LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Oscar nominated, multiple GRAMMY®, Stellar and GMA Dove Award winner and GMA Hall of Famer Andrae Crouch will release his 18th album, The Journey, in stores May 17, 2011. His new single, “The Promise,” is sold exclusively at Walmart.

The new single
is released by Riverphlo Entertainment and distributed by Universal
Music Christian Group. Riverphlo Entertainment’s founder, President and
CEO Luther “Mano” Hanes signed Andrae Crouch to his new label in 2010. “It is very simple. It is the greatest honor in the world to sign Andrae Crouch
to Riverphlo,” said Hanes. “I am playing music today because of him. I
learned how to play piano by imitating him when I was six years old. I
studied all of his records, all day long.”  

The single CD
package of “The Promise” includes the single, an instrumental version,
an instrumental version with background vocals, “The Promise” video, a
video with a personal message from Crouch and a PDF copy of the sheet
music.  The digital version of single is sold at Walmart.com, iTunes,
Amazon and all other online retail outlets.  The digital single includes
the same components as the physical CD, with the exception of the sheet
music.

“The Promise”
is written by Crouch and Hanes, an award-winning producer, who is also
the creator and executive producer for the CD project. “He has always
been progressive, prolific and ahead of his time,” said Hanes. “He
dominated radio during his time in the industry, but that was not the
thing that made him great. What made him great was how his songs
exploded and took deep root inside the church—no mater what color or
denomination. His songs were made great by the churches all over the
world. When I thought of this project, it was very important that we
start off with a song that spoke to the state of the world today, the
times we are living in and how we really need to hear from God. The body
of Christ needs to be reassured of God’s promise to His people.  I felt
this song was the perfect song for the body of Christ in this hour.”

As a testament to Crouch’s music legacy, Riverphlo Entertainment presented “The Promise” Choir Competition, running now through June 30, 2011. “The Promise” Choir Competition is open to church and community choirs in the US, Puerto Rico and Canada. All participants must be at least 18 years of age or older.

The winning
choir will receive numerous prizes, including a two song recording
digital deal with Riverphlo Entertainment. The label will also handle
the marketing and promotion for the winning choir’s digital release. The
songs will be produced by Crouch and Hanes.  The winning choir will
have the opportunity to appear in Andrae Crouch‘s
upcoming documentary film. Both Crouch and Hanes will come to the
winning choir’s city/community to conduct a music workshop on
songwriting, production and music ministry. The winning choir will have
the option of Crouch and Hanes appearing and/or participating at the
winning choir’s sponsored concert in their city/community. In addition,
the winning choir will have the opportunity to participate in various
local and national media opportunities with Crouch. The winning choir
will also receive music and sound equipment from a leading music
supplier. For further information on the competition, please visit www.riverphlo.com.