Ernest Pugh

(Washington, D.C.) - May 20. 2011 - Ever since Gospel music fans heard the heart-wrenching song, “Rain On Us”, they haven’t been able to get enough of singer Earnest Pugh. Fresh off the success of “Rain On Us”, one of the top songs of 2010, the psalmist’s new single, “I Need Your Glory” from the forthcoming CD from Black Smoke Music, Earnestly Yours, is already showing signs of becoming the next hit for the balladeer. Few in gospel know how to wrap vocals around a ballad like Earnest Pugh and “I Need Your Glory”, a riveting, spirit-filled song, is tailor-made to showcase the artist’s five-octave range. The gorgeous tune, about seeking the presence of God, has already hit the BDS charts. During its first week out of the gate, the song is already The Most Added and Most Increased Airplay Song in Gospel. In addition, “I Need Your Glory” debuted at #30 on the Top Gospel Songs Chart.

The lead single from Earnestly Yours, the follow-up to Pugh’s breakout release, will hit stores on June 28, 2011. But for the artist, the process of recording the CD, and especially the track, was a revelatory one. God required a purging to take place before he was able to minister the song. “In the Book of John,” says Earnest, “it says that God must increase and we must decrease. When I first heard the song about four years ago, I said to God, ‘I really want to see your glory’. He said to me, ‘If you really want to see my glory, you will have to put away the façade and the pretense and you are going to have to get downright honest with me.” That’s exactly what Earnest did and listeners of the song can hear a depth and sincerity in his moving presentation.

Earnest Pugh, a resident of the Washington, D.C. area, and a Memphis native, got his start in the industry singing backup for gospel pioneer O’landa Draper with his group, The Associates. The artist burst on the scene with his single, “Wrapped Up, Tied Up, Tangled Up” and hasn’t slowed down since. Billboard named his song, “Rain On Us”, the 6th most popular Gospel song of 2010 and the award-winning artist has made appearances on TBN and BET’s The Celebration of Gospel. For more information on Earnest Pugh, log on to www.EarnestPugh.com.

MUSIC MAVEN KIRK FRANKLIN TEAMS UP WITH AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY: Partnership feeds fans the word of God daily

While Kirk Franklin, the biggest selling contemporary Christian artist in Soundscan history is reportedly taking a hiatus from recording, the constant innovator is channeling his creative efforts with the American Bible Society (ABS) to share the real inspiration behind his music – The Bible.

Franklin has partnered with ABS for “The Bible is My Guide,” a national program that meshes the Bible and technology to motivate young people to engage with God’s Word.

“Kirk’s music is inspiring a generation of music fans with the life changing message of the Bible,” said Lamar Vest, president and CEO of the American Bible Society.

The American Bible society said the ultimate goal is to get people in Franklin’s demographic to read the Bible more often. His enormous fan base includes Miley Cyrus who called Franklin her “favorite person to listen to in the shower” (Access Hollywood).

Franklin will encourage his fans to send him a text messages about their favorite Kirk Franklin songs during his upcoming summer concerts. He will text them back and some of the texts from the audience will appear on the screens. From the stage, Franklin will encourage fans to read the book that is the source of inspiration for his greatest hits. Said Franklin, “I’ve found the process of reading the Bible and writing a song is life-changing, and I’m always eager to share the inspiration behind my music. Being a part of the American Bible Society’s ‘Bible is My Guide’ project is a huge statement about the man I am trying to become.”

After the concert fans will continue to receive daily Bible verses sent directly to their mobile phone free of charge.

Technology has made it possible for anyone to receive Bible verses. The American Bible Society will disseminated Bible verses via email, voicemail, text message, podcast and RSS feed free of charge to anyone who subscribes at Kirk.AmericanBible.org.