The 26th Annual Stellar Awards were held in Nashville, TN this past Saturday.

Special awards went to Donald Lawrence (Lifetime Achievement), Kirk Franklin (Notable Achievement) and Vanessa Bell Armstrong (Living Legend).

Here’s a full list of the night’s winners…

Artist of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Fred Hammond
James Fortune & FIYA
Marvin Sapp

Song of the Year
BeBe Winans, “Close to You”
Fred Hammond, Calvin Rodgers, Phillip Feaster, Ericka Warren, Michael Bethany and Dynna Wells, “They That Wait”
James Fortune, C. Fortune and T. Vaughn, “Encore”
Marvin Sapp, “Best In Me”

Male Vocalist of the Year
Byron Cage
Fred Hammond
J. Moss
Marvin Sapp

Female Vocalist of the Year
CeCe Winans
Karen Clark Sheard
Lucinda Moore
Tamela Mann

Group/Duo of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Forever Jones
James Fortune & FIYA
The Anointed Pace Sisters

New Artist of the Year
Forever Jones
Kristina Halloway
Travis Greene
Victory Cathedral Choir

CD of the Year
Fred Hammond, Love Unstoppable
J. Moss, Just James
James Fortune & FIYA, Encore
Marvin Sapp, Here I Am

Choir of the Year
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
James Hall & Voices of Citadel
Victory Cathedral Choir
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir

Producer of the Year
Aaron Lindsey, Here I Am
Donald Lawrence, The Experience
Fred Hammond, Love Unstoppable
James Fortune, Terrance Vaughn and Ayron Lewis, Encore

Contemporary Group/ Duo of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Forever Jones
James Fortune and FIYA
Trin-i-tee 5:7

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
James Greer & Company
The Anointed Pace Sisters
The Christian Angels
The Mighty Clouds of Joy

Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year
Byron Cage
Fred Hammond
J. Moss
James Fortune

Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year
Alvin Darling
Darrell Hines
Marvin Sapp
Marvin Winans

Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year
CeCe Winans
Karen Clark Sheard
Lisa Page Brooks
Tamela Mann

Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year
Fredericka Faison
Lucinda Moore
Shirley Caesar
Vanessa Bell Armstrong

Contemporary CD of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans, Still
Fred Hammond, Love Unstoppable
J.Moss, Just James
James Fortune and FIYA, Encore

Traditional CD of the Year
James Hall & Voices of Citadel, Won’t It Be Wonderful
Marvin Sapp, Here I Am
Shirley Caesar, A City Called Heaven
Vanessa Bell Armstrong, The Experience

Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans, “Still”
Forever Jones, “Get Ready”
James Fortune & FIYA, “Encore”
Marvin Sapp, “Here I Am”

Music Video of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans, “Close to You”
Kirk Whalum, “Make Me a Believer”
Shirley Caesar, “Playground In Heaven”
The Anointed Pace Sisters, “If I Be Lifted Up”

Contemporary Choir of the Year
God’s Little Soldiers International
Myron Butler & Levi
Youth for Christ
Youthful Praise featuring JJ Hairston

Traditional Choir of the Year
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
James Hall & Voices of Citadel
Victory Cathedral Choir
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir

Special Event CD of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans, Still
Kirk Franklin, Are You Listening
Various Artists, CoCo Brother Live Presents Stand 2010
Various Artists, WOW Gospel 2010

Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
DJ Official, Entermission
Everyday Process, Outtadisworld
Sho Baraka, Lions and Liars
Trip Lee, Between Two Worlds

Children’s Project of the Year
God’s Little Soldiers International, Soldier Story
Kingdom Kids Worldwide, Kingdom Kids Worldwide Volume 1
The Velasquez Family Singers, While We Still Have Time
Youth for Christ, Thanks In Advance

Quartet of the Year
Reverend F.C. Barnes & Company
The Christian Angels
The Golden Wings Quartet
The Mighty Clouds of Joy

Recorded Music Package of the Year
Cameron Hilson and Mark Neubauer, Get Ready (forever Jones)
Denise Trotman, Here I Am (Marvin Sapp)
Derek Blanks and Ken Barboza, Still (BeBe & CeCe Winans)
Jeff Gilligan, Love Unstoppable (Fred Hammond)

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Darwin Hobbs, Darwin Hobbs Live: Champion
James Fortune & FIYA, Encore
Phil Tarver, Place of Worship
The Anointed Pace Sisters, Access Granted

The awards show will air on gmc on March 5 at 8pm ET. Before that, however, you can catch it in most major markets (check your local listings) between January 22 and March 13.

Powered by his hit single, “Nobody Greater,” and on the heels of receiving two GRAMMY nods, VaShawn Mitchell has soared to #2 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week.

Also making great sales gains this week was William McDowell, whose As We Worship: Live jumped from #7 to #3.

