It’s hard to believe now but almost five years ago Kansas City, MO singer Chrystal Rucker had a debilitating stroke that it took her two years to rebound from and now she’s back at the top of her game and her vocal abilities. Her first national radio single, “You Deserve”, a spine-tingling ballad, enters Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart this week at #30 and her debut CD, “You Deserve” (EPM Music Group/eOne Music Group), hits retail and online stores everywhere this week.
For almost two decades, Chrystal Rucker has been the darling of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) denomination where she’s become known for her own spine-tingling renditions of Judy Garland’s “Over the Rainbow,” Tramaine Hawkins’ “Changed” and Lecresia Campbell’s classic, “Safety.” What was once a secret to a select few of us in the COGIC church will soon be known to all,” says singer Earnest Pugh, co-founder of EPM Music Group. “And that is that Chrystal Rucker is one of the best singers in the world. She can do it all from traditional gospel to contemporary and you hear all of those styles on her brilliant new CD.”
Although, she’s a church girl, Rucker shows she has a flair for urban pop on mid-tempo charmers such as the smooth “I Am So Grateful,” the jazz buzz of “Nothing Less” and the infectious hand-clapper, “Make Me Wanna.” She creates a contagious joy on the heart-thumping “Come Bless His Name” while channeling the most poised and refined performance of the album on the soaring anthem, You Will Be My God” that shows off heavenly high notes and a tender sound of praise. “People are going to be blessed by the CD,” Rucker says. “I believe lives are going to be changed and people are going to be delivered from the project alone. It’s not because of my ability or anything I can do personally but God is going to get the glory from this project because it’s going to reach people who are hurting.” For more information on Chrystal Rucker and other EPM Music Group artists, visit www.epmmusicgroup.com
