The 14-track CD, which offers a wide range of music from traditional church music to contemporary gospel with and urban twist, was released on October 01, 2013.

The three members of the musically self-contained group—Terence Burton (lead vocalist, drummer and songwriter), Todd Burton(pianist and producer), and Darryl Brownlee (lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter)—grew up as “church boys” in Ohio, before embarking on a career in R&B music in the 1990s. In 2004, they returned to their gospel roots, but brought some of their R&B and hip-hop vibe with them, resulting in a unique and engaging musical style, with a message of hope and encouragement. That inspirational musical blend is on full display on the Church Muzik & Inspiration CD.

The album features praise and worship songs, traditional and contemporary gospel and inspirational music.However, in many ways, Half Mile Home’s powerful sound defies categorization.“It’s very difficult to put us into any certain box,” says Terence. “I would just say it’s God music. Instead of Rhythm & Blues, it’s Rhythm &Light. We definitely have rhythm, and we’re trying to show our light. We’remaking sure we show people that there’s a possibility to continue to let your light shine through Christ. We’re trying to do that on a daily basis.”

All of the songs on the CD were written by Half Mile Home members, particularly the musically gifted brothers, Terence and Todd. The lead single, “Change My Life,” with its R&B style and uplifting message, was released as a single in 2010 and was a hit on both gospel and urban radio. “One of the most difficult things people face in life is the need to change,” says the song’s writer, Terence. “This song reminds us that before we can change our lives, our direction, our habits and surroundings, we must first ask God to help us change ourselves.” Terence also penned the album’ s effervescent second single, “So Good,” which uses the tune from Billy Preston’s 1970s hit, “Nothing From Nothing,” as the bases of a song that celebrates how good God is. “The tune is familiar, so it grabs people’s attention,” he says. “They think we’re going to sing one thing, but then we’re talking about how good God is. Not enough people talk about how good God is, and we need to start talking more about it. We need to been encouraging. That’s one of the reasons I wrote this song.”

“Super Jesus” blends a contemporary gospel sound with the classic cultural theme of super heroes to convey the message that Jesus is who you call on when you are in need. “When we are in trouble, the first thing we do is call on Jesus—before we call 911, and we want people—especially young people—to understand that Jesus is the greatest superhero,” says Todd, who wrote the song. “We Worship Only You,” a simple but compelling contemporary praise and worship song,is followed by the foot-stomping, hand-clapping, traditional gospel quartet style song, “Won’t Let Him Go,” and “Call Him Up,” a traditional gospel Sunday morning worship song. “Testimony,” a song the group wrote together, riffs off of the Sunday morning testimonies that have traditionally been a part of the Sunday worship experience, but does it with an up-t0-date, harmonic R&B musical style. “What Would You Do” is a powerful and provocative song that challenges listeners to consider whether they would be willing to do what Jesus did—give their lives for the sake of the whole world. The last four songs on the album are offerings with a decidedly urban twist. Half Mile Home members describe the energetic and up-tempo “Let’s Get It Going,” as a “straight up praise party for Jesus song”, and it features local rapper 52 Keys. The R&B style “Anything For You,” and the hip-hop style “Even” both attest to the power of a loving and forgiving God. “Time,” the final song on the album, reminds people that our time on this earth is short, and admonishes us to use that time wisely by appreciating God’s gifts, such as family, and doing some good in the world.

“Our intention, when we were creating this album, was to have something that could minister to all people:the saved as well as the unsaved,” says Todd. “Our purpose for this particular album was to feature music that everybody could relate to. And with God leading us, we've been able to successfully put that together on this new project.”

Todd and Terence grew up in Akron, Ohio, as preacher’s kids, and had their musical beginnings in their grand mother’s church. He began playing piano at 12, but with his natural gift for the instrument, he soon learned to play piano and keyboards. “My grandmother’s church had all of those instruments and I would play them for service,” here calls. “But sometimes in church, I would play songs I had heard on the radio that morning—but that got Bibles thrown at me.” Terence started singing in church when he was three years old. “My grandmother saw my talent long before I did,” he says. “She would take me to the local radio station on Sunday morning sand I would sing ‘Amazing Grace’ live on the air.” But Terence’s early passion was for the drums. He played drums for the church for a long time before he got serious about singing when he was 15.