The rest of the Top 10 shakes out like this…

#1 | LeCrae – Rehab
#2 | VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
#3 | William McDowell – As We Worship: Live
#4 | Marvin Sapp – Here I Am
#5 | Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – A Brooklyn Tabernacle Christmas
#6 | Tye Tribbett – Fresh
#7 | WOW Gospel 2010
#8 | Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone
#9 | Israel Houghton – Love God. Love People.
#10 | Brian Courtney Wilson – Just Love

I think these will be the key players in the Top 10 for the rest of the year… don’t know of any new releases due before January that would trouble the waters…

But maybe VaShawn will hit #1 before the year’s out…

Whatd’ya think???

Micah Stampley’s new EP, Release Me, debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart last week.  Congrats to ya!

Also, the latest project from the Soul Seekers, Soul Seekers II, made its entrance at the #11 spot.  Kudos to you guys, as well!

The full top 10 shakes out as follows…

#1 | LeCrae – Rehab
#2 | Israel Houghton – Love God. Love People.
#3 | Micah Stampley – Release Me
#4 | Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – A Brooklyn Tabernacle Christmas
#5 | Tye Tribbett – Fresh
#6 | Marvin Sapp – Here I Am
#7 | Brian Courtney Wilson – Just Love
#8 | VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
#9 | William McDowell – As We Worship: Live
#10 | WOW Gospel 2010

Did you grab the new Micah Stampley project?  What do you think of it?

What about the Soul Seekers album?

Not much movement to report in the top 10 of Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart, aside from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s leap from #24 to #5 with their holiday project, A Brooklyn Tabernacle Christmas.

The Christmas season kinda crept up on me, but here we are!

The rest of the top 10 looks a little something like…

#1 | LeCrae – Rehab
#2 | Tye Tribbett – Fresh
#3 | Marvin Sapp – Here I Am
#4 | Brian Courtney Wilson – Just Love
#5 | Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – A Brooklyn Tabernacle Christmas
#6 | VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
#7 | William McDowell – As We Worship: Live
#8 | Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone
#9 | Israel Houghton – Love God. Love People.
#10 | WOW Gospel 2010

Anyone got that Brooklyn Tab project???

The nominees for the 26th annual Stellar Awards were announced on Saturday in Nashville, TN during a live telecast on gmc, hosted by Donnie McClurkin and featuring performances by Jessica Reedy, VaShawn Mitchell, Lucinda Moore, Joe Pace and more.

The show takes place on Saturday, January 15, 2011 in Nashville, TN. It will be hosted by Donnie McClurkin, alone, serving as the first time that the show has been hosted by only one person. Also, in honor of Albertina Walker, the “Female Vocalist of the Year” category will be forever named the “Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year” award.

The following are the recipients of the special awards:

Donald Lawrence will receive the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award
Kirk Franklin will receive the Thomas Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award
Vanessa Bell Armstrong will receive the Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award

And the nominees are…

Artist of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Fred Hammond
James Fortune & FIYA
Marvin Sapp

Song of the Year
“Close to You” | BeBe Winans
“They That Wait” | Fred Hammond, Calvin Rodgers, Phillip Feaster, Ericka Warren, Michael Bethany and Dynna Wells
“Encore” | James Fortune, C. Fortune and T. Vaughn
“Best In Me” | Marvin Sapp

Choir of the Year
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
James Hall & Voices of Citadel
Victory Cathedral Choir
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir

New Artist of the Year
Forever Jones
Kristina Halloway
Travis Greene
Victory Cathedral Choir

CD of the Year
Fred Hammond | Love Unstoppable
J. Moss | Just James
James Fortune & FIYA | Encore
Marvin Sapp | Here I Am

Producer of the Year
Aaron Lindsey for Here I Am
Donald Lawrence for The Experience
Fred Hammond for Love Unstoppable
James Fortune, Terrance Vaughn and Ayron Lewis for Encore

Female Vocalist of the Year
CeCe Winans
Karen Clark Sheard
Lucinda Moore
Tamela Mann

Male Vocalist of the Year
Byron Cage
Fred Hammond
J. Moss
Marvin Sapp

Group/Duo of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Forever Jones
James Fortune & FIYA
The Anointed Pace Sisters

Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year
Byron Cage
Fred Hammond
J. Moss
James Fortune

Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year
Alvin Darling
Darrell Hines
Marvin Sapp
Marvin Winans

Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year
CeCe Winans
Karen Clark Sheard
Lisa Page Brooks
Tamela Mann

Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year
Fredericka Faison
Lucinda Moore
Shirley Caesar
Vanessa Bell Armstrong

Traditional CD of the Year
James Hall & Voices of Citadel | Won’t It Be Wonderful
Marvin Sapp | Here I Am
Shirley Caesar | A City Called Heaven
Vanessa Bell Armstrong | The Experience

Contemporary CD of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans | Still
Fred Hammond | Love Unstoppable
J.Moss | Just James
James Fortune and FIYA | Encore

Contemporary Choir of the Year
God’s Little Soldiers International
Myron Butler & Levi
Youth for Christ
Youthful Praise featuring J.J. Hairston

Traditional Choir of the Year
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
James Hall & Voices of Citadel
Victory Cathedral Choir
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Forever Jones
James Fortune and FIYA
Trin-i-tee 5:7

