ROYAL WEDDING CHOIR SIGNS MUSIC DEAL WITH SONY MUSIC UK
Written by Heartsong Live on 26th July 2018
KAREN GIBSON AND THE KINGDOM CHOIR SIGN TO SONY MUSIC UK IN LANDMARK DEAL
For the first time in almost 30 years, a British Gospel act has signed a direct deal with a major record label. Announced on Tuesday 24th July 2018 via Music Week, Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir have signed a deal with Sony and will be releasing their debut album in November.
It has been a great year for Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir. Since their marvellous performance at the Royal Wedding, The Kingdom Choir topped the Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs with their successful rendition of ‘Stand By Me‘ which has been viewed more than 10 million times on YouTube. This was a historical landmark for Karen and the UK Gospel scene as a whole – as no other UK Gospel Act has ever landed a #1 on Billboard prior to this.
Sony Music UK COO, Nicola Tuer said, “We are absolutely thrilled to have signed The Kingdom Choir to Sony. Along with the rest of the world, we were stunned by their incredible performance at the Royal Wedding, so we jumped at the chance to sign them.”
Karen Gibson, conductor of The Choir, commented, “The Kingdom Choir are absolutely delighted with the journey of the past few months! It’s been a roller coaster, but we wouldn’t have it any other way – first, the honour of being able to sing at the Royal Wedding, and then the thrill of being signed to Sony! It’s like an un-dreamt dream – one that you wouldn’t even consider, We’re very grateful and very excited about what’s to come in the next few months too…”
Sony Music are of course no strangers to British Gospel music. They previously had a distribution partnership with Integrity Music whilst Raymond & Co were on their roster. The label was also responsible for signing Bishop John Francis and the Inspirational Choir in the eighties, back when they were CBS Records. Other UK Gospel acts that have been signed to major record companies include the late Lavine Hudson and Paul Johnson who were both signed to Virgin Records.
“Stand By Me” the upcoming album (to also include the hit single) is available to pre-order on Amazon now!
