"These songs are very personal," Belle comments about the new CD. 
"They come from my own life experiences. So I had to be very active in the writing part of the project. One day I was sitting in a hotel room in Detroit. I was feeling completely alone. So I asked the Lord to show me that He was with me. It seemed that in an instant He began to say, 'I'll Never Leave You Alone.' From that moment He began to give me the song so quickly that I couldn't keep up with writing it as fast as He was giving it to me. My inspiration for this project is simply - gratefulness."
As a ministry powerhouse and Minister of Music at New Shield of Faith Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia where her husband, John S. Battle, III is senior pastor, Belle's life has been full of change and challenge. But she proclaims that it has served as one of the vehicles for the anointing and effective ministry of her upcoming project.
The award-winning singer, songwriter and producer never stopped singing in the church. Since those early childhood days, Belle always had a desire in her heart to do a Gospel project. And although she had always incorporated Gospel into her albums and performances, this wish to do a complete Gospel album would not leave her heart. With the release of LOVE FOREVER SHINES, Belle is fulfilling this desire that the Lord placed in her heart.
Belle's undeniably powerful and unique vocal talents have garnered her recognition from both the music industry, as well as fans worldwide. The New Jersey native discovered her love of music at an early age while attending church services with her family, first singing in the church choir, and then going on to sing solo at the tender young age of eight. Although she loved to sing, she also went on to learn instruments as varied as the trombone, tuba and steel drums throughout her school years. During high school, she also attended the Manhattan School of Music for preparatory operatic voice training with Inga Wolfe.
The Rutgers University graduate began her career recording a duet with the GRAMMY® Award winning group, The Manhattans, becoming the legendary group's opening act. Her performances were so stirring that she grabbed the attention of record company executives at Columbia Records and soon earned a record deal with the company. Belle went on to release her debut album ALL BY MYSELF (1987), featuring the hit single, "Show Me The Way," followed up by the sophomore album, STAY WITH ME (1989), which produced chart-topping hits such as "Baby Come To Me", "This Is Love" and the GRAMMY®-nominated song, "Make It Like It Was" another #1 single on the R&B charts. She went on to record duets with Johnny Mathis, and most notably Peabo Bryson, on the song, "A Whole New World" from the ALADDIN Soundtrack, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, won four GRAMMY® Awards and has earned multi-platinum status. Her third album, PASSION (1993), featured the hits "Dream In Color" and "If I Could," which reached #9 on the R&B charts. Over the next few years, she released several more albums including REACHIN' BACK (1995), BELIEVE IN ME (1998) and THIS IS REGINA (2001). In 2004 she released the chart-topping jazz album, LAZY AFTERNOON, working with GRAMMY® winner and music extraordinaire, George Duke.
Audiences will have the opportunity to experience Belle's anointing first-hand during the upcoming RushmoreDrive.com Church and Gospel Brunch Tour across the country this spring and summer (see dates and markets below).
For more information on Regina Belle, please visit www.pendulumrecords.biz.
To listen to "God Is Good," click on http://www.rubenrodriguezentertainment.com/music/god_is_good.mp3.
For more information on RushmoreDrive, please visit www.RushmoreDrive.com.
takes the listener on a journey back to the "ol' time, down home, take me to the river" gospel tradition.
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