The biggest names in Gospel music such as mega stars Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Vickie Winans, John P. Kee, Hezekiah Walker, Richard Smallwood, The Canton Spirituals and many, many others now call Verity home. This one record label is responsible for shaping; expanding and redefining the way people listen to and perceive Gospel music.  Verity celebrates it’s 10th Anniversary this year marking an entire decade of success!

Verity Records simply raised the bar for the entire genre.  Although there were hit songs and stars before Verity, there has never been a stellar collection of artists that was coupled with an effective and well-oiled machine like Verity. It was that one-two punch that Gospel has never seen, gathering the most respected executive talent with the genre’s most powerful music ministries.

It all started when indie label Jive Records, signed Vanessa Bell Armstrong, an out of this world, soulful, contemporary female Gospel vocalist. In 1993, Armstrong recorded the album “Something On The Inside,” which featured a duet with then Tyscot recording artist John P. Kee. So impressive was collaboration that it sparked a genuine interest in the genre in former Zomba Chairman Clive Calder. 

At the end of 1993 and the label was inauspiciously launched with just two artists … Vanessa Bell Armstrong and John P. Kee.   The first VERITY release was John P. Kee’s solo effort “Colorblind” released on April 26, 1994. 

If the actual start date for the label was December 1994, the label’s true coming out party was the release of John P. Kee and New Life Community Choir’s “Show Up,” the definitive album that set the standard for contemporary Gospel singers and choirs across the board. That record was subsequently certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), a first for both John P. Kee and Verity Records.   

“It was a massive hit,” said James “Jazzy” Jordan, today Verity’s Sr. Vice President & General Manager. Jordan joined Verity in its infancy in late 1994 to bring his mainstream experience to the new label.  “It marked the genuine beginning of Verity and it represented the way the label came together … a result of the partnership we first made with Tyscot & John P. Kee.  That album being so successful is what established us immediately as being ministry first and secondly as what our staff can achieve in this marketplace.”

In their early days, Verity Records was determined to be successful and to make its mark.  They entered into several different partnerships including the landmark release, “Tribute to Rosa Parks,” a special project that was released on the 40th Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.  The historic project, released in 1995 was inspired by Parks’ book United Through Strength.  Garnering tremendous visibility and mainstream media attention, the album helped put Verity Records on the map. 

The label’s goal to advance and enhance the Gospel genre, was certainly buoyed by it’s acquisition of Benson Records.  The former Gospel label was purchased by Zomba (Verity’s parent company at the time) in December 1996 which bolstered the labels roster to include some of Gospel’s principal names such as Commissioned, Hezekiah Walker, Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, and Ben Tankard. The deal brought together all the current and important Gospel artists under one roof, solidifying the label’s presence in the marketplace. 

Max Siegel was named the label’s President in the summer of 2001. He quickly made changes and signings that made an immediate impact.  From the sidelines to the frontlines; Siegel has been a champion for Verity from the start.  “I get so passionate about this label, because I’ve honestly been a part of it from the beginning,” said Siegel. “As an attorney, I’ve represented 7 out of the first 8 artists signed to the label … it’s a part of me.”

Today, Verity is responsible for 42% of all sales in Black Gospel music; and often maintains 40-45% of Billboard’s Top Black Gospel Chart. With eight Gold records and five Platinum records, Verity Records confirms its position as the country’s #1 Gospel label.

Looking forward to the next ten years, the label will release an ambitious 2-volume double CD sets (that’s 4 CD’s) honoring the past 10 years of Verity’s success.  Entitled, VERITY THE FIRST DECADE; the CD’s include such hits as “We Fall Down,” “Healing,” “We’re Blessed,” “Awesome God,” “God Has Not 4Got,” and so many more!   Hitting shelves on June 22, 204, the simultaneous release for both volumes will be an absolute ‘must-have’ for any Gospel fan.  Forging ahead, the label also announced recently major signings with Donald Lawrence, Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, and new group 7 Sons of Soul; who’s potential to flourish, very much like the label as a whole, is unimaginable.  
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