Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago’s “The Best of Both Worlds” Debuts at #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums Chart

Inspired People/EMI Gospel recording artist Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago’s debut album, The Best of Both Worlds debuts at #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and the hit praise and worship anthem, “Awesome” remains at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart.  The Best of Both Worlds also enters at #41 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart.  Jenkins is a GRAMMY^® Award-winning songwriter, and the writer of “Awesome.”  The Best of Both Worlds, which was released on Jenkins’ newly formed independent label, Inspired People, is the first #1 debut by a new artist this year. In May 2012, Jenkins’ label signed an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement with EMI Gospel.

The #1 radio hit and church anthem, “Awesome,” is the first single from The Best of Both Worlds album. The CD also entered on top of the iTunes and Amazon Christian/Gospel charts.  The single also entered at #1 as the Best Selling Christian/Gospel Song on Amazon. “To have multiple number one chart positions in less than six months as a new artist leads me to only three words, ‘God is Awesome,’” says Charles Jenkins, who is the senior pastor of the historic and legendary Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.

“Pastor Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago are an amazing gift to the body of Christ,” says Tracey Artis, CEO and President of I Hear Music, a full service, marketing, radio and promotions company based in Cincinnati, Ohio.  “‘Awesome’ is one of the fastest moving singles that I ever had in my career. I have worked with some of gospel’s greatests: Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Byron Cage and Kurt Carr. In less than six months, this single has resonated with choirs, gospel lovers and consumers all over the world. And I am honored to be a part of this movement. Charles Jenkins is a force to be reckoned with and we will hear from him and Fellowship Chicago for years to come.”

During the promotional tour, Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago made several key in-store appearances during street week, including the highly successful performance at Wal-mart in Chicago on Saturday, June 16. “It was a pleasure to allow our community the opportunity to meet and greet Pastor Charles Jenkins and his choir at the local Chatman Wal-Mart,” says Keith Richards, store manager in Chicago. “This opportunity has allowed us to build a strong brand within the community. Meeting and greeting many members of the community was awesome! What an amazing group of individuals. It’s an amazing sense of pride being able to serve my people.”

On Monday, June 11, Jenkins presented “The Awesome Experience Album Release Concert,” to a standing-room only crowd of over 6,500 people at the historic House of Hope (Pastor James Meeks) in Chicago.  The concert featured GRAMMY^® Award-winning songwriter and recording artist Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago, along with special guests Karen Clark Sheard, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Michelle Williams and Jessica Reedy.  The Best of Both Worlds continues the long musical tradition at Fellowship, which released 25 albums under the leadership of Jenkins’ predecessor, Reverend Clay Evans.

To date, Jenkins has made promotional visits in Cincinnati, OH; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; and Philadelphia, PA.  Jenkins will return to Atlanta for the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Conference on Wednesday, June 27, and then head to the ESSENCE Music Festival on July 6^th, 7^th and 8^th in New Orleans, LA.