Ron Isley: Mr. Big Released From the Big House

R&B icon Ronald Isley, of the legendary group The Isley Brothers, is home from prison after completing a three-year sentence for tax evasion.

The 68-year-old singer was released on April 13, after a 2006 trial found him guilty of five counts of tax evasion and one count of willful failure to file a tax return.

The 'Contagious' singer requested a reduced sentence for health issues – he cited complications from a stroke and a bout with kidney cancer, but ultimately it was denied because the judge deduced that Isley was a "serial tax avoider."

Isley was also ordered to pay $3.1 million in back taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.

During a radio interview following his release, Isley revealed that he worked in the chapel while in prison, which inspired him to want to record a gospel CD.

"I was working at the chapel, and I did gospel shows every week and that kept me up," he said.

The singer, whose last CD was 2006's 'Baby Makin' Music,' also wants to record a new R&B CD for Def Jam Classics.

"I'm working on another album, and this album is going to mean so much. I've been thinking about it for three years and wondering what it was going to be like and what it was going to be like to sing certain songs. ...And now I've got the chance to do that," he shared, before adding, "Some of the people that I'm working with on this album will be Lauryn Hill, T.I., Rick Ross and Burt Bacharach."

The Cincinnati-bred singer will perform for the first time on May 8 at a concert in Atlantic City and will later appear on the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage seven-day cruise, beginning on May 16.

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For related stories, read also: 'Sly Stone: Funk Icon Files $50 Million Lawsuit Against Former Manager'

& 'Jill Scott: Countersues Record Company.'

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