The chart-topping, vocal-clobbering Le’Andria Johnson releases her second project, The Evolution of Le’Andria Johnson, on February 14, 2012.

It’s another EP– 7 tracks including “Leap Into My Destiny.” Production credits go to Grammy-winning Raphael Saadiq and Eric Dawkins. Check out the album cover and track listing below!

And pre-order right here, right now.

1. It’s Gonna Be Alright
2. He Was There
3. Let It Go
4. Sooner Or Later
5. He First Loved Me feat. Michael Johnson
6. I Shall Leap
7. Overtaken

You grabbin’ it???

The nominees for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards were announced tonight during a live telecast on CBS.

In the gospel categories, the nominees are–

Best Gospel/CCM Performance
“Do Everything”
Steven Curtis Chapman
Track from: re:Creation
[Sparrow Records]

“Alive (Mary Magdalene)”
Natalie Grant
Track from: Music Inspired By The Story
[WOW Joint Venture/EMI CMG]

“Your Love”
Brandon Heath
Track from: Leaving Eden
[Reunion Records]

“Jesus”
Le’Andria Johnson
Track from: The Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson
[Music World Gospel]

“I Lift My Hands”
Chris Tomlin
Track from: And If Our God Is For Us…
[Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]

Best Gospel Song
“Hello Fear”
Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)
Track from: Hello Fear
[Verity Gospel Music Group/Fo Yo Soul Ent.; Publisher: Aunt Gertrude Music]

“Sitting With Me”
Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Gerald Haddon & Tammi Haddon, songwriters (Mary Mary)
Track from: Something Big
[Columbia Records; Publishers: Precious Baby Music/T Bella Music/EMI April Music, It's Tea Tyme, That's Plum Song]

“Spiritual”
Donald Lawrence, songwriter (Donald Lawrence & Co. Featuring Blanche McAllister-Dykes)
Track from: YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
[Verity Gospel Music Group; Publisher: Quiet Water Entertainment]

“Trust Me”
Richard Smallwood, songwriter (Richard Smallwood & Vision)
Track from: Promises
[Verity Gospel Music Group; Publishers: Universal-Z Tunes/T.Autumn Music]

“Window”
Canton Jones, songwriter (Canton Jones)
Track from: Dominionaire
[Cajo Records; Publisher: CAJO Music]

Best Gospel Album
The Love Album
Kim Burrell
[Shanachie Entertainment]

The Journey
Andraé Crouch
[Riverphlo Entertainment]

Hello Fear
Kirk Franklin
[Verity Gospel Music Group/ Fo Yo Soul Ent.]

Something Big
Mary Mary
[Columbia Records]

Angel & Chanelle Deluxe Edition
Trin-I-Tee 5:7
[Music World Gospel]

Best CCM Song
“Blessings”
Laura Story, songwriter (Laura Story)
Track from: Blessings
[Fair Trade Services; Publishers: New Spring/Gleaning Publishing]

“Hold Me”
Jamie Grace Harper, Toby McKeehan & Christopher Stevens, songwriters (Jamie Grace Featuring Tobymac)
[Gotee Records; Publishers: Universal Music, Brentwood Benson Tunes, Songs of Third Base/Chriscendo Music, Meaux Mercy/Achtober Songs]

“I Lift My Hands”
Louie Giglio, Matt Maher & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin)
Track from: And If Our God Is For Us…
[Sparrow Records/sixstepsrecords; Publishers: sixsteps Music/worshiptogether.com Songs/Vamos Publishing/Thankyou Music/spiritandsong.com Publishing]

“Strong Enough”
Matthew West, songwriter (Matthew West)
Track from: The Story Of Your Life
[Sparrow Records; Publishers: External Combustion Music/Songs For Delaney/Songs of Southside Independent Music]

“Your Love”
Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram, songwriters (Brandon Heath)
Track from: Leaving Eden
[Reunion Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing/Big Skwawka Music, Sony/ATV Timber Publishing/Windsor Hill Music]

Best CCM Album
Ghosts Upon The Earth
Gungor
[Brash Music]

Leaving Eden
Brandon Heath
[Reunion Records]

The Great Awakening
Leeland
[Essential Records]

What If We Were Real
Mandisa
[Sparrow Records]

Black & White
Royal Tailor
[Essential Records]

And If Our God Is For Us…
Chris Tomlin
[Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]

If you recall, NARAS significantly revamped the awards categories this year, chopping down 7 categories to 5, and crunching all of it into either “gospel” or “Christian contemporary music (CCM)”… it’s cleaner, though it may unfairly treat some very significant sub-genres (like Christian hip-hop).

