In the cover story, James & Cheryl share their powerful love story of survival and strength. As portraits of courage James & Cheryl recall the most difficult time in their marriage -the season of being homeless. The couple relives how they stuck by each other and leaned on their unwavering faith to survive despite an over 7 month stretch of being jobless, living in their car and subsequently moving from motel to motel.
“It was a difficult time because it affected our entire family” said James. “To realize that I was having a hard time providing for my kids, in the midst of this family struggle proved a difficult, dark time in my life.”
The Fortunes didn’t allow their lives to be defined by that narrative and have thrived since that trying time. The Fortune’s have enjoyed a burgeoning career along with successfully launching their own record imprint F.I.Y.A World Music in conjunction with Light Records, under which Cheryl’s solo album will be released next year.
James’ current CD IDENTITY quickly debuted at number #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel chart when it was released earlier this year and continues to remain in the Top 5. Further, the first single, “Still Able,” continues to be one of the most played gospel songs at radio as Fortune by way of his dynamic performance and delivery has become a beloved pillar and treasure within the genre.
2005 saw the explosive release of James Fortune and F.I.Y.A’s debut album YOU SURVIVED. The title song, “You Survived” peaked at #2 on the R&B Gospel singles chart. He amassed worldwide recognition in 2009, with the award winning song, “I Trust You,” off his sophomore release THE TRANSFORMATION. “I Trust You,” held the number one slot on the Gospel National Airplay chart for over 30 weeks, making history by becoming the longest running #1 single of any genre. James’ meteoric rise continued with the subsequent success in 2010 of “I Believe,” which earned him his second ASCAP Writer’s Award in 2011. “I Believe” also received a 2011 Soul Train nomination for “Best Gospel Performance” along with three Stellar Award nominations for “Contemporary CD of the Year,” “Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Group/Duo of the Year.”