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
James Greer & Company
The Anointed Pace Sisters
The Christian Angels
The Mighty Clouds of Joy

Quartet of the Year
Reverend F.C. Barnes & Company
The Christian Angels
The Golden Wings Quartet
The Mighty Clouds of Joy

Rap, Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
DJ Official | Entermission
Everyday Process | Outtadisworld
Sho Baraka | Lions and Liars
Trip Lee | Between Two Worlds

Music Video of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans | “Close to You”
Kirk Whalum | “Make Me a Believer”
Shirley Caesar | “Playground In Heaven”
The Anointed Pace Sisters | “If I Be Lifted Up”

Urban Inspirational Performance of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans | “Still”
Forever Jones | “Get Ready”
James Fortune & FIYA | “Encore”
Marvin Sapp | “Here I Am”

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
Cameron Hilson and Mark Neubauer for Get Ready
Denise Trotman for Here I Am
Derek Blanks and Ken Barboza for Still
Jeff Gilligan for Love Unstoppable

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Darwin Hobbs | Darwin Hobbs Live: Champion
James Fortune & FIYA | Encore
Phil Tarver | Place of Worship
The Anointed Pace Sisters | Access Granted

Children’s Project of the Year
God’s Little Soldiers International | Soldier Story
Kingdom Kids Worldwide | Kingdom Kids Worldwide Volume 1
The Velasquez Family Singers | While We Still Have Time
Youth for Christ | Thanks In Advance

Special Event CD of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans | Still
Kirk Franklin | Are You Listening
Various Artists | CoCo Brother Live Presents Stand 2010
Various Artists | WOW Gospel 2010

What do you guys think of the nominees???

Word has it that Integrity Music’s hit gospel compilation project, Gotta Have Gospel, will be returning to stores with its 8th edition on October 5th.

The project features 24 tracks, with a bonus DVD of gospel performances and music videos.

The track listing?  Glad you asked–

Disc One
1.  I Give You Praise – Byron Cage
2. Expect The Great – Jonathan Nelson
3. All Of My Help – Hezekiah Walker & LFC
4. How I Got Over featuring Tim Bowman, Jr. – Vickie Winans
5. Nobody Like You Lord – Fred Hammond
6. Every Prayer featuring Mary Mary – Israel Houghton
7. I Will Lift – Trin-I-Tee 5:7
8. Your Name Alone – Stephen Hurd
9. Lord You Reign Forever – Crystal Aikin
10. Jesus – Kirk Franklin
11. Free – Rizen
12. I Gave It Up – J Moss

Disc Two
1. Trusting In You – Donnie McClurkin
2. Let The Word Do The Work featuring Brother Hahz – Donald Lawrence & Co.
3. I Praise You – Shari Addison
4. Get Up – Mary Mary
5. It All Belongs To You – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
6. The Master Plan – Tamela Mann
7. Bless The Lord (Son Of Man) – Tye Tribbett
8. Worship Medley: I Worship You Almighty God/There Is None Like You/There’s Something About That Name – Marvin Sapp
9. All I Need – Brian Courtney Wilson
10. Free – Darwin Hobbs
11. Your Will – Ken Reynolds
12. Trading My Sorrows – PAJAM

DVD Footage
1. La Buena Vida (Romans 8:31) – Ken Reynolds featuring Lucia Parker
2. I’ll Say Yes – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
3. Just Wanna Say – Israel Houghton
4. Worship Medley: I Worship You Almighty God/There Is None Like You/There’s Something About That Name – Marvin Sapp

Sounds good, yes?

Who’s thinking of grabbin’ this one???

The latest project in the Gotta Have Gospel series– this one, featuring Choirs– will be in stores on July 27th.  There will also be an accompanying DVD released on the same day.

Check out the track listing–

1. Lift Him Up -Hezekiah Walker
2. Victory (Live) -Tye Tribbett & G.A.
3. Zion Rejoice (featuring Erica Campbell of Mary Mary) -Faithful Central Church
4. Let The Praise Begin -Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ
5. You Are Good -Lakewood Church
6. High And Lifted Up -Joe Pace
7. God Is Featuring The Tri-City Singers -Dewayne Woods
8. Imagine Me -Kirk Franklin
9. I Speak Life -Donald Lawrence featuring Donnie McClurkin
10. Total Praise -Richard Smallwood With Vision
11. God Great God -Kurt Carr
12. Holy Is The Lord -The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
13. Show Up! -The New Life Community Choir Featuring John P. Kee
14. The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow -Bobby Jones & New Life with The Nashville Super Choir
15. Stand! -VIP Mass Choir featuring John P. Kee
16. Give Thanks- T.D. Jakes

For anyone who doesn’t already have the individual projects that first featured these songs, this is a pretty decent line-up.  I am, however, givin’ the side-eye to the notion that Kirk Franklin’s “Imagine Me” should be listed as a choir song…

Again, it’s in stores next Tuesday, but you can pre-order now by clicking here.

Anyone thinking of grabbin’ it?  Do you guys typically buy compilation projects like this???

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???