Not much to report about Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week, I don’t think…

Aaron Neville’s gospel project, I Know I’ve Been Changed, debuted at #10, which I must say I kinda expected.  He’s got a great following and is practically a legend among his supporters.  Congratulations!

CoCo Brother’s Stand compilation project re-entered at #5 on the chart, too.  They just had a HUGE rally in Atlanta last week, and I’m sure venue sales accounted for much of the activity in that regard.  Still, they sold ‘em!  Congrats and welcome back! LOL

The rest of the chart looks like this…

#1 | LeCrae – Rehab
#2 | Tye Tribbett – Fresh
#3 | Brian Courtney Wilson – Just Love
#4 | Israel Houghton – Love God. Love People.
#5 | CoCo Brother – Stand 2010
#6 | Marvin Sapp – Here I Am
#7 | VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
#8 | William McDowell – As We Worship: Live
#9 | Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – A Brooklyn Tabernacle Christmas
#10 | Aaron Neville – I Know I’ve Been Changed

So, that’s that… I would note that several Christmas projects have been gaining in sales, too, so don’t be shocked if the top 10 looks a lot more holiday-ish in the coming weeks.

What do you think???

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???

TWO top 5 debuts this week!

CoCo Brother’s Stand album has debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week.  Click here for more info on the project and to listen to the lead single from it– “Moving Forward,” featuring Joann Rosario Condrey and Tye Tribbett.

AAAaaand Ashmont Hill… I TOLD y’all about sleeping on one of my favorite groups!  Seriously, they’re no joke. Click here to open the PunditPlayer and listen to their new single, “Your Masterpiece.”  It’s incredible to me.

The full top 10 breakdown looks a lil’ somethin’ like this…

#1 | Marvin Sapp – Here I Am
#2 | WOW Gospel 2010
#3 | CoCo Brother – CoCo Brother Live: Stand 2010
#4 | BeBe & CeCe Winans - Still
#5 | Ashmont Hill – Your Masterpiece
#6 | Juanita Bynum – More Passion
#7 | CeCe Winans – Songs of Emotional Healing
#8 | Brian Courtney Wilson – Just Love
#9 | Hezekiah Walker & LFC – Souled Out
#10 | Fred Hammond – Love Unstoppable

Okay, who’s got the new projects from CoCo Brother or Ashmont Hill?  Who’s planning to check ‘em out now???

This Tuesday, May 25th, CoCo Brother will release a compilation album, CoCo Brother Live presents Stand 2010 on Tyscot Records.  It’s available for pre-order now by clicking here.

One of the songs featured on the project is a cover of the popular song, “Moving Forward,” featuring Joann Rosario Condrey and Tye Tribbett.  And I love it!

Aside from the fact that Joann is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated female vocalists and worshippers in gospel music, I’m liking the pairing with Tye Tribbett on this and the arrangement is tight.  You don’t have to take my word for it, though… for your listening pleasure, I’ve just added the single to the PunditPlayer.

Just click here to take a listen and lemme know what you think!!!

On Sunday, BET aired a great interview between Cory “CoCo Brother” Condrey and Tye Tribbett on its long-standing television show Lift Every Voice.  I was traveling, so I didn’t get to see it until last night via my trusty DVR.  Gotta tell ya– I loved it.

In the interview, Tye Tribbett spoke publicly about his recent marital infidelity and the rifts that it caused.  He shared that he had struggled with whether to leave the music ministry altogether, and had even contemplated suicide.

What I loved most about the interview, however, was not the confession of some widely-speculated sin– I loved hearing about his restoration in God.  Moreoever, I loved hearing about the restoration of his marriage!

That’s the testimony and that’s what will cause other people to overcome– seeing that the grace of God abounds and that He is faithful to restore us.

I’m grateful for Tye’s new posture, too.  He says that, while on sabbatical, “God showed me ME.”  He’s been brought low and hopes to “stay teachable, vulnerable and humble.”  He even says that his approach has changed– he’s got more compassion, acknowleding his once “militant presentation.”

An aside: I’ve not spoken about this situation on this blog, ever.  I’m a little disheartened that I didn’t get as many phone calls and text messages, nor see nearly as many tweets and facebook posts about the up-side of this story as I did the more scandalous side of it.  Many have inquired about my lack of coverage of this topic on my blog, so I suppose I’ll briefly clarify– in my view, sin is not particularly newsworthy– redemption is.

I praise God for His redeeming work.  Let’s continue to pray for Tye and his family as God continues to work on ‘em, and let’s keep praying for the ministry that God has given them.

Cool?

