Will", is due in stores July 27, 2004.
Representing Atlanta and newly signed to EMI Gospel through a production deal with mega-producer, writer and visionary Dallas Austin (TLC, Janet Jackson, Stacie Orrico), vocalist Darlene McCoy is set to claim the spotlight with her unique brand of Urban Gospel Soul when her solo debut hits the streets in early 2005.
Also hailing from Atlanta are Sasha, Shelley and LaToya Vinson, collectively known as V3. No strangers to the music industry, V3 have already garnered significant exposure through a lengthy stint as backing vocalists for Damita Haddon as well as an appearance on Christian Hip-Hop pioneers GRITS' 2002 release, "The Art Of Translation". Currently hard at work in the studio on their 2005 solo debuts, both Darlene McCoy and V3 will give fans a taste of things to come when they each release commercial singles into the marketplace this October.
"We at EMI Gospel are thrilled about the future. We are meticulously growing our roster specifically blending young, new artists in addition to successfully established artists," says Larry Blackwell, VP/GM of EMI Gospel. "Having the opportunity to work with the talents of V3, Darlene McCoy, Kierra "KiKi" Sheard, Bishop Eddie L. Long's New Birth Total Praise Choir & Micah Stampley while at the same time further developing the careers of LaShun Pace, Darius Brooks & The Williams Sisters is a challenge our entire staff is geared up for."
With the addition of these 6 new artists, EMI Gospel continues to make strategic moves within the industry and expand the potential to reach their most diverse audience ever. Diversity is indeed the name of the game as the label also expands further into the Urban and Hip-Hop world with the June 29, 2004 release of "Holy Hip Hop: Taking The Gospel To The Streets: Vol. 1", a compilation of some of the hottest artists hitting the underground Holy Hip Hop scene today.
Undoubtedly one of the most anticipated releases of the year is coming from 17-year old Kierra "Kiki" Sheard, daughter of Gospel great Karen Clark-Sheard. While Sheard's Rodney Jerkins-produced single, "You Don't Know" boils at radio, fans are also being treated to a free download of "S.N.A.P.", Kierra's collaboration with top-selling artist Tonex, exclusively at her website, www.KierraKikiSheard.com <http://www.kierrakikisheard.com/> . The non-album track will be available online until September 7, the same date that Sheard's EMI Gospel debut, "I Owe You", hits stores nationwide.
"Our goal is to offer stylistic diversity while not compromising the integrity of our slogan, The Ministry, The Music, The Message," says Ken Pennell, President of EMI Gospel. "Ministry first, through the gift of music."
Brentwood Tennessee-based EMI Christian Music Group, a member of EMI Music, is the world's largest Christian music company, operating the EMI CMG Label Group (Sparrow and Forefront Records), EMI Gospel, EMI CMG Marketing, EMI CMG Publishing and EMI CMG Distribution.
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