Gospel Recording Artist Earnest Pugh Signs With Kerry Douglas’ Black Smoke Music Worldwide Label

Dynamic Vocalist Set To Drop His First Release With Label July 28th And Launch National Promotional Tour

Washington, D.C. - Earnest Pugh, one of gospel music’s gifted praise and worship leaders, is known for his moving gospel songs and exceptional vocal ability. Remembered for songs like “Wrapped Up, Tied Up” and “Holy Spirit,” the 2006 En Sound Male Vocalist of the Year and his EPM Music Group has just teamed up with gospel music industry giant Kerry Douglas of Black Smoke Music Worldwide for an exclusive recording contract and distribution deal. The first release from the new partnership will be the artist’s new CD entitled “Earnest Pugh Live: Rain On Us” set to drop on Tuesday, July 28, 2009.

Douglas’ Black Smoke Music Worldwide (formerly Worldwide Gospel), the home of artists such as James Fortune & FIYA (known for their Billboard chart-busting single “I Trust You”), Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, Jimmy Hicks & V.O.I and Shawn McLemore, is now where Pugh will be hanging his “musical hat”. Kerry Douglas, revered as an icon in gospel music, started Worldwide Gospel from his garage in 1996. The label has grown to one of the largest independent record companies in the genre. In addition, he’s the founder and publisher of Gospel Truth Magazine, one of the best known publications for gospel music.

Earnest is confident that the connection with Douglas was God-ordained. He says, “I have been in constant prayer for God to open a door, a major platform, to release my new album ‘Earnest Pugh Live: Rain On Us’. It seems that out of nowhere Kerry and I went from discussing the gospel music industry to connecting as business partners.”

Eric Foss, an executive at Black Smoke Music, is very optimistic about the signing of Earnest Pugh as well. “Kerry and I are very excited about this artist,” says Foss. “We are confident that the songs on the ‘Earnest Pugh Live: Rain On Us’ will resonate in the hearts and minds of the listening audience. Kerry Douglas is confident he has a winner in Earnest Pugh.” Douglas himself says, “Not only is Earnest an incredible vocalist and artist, but he is also a businessman who is well learned and familiar with the ‘ins and outs’ of the gospel music industry.”