Heads-up, good folks… Popular radio personality and host of BET’s Lift Every Voice CoCo Brother is releasing a compilation album on Tyscot Records, entitled CoCo Brother Live presents Stand 2010.

The project features tracks from Israel Houghton, Joann Rosario Condrey, Tye Tribbett, James Fortune, BeBe Winans, Canton Jones, Smokie Norful and more!

The project hits stores on May 25th, but is available for pre-order starting NOW.  Click here to purchase!

Anybody gonna grab it? Sounds like it could be really great.

EXCLUSIVE!!!

CONGRATULATIONS to Joann Rosario Condrey, who gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl– Arianna Christian Elise Condrey.  Baby Arianna was born on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 and is doing very well!

I heard from the happy new mom last week… she and hubby, Cory “CoCo Brother” Condrey are excited for this new blessing!

Let’s pray for continued health and blessed future for the family, cool?

One of my faaaaavorite folks in the industry is Joann Rosario Condrey.  Aside from her passion for ministry and her great voice, she’s just a great person.

Though I haven’t actually SEEN her since her wedding in Chicago this past New Year’s Eve (when she wed popular tv/radio personality Cory “CoCo Brother” Condrey), we keep in touch.

Dunno if you knew, but she and Cory are expecting their first child.  And that’s not all they’ve got going on!  I recently emailed Joann with a handful of questions to get some quick answers for you.  I wanted to know “what’s new”… the answer, in short, is QUITE A BIT!

I’ll let her tell you all about it…

*     *     *

EJ:  How have you been and what have you been up to lately?

JRC:  Honestly, I have been doing very well!  Adjusting to a whole new life in a new city is a new experience for me.  I am still traveling singing and preaching, as I was before.

It has also been awesome to support my husband with his Radio ministry and we are on the air every night M-F 7pm-11pm EST. Live stream is available on the internet at www.praise1025.com.  We are getting ready for our Youth outreach event EXODUS (www.thisisexodus.com) Nov 20th in Atlanta.

Most of the events I minister at are organized by someone else. Now I get to expand and stretch out behind the scenes as we organize our own events.

PLUS!!! We are expecting our 1st child and we are extremely excited. Its a dream come true for me! Family and Ministry all rolled up in one!

EJ:  How’s the pregnancy going and when are you due?

JRC:  Well, it was very rough at first because I was getting sick ALOT, but I am doing great now.  Our little angel is due on February 25,2010, which is actually my brother’s birthday so we will see what day she decides to arrive.

EJ:  Between you and Cory, who’s the most giddy and excited about the baby?

JRC:  We are actually tied!  If I let him, he would probably decorate her entire room in PINK!!! I think she is gonna be cute but still have an edge (kinda like her mommy), so I say lets go with PURPLE! LOL…

EJ:  You don’t have to tell me specifics, but do you already have some names in mind for the baby?

JRC:  I believe I have a final name for her.  I heard the name in a dream. When I looked up the meaning, it means “very holy” so I believe it came from the Lord.

EJ:  Can we expect some new music from you in the future, or are you taking some time to focus on family for now?

JRC:  Since I was released from Verity last year, I have been praying and trying to figure what is His plan for me.  I am releasing a new song on a compilation that will be released early 2010 called CoCo Brother Live Presents STAND, but I think an entire solo project will have to wait until after the baby is born.

I think as a Godly woman and wife it is important to prioritize.  I was single until 34, traveled the world and had the opportunity to do some amazing things in my career and work with some amazing people.  At 35, I think its important to slow down and establish my family and marriage.  I would hate to wake up 30 years from now and have an amazing career, but be alone!  Family is very important to me.  So now, as a family, my husband and I are growing together in love and ministry while still respecting each other as individuals.

*     *     *

And there you have it.  Make sure you guys check out Cory & Joann in their ministry endeavors.  And pray for a continued healthy pregnancy and safe delivery for their little girl.  Amen?

Lemme know what you think!

I’m always tryna tell you about gospel artists who have YouTube channels because we rarely get to see our favorite artists doing what they do on a regular basis.  The videos are generally HILARIOUS, but also informative and edifying.

Well, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise have recently launched their own YouTube channel, called YP TV.  Watch the intro clip below, which shows footage of JJ with several folks, including Jawn Murray, Jessica Reedy, Vashawn Mitchell, Micah Stempley and CoCo Brother.

Make sure you subscribe to it at YouTube.  And get ready for my full interview with JJ– it’s a good chat.  And, of course, I’ll post my full review of the new album, Resting On His Promise, before it hits stores on September 1st.

You excited???