Earnest Pugh has been riding the wave of “I Need Your Glory” for months now. The gut-wrenching power ballad has helped to propel the singer to the top spot on the Billboard Top Gospel Songs Chart, eight weeks running. The song, penned by James Fortune and arranged by Pugh, is the lead single on the artist’s newest project Earnestly Yours. Heard on radio stations nationwide, the song and artist have caught the ear of the industry. The Stellar Awards Gospel Music Association, the entity that hands out the gospel music industry’s highest honor, has taken note of the vocalist and awarded him four 27th Annual Stellar Award Nominations: Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year and Praise and Worship CD of the Year (for Earnestly Yours). Pugh has also been tapped to perform at the awards ceremony, which will be held at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN on Saturday, January 14, 2012.
The artist is thrilled about the recognition. “Receiving these 4 nominations touches my heart in a special way for two reasons,” says Earnest. “First and foremost, I totally respect all the nominees for their contributions to the gospel music industry over the last several years. Just to have my name called in the same sentence is an honor. Secondly, to be recognized by my fellow artists, fans, and supporters means that I have done something right and I give God all the praise, honor, and glory.”
The follow-up to the smash, “Rain On Us”, “I Need Your Glory” is further positioning Earnest Pugh as one of the greatest voices in gospel music. Spurred by the single, “I Need Your Glory”, Earnestly Yours took the #1 slot on the iTunes Christian & Gospel Chart (for digital sales) and the #1 spot on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums Chart. Also, the single hit #1 on CoCo Brother’s National Countdown. Also, the video to the song has received well over 150,000 views.
Earnest Pugh got his start in gospel music singing with pioneer O’landa Draper in his hometown of Memphis. After the release his 2006 debut, he caught the attention of the industry with the hit, “Wrapped Up, Tied Up, Tangled Up”. He became a household name in the genre with the 2009 release of “Rain On Us”, which charted in the Top 10 as one of Billboard’s Top Gospel Songs of 2010. The gospel crooner, who now lives in the D.C. area, has appeared on BET’s Celebration of Gospel and the Trinity Broadcasting Network’s “Praise The Lord” program. For more information about Earnest Pugh, log on to www.earnestpugh.com.
