Upon its initial April 7 release, Smokie Norful Live immediately shot to the top of the charts, landing at No 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 and is currently No 4 at Gospel Radio. It 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.
On September 20, fans will be treated to a Smokie Norful Live 1-hour special airing exclusively on the Gospel Music Channel. Norful can also be seen performing songs from the new album on TBN’s “Praise the Lord” airing September 22, BET’s perennial favorite, “Bobby Jones Gospel” airing October 4 and BET’s “Lift Every Voice” airing October 25.
Smokie Norful—husband, father, pastor, record label owner and recording artist—continues to solidify his place in today’s continually changing gospel music landscape with the release of Smokie Norful Live.
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.”
