::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . Five-Octave Singer Is Scheduled To Perform Song On BET’S “Bobby Jones Gospel” Program on The 35-Year Old Show’s Final Season   Gospel music’s smoothest balladeer Earnest Pugh has a new classic entitled “Trade It All” available for immediate download from all digital retailers such as the iTunes Store and Amazon MP3. The uplifting song of hope and inspiration hails from Pugh’s forthcoming EP “Fully Persuaded” (EPM/P-Man). The compelling tune was written and produced by Lucius B. Hoskins who masterminded Zacardi Cortez’ radio smash “1 on 1” that spent five weeks at #1 on Billboard Magazine’s Gospel Airplay chart in 2013.   There’s been much buzz about the track.  CEO of the ND Company, Neily Dickerson says, “Pugh did some good sanging on this record.” Veteran radio promoter Tracey Artis adds that,  “This song has legs…a hit.”  Singer Byron Cage gives the track high pr...

buzzz worthy. . . The Howard University School of Divinity Alumni Association  SET TO HONOR GOSPEL STAR EARNEST PUGH WITH ALUMNI AWARD FOR THE ARTS DURING 3RD ANNUAL ALUMNI AWARDS BANQUET Sunday, April 26 @ 3:00 PM At The Blackburn Center Gospel star and Howard University School of Divinity alumnus, Earnest Pugh, best known for the #1 gospel radio hits “I Need Your Glory” and “Rain On Us,” is headed to the nation’s capital this week for The Howard University School of Divinity’s third annual Alumni Association Awards Banquet. It kicks off with a special live concert by Earnest Pugh on Saturday, April 25 @ 7:00 PM at The Berean Baptist Church in honor of Howard University School of Divinity Professor Robert G. Childs’ 30th anniversary as the pastor of The Berean Baptist Church. The concert proceeds go to the Alumni Association’s Scholarship Fund. Dr. Pugh lived in the DMV area for over a decade until his rece...

buzzz worthy. . . EARNEST PUGH PROTÉGÉ PIANIST JOHN PAUL SET TO RELEASE A FIVE-SONG HOLIDAY EP &  HIT THE ROAD ON “EARNEST PUGH & FRIENDS” CHRISTMAS TOUR   Gospel‘s Leading Man and balladeer extraordinaire Earnest Pugh (of “I Need Your Glory” and “Rain On Us” fame) is continuing his longstanding practice of introducing new acts to the gospel music industry with the release of “Christmas with John Paul” (EPM Music Group) on December 2. The five-song extended play CD showcases the classically trained pianist John Paul McGee tackling yuletide evergreens such as Nat King Cole Trio’s 1946 gem “The Christmas Song” with a touch of Jazz and gospel.   “It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words,” says the Bethune-Cookman University graduate of the set that also features crisp new renditions of “Oh Holy Night,” “The First Noel,” “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” and a funky “Jesus, What A Wonderful Ch...

buzzz worthy. . . Over the last few years, Gospel’s Leading Man Earnest Pugh – who brought back the art of balladry with his #1 hits “Rain on Us” and “I Need Your Glory” - has taken a big lead in presenting gospel music’s next generation of stars such as Chrystal Rucker, Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis, Charles Butler & Trinity and Keith Williams. Now, the electrifying artist has put together an equally electrifying collection of songs by some of the most dynamic young gospel artists on the rise and entitled the project, “Gospel’s Rising Stars” (EPM Music Group). It’s now available on the iTunes Store, Amazon MP3 and other digital platforms. The 13-track set opens with the R&B flavored track “I Made It” by Angel Davis whom Pugh has crowned as the First Lady of the EPM Music Group. The 29-year old Dover, Delaware native began singing in church at the age of four and has been one of Earnest Pugh’s backg...

