For almost two decades now, Kerry Douglas has given a national platform to talented aspiring gospel artists and through his aggressive promotional campaigns he’s made them household names within their genre. Among the #1 hits he’s taken to the top are James Fortune & FIYA’s “I Trust You” and “I Believe”; Earnest Pugh’s “Rain on Us” and “I Need Your Glory”; Keith Wonderboy Johnson’s “Send A Revival” and Evelyn Turrentine-Agee’s “God Did It” among scores of Top Ten smashes.
Next week, some of Douglas’ protégés will gather to salute him in song as The International Leadership Awards honors him for his achievements at its annual International Financial & Leadership Summit. James Fortune, Earnest Pugh and Zacardi Cortez are scheduled to perform in Douglas’ honor. Actress Niecy Nash and singer Angie Stone will also be honored for their respective achievements during the event.
“It’s a blessing to receive my flowers while I’m still alive,” Douglas jokes. “God has been good to me and allowed me to work with some really talented artists. I’m also excited to be out on the road every week and seeing new talents out there that I hope to develop and sign for my next Gospel Mix CD.”
The “Kerry Douglas Presents Gospel Mix” compilation CD series began in 2008 and creates national exposure for independent artists. The series was instrumental in breaking James Fortune & FIYA, Zacardi Cortez, Shawn McLemore and Earnest Pugh on the gospel scene. The current installment, “Kerry Douglas Presents Gospel Mix Vol. VI” recently debuted in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and features the radio smash “1 on 1” by Zacardi Cortez. Tamela Mann, Ruben Studdard, Rev. Paul Jones and others round it out with classic gospel songs alongside future gems by Lalah Hathaway, Bryan Wilson, Ted Winn and Earnest Pugh.
“I have huge respect for Kerry Douglas,” says Earnest Pugh of Douglas receiving this award. “When nobody else was interested in my music, Kerry took an interest and I’ll be forever grateful for the role he played in establishing my national ministry.”
The event takes place Thursday, September 26, 2013 @ 6:30 p.m. at the J.W. Marriott Galleria, 5150 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX. The program is scheduled to stream live on KRIV Fox 26 in Houston. For more info, call (832) 434-5325 or www.twef.org.
