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Read Interview & Listen // Buy Latest Project // Contest Winners // BIO |
In
recent years, the profound impact and influence of Smokie Norful’s music and
ministry has been well editorialized by many capable journalists in media.
His music has also become popularized through heavy rotation on radio
playlists, a grueling, successful (Hopeville) tour and through a series of
awards and critical acclaim from the music industry.
But above and beyond his remarkable run as an artist, Smokie Norful has captured the hearts and rekindled hope in God through his hit composition – I Need You Now. In a recent contest held on BLACKGOSPEL.COM, countless individuals shared their testimonies on how Smokie’s music made a difference (and in certain cases, saved) their lives. We’ve published a few of the most compelling stories for our readers to draw inspiration from. Thanks to everyone who wrote in and congratulations to all our winners.
• Connye D'Lita Bryant (Clanton, Alabama)
The moment I heard I Need You Now and who it was that sang that song, I fell in love with Smokey's music. I was driving home one afternoon and the song came on the radio on SGN-The Light. I was having some parental issues, and was talking to God about the situation. I was ready to throw in the towel because growing up in a domestic household and still facing the same alcoholic issues with my father was beginning to way on me.
After mom's last surgery, I decided to move her in with me until her recovery. After recovery, it was as if she was against me in my house! My father was out of control at his house but wanted to rule my house…everything was just all crazy. Tears were streaming down my face, and for some reason my attention and focus was on the song that was playing on the radio, I Need You Now. I immediately went into praise because I needed a confirmation from God and I received it that day. Thanks Smokey. I'm at a point now where, even with family, you sometimes have to cut off, in order to get what God has for you. The songs - I Understand and Still Say Thank You are also favorites of mine. I just love Smokey because he's real and he has a special anointing on his life.
• Quwania J. (Wilmington, Delaware)
I became a loyal fan of Smokie back in 1990 at Pine Bluff High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Smokie was a high school senior (or junior) there, but he was singing at all the pep assemblies and being a total blessing to us all!!! It was then that I knew that Smokie Norful had all that it took to become what he is today! He always exemplified integrity in his character.
At least two Fridays out of the month, Smokie would perform songs of inspiration that would leave the crowd speechless. When I saw him on TV ministering to crowds of hundreds of thousands of people, I grew proud, as if he were my own son. I am very proud to be a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas and to have the privilege to say I knew Smokie Norful when…I have been a loyal fan since way back when and I can't wait til I see the "Nothing Without You" DVD release. Keep up the wonderful work Smokie - We All Love You & Are Very Proud Of You!!!! Love You!
• Zoalee Hayes (Zachary, Louisiana)
I've always loved your singing since I first heard I Need You Now. We went to Six Flags in New Orleans and you performed there and it really changed our way of thinking of you. Your voice just echoed over the amusement park and I and my son were caught up in a time warp we haven't come down from yet. Then, my son started singing your songs and it was like having a real live ‘Smokie’ singing to us all the time.
Right now, he's in detention because of an error by an attorney and I Need You Now has ministered to me greatly. I know we are Nothing Without Him and He has blessed you to be instrumental in us holding on through the hard times by listening to you minister in song just to us. Thanks Smokie and God Bless You!
• Jacqueline Regina Seaman (Rochester, New York)
I am a Smokie Norful fan because at a time when I needed it most his songs ministered to me. In November 2003, I went on a T.D. Jakes boat cruise for my birthday. It was a gift from my mother who knew I needed the trip. I had been out of fellowship for a while and was slowly trying to find my way back, so the entire cruise was like a healing balm for me.
However, one of the nights when Smokie Norful ministered the songs I Need You Now, Still I Say Thank You, and Life’s Not Promised, ~especially Life’s Not Promised~ I began to see a new plan, vision, and meaning to my life. The entire cruise offered me a brand new revelation but hearing Mr. Norful minister was what sent me to my knees, first in repentance and then in thanksgiving! What a blessing Mr. Norful has been in my life and I am sure in the life of others. I am still playing that first CD!
