Artistry and performance excellence have been Edward Jerome (EJ) Pullen's trademarks since childhood, when he quickly established himself as one of Memphis' premier young R&B stars as an 11-year-old in local talent shows. Though he hails from the streets of Parkway Village, Pullen grew up in a solid family under the loving guidance and leadership of Mary Pullen Bright and Robert Bright. His ability was such he was soon embraced by the city's top talents, who took him under their wing. Most notable among them was the late, great Willie Mitchell, whose incredible resume includes a host of immortal albums produced for the legendary Rev. Al Green. 

But in seeking fame and recognition, Pullen also embraced a darker side. It began when he sold drugs in the Sheffield community, while also being a gang leader. Still, despite leading this double life, he steadily increased his notoriety and reputation as both a performer and promoter. Pullen presented shows featuring such Memphis music greats as the Bar-Kays, the Mad Lads, Toni Greene, J. Blackfoot, and special guests like Outkast. He would simultaneously open these shows with his band the Pullen Project, thus building a base for both them and his singular sound. 

They became successful, with a huge overseas audience in Europe, Japan, Australia and South Africa. At the same time they were making inroads throughout the South. They steadily built their popularity in cities like Clarksdale, Biloxi, Jackson, Atlanta, Memphis, and Little Rock. Eventually the Pullen Project extended its reach to Midwestern sites like Detroit, Chicago and Kansas City, and later into the Southwest (Dallas) and Pacific Northwest (Seattle). EJ Pullen seemed destined for greatness. However, he'd never abandoned the drug game, and had been distributing to help keep his active career going. Inevitably, this got the authorities' attention. Pullen managed to dodge them for two years, but finally surrendered in Seattle, in large part because he wanted to complete his second project, and straighten out his life.

EJ Pullen eventually spent 12 years in a Federal Correctional Center in California. While incarcerated, he worked hard to finally complete that second project, which contains his new single, the original composition “Make Me Say Oh." Since serving his time and being released, Pullen has vowed to help prevent others from duplicating the mistakes that landed him behind bars. He's very active in the community, and has formed a partnership with a local non-profit organization that mentors and works with young Black men on positive ways to succeed in society. Pullen's also a big education advocate. Proceeds from the new project "Lost In Times" will sponsor scholarships to defray tuition costs for college and aid further educational development for young Black men. In addition, three percent of "Lost In Times" proceeds will go to the "Healed The Hood" organization. 

EJ Pullen's future looks bright. His single "Make Me Say "Oh" will officially be released September 7 at the Slim House in Memphis, right across from the Stax Museum. “Lost In Times" will be issued this October, and a career that once seemed destined for early stardom can now bloom and flourish again.