POWERHOUSE VERITY RECORDS

MAINTAINS #1, #2 AND #3 SPOTS ON BILLBOARD’S GOSPEL ALBUM CHART FOR 4^TH CONSECUTIVE WEEK

 Vickie Winans’ Verity debut “Bringing It All Together” No.1 again this week, while Verity’s signature compilation “WOW Gospel 2003” stays at No.2 and Donnie McClurkin at No. 3

Verity Records maintains a 25% share of the Gospel chart and 43% of sales this week and claims the No. 1, 2, and 3 spots for the 4^th week

New York, NY – July 2, 2003 – For the fourth week in a row, Verity Records has dominated Billboard’s Top Black Gospel chart with their strong 1^st and 2^nd quarter releases. Vickie Winans’ “Bringing It All Together,” debuted at No.1 in its first week and has held on to the top slot for three consecutive weeks. Rounding out the top three are the successful WOW GOSPEL 2003 compilation, a 2-disc set that features Gospel’s top acts; and Platinum-selling artist Donnie McClurkin’s latest “Again.”

"We’re ecstatic to have such a powerful roster of artists that can effect the mainstream appeal of Gospel music…artists like Vickie Winans and Donnie McClurkin personify the truest elements of what Gospel is and do it in a way that connects with a broad audience,” said Max Siegel, President of Verity Records & VP Zomba Music Group.  “Also, with our popular and established brand of WOW Gospel projects, we continue to heighten the visibility of gospel music in the general marketplace.”

The label has held on to the top three slots for 7 of the last 8 weeks and continues to command the charts.  According to Soundscan of the Top 40 Gospel albums, Verity controls 25% of the Gospel chart, with 11 albums in the top 40 including five in the Top 10 with Hezekiah Walker’s “Family Affair II: Live At Radio City Music Hall” and Deitrick Haddon’s “Lost & Found” and in the number 9 and 10 slots respectively.  Verity Records retains the largest market share in Gospel for this week and consists of 43% of the overall sales in the genre.

Established in 1994, Verity Records (part of the Zomba Group of Labels) is currently the largest Gospel label in the United States and has made a lasting impression to the recording industry and listening public, becoming the premiere source for quality recorded Gospel music. Home to several successful Gospel artists such as long time labelmates, Fred Hammond, John P. Kee, Hezekiah Walker, The Canton Spirituals, Ben Tankard and Richard Smallwood, Verity has also announced many important signings over the last few years, including mainstays Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp and Vickie Winans.  The label also demonstrates its diversity by representing Gospel’s future with contemporary artists Deitrick Haddon, Tonex, Virtue and Debra Killings.