Smokie Norful, Tye Tribbett & G.A., Ruben Studdard June 13, 2009

Gospel’s brightest stars shine in this praise-filled afternoon.

Presented in association with Globe Star Media.

With seven years in gospel music, Smokie Norful has become a heavyweight of the genre, reaching benchmarks that have taken others a lifetime to achieve: Among other accomplishments, he’s a Grammy, Dove, and Stellar award-winner, a bona fide Billboard chart-topper, a two-time gold-selling artist, and a crossover star responsible for the multi-format smash, “I Need You Now.” Smokie Norful Live, the latest chapter in a vertiginous rise to the very zenith of gospel, is the project he was destined to make. It brings together both of his personas—artistic and pastoral—for an in-concert experience that’s also the closest representation of who he is as a singer and minister. The live album also includes the song “God’s Gonna Do It” featuring fellow Central Park SummerStage performer Tye Tribbett.

When one listens to his lyrics and feels the spirit which encompasses gospel performer Tye Tribbett, it's easy to see that Tye is indeed anointed. A native of Camden, New Jersey, Tye -- whose father was a preacher and mother was a choir director -- heard his calling early on. "I always wanted to do something for the Lord," he acknowledges. On his third full-length album Stand Out (also available as a DVD), Tye Tribbett and his aptly named choir, Greater Anointing (G.A.), deliver a series of passionate gospel performances celebrating and sharing the glory of God's Kingdom. Recorded live at Rock Church International in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in August 2007, Stand Out premieres a collection of spirit-filled musical testimonies to the power of the Living Word. With his new songs, Tye Tribbett is ready to stand up and Stand Out for the Rock of Ages. "It's time," he says, "for a new normal to be presented."

Six years ago, Ruben Studdard’s life changed in an instant. And it’s been changing ever since. This year will bring even more changes as Ruben continues to tour the country in Broadway’s “Ain’t Misbehavin.” In May, Ruben will release his fourth album Love IS, which is a collection of love songs featuring originals as well as covers like Extreme’s classic hit “More Than Words” and Michael Jackson’s “I Can’t Help It.” It’s been an amazing six years for the man from Birmingham and he feels blessed to have experienced it all. “My grandmother used to tell me that the race is not given to the swift or to the strong but to the one that endures to the end. I feel like I’m on a course to have a very long career. I just completed my fourth album and a lot of people don’t get to that point. I’m a very happy man.”

Presented in association with WLIB/WBLS 35th Anniversary and Globe Star Media.

Official Website: www.summerstage.org