• Rev. Robert L. Johnson (Norfolk, Virginia)
I became a loyal fan of Minister Smokie after I saw him at a Concert at the Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, Va. That night, it became crystal clear to me that when Smokie Sings, Smokie preaches. The crowd attendance was smaller than the average TV church service. But, my Brother-in-Christ did just what I believe the FATHER has commanded us to do, go out into the hedges and byways and compel them to come to know Him.
At the time, I had given up R&B and began singing Gospel Music. My 88 year old mother was going through heart trouble. I really needed a Spiritual friend. Somehow, I stumbled across Smokie's e-mail address and wrote to him. He e-mailed me back a couple of times. This man of God through the Holy Spirit that flows through him, helped me to stay focused. It would take me an entire mini-novel to express all of the ways he has encouraged me. He let the light shine though him and it has been my beacon of hope. God Bless Your Smokie!
• Martine Ehrenclou (Los Angeles, California)
Six months ago, I never really listened to gospel or even contemporary gospel. I just hadn't been exposed to it. I sing at our church with a live band for the contemporary service and one day the musical director gave me a gospel song to sing called "By and By." I loved it. I wanted to find out more about gospel music. So I went on to iTunes to sample some gospel music in hopes of offering the musical director more music we could sing for the service. I spotted Smokie Norful on iTunes. With that unusual name coupled with the fact that it read he had won the 2005 Grammy, I thought I'd sample some of his music and just see.
I was bowled over by his music. Knocked out! I've loved R&B all my life, been passionate about it really but hadn't found the same joy with current hip-hop, although I've enjoyed some of it. When I heard Smokie Norful, I immediately bought his CD and played it over and over. It made me want to dance. It made me want to sing. This music was prayer in motion. Never before had I heard music, vocals, songwriting and truly magnificent production like this. Maybe with Earth Wind and Fire years ago, but Smokie even smoked them.
I was so ecstatic about his music that I played his CD, Nothing Without You, for as many people as I could find. It made me feel so good to listen to his music (that voice)...and to hear songs about spirituality and God. It was uplifting. Friends went about as crazy over his music as I did.
I feel grateful to have found Smokie Norful. After discovering him, I researched other contemporary gospel and now my music library is filled with it. I love Smokie's music so much that for my birthday this year, I talked my husband into flying from Los Angeles to Oakland, CA. to see Smokie play live at the Bebee Memorial Cathedral on May 27, 2005. We flew up there for that night only, just to see him.
I've never done that for any musical performer, not even Eric Clapton, Usher or the Black Eyed Peas. Of course if Smokie had been performing in Los Angeles, I would have simply gone to see him here. But he wasn't and I had to see him. I just had to. So there you have it, my passionate reception of Smokie Norful's music. I'd be thrilled if I won his DVD but if I don't, someone else out there will definitely experience the joy of his music.
• Danita Y. Allen (Hyattsville, Maryland)
Let me just say that Smokie has an amazing voice and his spirit seems to touch you in such a genuine way. The realness of his message teamed with the rhythmic melody of his music, his smooth, fluid sounds and topped off with what I perceive as a desire and longing for a continued relationship with the Lord, allows his music to transcend the spoken word to songs of praise and worship. He ushers in the presence of the Lord with such power and gracefulness.
After dealing with various issues in my life – husband, work, failing health, depression, and just everyday life, I was at my wit’s end. I had been fasting and praying and believing for God to show up and show out but yet my spirit was still weak and wounded. I Need You Now ministered to my spirit in such a mighty way. I knew that only God could mend all the broken pieces and I knew that he would heal my family and me along the way. Smokie’s song stepped in right on time. Thank you for confirmation and spiritual restoration. I’m grateful to him for allowing God to use him and his gifts for the good of the Lord. I’m thankful to God that he has bestowed this man with great talent and called him to be a messenger. Many thanks and continued blessings to Smokie for the work that he is doing for the Kingdom.
