This year’s installment of the ever-popular compilation project, WOW Gospel, remains at #1 for the second week at Billboard.

We also see Le’Andria Johnson’s latest effort experience a sales rise, from its #4 debut last week to the #2 position.

Here’s the rest of Billboard’s Top 10 in Gospel:

1 | WOW Gospel 2012
2 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Evolution of Le’Andria Johnson
3 | James Fortune & FIYA – Identity
4 | Fred Hammond – God, Love & Romance
5 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
6 | William McDowell – Arise
7 | Brian Courtney Wilson – So Proud
8 | Marvin Sapp – Playlist: The Very Best Of…
9 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
10 | Various Artists – Joyful Noise Sountrack

Again, we probably won’t see much by way of major changes until after the debut project from Andrea Helms hits stores on March 6th, along with a compilation from Israel Houghton.

Congrats to Le’Andria Johnson, whose sophomore album, The Evolution of Le’Andria Johnson, debuted at #4 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week. It’s cuddled-up next to her debut release, The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson, which sits at #5 this week.

The rest of Billboard’s Top 10 in Gospel is:

1 | WOW Gospel 2012
2 | James Fortune & FIYA – Identity
3 | Fred Hammond – God, Love & Romance
4 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Evolution of Le’Andria Johnson
5 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
6 | Various Artists – Joyful Noise Sountrack
7 | William McDowell – Arise
8 | Brian Courtney Wilson – So Proud
9 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
10 | Lecrae – Rehab

It appears that there’s been a tiny bit of a sales slump and we won’t really see any major new releases until March 6th, with the release of Andrea Helms’ debut project, Moving Forward.

In my humble opinion, Brian Courtney Wilson is an artist who has still not quite received his due in the gospel industry. In addition to topping both radio and sales charts with his debut album, Just Love, he’s a super kind and genuine dude with a great voice and wonderful passion for ministry.

Soooo, I’m a bit excited to write that his newest project, So Proud, has debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week. If you don’t have it yet, check out my review on GospelPundit.com AND my review for gmc’s website. Then buy it here.

The rest of Billboard’s Top 10 in Gospel is:

1 | Brian Courtney Wilson – So Proud
2 | WOW Gospel 2012
3 | Fred Hammond – God, Love & Romance
4 | James Fortune & FIYA – Identity
5 | Various Artists – Joyful Noise Sountrack
6 | William McDowell – Arise
7 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
8 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
9 | Lecrae – Rehab
10 | Marvin Sapp – Playlist: The Very Best of…

The new project from Le’Andria Johnson hit stores yesterday, and should debut very high next week. That will be a pretty good look for the new Grammy winner, as both her freshman and sophomore albums (not counting the Christmas project) will be in the Top 10.

From the first time I heard Brian Courtney Wilson’s voice, I couldn’t help but think of some of soul music’s greatest crooners– like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and David Ruffin. Wilson’s tone and downright in-the-pocket delivery stand out in a sea of gospel male vocalists who often substitute acrobatics for solid singing.

On his sophomore LP, So Proud, Brian Courtney Wilson affirms the very reasons we fell in love with his artistry the first go ’round– a soulful sound reminiscent of the old school, new songs that are somehow nostalgic and a message that both inspires and encourages.

Stand-out tracks for me include “Right Back,” “One Day At a Time,” “Storm In Mind,” “Perfect,” and the title track, “So Proud.” On each of these, Brian Courtney Wilson demonstrates a keen awareness of his vocal ability and range (it’s more versatile than I think we saw on his first project) and he absolutely delivers.

I encourage you to check it out and grab it. Even more, I think the industry would do well to watch Brian Courtney Wilson as he continues to grow– he’s one of those that will be in this game for a while, especially in the “next generation” of solid artists.

Listen to snippets and buy So Proud right here–

On Friday, January 13, 2012, BMI held its annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music awards luncheon at Nashville’s Rocketown. The invite-only industry gathering has become the hottest ticket in town.

This year, BMI saluted the music and ministry of Bishop Hezekiah Walker and Kirk Franklin.

A virtual who’s-who was in attendance… Kim Burrell, Israel Houghton, Fred Hammond, Isaac Carree, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Jason Nelson, Jonathan Nelson, Jessica Reedy, Virtue, Asaph Ward, Ricky Dillard, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, BeBe Winans, DJ Rogers, David & Tamela Mann, Dayna Caddell, Brian Courtney Wilson, Dorinda Clark Cole, Marvin Sapp… my fingers are tired, but just think of EVERYONE in gospel music.

Check out these photos from the event!

I stumbled upon some album artwork for Brian Courtney Wilson’s upcoming project, titled So Proud (due in stores on February 7, 2012).

Check it out–

I love that it’s more artistic than we typically see. It’s got a vintage vibe that screams “old school,” which is consistent with his sound and style.

Also, check out his single, “So Proud,” on the Pundit Player below.

Good job!

Every day this week, I’ve blogged about a new single and I’ve added it to the Pundit Player for you to check out before purchasing– one from Jason Nelson, one from Deon Kipping, and one from Brian Courtney Wilson.

But today it dawned on me– y’all aren’t really buying the singles, are you?

Commentators agree that the music industry has become a singles-based market. Now that people have the ability to bypass album fillers in exchange for “the good songs,” they do.

But, I’m also aware that gospel music consumers are several years behind the trends of the music industry as a whole. Gospel consumers still purchase physical CDs more than digital albums. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if you guys are NOT following the singles-market trend, and are actually still buying full projects.

Out of curiousity, how many of you buy singles before the album is released?

Folks, I got my hands on the newest single from Brian Courtney Wilson, fresh from the lab!

It’s a new tune called “So Proud” and it features Wilson’s soulful crooning voice… it’s just good, uplifting music.

But you don’t have to take my word for it– I’ve just added it to the Pundit Player on the bottom of your screen. Take a listen and lemme know what you think.

“So Proud” is from Brian Courtney Wilson’s upcoming album, expected sometime in early 2012. More details as I get ‘em!

Music World Gospel has prepared its first of a new gospel music compilation series, to be released in digital form only.

Hitting stores tomorrow, October 11th, the Ultimate Gospel Vol. 1 compilation features music from artists on the Music World roster, including Trin-i-tee 5:7, Brian Courtney Wilson, Micah Stampley and Michelle Williams (whose two gospel albums were released under the label).

Check out the track listing–

1. Just Love – Brian Courtney Wilson
2. Listen – Trin-I-Tee 5:7
3. Heard A Word – Michelle Williams
4. I Need You – Trin-I-Tee 5:7
5. All I Need – Brian Courtney Wilson
6. Peace – Pastor Rudy
7. Do You Know – Michelle Williams
8. I Believe – Micah Stampley
9. Soul Cry (Oh, Oh, Oh) – Juanita Bynum
10. The Corinthian Song – Micah Stampley

Check out snippets and purchase it right here–

After a hiatus, one of my absolute favorite Christian rap artists, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., returns to the game with a great video for his new single, “Alive.”

The message of the song is great– transparently declaring “I was going left, but Jesus made me right.” And I love its conclusive ending– “I am alive, cuz He’s alive.”

The video is high-energy, with a performance interwoven with footage of Da’ T.R.U.T.H. working on the road. It also features several of his co-laborers in Christian hip-hop, including radio personality CoCo Brother, history-making artist Lecrae and labelmate The Ambassador. I think I also spotted Brian Courtney Wilson, J Moss and Sean Simmonds… a lil’ of e’rybody!

Check it out–