Smokie Norful Born:
Smokie Norful was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the son of an African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E) minister.
Smokie Norful Quote:
"You can chase after success and recognition all you want, but the truth is that unless God ordains it, it really doesn't matter."
From Christianmusic.com
Smokie Norful's Early Years:
By the age of two, Smokie was picking out melodies on a toy piano, and by four he was playing and singing in his father's church. At the age of 10, he was recorded for the first time as a featured artist on an album by a regional music director.
Smokie Norful's College Years:
After graduating high school, Smokie was still passionate about music, but he chose to study history at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff instead of choosing a music major.
After finishing college, he spent the next four years as a high school history teacher.
In 1998, Norful's life and career path took another turn as he felt like he was being called into ministry. He moved to Chicago in order to earn a Masters of Divinity degree from Garrett Theological Seminary.
Smokie Norful's Big Break:
After getting his Masters, Norful decided to stay in Chicago as an assistant pastor at the Rock of Ages Baptist Church. He was active in several church choirs, and he eventually caught the ear of Joe Anne Brunson, leader of the Thompson Community Choir, who asked him to sing one of his original songs for the choir's Real album.
People from EMI Gospel heard Smokie on Real and quickly signed him in 2002, also signing him with EMI-CMG Publishing as a songwriter under his own Norful Music Publishing company.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Smokie Norful Trivia:
- Smokie Norful played the host in T.D. Jakes' Follow the Star
- Norful is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
- He is married to wife Carla and has two sons, Tre and Ashton, as well as an adopted daughter named Ashley
- His hit song "I Need You Now" was written after Carla was told that she might have cancer and wouldn't be able to have children
Top Smokie Norful Songs:
- "I Need You Now" (Purchase/Download)
- "Praise Him" (Purchase/Download)
- "God Is Able" (Purchase/Download)
- "Um Good" (Purchase/Download)
- "Still Say Thank You" (Purchase/Download)
Smokie Norful Discography:
- Live, 2009 (Compare Prices)
- Life Changing, 2006 (Compare Prices)
- Nothing Without You, 2004 (certified Gold 04/03/2007) (Compare Prices)
- Smokie Norful Limited Edition, 2003 (Compare Prices)
- I Need You Now, 2002 (certified Gold 04/22/2004) (Compare Prices)
Smokie Norful can also be heard on ...
Smokie Norful Honors:
- Smokie was named Billboard Magazine's #1 Gospel Artist of 2003 and also won Stellar Awards for both Best Male Vocalist and Best New Artist in 2003.
- Nothing Without You won a GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album as well as a Dove for Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year in 2004.
More Smokie Norful:
- Smokie Norful Music Videos
- Top Urban Gospel Albums
- (Photo) - Smokie Norful performing BMI's Most Performed Gospel Song of 2007, "Um Good."
- Top 40 Christian Hits of 2007
- Top 10 Versions of "O Holy Night"
