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. 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. In celebration of the release, Norful will perform special, free shows in Memphis and Philadelphia on August 25 and 26.

Upon its initial April 7 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 and is currently #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. 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.”

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 Blue Note, Capitol, Capitol Nashville, EMI Latin, and Virgin Records. TréMyles is a music label, production, and publishing company based in Naperville, Illinois.

SMOKIE NORFUL TOUR DATES
August 25 Memphis, TN Greater Community Temple COGIC*

August 26 Philadelphia, PA Baptist Worship Center*

August 30 Oxon Hill, MD National Harbor