Gospel Artist James Fortune Granted Visitation Rights After Being Charged with Domestic Violence

Gospel music's choir director James Fortune was arrested and charged last year for domestic violence.  Now the Judge has granted Fortune's request to visit his children with members of his wife's family present.  

Last year James Fortune was charged with domestic violence for hitting his wife with a barstool that landed her in the hospital. Fortune's wife, Cheryl, told the judge that the kids were present when the supposed incident occurred. Cheryl was admitted to the emergency room at St. Luke's Sugar Land with apparent broken bones, minor injury, and possible internal injuries.

This was not the first time Fortune has been violent at home. Twelve years ago, Fortune pleaded guilty to punishing his 4-year-old stepson by putting him in boiling hot water.

James Fortune & FIYA's highly anticipated debut CD, "You Survived" was released in September 2004. He was honored at the 19th annual ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards for his hit single "You Survived" off the same album. "You Survived" also peaked as the No. 2 most played Gospel song in the country and has remained in the Top 7 for the last 3 years. The radio single, "God Can" features Micah Stampley and upcoming gospel artist Zacardi Cortez. James Fortune received a 2006 ASCAP Writers Award for "You Survived" alongside some of music's finest like L.L. Cool J., Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin and J. Moss. FIYA has been nominated four years in a row for the Texas Gospel Youth & Young Adult Choir of the year. They have been featured on Eric Carrington's album, "Soar". 

James Fortune and F.I.Y.A.'s second project on Black Smoke Music World Wide (formerly World Wide), "The Transformation", was released January 22, 2008. The first single "I Trust You" is dominating Gospel radio with 25 weeks straight at No. 1 and counting. Because of its crossover appeal, "I Trust You" was No. 30 on Urban AC charts and No. 1 at WBLI in New York City.

In 2012, James was nominated for two Grammy awards for Best Gospel Album of the Year and Best Gospel Song of Year, and topped Billboard's "Best of 2012 Gospel Songs/Artists List". In 2014, James Fortune released his first Live CD titled "Live Through It".

On an BET episode of "Lift Every Voice" host CoCo Brother, James Fortune is interviewed and reveals the history behind writing the hit song "I Trust You." In 2014, Fortune and FIYA released their first live recording, "Live Through It." The album was recorded in Atlanta, Georgia in front of an audience of 5,000 people.

 

 

 

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