Regina Belle: Love Forever Shines

Four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist REGINA BELLE will release her debut Gospel album LOVE FOREVER SHINES in-stores May 13 on the re-launch of Ruben Rodriguez' Pendulum Records in association with Walker Davis Entertainment, distributed by Fontana. The CD is executive produced by Ruben Rodriguez, Ray J. Davis and Chris Walker. She will debut LOVE FOREVER SHINES to congregations from coast to coast during a multi-city Church and Gospel Brunch Tour, presented by RushmoreDrive.com.

LOVE FOREVER SHINES features the first single, "God Is Good" that takes the listener on a journey back to the "ol' time, down home, take me to the river" gospel tradition. Already off to a great start at radio, "God Is Good" is again #1 Most Active Record at Gospel Radio 5X’s, approaching 500 spins, Again #1 Most Added Record at Gospel Radio this week and Top 10, at R&R - in 6 weeks. The single and video for" God Is Good" is available at iTunes.com, Amazon.com and all other digital outlets. The ringtone for "God Is Good" is available on April 15, text REGINA2A to 30303.

"Regina Belle is an exceptional artist," states Pendulum Records CEO and Founder Ruben Rodriguez. "We shared great success during our Columbia years and I'm looking forward to sharing more success with the release of LOVE FOREVER SHINES. It's truly a blessing to find us together again. 'God is Good,' generates major phones at radio. It's all very special."

LOVE FOREVER SHINES comprises 14 spirit-filled tracks including such songs as "Almost Slipped," "I Hope He Understands," "Victory," and "I Call On Jesus"featuring award-winning gospel artist Shirley Murdock. Belle, a noted songwriter in her own right, penned many of the songs featured on the project, while working alongside Chris Walker who produced and co-produced all but two songs on the CD. Musical talent seemingly runs in the family as her brother Bernard Belle, a well-known music industry songwriter, wrote, produced and arranged two of the album's tracks -- "God Is Good" and "Good To Be Loved." Award-winning Gospel artist, Melvin Williams (Williams Brothers) duets with Belle on the song,"Good To Be Loved" as well Williams' vocals can be heard accompanying her on background on the first single, "God Is Good."

"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.