As a special “thank you” to his fans, multiple award-winning artist Smokie Norful will release SMOKIE NORFUL LIVE: DELUXE EDITION (EMI Gospel/Tre’Myles Music) on August 25, 2009. The Deluxe Edition package will consist of an expanded version of Norful’s fourth and latest album release, SMOKIE NORFUL LIVE, with two bonus tracks (a studio version of the favorite “Dear God” and a live performance of the never-before-released “My Choice”) as well as an explosive 90+ minute LIVE Concert DVD of the album recording.
Upon its initial April 7, 2009 release, SMOKIE NORFUL LIVE immediately shot to the top of the charts, landing at #1 on both Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums and the iTunes Christian/Gospel Top Albums. Recorded live at The Cannon Center in Memphis and produced by Norful and Jason Tyson, SMOKIE NORFUL LIVE includes guest performances by Tony Award® winning artist, Heather Headley and Stellar Award winner Tye Tribbett and is steeped with the energy that was generated from the enthusiastic sold out audience in attendance at the live recording where Norful displayed his talents as a prolific singer and songwriter.
“Justified,” the lead single release from SMOKIE NORFUL LIVE has given Norful his sixth Top 10 hit at Gospel Radio and continues to gain momentum at key stations such as WPPZ (..Philadelphia..), KATZ (..St Louis..), WFMI (..Norfolk..) and WDJL (....Huntsville....). Also garnering significant spins and audience impressions is Norful’s elegant cover of the classic Lionel Richie composition, “Jesus Is Love”, which features label mate Heather Headley.
This Fall, fans will be treated to a Smokie Norful LIVE 1-hour special airing exclusively on Gospel Music Channel. Norful can also be seen performing songs from the new album on the upcoming season of BET’s perennial favorite, Bobby Jones Gospel. Fans can connect online with Norful’s music, videos and more via his myspace page (www.myspace.com/smokienorful) and YouTube channel (www.YouTube.com/smokienorful) as well as at http://smokienorful.emigospel.com/.
Smokie Norful—husband, father, pastor and recording artist—continues to solidify his place in today’s continually changing gospel music landscape with the release of SMOKIE NORFUL LIVE. We all can learn a life lesson during today’s challenging times from how Norful prophetically describes his own circumstance. “If I start to look at the condition of the circumstances—how busy I am and how much I have on my plate—that’s when I will start to sink. But I don’t look at it. I continue to do what God has called me to do and trust that He’s going to give me strength and provision to be able to accomplish it.”