En Sound Music Award Nominee Jack Yates Kicks Off Solo Career At GMWA

LeRae Records and CLG Distribution have announced the recent release of En Sound Music Award nominee Jack Yates' debut solo CD, The Journal of Jack Yates. Yates kicked things off last week with a performance at the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) in Cincinnati, Ohio.

A gifted singer/songwriter and worship leader, as well as the former lead singer of 3-time Stellar Award nominated Gospel group James Grear & Company, Yates is taking the Gospel industry by storm with his solo debut. At last week's GMWA Gospel Announcer's Guild Showcase, he shared songs from the project, which has already earned him an En Sound Music Award nomination for Best Urban Artist, Male.

During his stint as lead singer and staff songwriter with the renowned James Grear & Company, Yates toured and recorded extensively, garnering national acclaim for his clear, melodic voice on songs like "Don't Give Up," "Set Me Free" and "Peace Be Still." He received rave reviews in both the Gospel and mainstream markets for his lead vocals on the remake of The Youngbloods' classic "Get Together" from the 70s. But perhaps his work with the famous duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis while performing on "The Prince of Egypt" and "The Emperor's New Groove" soundtracks has brought him the most recognition.

All of his travels and accolades have led him back to Gospel music, and sharing the Gospel of Christ. "Following the voice of God is essential," says Yates.

Co-produced by Yates (James Grear & Company) and Pharis "June Bug" Evans, Jr. (Yolanda Adams, Stevie Wonder), the music of The Journal of Jack Yates runs the musical gamut from jazz to R&B to rock. Yates' own journal entries provide the lyrics for many of the songs on the new project, which features Yates' contemporary Gospel originals interspersed with his inspiring spoken word journal readings and Christian standards.

"Jack Yates is a phenomenal singer, songwriter and performer, and label owner Rev. Wilfred Moore has vast industry knowledge and a full complement of key relationships within the industry," comments CLG Distribution President David C. Coleman. "These two elements combine to create a potent partnership, indeed. We are very excited to be a part of this growth process which, we believe, will result in the development of another household name in the Gospel community."

"I'm excited to be part of the CLG family and am very confident that their distribution network will enhance our ability to expose Jack Yates and LeRae Records to the Christian and General Marketplace," says LeRae Records President, Rev. Wilfred Moore.

Jack Yates' The Journal of Jack Yates is available on LeRae Records, and distributed through CLG Distribution. For more information on Jack Yates' The Journal of Jack Yates, visit leraerecords.com or clgdistribution.com.

LeRae Records is a Las Vegas-based independent record label specializing in Inspirational, Gospel and Cool Jazz music. Dedicated to providing quality entertainment through the medium of recorded music and video, LeRae Records spreads the message of hope and love from the entertainment capital of the world. For more information on LeRae Records, visit leraerecords.com.

Nashville, Tennessee-based CLG Distiribution, a division of Chrematizo Label Group, is an independent distributor of Christian music, video, books and other Christ-centered product to the Christian and General marketplace. The company was founded in 2004 with the primary goal of providing a professional yet accessible conduit to a broad spectrum of retail channels for independent Christian artists and labels. For more information on CLG Distiribution, visit clgdistribution.com.

CLG Distribution Signs Distribution Deal with Platform Music Group

CLG Distribution is pleased to welcome Platform Music Group (PMG) to the CLG Distribution family. Founded by Esther Womack, wife of the late Ricky Womack, Sr., Platform Music Group is a multi-media entertainment company which supplies positive audio and visual entertainment to a diverse international audience. Together with Vice President Jorie "Jay" Johnson, a multi-talented industry veteran, worship leader and former pastor, Platform Music Group is gearing up to release their flagship music title on August 31st, 2010 from legendary Black Gospel icon Keith Pringle.

