Branden Anderson believes that everything happens for a reason.

As the founder and keyboardist of Richmond gospel group G.I. (aka God's Image), Anderson is confident that the 10 years it took the quartet to record its first national CD was time well-spent learning, making mistakes and growing.

He's also unruffled about the fact that the performance and interview that G.I. taped for BET's "106 & Gospel" was postponed a week and is now expected to run today at noon on the cable channel.

"It will be even better [if it airs] this Sunday because the CD comes out the next day," Anderson said. "We're a faith-based group, so we always believe things happen when they should."

Currently, the upbeat "Get Up," the first single from their self-titled nationally distributed debut, is making some noise on the Billboard and Radio & Records gospel charts, while the video for the song is in heavy rotation on BET and the Gospel Music Channel.

Anderson, 27, is the oldest of G.I., which also includes his brother Marlon, 24, on bass; Lamonte Harris, 22, on drums; and Curtis Langley, 26, also on keyboards.

All of the members attended Henrico High School and have been playing together since 1998.

Over the years, they've released a couple of locally produced EPs, performed at churches, on Bobby Jones' show on the Word network and also at Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's inauguration in 2006, where they shared the stage with the Beach Boys.

Tomorrow, their debut gets its official launch with a free performance at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Baptist Church at 4247 Creighton Road.

The album, which will be available at retailers nationwide and also digitally (http://www.myspace.com/gi4) was recorded primarily in Tacoma, Wash., because the band wanted to work with producer Derrick L. Wade, who has worked with Ruben Studdard, among other artists.

"He really gave us a sound that left us smiling," Anderson said.

After its Richmond performance tomorrow, G.I. will embark on a weeklong publicity tour of Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore and Atlanta before heading on to more regional shows at churches, Christian clubs and, the band hopes, some universities.

"We have issues that we want to spread about the gospel of Jesus Christ, but we want to spread the message of striving and reaching for your goals and dreams," Anderson said. "There's nothing special about us, but we worked hard. If we can do it, anybody can."

Contact Melissa Ruggieri at (804) 649-6120 or .