Richmond, Virginia’s native sons, G.I., continues to make strides with their debut CD “God’s Image” (BGA/Blacksmoke/Worldwide) which has upcoming editorial coverage pending in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Right On! and CBA Marketplace.

The infectious, head-bopping radio smash “Get Up” is really breaking ground for the group. The video of the song is in heavy rotation on MTV.com, the Gospel Music Channel and Black Entertainment Television (BET). Now, the song has broken out on WUKS KISS 107.7 FM in Fayetteville, NC. The station moniker is “Your Home for Smooth R&B and Classic Soul.” The group just returned home from performing at the 27th annual Fayetteville Dogwood Festival where they shared the bill with R&B stars such as Urban Mystic, Rich Girl and Ray J.

E2I’m so thrilled,” says group founder Branden Anderson. “The video is getting played in all kinds of places that you don’t see gospel videos getting played. The video is even getting played in athletic stores like Footlocker and CHAMPS.” Meanwhile, the single has just cracked the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart at #39 with a bullet.

“I feel GI is the next big thing,” says Blacksmoke/Worldwide CEO Kerry Douglas. “Their message is relevant and able to reach the young and the old. These guys have a unique gift to reach both the churched and the unchurched.”  The dynamic band has been in existence for a decade and as a result, they’ve become close as brothers. There’s Branden Anderson on keyboards and his brother Marlon Anderson on bass, Lamonte Harris on drums, and Curtis Langley on keyboards. In addition to playing their own beats, the band sings, dances and writes their own material. The group came together in 1998 when Branden was a high school senior.

Richmond, Virginia’s hometown heroes, G.I., has charted nationally with their debut CD “God’s Image.” The Blacksmoke/ Worldwide/ BGA Music Group release came in at #36 on the Billboard gospel album sales chart and continues to build momentum.

“I feel GI is the next big thing,” says Blacksmoke/Worldwide CEO Kerry Douglas. “Their message is relevant and able to reach the young and the old. These guys have a unique gift to reach both the churched and the unchurched.”  It’s a situation that’s been ten years in the making. The dynamic band has been in existence for a decade and as a result, they’ve become close as brothers. There’s Branden Anderson on keyboards and his brother Marlon Anderson on bass, Lamonte Harris on drums, and Curtis Langley on keyboards. In addition to playing their own beats, the band sings, dances and writes their own material. The group came together in 1998 when Branden was a high school senior.

The rousing first single “Get Up” is already making its way up the Radio & Records national gospel airplay chart. The energetic video is currently in rotation on Black Entertainment Television (BET) and just the kind of warm vibe to help us usher in the spring.

G.I.’s full-length album will is now available!. Written mostly by members of G.I., “GOD’S IMAGE” (the CD) has something for everyone, including teenagers, young adults, and the grown and mature audience. It embraces various styles of gospel music, including contemporary and traditional. In addition to “Get Up,” their contemporary-meets-traditional smash hit “Something Got A Hold of Me” will have everyone on their feet shouting for the Lord. “Temptation” is another cut from the CD that will undeniably be another fan favorite.

You can purchase your copy at Best Buy, FYE, Wal-Mart, Amazon.com, iTunes and more!  Get your copy today!

After just 1 week on Gospel Music Channel, GI’s video “Get Up” shot to the  #2 position on the pop charts, and #12 on the general combined charts! Now, for over 2 months, it has retained the No. 1 position on the Gospel Music Channel Pop Charts, and the No. 4 position on the overall Charts! BGA Music Group President and CEO Branden Anderson says “We are excited to see the preliminary buzz surrounding the video. We had an awesome crew to work with on this video. We are all celebrating.”

Black Smoke Music/World Wide CEO, Kerry Douglas says “this video will be a favorite among G.I.’s fans across the country and will surely attract even more fans from all walks of life. This video will take the group to new heights because it showcases their God given abilities as performers. I wouldn’t surprise if the video causes the song to crossover from Gospel to the Urban AC charts. These guys have a unique gift to reach both the churched and the unchurched. They will use their gifts to take the world by storm.”

In the world of radio, GI’s single “Get Up” is at 80+ spins its first week out!

Keep your eyes open because GI is definitely landing strong onto the music scene. Tune into GI’s reality show “GI’s Journey” at www.youtube.com/gisjourney.

Title / Artist / Album
1.     Get Up    /   GI    /    God's Image
2.     Never Going Back To OK    /   The Afters    /    Never Going Back To OK
3.     Get Out Of My Way (Dark Child Remix)    /   Julius Petty    /    Thank You Next Plateau
4.     Time For Change    /   21:03    /    Total Attention
5.     Not Afraid    /   Stephanie Smith    /    Not Afraid
6.     One In A Million    /   Run Kid Run    /    Love At The Core
7.     Such A Time    /   Flynn Adam    /    Such A Time