Pringle, a two-time Grammy Award nominee, has penned many memorable Gospel hits including "Can't Stop Praising His Name," "When All God's Children Get Together" and "I Feel Like Going On." As the founding member of the Pentecostal Community Choir of Los Angeles, Keith spearheaded six projects with the choir, two of which went gold. He then continued on to release multiple albums and tour the world as a solo artist. Other nominations throughout the years include two Dove and one Stellar Award nominations.

Keith's comeback album is entitled "Nothing Too Hard For God." A revamped version of the classic "Call Him Up" (produced by Jimmie Wyatt with horn arrangements by Phil Lassiter) will be serviced to Gospel radio in late July by Vernice Watson (The Artist Company) to coincide with the GMWA Convention taking place in Cincinnati, OH. Future touring will find Keith headlining an AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Services) tour alongside CLG distributed artists Jack Yates (from LeRae Records) and Minneapolis-based independent artist Sara Renner. The tour will kick off in November and visit many military installations across the United States.

Jack Yates - The Journal of Jack Yates

Jack Yates new project, "The Journal of Jack Yates" is currently featured in LifeWay Christian Stores' "Get To Know" program and will be featured through July 3rd. Jack is out touring to support the new release and will be performing at the GMWA Gospel Announcer's Guild Showcase on July 26th in Cincinnati, OH. In addition, the second single entitled "Who Am I?" is currently being promoted to radio by Vernice Watson from The Artist Agency.

New Releases - Week of June 1, 2010

This weeks' new releases:

Rezurrected Muzic Presents: Tha Circus
UPC: 7-03132-29612-8
SRP: $11.98
Genre: Gospel Rap / Holy Hip Hop

Rezurrected Muzic recording artists Minority and Illustrate have joined forces on their latest effort entitled Tha Circus. The album addresses the regional divide in musical styles within the hip hop community while maintaining a unified focus on Christ. Thematically, the album reveals how hip hop music sometimes becomes entrenched in a battle over which style reigns supreme. Musically, the album is ground-breaking and successfully combines elements of virtually every style within the genre. The end result is a unique and diverse genre all its own. Ultimately, Minority and Illustrate embrace the contradictions of hip hop politics while setting aside the differences to focus on the true message behind the music - that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Producers on the project include: Jason Salter (Dove-nominated K2's, The Carlos Mencias Show, The Baka Boyz), Base Jase (Rhythm of Gospel nominated M.V.P., M.T.V.), DK Kair One, Beats Bionic and Illustrate.


Jack Yates - The Journal of Jack Yates
UPC: 7-93573-78082-9
SRP: $13.98
Genre: Contemporary / Pop / Gospel

“Smooth as silk” and “melodic as the sound of a hummingbird over a gentle spring breeze” are some of the cliches that are mentioned when referring to the vocal stylings of Jack Yates. Former lead singer/producer of 3-time Stellar Award Nominee James Grear and Company, Jack enters the gospel music arena with his first solo project that speaks volumes to humanity in the 21st Century. The Journal of Jack Yates is filled with messages of love and inspiration presented through the medium of music and spoken word with Jazz, R&B, and Rock influences. This project has something for everyone as it includes an earth shaking traditional hymn coupled with words of wisdom from Jack’s personal journal. Produced by Jack and the esteemed Pharis Evans, you will find your heart filled with inspiration as this project encourages you to continue on your life's journey...no matter who or where you are.

Sara Renner Joins the AAFES Holiday Tour

CLG independent distributed artist Sara Renner has been asked to join the AAFES Holiday Tour alongside LeRae Records' flagship artist Jack Yates and legendary singer Keith Pringle. The tour is being put together by Ben Fleming of Mega-Ben Productions who has worked with legendary performers like Kirk Franklin & Family, The Winans, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Mary Mary (and many other Gospel greats) as well as mainstream artists like Anita Baker, Keith Sweat, R-Kelly, Trisha Yearwood and Vince Gill. The tour will begin in early November and extend through the end of February in honor of Black History Month.

AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Services) provides quality goods and services to the troops through the on-base PX's and BX's. The tour will visit military installations across the country with the goal of providing encouragement and sharing the hope that can only be found in Christ with America's best and brightest.