[2] Public recognition for the artist commenced with the success of Rain on Us (2009) and I Need Your Glory (2011),[3] and he subsequently attained the title of "Gospel Music's Leading Man".
His father, Earnest Pugh Sr., worked at a Firestone plant in Flint, Michigan and commuted to see his family on weekends.
"Her death a few years ago hit me hard but I used that pain to inspire my writing on my last two CDs" January 2013 During his late teens, Pugh briefly sang with the Grammy Award-winning gospel choir, O'Landa Draper & The Associates.
"[4] After retiring from the military, Pugh held a number of positions with churches as a worship leader in Texas and Georgia.
His first album, Earnest Pugh Live: A Worshipper's Perspective, was released via a distribution agreement with Detroit's Crystal Rose Records label.
"Pugh is a pointed and slick singer (and dresser), and for most of this strong album he provides a solid center while his backup choir sings in hushed and reverent tones", Jon Carmanica wrote in The New York Times.