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Smokie Norful is simply one of the most talented recording artists of our day.  His remarkable gifts as an outstanding singer, prolific songwriter and proficient musician have all contributed to his rapid rise to the forefront, among Gospel’s elite artists.  His recent Stellar awards, along with his low-key stint with Gospel’s music’s triple-threat – Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin – in the Hopeville Tour further bolstered his popularity as a refreshing addition to a crop of new artists (Ted & Sheri, Tonex, J Moss) who are exciting, unique and infinitely talented. 

BLACKGOSPEL.COM caught up with this adorable, little figure who is so much larger than life and singing about that life that’s been so special to him.  Smokie was surprisingly candid on issues surrounding his life, his love and his craft as an artist.   

It’s been a remarkable journey for this son of an A.M.E. pastor, from his early days in Muskogee, Oklahoma to his more recent days as an associate pastor in Chicago, Illinois to his most current days as one of Gospel music’s most prized commodities…and it’s all captured here in our exclusive spotlight interview this week. 

Christopher Heron:  Is ‘Smokie” your given name from birth?  And if so, why did your parents choose ‘Smokie’? 

Smokie Norful:  My dad had a best friend back in high school that was tragically killed.  And he always said that he would call his first-born son ‘Smokie’.  Needless to say, I had the name before I was even a thought.  He always hoped he’d have a son, so that’s pretty much how it happened. 

CH:  You had the opportunity, in recent years, to spend a lot of quality time in the company of your friends – Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and Pastor Donnie McClurkin – during the Hopeville tour.  What were the valuable lessons you learned from each of these remarkable artists that you now apply to your maturing career?

SN:  Each one of those individuals contributed so much to my career; I’m really not sure where to begin.  First and foremost, Kirk was a big brother and influence.  He’s the one that afforded me the opportunity to travel with the group.  He’s responsible for that.  He opened the door for me to develop relationships with all of them.  What I received from him was a sincere heart.  I learned to sincerely do what we all do as artists and conduct good business, because he’s such a good administrator and a good minister, at the same time.  That was a valuable experience for me.  I also learned a lot about how to produce a major theatrical / musical event on a first-rate quality level.

Now Donnie is my spiritual mentor, my counselor, a big-brother extraordinaire.  Sometimes, he’ll even play a big daddy role for me.  Sometimes, he’ll chasten you and you’ll feel like your own daddy is talking to you.  That’s something I really appreciate about him.  And even today, I’ll pick up the phone to talk to Donnie and I’ll receive sound wisdom and spiritual guidance from him.  He’s truly a man of God like no other I’ve ever experienced before.

Now Yolanda is ‘mama’ to me (laughs).  She’s everyone’s big sister / mama.  She’s the one that watches out for you.  When it looks like you’re making a wrong turn, she’s the one that reaches out, grabs you, pulls you back and says, “Oh no!”  Another thing I really appreciate about her is her heart and spirit of encouragement.  There are times when I encounter some challenging situations in new areas of ministry.  And out of the blue, she’ll drop a Word for me or pray with me over the phone and let me know that I am called to do this work…it’s not by chance.  She really ministers to me and provides me with a lot of encouragement and inspiration.  Out of the three individuals, she’s the one I most admired from afar, growing up, long before I knew or had the opportunity to appreciate Kirk and Donnie for who they are and what they bring to the table.

CH:  In a short span of time, you’ve become a very popular, in-demand artist from the standpoint of both the industry and the public-at-large.  What’s been the most enjoyable aspect of being a celebrity?  And what’s been the greatest challenge of being a recognizable figure in Gospel music?

SN:  Needless to say, the benefit is having my ministry acknowledged in such an enormous way, to be honored with the opportunities I’ve experienced.  I recognize that it’s only God’s favor that has placed me here.  The biggest benefit is just having the opportunity to minister.  There are a lot of people who aspire for this role, who have the gift and a greater gift than mine but God, for some reason, has favored me and blessed me with the ability and trust for this platform to spread the Gospel.  The fact that God would trust me with this platform is overwhelming, to say the least.  