buzzz worthy. . . Ernest Pugh Pastor Keion Henderson Pastor Keion Henderson of The Light House Church, a mega-sized congregation in Houston, TX, has appointed Stellar Award nominated gospel star Earnest Pugh as the assembly’s new Pastor of Worship. “It is an honor to announce the addition of Earnest Pugh to our church,” Pastor Henderson noted. “It’s a perfect match. He fits in with our church’s culture and shares the same vision as I. We are excited to embrace his talent and utilize his God-given gifts to help grow our congregation even further.” Gospel music fans know Pugh for his #1 radio smashes such as “Rain on Us” and “I Need Your Glory” but he has a long history as a church music administrator. Over the last two decades, he’s served as a worship leader at various churches including Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Ft. Washington, MD and recently at Silver Lake Church in Pearland, TX. In 2013, the Institute for Teaching God’s Word awarded him an honorary doctorate for his t...

buzzz worthy. . . Stellar Award Nominated Vocalist’s Highly-Anticipated CD “The W.I.N. (Worship In Nassau) Experience” Releases 9/17/13 Stellar Award nominated balladeer, Earnest Pugh, has finished mixing and editing his highly anticipated “The W.I.N. (Worship In Nassau) Experience” CD/DVD that releases September 17, 2013 on P-Man Records. The project is anchored by the soul-stirring new anthem of praise – “More of You” – that’s now come in at #17 on next week’s Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart. P-Man Records has also just finished a typography video of the song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfdoJGIKlcY  and the track is also available on iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/more-of-you/id670426893?i=670427256 The power ballad was written by Pugh and produced by Grammy Award winner Cedric Thompson. “I wrote the song after spending some time in prayer,” Pugh says. "While in prayer I could hear - in the near...

EPM Music Group Recording Artist VINCENT THARPE And KENOSIS  Announce 22-City FAITH TOUR To Promote New Single "Let's Praise Him" Memphis, TN –  Vincent Tharpe and Kenosis  have become known for their dynamism in worship, exuberant stage presence, eclectic stylish fashion and fearless musical message about Christ.  In October, VTK released their national debut CD  VINCENT THARPE AND KENOSIS LIVE IN MEMPHIS  on EPM Music Group which landed in the Top 10 on the Billboard Top Gospel Chart.  VTK also had one of the most popular gospel songs of last year “Thank You Lord”.  Now, the Memphis based super-group of young anointed singers and their talented songwriting front man have hit the road on an aggressive tour that was put together by faith.  VTK are setting out on their first National and International Tour –  THE FAITH TOUR  which will impact 22 cities over the next three months.  VTK will be promoting ...

buzzz worthy. . . This Sunday, October 7, 2012, Dr. Bobby Jones welcomes Earnest Pugh, Beverly Crawford, Valerie La Flore and Hezekiah Walker to kick-off the 32nd season of the longest running program on cable television. This season of “BOBBY JONES GOSPEL” promises to bring the best of gospel to your living room for Sunday mornings filled with divine fellowship. Each episode of “BOBBY JONES GOSPEL” is packed full of blessings with testimonials, praise dancers, mass choirs and the best of established and up and coming gospel artists. It’s a gathering to praise the Lord and everyone is invited. “BOBBY JONES GOSPEL” airs Sundays at 9:00AM ET/PT on BET. Dr. Bobby Jones and Mona Austin at the taping of Bobby Jones Gospel  in July of 2012. Bobby Jones Gospel Season 32 Schedule Oct 7, 2012 Beverly Crawford, Hezekiah Walker, Earnest Pugh, and Valerie LaFlore Oct 14, 2012 Cissy Houston, DA TRUTH, and Earl Bynum & Mt. Unity Choir Oct 21,...

Gospel Music’s Leading Man, Earnest Pugh, has topped Billboard magazine’s Hot Gospel Songs chart with his smash radio single, “I Need Your Glory.” New York Times pop critic Jon Carmanica writes that, “ I Need Your Glory is less sensuous than the James Fortune & Fiya version of a few years ago, and deliberately so. Mr. Pugh sounds as if he’s delivering a closing argument, and he’s winning the case.” Pugh is also winning over fans, particularly the ladies. “It was amazing,” says a female fan that rode two hours from Richmond, VA to see Pugh at a recent Washington, D.C. area concert. “I knew Earnest was popular but women were coming in packs of three and four to a car. It reminded me of my teenage years when my girlfriends and I used to pile into somebody’s car to go see New Edition.” “Earning my second #1 single on Billboard is surreal to me,” Pugh says. “I thank God for the overwhelming love and support from the MDs and PDs at radio stations across the country. This has all been pos...