LOS ANGELES, CA JANUARY 20, 2006 -— In the wake of recent controversy over the issue of embellishments and unverified facts in author James Frey’s best-selling book, “A Million Little Pieces,” Christian prison evangelist Marty Angelo today spoke out in support of television talk show host Oprah Winfrey and her stand on the “redemptive” value of Frey’s controversial best-seller.

Angelo has recently finished writing a book entitled, “Once Life Matters: A New Beginning,” chronicling the true story of his struggle as a major entertainment industry executive caught up in a life of drugs, booze, rock/disco music, and a six-year sentence to a federal prison for possession and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

“I think Oprah should be commended for not only standing behind her ‘redemptive’ remarks regarding Frey’s book, but also for her willingness to keep the book on her ‘Oprah’s Book Club’ picks list,” said Angelo during a recent Christian drug rehab founder’s meeting.

While Angelo does not condone the inclusion of fictional elements in a book marketed as non-fiction, he says, “The controversy surrounding the recent accusations that Frey embellished some of his statements in his book is relatively minor compared to the fact this man claims he cleared one of the biggest hurdles in his life—his substance abuse. That’s the bottom line issue.”

“Right now the media seems to be negatively attacking the messenger instead of concentrating on promoting the positive message of redemption, as Oprah so clearly points out,” Angelo adds. “In terms of the benefit to readers as a self-help book, the message is the key issue, not the minor story details: overcoming addiction.”

“Oprah should be applauded for being a willing vessel, as all she really seems to want to do is help people.” Angelo adds, “I honesty do not think she does this type of thing just for the money. She is well beyond that and has proven herself time after time."

As a professing evangelical Christian, Angelo naturally offers a very different perspective on redemption than does Frey, who rejects belief in a Supreme Being. Angelo’s book focuses on the Christian message of redemption that Jesus continues to change people’s lives, one at a time, taking away the yearning for abusing substances and replacing it with love, peace, and the desire of one’s hearts. “It’s great that Mr. Frey had the will power to just say “No,” but not everyone can white-knuckle it through recovery on their own strength,” says Angelo.”

Despite the difference in approaches, Angelo agrees with Frey that people were not created to be in bondage to addictions. “I applaud the fact that he’s bold enough to stand up and proclaim that he does not have to continue to be a slave to drugs or alcohol. When I speak in prisons, I see the direct result and consequences of living a life of substance abuse. I know; I was one of them."

ABOUT MARTY ANGELO

http://www.martyangelo.com/discography.htm.

Press inquiries should be directed to his publicist, Anne Sharp, at (818) 994-2309.

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