Both tracks are from the EPM/Black Smoke Music release Earnest Pugh Live: Rain On Us. Co-produced by Michael Bereal and Earnest Pugh, the critically-acclaimed CD features the talents of gospel greats Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Richard Smallwood. The CD is available in stores across the country where music is sold or online at iTunes and Amazon.com.

The powerhouse vocalist is prepping for the release of another single, “Perfect Peace”, a stunning remake of the Keith Pringle classic. The track is featured on the forthcoming project, Kerry Douglas Presents: Gospel Mix IV hitting stores September 2010.

Hawkins, who was battling pancreatic cancer, passed away at his home in Ripon, Calif., his older brother Edwin Hawkins said.

“Today, I lost my brother, my pastor, and my best friend,” said Edwin Hawkins. “Bishop Hawkins suffered bravely but now he will suffer no more and he will be greatly missed.”

Born in Oakland, Hawkins studied for his divinity degree at the University of California, Berkeley.

While at the university, he recorded his first album titled “Do Your Best” in 1972.

The next year, Hawkins became a pastor and founded the Love Center Church in Oakland, where he also formed a choir.

In the 1980s, Hawkins recorded a number of albums and earned nine Grammy Award nominations, according to friend and family representative, Bill Carpenter.

His “The Lord’s Prayer” won a Grammy in 1980 and he also performed on the televised Grammy Awards ceremony that year.

In 1990, Hawkins released “Love Alive III” which spent 34 weeks at the top on the Billboard gospel album sales chart, while going on to sell more than a million copies, according to Carpenter.

In 1993 his next album, “Love Alive IV,” also hit the top spot on the album sales chart. Between work on the two albums, Hawkins was ordained a bishop in October 1992.

At the time of his death, Hawkins was planning a new “Love Alive” CD concert recording for this fall.

Besides his brother Walter, Hawkins is survived by two children, two grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were pending.

He’s been able to change lives through powerful praise and worship sets, dramas, seminars, workshops, as well as preaching the Gospel. He’s traveled throughout the U.S. and worldwide including Europe, Mexico and Japan.
 
The artist has been on the road and recently ministered at Dr Tony Evans’ Oakcliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, TX, where they joined in the celebration of Dr. Tony and Lois Evans’ 34th church anniversary and 40
th wedding anniversary. The event included preaching by Bishop Kenneth Ulmer of Faithful Central Bible Church, comedy from Jonathan Slocumb and fellowship with Gospel icon Kirk Franklin and his wife, Tammy.
 
The praise and worship leader is currently on tour supporting his new release.
 
Eddie James Itinerary:
Thu Jun 17 - Sat Jun 26, 2010
Eddie James Ministries
The Ramp - 340 Bexar Ave E, Hamilton, AL, 35570, US
 
Tue Jul 06, 2010 7:00 PM
Eddie James Ministries
Brownsville Assembly - 3100 W Desoto St, Pensacola, FL, 32505, US
Details: Branded By Fire Conference 2010!
 
Thu Jul 08 - Fri Jul 09, 2010
Eddie James Ministries
Palace of Praise - 1400 Herschel Bess Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO, 63901, US
 
Sat Jul 10, 2010 5:00 PM
Eddie James Ministries
Jackson Church of God - 565 Robinson Rd, Jackson, MI, 49203, US
 
Thu Jul 15, 2010 7:00 PM
Eddie James Ministries
First Assembly of God - 715 Cypress St, West Monroe, LA, 71291, US
 
Sat Jul 17, 2010 7:00 PM
Eddie James Ministries
Mount Hope Methodist - 
509 Main St, Mt Hope, WV, 25880, US
 
Wed Jul 21 - Thu Jul 22, 2010
Eddie James Ministries
The City of Life Christian Center - 8333 Fullerton Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63132, US
 
For more information on Eddie James, log on to
www.ejworship.org.

Houston’s Newest Gospel Sensation – BJ Smith and Nu Destiny

Houston, Tx. — BJ Smith and Nu Destiny, a dynamic family gospel group, has launched a new project entitled “WE SHALL PREVAIL” which will bless the souls of those who seek God’s favor. They are a close knit group of family and friends, who are led by a pioneer in gospel music for many, many years-Mr. BJ Smith. BJ Smith has been playing gospel music for more than 50 years. He started playing the piano when he was 4 years old and the true gift in his story is that he is self taught and he has never been able to read music, but his hands have been blessed and continue to bless others over and over again. Keeping things in the family, each of his son’s (3) plays several instruments and all are songwriters. His daughter is a melodious songstress and songwriter as well. Each of them have contributed a song to the new album and last, but not least, his wife makes her presence known as one of the strong soprano voices in the group as well.
BJ Smith and Nu Destiny have already experienced some early success. They have performed with gospel recording artist LaShaun Pace, as well as, taking first place at the 12TH Annual Texas Gospel Excellence Awards in the New Gospel Group category and 2nd place at the Texas Gospel Announcers Guild in San Antonio in the same category. Taking their ministry to the masses is their main focus on this journey or “new destiny” if you will. They are determined to share their talents with the rest of the world and remind true believers that if you just “BELIEVE” in the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, there is nothing you can’t conquer in your life.

The group has launched a website to keep those interested in joining them when they travel across the city of Houston, the state of Texas and eventually the nation, up to date on their performances and engagements. They have also made it easy for gospel fans to purchase a copy of their album directly from their site via CD baby, Amazon.com and itunes.com. There is also a section for guests to comment on how their music has blessed them in their own personal lives. Don’t let another day go by without you taking some time to check out the next family gospel group to bless the gospel world. You just might be blessed! www.nudestinyrecords.com

About BJ Smith and Nu Destiny
Though we are many members, we are one. We’re a family that has traveled down many paths of this journey called life. There have been many bumps and bruises along the way, but we learned how to trust and have faith in God. On December 5, 2004, we began to embark upon the road that God was leading us down. We were invited to sing at a Christmas musical in Cleveland, Tx. at New Bethel BC. As the spirit began to move, God revealed to us the road to our Nu Destiny. When we began, we were the T.S.C. singers. The name represented each member of the family, but it was not yet what God had in store for us. As we began to think a little deeper about our anointing, and what God has done for each one of us, we all recognized the new dimension that God was taking us to. Now we have all found our true purpose, for we now have a Nu Destiny!

Cnct: Richard A. Smith - First Class Management 832-330-8818 firstclassmgmnt@yahoo.com