Grammy, Stellar and Dove Awards are among the plethora of industry accolades Pastor Smokie Norful has garnered during his impressive musical journal.
Grammy, Stellar and Dove Awards are among the plethora of industry accolades Pastor Smokie Norful has garnered during his impressive musical journal. He put out cross over favorites, including I Need You Now and I Understand, and his recent song, Justified, has remained on Billboard charts in the Top 10 position for the past year.
Still, nothing has made him more musically proud than his latest release, Smokie Norful presents Victory Cathedral Choir. The Arkansas native knew it was just a matter of time for such a recording when the church was formed over 4 1/2 years ago.
“I knew going into the church that there was no way I was going to be in the music industry and I’m not eventually going to have a choir that was going to record. What we were waiting on was for them to be spiritually and musically prepared in every way. So now I think they are spiritually solid and their music is incredible, their gifts are expansive,” Norful said. “We know this was a divine work. Only God could have done that. It was an incredible turn around. I have never done anything this fast. The label was on us with some unrealistic deadline.”
áMeeting deadlines has become second nature as Norful multi-tasks his roles as pastor, recording artist, family man and entrepreneur. The CD is on his record label, TreMyles Music, which is a collaboration of One Wordd Production. á
“Jason Tyson and I are partners in One Wordd Production. Back in April, we sealed the deal and all of my records are on my record label, TreMyles, co-owner of the project in conjuction with EMI,” said Norful.
As if preaching, recording, producing, performing and singing weren’t enough, Norful has another thing going on.
“My wife and I just opened a new venture. It is called Annettes’…homestyle southern style cooking. It is very nice and doing really, really well,” the multi-talented preacher said. The restaurant is located at1296 W. Boughton Road in southwest suburban Bolingbrook.
“The restaurant is where our church is going to be in about 4 or 5 months-we will be in our own buildings,” said Norful. The one time youth pastor at Rock of Ages church in Maywood is now pastor to 5,000 Victory Cathedral members, with locations in Bolingbrook and Chicago. Additionally, he oversees other ministries located in Memphis and Tulsa.
“I’ve got other sons and daughters that will be placed in the ministry as well,” shared Norful. The former high school teacher also extended heartfelt gratitude to his fans and new family he’s picked up all over the Chicagoland area.
“Thanks to Chicago and the suburbs that has become my new home in the last 14 years. People forget that I am not from Chicago. I thank God for the love.”
Effie Rolfe is a radio personality and the religion entertainment columnist for the Chicago Defender. E-mail her at [email protected]á
Copyright 2010 Chicago Defender
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