Heads-up and I meaaaaaaan heads UP!

The 2010 BMI Trailblazers Awards, which honored Donnie McClurkin and Andraé Crouch, will air on gmc (formerly Gospel Music Channel) THIS SUNDAY, February 21st, at 8pm ET/7pm CST.

If you need a reminder of all the performances that went down, click here to review my recap from the event.  Suffice it to say, you don’t wanna miss this.

If you don’t get gmc where you are… that really sucks.  But I’m sure SOMEONE will post the performances on YouTube, so chin up!  They that wait…

Who’s tuning in???

Word has it that Gospel Music Channel has changed its name to the hip and trendy name ‘gmc‘ to better represent its family-friendly (not gospel music-exclusive) content.  And they’ve got a new logo to boot:

The cable station’s website also reflects the name and logo change, and you can begin visiting their official website via the new url: http://www.gmclife.com.  The channel’s new description– the uplifting entertainment network that features music and inspiring stories the whole family will enjoy.

I’m sure that gmc will continue to give us the best in gospel music coverage– they’ll just be covering a little more, too.  I guess this means I can’t complain about them airing Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman anymore.

I like it.  Whatd’ya think???

Wanted to give you folks a heads-up on a great choir competition called Most Powerful Voices, sponsored by Gospel Music Channel along with the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.

It’s an online choir contest… choirs enter, fans vote, folks win.  It’s that simple!

Choirs will be competing for a feature on GMC, $5,000 in musical equipment from Roland, professional coaching from Myron Butler, and the chance to perform at the Power Awards ceremony in New York City on May 7, 2010.

Choirs can enter from now until March 9, 2010.

For more info, make sure you check out http://choir.gospelmusicchannel.com.

Who’s goin’ for it???

Okay, the official word is that you can purchase “Are You Listening,” the Haitian relief song written and produced by Kirk Franklin, TODAY at 5pm ET, exclusively at VerityRecords.com for just $1.29.

Next week, you can purchase the single from iTunes or grab a tangible copy at Wal-Mart.

I’ve got the single, heard it, love it.  But I’m not streaming it on the PunditPlayer because I need you to buy it for yourself.  “You won’t even let us listen before we buy it?”  NO.  The minimal cost you’ll have to pay JUST TO LISTEN is nothing in comparison to the greater need in Haiti.  So… yeah.  You’re gonna have to pay $1.29 just to listen (unless you find it on another site).  Just do it– you’ll feel great and folks in need will benefit.

And, don’t forget to tune in to Gospel Music Channel today at 7pm ET to watch the hour-long special recapping the recording of this awesome track in Nashville during Stellar Awards weekend.

Let’s all support this effort– it’s MAJOR.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS & SET YOUR RECORDERS!

Remember how I mentioned that Kirk Franklin recorded a song with just about EVERYONE in the industry, the proceeds of which will go toward the Haitian relief effort?

Well, Gospel Music Channel was on-hand to tape exclusive footage of the recording process this past weekend in Nashville.  And you’re gonna get a chance to watch it!

The track, now titled “Are You Listening: A Love Song For Haiti,” will premiere EXCLUSIVELY on Gospel Music Channel during a one-hour special presentation tomorrow, January 22, 2010 at 7pm ET.

AAAAAND, right after that, you’ll be able to purchase the track from iTunes to support the cause.  DEFINITELY want everyone on board for that!

The program will air immediately before GMC’s airing of the telethon, “Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit For Earthquake Relief” with George Clooney and Wyclef Jean at 8pm ET.

Got it??

So TUNE IN TO GMC TOMORROW at 7PM ET to watch the exclusive footage, hear the new track, and see the new music video for it!

Sooo, if you follow me on Twitter, you know that the 25th annual Stellar Awards weekend was ACTION PACKED.

Throughout the week, I’m gonna try my best to give recaps of the events that I attended (there were SEVERAL), but before I do, I wanted to post the full list of winners at this year’s award show…

Artist Of The Year - Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Song Of The Year - “God In Me” by Mary Mary, The Sound (Columbia)

Male Vocalist Of The Year - Smokie Norful, Smokie Norful Live (EMI Gospel)

Female Vocalist Of The Year - Vickie Winans, How I Got Over (Destiny Joy)

Group/Duo Of The Year - Mary Mary, The Sound (Columbia)

New Artist Of The Year - Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin (Verity)

CD Of The Year - Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Choir Of The Year - Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Producer Of The Year - Donald Lawrence & Daniel Weatherspoon, The Law Of Confession Pt. 1 (Quietwater/Verity)