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Darryl comes from a musical family and was also raised in the church. His father,a preaching deacon, was also a singer, guitar player and the church choir director. His mother was a soloist in the church choir. His four siblings were lead singers in the choir. His brother, Lawrence Brownlee, is aworld-renowned opera singer. At the age of three, while standing on the offering table at church, Darryl performed his first solo. He w as also a member of Youngstown Connectionand America Sings Show Choir. Like Todd and Terence, Deaken had a love of bothsacred and secular music. “God shaped and molded me to be apart of this group,” he says. “God made my life story fall right into placewith the rest of the guys.”

Inspired and influenced by Ohio’smusic industry VIPs such as the O’Jays, the Ohio Players, Babyface, RogerTroutman & Zapp, Tracy Chapman, Macy Gray, Lakeside, and The Deele, as wellas hometown music idols Howard Hewitt and James Ingram, who both hail fromAkron, the group’s members set their sights on being the next successfulR&B group to come out of the Buckeye State. In the early 1990s, the groupwas on its way to fulfilling that dream when they landed a recording contractwith Dick Griffey’s legendary Solar Records, where the group was given theprovocative name, 1-900. Handling the production for 1-900’s debut album wasJodeci’s leader, Devanté Swing and his Swing Mob production team. With theirsmooth sound and tight harmonies, the group was gaining attention in theindustry. But not long after the release of their debut album, Solar Record sunexpectedly shuttered its doors, leaving the group without a home. Columbi aRecords picked up some of Solar’s artists, including 1-900, but the group did not like the direction they were going in, so they did not pen a deal.

In the mid-1990s, Terence, Todd, and Darryl decided to regroup, starting with changing the group’s name to After The Rain. During that time, some of the group members ventured out on their own. Terrencewas signed to Raphael Saadiq’s label, Pookie Records, as a solo artist. He also secured a position as a staff songwriter for the production company of Ohio luminaryKenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. The label never came through with an album for Terence,and he decided to turn his full attention to After The Rain.

The group again met with some success and went on tour with artists such as Anita Baker, Gerald Levert ,Ginuwine, Dru Hill, Next, Case and Michael Cooper, but over time it became evident that the group members didn't feel at home with the R&B lifestyle. It turned out that you can take the man out of the church, but you can’t take the church out of the man. “None of us smoke or drink and to see that, and some other things, on a consistent basis was really tough for us,” says Terence. “We had to hold each other accountable for what we stood for.” What the group members didn't understand at the time was that their actions were ministering to the other musicians. “When we would go around the other musicians, they would hide their cigarettes and their drinks,” Terence continues. “We didn't know that we were making witness to the fact that God is still in control and that our colleagues respected who we were.”

Their discomfort on the tour led to some serious soul searching among group members about the direction of their careers. Out of that process, came the decision to go back to their roots and transition from R&B to gospel. As they were preparing to change the focus of their music, the group literally got a sign that led to second name change.

“We were coming back to town after being on the road,” explains Darryl. “We knew that we were done with R&Band we had pretty much decided to do gospel music. As we were driving down the highway and getting closer to Akron, Terence saw a road sign that said we were a half a mile away from Akron, which meant we were a half mile from home. That was it. Half Mile Home fit us so perfectly. It spoke to our transition.”

In 2004, Half Mile Home’s debut gospel project, aptly named The Movement,was released by the esteemed label, Malaco Records. The album’s single, “Do It Again,” was a huge success, establishing them as rising gospel artists. The group travels around the country to minister to audiences in churches,concerts and community events. The group’s unique sound and high energy have attracted fans of all ages and a range of musical preferences.

Todd, Terence,and Darryl are not only successful musicians, they also are successful entrepreneurs. When the group isn't on the road or in the studio, they are working to make sure their businesses continue to thrive. Todd and Terence own's and operate Nex 2 New Appliances, a chain of seven stores in the state of Ohio.Darryl owns and operates Brownlee Lawnmower Repair Shop, an engine repair establishment.They also find ways to serve their churches and spend as much time as they can with their families.

The members of Half Mile Home have no regrets about their decision to walk away from their R&B dreams and use their talents to serve God. “God doesn't need us, he chooses us, therefore, I want to let my light shine so people will see the God in me,”says Darryl. “All that he has placed in me must be used for the glory of God. You never know what someone else is going through. The word needs to be heard,” he added. “At the end of the day, the idea is to be active and bless people by using your art to tell what God is doing for you,” says Darryl. Todd agrees. “R&B just wasn't where we felt we needed to be. We knew that we were supposed to be doing something different. And we came back to do it for the glory of God, and we’re here to stay.”

www.halfmilehome.com