BRENTWOOD, TN. (Sparrow/ EMI Gospel) - Grammy Award winner and EMI Gospel Recording artist Smokie Norful, joined President Bush and First Lady
Laura Bush in a celebration of
Black Music Month. On Monday, June 6, the East Room of the White House hosted powerful, inspiring performances by Norful,
Donnie McClurkin and Mary Mary. The singer/songwriter captivated those in attendance with two of his chart-topping hits - "
I Need You Now" and "I Understand." Gospel Today publisher Teresa Hairston served as MC.
Post-concert, Norful and the others joined President and Mrs. Bush for a special dinner. "It was an awesome, overwhelming and humbling experience to know that I, literally, have become a part of America's history," says Norful of his visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Norful continues a long history of White House performances by black musicians. President Bush pointed out that music greats Dizzy Gillespie, Marian Anderson, the Fisk Jubilee singers and others have performed for U.S. Presidents as far back as 1882. President Bush and his staff, including Cabinet members, Congressmen, White House Officials and African-American leaders in business, education and government, received the gospel artists enthusiastically.
"African American artists have continued to set standards of originality and creativity," President Bush remarked after the concert. "The incredible talents of black musicians keep lifting their art, and lifting the souls of America. We heard that talent today. We're grateful to all the black musicians who have brought such beauty and pride to our country."
For Norful, the White House performance has been the pinnacle of a wildly successful year. His sophomore release, Nothing Without You, spent five weeks in the number one position on the Billboard gospel charts when it was released last fall and earned Norful a Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.
Now, Norful prepares for the release of his first-ever concert DVD on June 28. The much-anticipated project from the Grammy Award winner was filmed in Hi-Definition with 5.1 Surround Sound. The Nothing Without You DVD features live concert performances, in-depth interviews, and a bonus feature - the singer's popular "I Need You Now" video.
One day before the release of his DVD, Smokie will become the first recipient of the newly created "Gospel Artist of the Year" Award at ASCAP's 18th Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards to be held on June 27 in Los Angeles. ASCAP is a membership association of over 200,000 U.S. composers, songwriters, lyricists, and music publishers of every kind of music. ASCAP is the only U.S. performing rights organization created and controlled by composers, songwriters and music publishers, with a Board of Directors elected by and from the membership.
Beginning in early June, Norful fans will be able to get a sneak preview of the Nothing Without You DVD during an online pre-awareness campaign. Eager music lovers will be able to stream some of the DVD's content for free at www.smokienorful.com. The award-winning singer/songwriter welcomed members of local radio, press and retail at promotional events and advance screenings of the DVD in several cities beginning in May including Atlanta, Washington, DC, and New York.
Brentwood, Tennessee-based EMI Gospel is a division of EMI Christian Music Group, the world's largest Christian music organization that also includes EMI CMG Label Group, EMI CMG Distribution and EMI CMG Publishing. It is part of EMI Group, the world's largest independent music company whose other U.S. labels include Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol, Capitol Nashville, EMI Latin, Narada and Virgin Records.
