McClurkin to quit music business

NASHVILLE, March 21 (UPI) -- Gospel music superstar Donnie McClurkin saya he will retire from the music business after he completes his contract next year, Billboard.com reported.

The platinum-selling artist owes Verity Records one more album before his contract expires, Billboard said.

"I'm on my way out (and) 2006 should be the end of me, by 2007 I should be history," he said.

"I'm done and I have to pastor the church that I'm pastoring. That's my focus now," McClurkin said, referring to the Perfected Faith Church in Freeport, N.Y., that he founded four years ago.

Added McClurkin: "I want to concentrate on building people and going further than most people think to go in church. I'm interested in people who are on the street, that are disenchanted with church and devising ways of reaching them. God's allowed me to use my notoriety so far as a platform, but now I have to learn how to expand it from here."