May he continue to shake the industry with his gospel infused contemporary sounds and spread the message of love and hope in the lives of sinners and saints alike, across the airways. It is such a blessing in itself to see folks of color reaching such heights today and being carried on the wings of angels to do great things for His people. May His light continue to shine on you and your ministry and may souls be touched and saved through your songs.
• Chelsea Lewis (Phoenix, Arizona)
Last year, our office supervisor retired and a gentleman by the name of Mr. Williams walked in as our new Supervisor. Full of the Lord's spirit, he always had gospel music playing at his desk. Taking into consideration that we work for a governmental municipality, I figured Mr. Williams to be very bold to be playing his 'gospel music' at work. One day Mr. Williams called me into his office (work related) and Mr. Smokie Norful's music was playing softly in the background.
The songs were beautiful. I ran to the record store that evening to get the CD, I Need You Now. This CD is beautiful and now I don't go anywhere with out that CD. Now, I even play my gospel music at my desk - AT WORK. I thank Mr. Norful for such a wonderful, Spirit-filled CD and I thank the Lord for freedom to worship Him is Spirit and in Truth.
• Jermal A. Sewell (Capitol Heights, Maryland)
In July of 2001 I got pregnant after years of trying and lost the baby on December 12th of that same year. In July of 2003 I got pregnant again. I was the happiest lady on earth. I kept thinking if I ever needed you, Lord I need you now. On or around the 10th of August, Smokie released, I Need You Now. Oh my God........I was so inspired. I thought, “God, you heard my plea and placed it on the heart of this little man with a big voice and an even bigger anointing.” I wanted my child. And that song kept me.
Well, On December 1st, my water broke. I was hospitalized. December 12th came again and I lost another baby. I cried and I cried. I thought I lost my mind but I know that the Lord never left me. As a matter of fact, I know He kept me. The nurses asked me, “How are you making it. You lost two daughters on the same day a year apart and yet you still smile.” I told them, “God makes no mistakes. I didn't loose two daughters…I gained two angels and they are watching over me.
But when it was quiet and I was by myself, my heart shattered and all I had voice enough to say is, “Lord, I need you now.” God does things in His own time. I know that it was God first who listened to me and it was Smokie Norful whom God inspired to minister to me.
When you lose something so dear to you that it takes your breath away (including you right mind), sometimes a smile or word of encouragement or even a song can bring you back. I Need You Now brought me back. Thanks be unto God. I have two angels in heaven and an angel on earth (Smokie Norful). If I don't win the contest, I would really like it if this message could be forwarded to Mr. Norful anyway.
• Marie Bryant, (Waukegan Illinois)
I became a loyal fan of Smokie Norful the year of 2002 / 2003. He always appeared to have a voice of an angel from heaven. This voice and his lyrics assisted me in a very hard time in my life. The year of 2003 a family member of mine stated they needed me to care for them and that no one else would help them. I was told that I could live with them until I got on my feet. Well, I prayed, packed up my furniture and four children and moved from Mississippi to Illinois. When I made it to Illinois, the promises that were given to me were broken. It left me homeless with four children. I ended up in a battered women's shelter for three months and had to endure an awful lot of pain. Not only did I have to suffer, but my children were involved also. There was one night I was in the shelter alone and I prayed and cried.
I Need You Now began to play. One thing I didn't do was listen for the answer from God, before I made the move from Mississippi to Illinois. But I was able to listen to Smokie’s voice and feel the Power that the Lord had equipped me with. I was able to pick up my mat and walk. It was so inspirational and powerful.
Since then, I began to really get into the Word and use it against strongholds that were before me. I am now a full-time college student and have been on the honor roll for the past three semesters. I teach pre-school children. My family has a roof over its head and we’re all healthy.
We have come a long way. I just had to pour myself
out to the Lord and let Him minister to me. I am so
grateful that he let Smokie Norful be the Vessel.
It may not have been in person physically but
spiritually he was with me. The both of them. I
just want to really Thank-You. May God continue to
bless you with all that He has in store for you.