Donnie McClurkin Cites Plans to Retire From Gospel Music

Gospel favorite Donnie McClurkin has voiced his plans to retire after his contractual obligations with Verity ends in 2006. He is the pastor/founder of Perfected Faith Church in Freeport , N.Y. , and seeks to nurture his growing thousand-member flock and eventually record with his church choir. He declares, "I want to concentrate on building people and going further than most people think to go in church. I'm interested in people who are on the street, that are disenchanted with church and devising ways of reaching them."

Yet McClurkin insists, “You're not rid of me yet!” He went on to explain that he has a few years to go before he completely leaves the music world behind him and is actually excited and geared up for the April 5 release of new two-CD set, Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs. “I love pastoring my church and that's where my heart is … but it's a long way off – I've got a few more albums in me that I know need to come out.”

McClurkin has enjoyed phenomenal success in gospel music since his self-titled debut in 1996, which was certified gold. His next project in 2000, Donnie McClurkin - Live in London , went on to top Billboard's gospel charts for an astounding 37 weeks, selling 1.3 million discs. Donnie McClurkin…Again, released in 2003, topped the gospel charts for 10 weeks.

McClurkin has a new two-CD set, Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs, slated for an April 5 release. The companion DVD will be released in May 2005. The highly anticipated live set, recorded in Virginia Beach , Va. , will probably be yet another bestseller for the singer. He still has one more album to complete for Verity.

McClurkin recently won the 2004 NAACP Image Award for Gospel Artist of The Year and a Grammy for Best Contemporary Gospel for the recording "…Again. He has also garnered Stellar and Dove Awards.

McClurkin most recently appeared as a pastor in Tyler Perry's surprise hit film, "Diary of a Mad Black Woman." Starring Kimberly Elise. He has also been filming "The Gospel" in Atlanta . In summer 2005, McClurkin returns to the silver screen in "Hopeville," a comedy co-starring Kirk Franklin.