Didn’t post it on Thursday cuz of Turkey Day, but there wasn’t much movement in Billboard’s top 5 anyway…

BeBe & CeCe’s reunion project remains at #1 and Byron Cage remains at #5.  Fred Hammond lands at #2, switching places with Tamela Mann who moves to #3 this week.  Finally, Mary Mary are back to #4 from the #6 spot last week.

I do wanna point out, however, that The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir debuted at #7 on the chart with their latest release, Declare Your Name.  As I mentioned before, I really want you guys to check out that project– I think you’ll enjoy it.

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, under the direction of founder Carol Cymbala, released its newest album last Tuesday, entitled Declare Your Name.  And I’m REALLY enjoying it.

The first thing that stands out is the impeccable production.  The band sounds great, the choir vocals are precise… great sound.  More than that, though, the songwriting is excellent.  The songs can EASILY be translated to church services led by choirs or praise teams.

Add to that the guest appearances by several artists, including Israel Houghton and Jonathan Butler, and you’ve got a great project.

Because of the upcoming holiday, I didn’t know if I’d have time for a full review, but I didn’t want a moment to pass without me telling you guys to CHECK OUT THIS PROJECT.

You still trust me, right?

Okay, click the link to the left to listen and purchase.

Lemme know what you think!

The Grammy Awards are this Sunday, February 8th, being broadcast live from Los Angeles.

When the nominees were announced, I said I’d give my predictions later.  It’s now “later” and here’s how I think the statue distribution might go…

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

I’m predicting CeCe Winans on this one.  As I’ll mention throughout my predictions, name recognition goes a loooooong way with all of these music awards.  If folks haven’t heard the album, they think “hmm… Winans… they’re gospel legends.”  And they vote for them.  That’s not to say that she doesn’t deserve to win anyway, but I think she’s gonna regardless of merit.

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)

Arrggh… I’m gonna say Kirk Franklin.  But I’d also like to see J. Moss win for ”Cover Me”… I think it’s a great song.

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

I only know two of these people and, between ‘em, I am unfamiliar with both albums.  Here’s that name recognition business coming in: TobyMac.  I would also be thrilled if Flame won, but I dunno… In the end, rock and rap shouldn’t be in the same category, but that’s for another post.  I think people will give it to TobyMac.

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

Tough category.  I’m persuaded to say Steven Curtis Chapman is going to take it home, regardless of the strength of the Winans name.  And a big part of me wants Chris Tomlin to win it cuz I soooo love his stuff and I think he’s underrated.  But I’ma say Steven Curtis Chapman.

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

Yeah right.  I have no clue and neither do you!  Gaither.  Moving on!!

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

Oooooooh.  I want it to be Dorinda Clark-Cole.  BADLY.  But I dunno if she’ll beat the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.  They kinda always win… plus, I have several friends in that choir.  Ummm…I’m gonna say Dorinda.  But if it’s Brooklyn Tab, don’t be surprised AT ALL.

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.

This is gonna be controversial.  I’m going to say Kirk Franklin.  I think Jason Champion did a great job getting the nod.  And we love him.    The Murrills are great to me and I waited for a looong time for this debut album, but I don’t think enough people knew about it.  Mary Mary and Tye Tribbett are mainstays, but I don’t know if people enjoyed their albums as thoroughly as Kirk’s.  So, after the scales are balanced, I think Kirk is taking it.

Okay.  YOUR THOUGHTS???

Well, it’s that time of year again… the Grammy nominations are in.  Or out.  Whatever.

Instead of your typical press conference, the Recording Academy announced the nominees at a music shindig last night, which aired on CBS.  Among the performers were Mariah Carey, John Mayer and Foo Fighters.  But enough about that.

Multiple nominees in the Gospel Category include Mary Mary (3), Kirk Franklin (2), and CeCe Winans (2).  Click here to see the full list of nominees in gospel.  Takes up too much space on my page.
I’ll blog about my actual predictions for winners later, but I must say, at first glance, that name recognition goes a long way in the Grammys, especially in the gospel categories… and, not that they don’t deserve to win this time around anyway, but anything Winans, Gaither or Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir-ish is generally ahead immediately out the starting gate.  But, we shall see…

The 51st annual Grammy Awards telecast will be broadcast live on February 9, 2009.

Whatd’ya think???

I liked it more than the Detroit one, but probably less than the Chicago one.  And that may all have to do with where I was born and where I currently live…  but I enjoyed it.

The New York program, hosted by Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, included Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Rev. Timothy Wright, Pastor Hezekiah Walker, Natalie Wilson, JJ Hairston and the folks at Christian Cultural Center, Times Square Church, and The Brooklyn Tabernacle.

The artists shared stories about their humble beginnings– how Timothy Wright gathered dozens of singers for the New York Fellowship Mass Choir, how Hezekiah Walker formed his first choir, how Carol Cymbala started with only a handful of choir members before arriving at the 300+ voices currently in the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.  It was good.

I think I would’ve enjoyed seeing James Hall on the program.  And a little featurette or something on the Village Underground (or however else we could work Melonie Daniels into the mix).  But, all in all, I really liked it.

I dunno when it’ll be on again, but knowing the Gospel Music Channel, it’ll be very soon.  Cuz I’ll be darned if they don’t play that AARP concert every couple of days…