Contemporary Group/Duo Of The Year - Mary Mary, The Sound (Columbia)

Traditional Group/Duo Of The Year - Lee Williams & The Spiritual QCs, Fall On Me (MCG)

Contemporary Male Vocalist Of The Year - Smokie Norful, Smokie Norful Live (EMI Gospel)

Contemporary Female Vocalist Of The Year - Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin (Verity)

Traditional Male Vocalist Of The Year - Donnie McClurkin, We All Are One (Verity)

Traditional Female Vocalist Of The Year - Dottie Peoples, Do It! (DP Muzik Group)

Contemporary CD Of The Year - Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Traditional CD Of The Year - Shari Addison, Shari Addison (Verity)

Urban/Inspirational Single Of The Year - “God In Me” by Mary Mary, The Sound (Columbia)

Music Video Of The Year - “How I Got Over” by Vickie Winans, How I Got Over (Destiny Joy)

Contemporary Choir Of The Year - Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Traditional Choir Of The Year - Bishop Paul S. Morton & The FGBCF Mass Choir, Cry Your Last Year (Light)

Special Event CD Of The Year - The Clark Sisters, J. Moss & Kierra Sheard, Silky Soul Music - A Tribute To Maze (Barantera Music Group)

Instrumental CD Of The Year - Ben Tankard, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Verity)

Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel CD Of The Year - Da’ T.R.U.T.H., The Big Picture (Cross Movement)

Children’s Performance Of The Year - Rev. Dr. Emory Andrews & Oxon Hill High School Choir, Amazing (Yrome)

Quartet Of The Year - Lee Williams & The Spiritual QCs, Fall On Me (MCG)

Praise & Worship CD Of The Year - Stephen Hurd, Times Of Refreshing (Integrity)

Recorded Music Package Of The Year - Denise Trotman for Donald Lawrence’s The Law Of Confession Pt. 1 (Quietwater/Verity)

Stellar Radio Awards:

Internet Radio | http://www.ishoutforjoy.com
Small Market | WEUP 1700 AM – Huntsville, AL
Medium Market | Hallelujah FM – Little Rock, AR
Large Market | WTLC 1310 AM – Indianapolis, IN
Major Market | WLIB 1190 AM – New York City, NY

Lonnie Hunter of Praise 103.9 in Philadelphia was awarded with the Announce Of The Year Award. And the Central South Distribution REACH Awards were awarded to Vickie Hill (Saginaw, MI), Willie Mae MacIver (Dallas, TX) and Michael A. Davis (Memphis, TN).

I was surprised only by about two of these wins– I thought that Praise & Worship CD Of The Year would go to Israel Houghton.  He really got shafted this year, because The Power Of One was one of the best albums to come out in 2009.  The fact that he was only nominated in three categories, one of which was for packaging… c’mon.  But, kudos to Stephen Hurd anyhow.

Second, I didn’t think Hezekiah Walker & LFC would walk away with Artist Of The Year.  I really figured it would go to Donald Lawrence.  Either way, I’m thrilled.  I have loved Pastor Walker for YEARS and I couldn’t be more excited for him… he definitely deserved to be recognized and that album is an absolute favorite from the past year.

So, that’s THAT.  If you get Gospel Music Channel, the show airs on February 28th at 8pm ET/7pm CST.  BUT, it will likely air in your region before that… I’ll post the local dates and times when the Stellars post it… I can’t type all of that! LOL

And check back here throughout the week for my recaps– I went a lot of places, chatted with a lot of folks, and I’ve got LOTS to tell you.  Deal?  DEAL!

In the meantime, TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK of the winners!!!

Word has it that Yolanda Adams and Byron Cage will be co-hosting BMI’s annual Trailblazers Awards this weekend in Nashville, during Stellar Awards weekend.

According to my buddy, Torrence Glenn at BET.com, the performers slated to honor Donnie McClurkin and Andraé Crouch at the event have also been announced.  They include Yolanda Adams, CeCe Winans, Micah Stampley, Latice Crawford, Marvin Winans, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Mary Mary, Tata Vega… WOWWWWZERS.

Can you tell that this luncheon is gonna be BANANAS?!  Tryna figure out if I’m gonna tweet from the event… I think I may be too distracted. LOL

Fortunately for all of you can’t attend, I think they’re taping it for TV again, so you can probably catch it later on Gospel Music Channel or something.

What do you think of the list of performers?

I love great music.  Even more, I love a great live performance.  You’ve GOT TO be able to sing to pull it off and, if you can’t, it shows.

This year, a lot of great live performances were captured and broadcast across the nation.  Then, folks uploaded ‘em to YouTube.

