Men Of Standard Sign with Sony Gospel/Sony Urban Music

The well-respected Men Of Standard (Isaac Carree, Bryan Pierce and Lowell Pye), contemporary gospel music's premier male vocal trio, have signed with Sony Gospel/Sony Urban Music.

Surrounded, the first new album from Men Of Standard since 2004's best-selling It's A New Day, is helmed by urban/gospel producer Warryn Campbell (Kanye West, Missy Elliott, Mary Mary, Michelle Williams) and slated for release on July 11 on Sony Urban Gospel/Columbia Records.

"Surrounded is definitely the most exciting and stress-free album we have ever done," said Men Of Standard founding member Isaac Carree. "Warryn Campbell's approach to music is amazing. Being with a label that understands and believes in your vision is the greatest feeling an artist can have, so we are going to make sure we provide Sony Gospel with great music as they help advance the vision of Men Of Standard."

"I think this album is the best we have ever done, from our singing to the writing," said original Men Of Standard member Lowell Pye. "Working with Warryn was incredible, he has just a great talent and has been called by God to do what he does. I'm very happy to be part of the Sony family and look forward to great things with them. We are so blessed to have this chance to share with the world the music and good news which God has given to us."

"We have just entered into our new season, with a new producer, a new album and a new label," said Bryan Pierce. "For me, it's a fresh start. We now have our second wind and it feels great!"

Men Of Standard have been carrying the good news of gospel music since the 1996 release of the group's self-titled debut album, which peaked at #22 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart. The group's sterling debut earned them the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) 1997 Vision Award for New Artist of the Year and the GMWA Excellence Award for Contemporary Group of the Year.

Three years later, Feels Like Rain, the second Men Of Standard album, peaked at #12 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart, earning the group two Stellar Awards and a second GMWA Contemporary Group of the Year trophy.

Men Of Standard have performed on bills with a Who's Who of contemporary Christian music artist's including Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Dawkins & Dawkins, Yolanda Adams and CCM trailblazer Michael W. Smith.

2002's Men Of Standard release, titled simply Vol. III, reached #14 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and became the first Men Of Standard album to crossover onto the Top Independent Albums chart.

It's A New Day, released in 2004, reached the #11 spot on the Top Gospel Albums chart, bringing the group's signature harmonies and passionate sounds of praise and worship to an ever-growing audience.

SOURCE: Sony Urban Gospel/Columbia Records

CONTACT: Tony Ferguson of Sony Urban Music, Senior Director, Media, New
York, +1-212-833-4595, Tony.Ferguson@sonybmg.com

Web site: http://www.columbiarecords.com/