A SOUL STIRRING REUNION IN STORES SEPT 23

Quartet Continues Legacy with New Songs and Newly-Recorded Versions of Timeless Classics Focusing on Messages of Deliverance, Celebration and Rejoicing

(New York, NY – July 8, 2008) – With the upcoming release of A SOUL STIRRING REUNION on Malaco Records, the legendary SOUL STIRRERS have produced yet another milestone in a career that has helped shape the world of music—including both traditional and contemporary gospel, R&B as well as Rock & Roll. In stores on September 23, 2008, A SOUL STIRRING REUNION will offer established fans as well as a new generation of music enthusiasts, a trove of the group’s great classic songs that have kept the magnificent quartet at the forefront of traditional gospel since their 1926 formation by Silas Roy Crain.

The group’s new album brings new life to such gospel music benchmarks with the first single, the much-loved Soul Stirrers perennial, “The Love Of God.” The song is a standout, featuring the lead vocals of special guest Floyd Taylor, son of the late Johnnie Taylor, a member of The Soul Stirrers from 1957 until 1961. Other music benchmarks include “Be With Me Jesus,” “Nearer To Thee,” “Wade In The Water” and “Lord Remember Me,” all staples in The Soul Stirrers’ vast repertoire. Other highlights include “Oh What A Meeting,” “Restin’ Easy” and two songs originally arranged by Sam Cooke—“Stand By Me Father” and “The Last Mile of the Way.” A true jewel is the wonderful, heartfelt rendition by Reverend Luther Gamble of the memorable, “Peace Be Still.” Johnnie Taylor was featured on the original of “When The Gates Swing Open,” revived on this new album with a blues-tinged rendition by Eddie Huffman. The famous Soul Stirrers harmonies that set the trend for so many others in the gospel world are also reflected in the stirring new upbeat original tracks—“Going To A Meeting,” and “I’m Still Here”—both written by project producer and guest vocalist, Darrell Luster of the Sensational Nightingales.

The line-up for A SOUL STIRRING REUNION consists of longtime member LeRoy Crume who first joined the Stirrers in 1955, brother Arthur who began playing guitar with the group in 1965, Eddie Huffman, a Soul Stirrer off and on since 1973, Willie Rogers, a member at different times since 1965, and Reverend Luther Gamble, who first joined the group in 1974.

LeRoy Crume, whose individual credits include work with Aretha Franklin and The Staple Singers, recalls that the group was approached in late 2007 by Malaco Records, long a bastion for traditional and contemporary gospel music. “The group had been doing performances here and there, somewhat sparingly, but we always stayed in touch,” says Crume. “I’d been away from the music business for a while, so at first, I was a little cool towards the idea but once I got together with the other guys in the group and we met with Malaco, the juices started flowing again.”

Malaco Records executive D.A. Johnson notes that A SOUL STIRRING REUNION follows a similar project the label did with The Caravans. “As a company known for working with the legends in gospel music, we felt it was important not just for traditional gospel but for music in general to have a new recording by The Soul Stirrers,” says Johnson. “There’s no bigger name in the quartet genre than The Soul Stirrers.”

The Soul Stirrers are considered pioneers, trendsetters and trailblazers in the world of music, bringing inspiration and joy to church congregations, concert hall audiences and festival-goers for a remarkable eight decades. Honored in 1989 by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of ‘Rock’s Early Influences,’ The Soul Stirrers are justifiably remembered as one of gospel music’s premier vocal quartets.

The group was formed in 1926 in Trinity, Texas led by Silas Roy Crain with lead singer Rebert H. “Pop” Harris, and moved to Chicago in 1936, where they became one of the very first gospel groups to travel and charge admission for their performances. The Soul Stirrers’ commanding vocal style and incomparable harmonies, quickly earned them name recognition and during the ‘40s, the group became known, in particular, for having two lead singers within its ranks. The arrival of Sam Cooke in 1951, replacing R.H. Harris who was featured on the group’s very first recordings for Specialty Records, dramatically changed the appeal of The Soul Stirrers. With his dashing good looks, Cooke quickly became gospel music’s first heartthrob, stepping out on an immediate and huge hit for the group, “Jesus Gave Me Water.” This would be the first of many classic songs Sam Cooke would deliver that helped create a lasting repertoire for The Soul Stirrers. After Cooke left in 1957 to pursue a secular career, he was replaced by former Highway QC’s vocalist Johnnie Taylor, who also left the group in 1961 after five successful years fronting the group to pursue a solo career in R&B. Other vocalists featured during the group’s illustrious history include J.J. Farley, Paul Foster, Martin Jacox and Julius Cheeks.

A SOUL STIRRING REUNION is a fitting reminder of The Soul Stirrers’ prominence in the gospel music genre and features heartfelt music that genuinely stirs the soul.

For more information on The Soul Stirrers and A SOUL STIRRING REUNION, please visit their MySpace page (www.myspace.com/soulstirrersunion).