Here are my 5 FAVORITE televised performances of 2009, in order:

5.  Donnie McClurkin & Karen Clark Sheard - “Wait On The Lord” at the 2009 Stellar Awards
The first single from Donnie McClurkin’s anticipated project did not disappoint. Aside from being a soaring ballad with an encouraging message, it featured one of the greatest voices the gospel industry has ever heard– that of Karen Clark Sheard. The duo gave one of the most thrilling performances of this year’s Stellar Awards telecast, with Karen soaring into the rafters in a way that any music lover could appreciate (and die-hard KCS fans were simply drooling over).

4. Kirk Franklin, Myrna Summers, Milton Biggham - Tribute To Rev. Timothy Wright at the 2009 Stellar Awards
At the time, the late Rev. Timothy Wright’s health was on a roller coaster– good days followed by bad ones. Kirk Franklin produced a moving segment, blending some of his hits with classic songs from the incomparable “Godfather Of Gospel Music.” With featured appearances by Myrna Summers and Rev. Milton Biggham, Kirk’s set was an incredible tribute to an incredible man.

3.  Fantasia & Diane Barrino - “He’s Done Enough” on Bobby Jones Gospel
Everyone knows that Fantasia was ACTUALLY s’posed to have signed a gospel contract win she won American Idol. But 2009 finally brought a bunch of gospel performance opps for her and gospel consumers cannot get enough of her. In every case, her signature singin’ and squallin’ brought audiences to their feet and prompted one recurring question from gospel consumers - “when is FANTASIA gonna do a gospel album?!”

It kinda all began in the beginning of the year, when she was featured on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel, with her mother, Diane Barrino. She ministered like a seasoned pro and gave a performance like only she can.  Even more, she took the topic of her salvation off the table (though, it shouldn’t have been there to begin with) and demonstrated a real relationship with Jesus Christ.

2. Jessica Reedy - “Brighter Day” on BET’s Sunday Best
In my opinion, it was the most incredible performance of the entire season of BET’s Sunday Best.  Jessica stepped from possible underdog to frontrunner with one sweet, flawless, jazzy arrangement of Kirk Franklin’s “Brighter Day.” Channeling the style and finesse of Anita Baker, Jessica utterly floored the judges, Kirk Franklin and the viewing nation.

Though she’s not signed to a record deal yet, she promised ME she’d do her best to re-record THIS cut for her debut album.

1. Kim Burrell - “Bless Me (Prayer Of Jabez)” at the 2009 BMI Trailblazers Of Gospel Awards
Each year, one of the greatest events during Stellar Awards weekend is the BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Awards, at which gospel greats are honored with an award and tribute performances that are second to none. The most gifted vocalists and musicians in the industry participate and, often, attendees can only describe how good the show was by shaking their head in disbelief.

Enter Gospel Music Channel, which secured the rights to nationally broadcast the event for the first time. And what a year to do so– Kim Burrell performed “Bless Me (Prayer Of Jabez)” in tribute to honoree Donald Lawrence. The rest can only be stated by watching the video. LOL

Of course, I couldn’t pinpoint all of the great performances… there were too many.  From Celebration Of Gospel, to the Stellar Awards, BMI Trailblazers Of Gospel Awards and Sunday Best, we saw some dynamic performances from some of the world’s most gifted musicians.

Which TV performances made your list of faves?

The industry was blessed with some really great new music in 2009– we saw some highly-anticipated debut projects, a looooong-awaited reunion project, and fresh music from some of our favorite artists.

I think I’ve heard all of it and here are my 10 favorite albums of 2009, in order:

10.  Coko | The Winner In Me
Coko’s got one of those voices that just screamed CHURCH, even when her R&B group, SWV, was at the height of its popularity.  The Winner In Me is her sophomore gospel project and it demonstrated a firm commitment to gospel.  Even more, it demonstrated a firm commitment to Christ, lest there be any doubters.  She crafted a diverse, yet cohesive, body of work that has received significant rotation from me since its release in July.

9.  Tonex | Unspoken
Despite the talk and controversy that seems to follow him, Tonex’s musical gifts are 100% undeniable.  He provides one of the freshest musical perspectives in gospel music, always pushing the envelope to remind us that God, as Creator, gifted His children with the same mindblowing ability to CREATE.  I’m like a kid in a candy store when I listen to Unspoken.  There’s more musical goodness going on than I have the auditory capacity to take in at once, which is why the project has gotten so many spins from me.  And I’m far from being finished with it.

