Michael English's fall from grace came with the swiftness of divine vengeance.
Two days after he won gospel music's highest honor, the Christian singer's world came tumbling down over an affair with another married gospel artist, now pregnant with his child."I feel it is necessary to announce my withdrawal from the Christian music industry because of mistakes that I have recently made," English announced last week. "I am a human being, and I have failed. I ask your forgiveness."
In the world of gospel music, where fans expect righteousness offstage as well as on, it's not certain whether forgiveness will be forthcoming.
The woman in the affair, Marabeth Jordon, was dumped by her group, First Call.
English returned the six Dove Awards - including top entertainer and top male vocalist - that he had won days earlier from the Gospel Music Association.
His record label, Warner Alliance, said it would drop all promotion, marketing and sales of his records.
And some gospel radio stations dropped him from their playlists.
At the Target store in suburban Brentwood, English's records sold out the day after the Dove Awards were presented, before the controversy hit.
"I bought one myself," assistant manager Kathy Fahner said. But she said she probably wouldn't have after hearing of the English-Jordon affair.
"I love the tape," she said. "It's just hard to think about."
In Nashville, self-proclaimed Buckle of the Bible Belt, the news hit like a punch in the gut.
The city is home of the contemporary Christian music scene. Its roots include a church on Music Row - two avenues packed with country music studios, publishers and record labels - where Amy Grant used to play her guitar.
Christian music grew to a $500 million industry as stars like Grant and Michael W. Smith gained worldwide fame with pop songs bearing religious messages. English, 32, was next in line.