Check your local PBS listings to catch In Performance At The White House: A Celebration Of Music From The Civil Rights Movement TONIGHT (in most cities, at 8pm ET/7pm CST).

Yolanda Adams was among those fortunate enough to sing before President Obama in the Civil Rights concert celebration.  She performed Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” to an audience in the White House’s East Room.  PBS has already posted some of the performances on YouTube.

Personally, I’m not thrilled with the song choice– I generally think of this song as one intended for a gravely male voice, not a pure, clean and soaring voice like Yolanda’s.  But after just a short time, she definitely captivated the audience with her sound and her message.  Something about the tune even made Mr. President snuggle up with the Mrs. about 1 minute in (I just LOVE them!).

Other performances came from Jennifer Hudson & Smokey Robinson (“People Get Ready” – click here to watch it), the Blind Boys Of Alabama, Bob Dylan, Seal, Natalie Cole and more.

It looks like the same house band that played last year when Mary Mary performed at The White House in tribute to Stevie Wonder (which would also be the house band of American Idol).  Musical direction is coming from Rickey Minor and I think I spotted Teddy Campbell (husband of Tina Campbell, from Mary Mary) on the drums.  So, you see… all things come back to Mary Mary. LOL

Okay, tune in tonight to catch the full performance.  I’m just thrilled that President Obama hosts so many great concerts and parties… wonder why he didn’t invite me… must’ve gotten lost in the mail.  It’s cool.

As funny as some of this may sound, I promise I’m not joking.

Word has it that Clarence Fountain, frontman of the Blind Boys of Alabama, is leaving the group that he co-founded 60 years ago, citing “creative differences.”

According to GospelFlava.com, Fountain (age 79) is taking the band’s guitarist, Sam Butler, with him to form a NEW group– Clarence Fountain, Sam Butler & The Boys!

And what’s more– the new group’s debut album is APTLY titled Stepping Up & Stepping Out, and will be released on August 25th.

What the world?!

Who watched the the Grammys???

My predictions were actually rather on point.  I was 4 for 7!

See below.   The winners are in GREEN.  The folks I said are in YELLOW (unless I was right, in which case… just in GREEN, folks).

Best Gospel Performance

“I Understand” by Kim Burrell, Rance Allen, Bebe Winans & Mariah Carey
Track from: Randy Jackson’s Music Club, Volume One

“East To West” by Casting Crowns
Track from: The Altar And The Door Live

“Get Up” by Mary Mary
Track from: The Sound

“Shall We Gather At The River” by Take 6
Track from: The Standard

“Waging War” by CeCe Winans
Track from: Thy Kingdom Come

EJ SAYS:  A little surprised by this, but I don’t think folks got it wrong.  Good job, Marys!

Best Gospel Song

“Cover Me” - James L. Moss, songwriter (21:03 With Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful & J Moss)

“Get Up” – Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Warryn Campbell & Eric Dawkins, songwriters (Mary Mary)

“Give Me Your Eyes” – Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram, songwriters (Brandon Heath)

“Help Me Believe” – Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)

“You Reign” – Jim Bryson, Steven Curtis Chapman, Nathan Cochran, Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Mike Scheuchzer & Robby Shaffer, songwriters (MercyMe)

EJ SAYS:  Saw this comin’ a mile away.  The man writes a good song (I don’t care if you think you’ve heard it before!).  Lyrically, he does the whole “transparency” thing better than most songwriters.  Kudos!

Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album

Hello - After Edmund

Our World Redeemed - Flame

We Need Each Other – Sanctus Real

Rock What You Got – Superchick

Alive And Transported – TobyMac

EJ SAYS:  Called it.  Makes me wanna get the album… anyone have it already?  How is it???

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

This Moment – Steven Curtis Chapman

What If We – Brandon Heath

Opposite Way – Leeland

Hello Love – Chris Tomlin

Thy Kingdom Come – CeCe Winans

EJ SAYS:  I really didn’t think they’d give it to CeCe Winans in THIS category, but it kinda confirms what I’ve been thinking– she may be the only superstar artist able to do both CCM and Gospel, and be accepted in both.  Others may dabble, but I dunno if they really succeed.

Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album

Room For More – Booth Brothers

Lovin’ Life – Gaither Vocal Band

Steps To Heaven – Charlie Louvin

Hymned Again – Bart Millard

Ephesians One – Karen Peck & New River

EJ SAYS:  Duh.  I said GAITHER!

Best Traditional Gospel Album

Down In New Orleans – The Blind Boys Of Alabama

I’ll Say Yes – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Take It Back – Dorinda Clark-Cole

Deitrick Haddon Presents . . . Together In Worship – Voices Of Unity

Bishop Charles E. Blake Presents… No Limit – The West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir

EJ SAYS:  I was surprised, but then not at all.  I mentioned name recognition a while ago… for some reason, The Blind Boys of Alabama are what gospel music is all about to many people in mainstream music.  And it’s not to say that they don’t deserve it, but I’ve known atheists who’ve said to me “wait… you like gospel music… have you heard of The Blind Boys of Alabama?”  I’ll allow it.

Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album

Reflections – Jason Champion

The Fight Of My Life – Kirk Franklin

The Sound – Mary Mary

Donald Lawrence Introduces: Family Prayer – The Murrills

Stand Out – Tye Tribbett & G.A.

EJ SAYS:  I said my prediction was gonna be controversial, but it was also RIGHT on the money.  Great albums all around (though, someone called me off-the-record to say “now you KNOW so-and-so shouldn’t be on that list”).

* * * * *

How accurate were you???  What did you think of the winners?