The biggest challenge for me is the loss of anonymity (laughs).  There are times in public, where people only see you as Smokie, the artist and cannot see you as Smokie, the man.  And there are times when I’m just exhausted, popping on and off planes, trying to get home to family, running to radio interviews or TV appearances or to a church to minister or a concert hall to perform.  And sometimes, in the midst of all this, you’re approached by people who genuinely admire your ministry and want to share their appreciation.   And sometimes, when you’re exhausted by it all, it’s hard to put on a gracious face (laughs) when your body is on the verge of passing out.  No artist wants to communicate the wrong message or display any disrespect…it’s just hard sometimes when there are so many demands on you, as an artist.

CH:  Apart from being a highly sought-after artist, you’re a proud father and husband.  How important has family been for you, in terms of keeping you grounded and putting context and perspective in everything that you do?

SN:  It’s so important to me that I’m doing this interview with my 8-month old, miracle baby in my arms.  It speaks to the fact that I really try to be inclusive of my whole family.  My 2-year old travels with me a lot.  My whole family travels with me a lot.  That really helps me to stay grounded.  I may be Smokie Norful, the recording artist, according to the industry and among fans but at home, I’m ‘honey’ and I’m ‘daddy’ (laughs).  That’s the bottom line.  So, what keeps me grounded is changing diapers, taking out the trash, doing stuff in the yard, doing laundry, folding clothes.  My wife reminded me the other day that before I leave and catch a flight, I better fold those clothes (laughs).  Those are the kinds of things that keep me grounded and keep reality close.

CH:  You are the quintessential artist who can do several things extremely well - sing, play an instrument and write music.  What gives you the greatest joy and fulfillment in artistic expression?

SN:   I would say I enjoy singing because it’s the best way for me to communicate my message, which is a message of hope in Christ.  So, being able to verbalize and articulate that message is the most effective and powerful way, out of the three.  The most valuable talent is to be a songwriter because that will not only bless my generation but generations to come.  My music will continue to live long after I’m gone.  And the message will live on, long after my children and my children’s children.  That’s the legacy I want to leave to the world and, bless God, He’s blessed me and favored me to be able to do it.

CH:  Your latest album – Nothing Without You (EMI Gospel) is finally here.  Could you characterize and distinguish this album from your previous release, I Need You Now (EMI Gospel)?

SN:  It’s different because there are different songs.  It’s the same message but God has given me a different way of presenting it.  It’s better produced.  Simply speaking, I had a bigger budget to work with (laughs), so I was able to employ the services of a different set of people with a higher caliber of experiences and exposure like legendary musician, George Duke, who produced the title track – Nothing Without You – which I wrote for my wife for our wedding day, seven years ago.  So, I had a huge arsenal of talent and resources supporting me, more so than the first go-around.  The message is the same.  It’s a message of hope and encouragement, which is much like the first album.  I like to speak to people where they are, to those that are lost or are about to throw in the towel.  I bless God for giving me this ministry and needless to say, this message carries over in this album.

CH:  This is your season, Smokie.  Two years after your debut as a new recording artist, you now attract the attention of the public and the industry, every time you take hold of the microphone.  What do you intend to say or do with your newfound status and influence?

SN:  In one word – Life.  Every time I hit the stage, I want to communicate life.  Now, that’s not living for right now or something I can personally offer as an individual.  It’s something I can offer, in terms of pointing the way to life, which is living completely, living holy, living saved, living covered, living secured and culminating with living everlasting.  I want to show people that the thing you’re searching for and the thing that you need, the thing that you’re most missing, there is this better life that’s reserved for you.  All you have to do is accept Christ and He’s promised life to you, both now and everlasting life.

For more information on Smokie Norful and his album, visit www.emigospel.com and www.smokienorful.com.  For speaking or singing engagements, email norfulbooking@aol.com.