Don’t miss the exclusive broadcast of the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards TONIGHT at 8pm ET on gmc!
The awards show was taped this past Thursday, April 19th, at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. Hosted by David Mann and Chonda Pierce, the evening featured performances from Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Wess Morgan, Yolanda Adams, Angie Stone and more.
You don’t want to miss it!
Click here for a full list of this year’s winners and tune in to gmc TONIGHT at 8pm ET, or catch the encore at 10pm ET!
In its second year heading from Nashville to Atlanta, it’s good to again see that the GMA Dove Awards is continuing in its mission to increase its inclusion of a broad spectrum of genres and groups, both as nominees and presenters/performers.
In short– it’s good to see “us” well-represented at the Doves again.
Now, I watch each year anyway because I love it all, but I know that some of you may not tune-in as readily…
So, if you’re hoping for a bit of “familiarity,” make sure you attend the show or watch from home– you can expect to see performances from Donnie McClurkin, Kim Burrell, Ruben Studdard, and Lecrae. Also on the bill will be Natalie Grant, Mandisa, Jason Crabb, Jamie Grace, Danny Gokey, Jason Castro and The Isaacs. All great singers and artists. It’s gonna be a good show!
Plus, the hilarious David Mann will be co-hosting with funnylady Chonda Pierce.
The show takes place on April 19th in Atlanta, at the Fox Theatre. Grab tickets here.
If you can’t make the show, be sure to tune-in when it airs exclusively on gmc, on April 24th at 8pm ET.
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!
Some good new projects hit stores TODAY and I wanna make sure you guys are aware, so you can grab ‘em if you wanna–
1. Soul Seekers II, from Soul Seekers
This highly-anticipated sophomore album from today’s modern-day quartet group features some of the greatest musicians in the music biz. That, alone, could make you wanna buy it. The fact that their lead single, “It’s All God,” features Pastor Marvin L. Winans is icing on the cake.
2. Bishop Morton Celebrates 25 Years of Music: A Live Celebration, from Various Artists (Light Records)
This CD/DVD project features musical tributes to Bishop Paul Morton from some of the greatest vocalists in the gospel community, including CeCe Winans, Shirley Caesar, Mary Mary, Sheri Jones-Moffett, PJ Morton, The Williams Brothers and more. It’s a must-have for your gospel music collection.
3. The Master Plan (Special Edition), from David & Tamela Mann
This jumbo pack of Mann family goodness includes Tamela’s latest CD, The Master Plan, David’s Mr. Brown’s Good Ol’ Time Church CD, footage from a “Cooking with The Manns” television special, as well as interviews and music videos. The couple is so gifted– great power couple, plenty of products. Grab it!
4. Release Me, from Micah Stampley
This 7-song EP is Micah’s first release on the recently reformed Music World Gospel label headed by Matthew Knowles. It features a dope song, “Heaven on Earth” (originally by David & Nicole Binion) that you simply have to hear.
What are y’all gettin’???
Oh wowwwwwwww. Yesterday was insanely busy, but soooo much fun.
The Gospel Announcer’s Guild (GAG) held its annual luncheon and showcase at the Duke Energy Center. The event, co-hosted by David Mann, featured a BUNCH of artists with new music either available now or coming soon. Among them– Sheri Jones-Moffett, Melinda Watts, Tamela Mann, Bishop Paul Morton, New Direction, Philip Carter, Karima Kibble…
And let me say this real quick… that Bishop Paul Morton is a preaching and singin’ somebody. I NEVER get tired of hearing him sing. By the way, it’s his BIRTHDAY week, so there’s much celebrating going around. In any case, he sang his new single, “Don’t Do It Without Me” (with son, PJ Morton on keys), and got the entire GAG Luncheon crowd HYPED. I’ll do some feature stuff soon. In the meantime, some pics are at the bottom of this post.
Donald Lawrence, Dorothy Norwood and Vashawn Mitchell were among several artists in the house to support… and a BUNCH of industry vets and execs were milling around including Jojo Pada, Neily Dickerson (The ND Co.), Torrence Glenn (BET.com), Vicki Mack-Lataillade (LillyMack/Central South/CCLI/etc.), Larry Blackwell (EMI), Mitchell Solarek (Maximum Artist), Tammy Taylor (One EnTiTy), Sheilah Belle (The Belle Report), Lisa Collins (Gospel Industry Round-Up), Kia Jarmon (Light Records) and soooo many more.
I tried to take a quick nap, but I didn’t quite make it. My wife and I were invited to an intimate little dinner celebrating the release of Melinda Watts’ debut project, People Get Ready. Special shout-out to her incredible team, with whom my wife and I have kinda fallen in love!
No rest for the weary… I had about 45 minutes to freshen up for the highly anticipated Donald Lawrence concert, sponsored in part by Verizon Wireless & How Sweet The Sound.
IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT! Maaaaan… he’s like… becoming one of my absolute faves. He and his singers ministered with songs from his latest project, The Law Of Confession Part 1, including the title track, “Let The Word Do The Work,” “The Blessing Is On You,” and the hit single “Back II Eden.” He also dipped back a bit and performed “Healed,” “Giants,” ”The Blessing Of Abraham,” and brought Sheri Jones-Moffett to the stage to take us STRAIGHT in on “Encourage Yourself.” It was better than I could ever recap. GEEZ.
Sheri also performed her rising single, “Renewed,” from her debut solo album of the same name, due on August 11th. Such a sweet spirit (and her family is THE BEST).
The whole shebang ended at about 2am and I was knocked OUT shortly thereafter. Where’s my coffee?!
More recaps later!
Good show. It was co-hosted by David Mann and featured performances from Jonathan Nelson, Deitrick Haddon and Tamela Mann.
Jonathan Nelson & Purpose are quickly becoming favorites of mine. I STILL rock hard to “My Name Is Victory” every time I hear it. Plus, the group looked amazing! Makes me wanna tell some of these other ensembles to step it up on the presentation. 
He returned to sing “Right Now Praise,” but without his brother, Jason Nelson, who sings the duet on the album. Aaaarrrggggh! It was still great, of course, but I reeeaaaally wanted to see/hear Jason Nelson. Love his voice.
Deitrick Haddon is nothing if not creative. He sang a song called “Jesus For President,” which had an interesting concept, though a little gimmicky for me. But, like I said: creative all the same. I enjoyed his second song, “I’m Alive,” much more. From both songs, though, it’s clear that he commits EVERY time he grabs a mic and that he’s a singing somebody.
Tamela Mann saaaaaaang “You Deserve My Praise.” She’s such a great vocalist and she’s just so sweet. Awwww, we love you!
Who else saw it?
