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.