8.  Melinda Watts | People Get Ready
The winner of Gospel Music Channel’s 2008 season of Gospel Dream gathered an award-winning team of producers and songwriters to assist her in crafting a fresh and exciting debut project that represented her diverse influences and musical preferences.  There’s a little something for everyone on her album, so she’s been able to get major love from CCM and gospel audiences alike.  She’s an up and coming gap-bridger and, with her debut project, Melinda’s carving a nice lil’ spot in the industry for herself.

7.  Ted Winn | Balance
With his debut solo album, Ted Winn demonstrated his ability to handle every form of artistry in the gospel biz– he’s gone from choir, to ensemble, to duo, and has landed firmly as a solo artist.  What’s more– he’s one of a few artists that I trust, musically, to respect the gospel genre while remaining relevant to the marketplace.  The project is bursting with simply good music– from catchy songwriting (primarily his own) to great production and arrangements, Balance provides just that for listeners.

6.  Sheri Jones-Moffett | Renewed
On her debut solo album, Sheri Jones-Moffett “renewed” the industry’s concept of her as a vocalist.  We knew that she could dominate a churchy lead vocal, but we were blessed to see her jump effortlessly from soaring ballads to pop-infused tracks, even a 70’s-themed single and a New Orleans-styled praise chant.  With an inspirational and encouraging message to share, Sheri knocked her debut offering out of the ballpark… and nabbed a much-deserved GRAMMY nod in the process.

5.  Fred Hammond | Love Unstoppable
The pioneer of contemporary praise  & worship in gospel added yet another hit album to his discography with Love Unstoppable.  Perhaps most refreshing about this project is that he successfully tested the waters of other styles– even calypso and jazz– while remaining at all times “classic Fred.”  This album demonstrated why we continue to look to him for musical guidance for the coming years… great things keep coming from his lab.  He’s kinda unstoppable, too.

4.  BeBe & CeCe Winans | Still
The world waited 15 years for gospel’s favorite sibling duo to reunite and make music together again.  The wait proved worth it when BeBe & CeCe finally released a collection of music that was a great reminder of why we loved them in the first place, while remaining relevant to today’s musical climate.  How many duos can, at their height, take a break, experience chart-topping and award-winning solo careers, come back together, and prove that they’ve “still” got it?  Just one, I think…

3.  Israel Houghton | The Power Of One
Israel ventured out on his own, sans New Breed, for his latest project.  The result was a cohesive project from a musician who remained loyal to his gap-bridging musical technique while demonstrating his ability to master other styles within the gospel and Christian genres.  This album affirmed Israel’s ability to make music for the universal Body of Believers, a feat that not all ministers of music are able to perform.

2.  J Moss | Just James
After a year marked by a test, a shortcoming and, ultimately, a triumph, J Moss returned to the marketplace this year with a new perspective on his third major solo release, stripping away all pretense in an attempt to present himself as “just James.”  The result was a collection of work that seems to have been born straight from his time with the Lord– times in which he saw his need for grace and experienced, in a fresh way, God’s redeeming power and love.  We were merely blessed enough to have those experiences translated to music that could encourage us in our own journeys.

1.  Donald Lawrence & Co. | The Law Of Confession, Vol. 1
In recent years, Donald Lawrence has focused a lot of his musical energy on encouraging the Body of Christ by teaching us who God is, who we are in relation to Him, and what we might expect as a result of that relationship.  With his latest release, Donald challenged believers by demonstrating the power of our words, especially in view of God’s words.  As if the message, alone, wasn’t enough to make a great album, he set it to music that is as diverse as it is beautiful.  From instrumentation to his in-demand group of singers, Donald Lawrence is unparalleled in his ability to produce and arrange music that pays homage to the heritage of gospel music while progressing the genre for the glory of God.  The musical manifestation of that ability is, hands-down, what makes The Law Of Confession, Vol. 1 my favorite album of 2009.

If I can do an honorable mention category, I’d have to point out that the following albums got a tremendous amount of play time in my car and on iTunes, too:

JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise | Resting On His Promise

Da’ T.R.U.T.H. | The Big Picture

The Anointed Pace Sisters | Access Granted

Vanessa Bell Armstrong | The Experience

For your musical enjoyment, you can click an album image below to listen to snippets and/or make a purchase.  You’re never too late!

What do you think of my faves?

Gospel Music Channel will be premiering a motion picture starring Fred Hammond entitled Christmas… Who Needs It? on Sunday, December 13th at 6pm ET.

Check out the trailer…

Sounds like feel-good holiday fun for the whole family!

Who’s tuning in?