*shrug*

A full list of nominees in all categories can be viewed here.

What do you think of the nominees???

TODAY! TODAY! TODAY!

Tune in to 106 & Park on BET today to catch the freshly Grammy-nominated Le’Andria Johnson on-air.

106 & Park airs from 6pm-8pm ET.

The nominees for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards will be announced during the annual nominations concert THIS WEDNESDAY, November 30th, at 10pm ET/PT on CBS.

While there won’t likely be any gospel artists on stage, or any gospel categories announced live, we will get to see who’s nominated shortly thereafter.

In any case, tune in if you wanna. Either way, come back here on Wednesday night to see the list of nominees in the gospel categories!

Shirley Murdock’s new album, The Journey, is a 17-track collection of music with an underlying theme of encouragement running through them. It’s solid, though perhaps not astounding, as a demonstration of great vocals and heartfelt ministry.

With Grammy Award winner Cedric Thompson at the helm of production (Donald Lawrence,Karen Clark Sheard, LeJuene Thompson), The Journey is the culmination of the first live recording of Murdock’s career. And it’s packed with powerhouse vocals from favorites in gospel and mainstream music, including Kelly Price, Beverly Crawford and Regina Belle.

Standout tracks on The Journey include the urban soul-tinged groove “It’s In Your Hands,” ”Upward Way” featuring Regina Belle, and “Lord You Reign,” a building and beautiful worship chorus.

Also, look out for “He Is the Rock,” on which Beverly Crawford outright shines with Murdock, the piano-driven “Keep Lovin’ Me,” which features the incomparable Kelly Price on guest vocals, and the project’s inspiring first single, “Dream.”

Given her success as a touring mainstream artist, it seems that a live set like this would’ve come earlier. Murdock is a natural as she interacts with the audience. Her sweet and genuine personality translates beautifully to this album and leaves you just plain old enjoying her.

My only qualms with the project are that some of the songwriting could have been a bit stronger and, at the height of some of the singers’ ranges, there was audio distortion in the mix. Still, Murdock’s vocals do a great job of making a lot of the songs work well and it’s a pretty good offering.

The Journey hits stores on October 18, 2011 (Tyscot Records), but you can listen and pre-order it right now, right here–

Malaco Music Group announced yesterday that it has signed Grammy-winning group Sounds Of Blackness.

Their newest single, “Fly Again” goes to radio at the top of August, but you can listen to it NOW on the Pundit Player below!

The tune features Jamecia Bennett on lead vocals.  She’s the daughter of Sounds of Blackness mainstay vocalist Ann Nesby, and mother of American Idol Top 5 contestant Paris Bennett.

The upcoming self-titled CD, Sounds of Blackness, will be released later this year, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the group’s debut album, The Evolution of Gospel (which featured the crossover hit “Optimistic”), and the 40th anniversary of the group’s inception.

I have a special place in my heart for Sounds of Blackness– some of their early work forms pieces of the soundtrack of my life.  LOVE ‘em!

Don’t forget to check out the single on the Pundit Player!

McDonald’s will kick off its 5th annual Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour featuring Grammy Award-winning gospel recording artist Hezekiah Walker. The tour is part of McDonald’s everyday commitment to celebrating the culture of the African-American community.

The tour will make stops at churches in 6 U.S. cities (Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Atlanta) and will play at the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Mississippi, as well as, summer festivals in Newark, NJ, and Washington, DC.

Tour dates and locations include:
June 11 – Atlanta, GA (Ray of Hope Christian Church)
June 14 – Jackson, MS (Jackson Convention Complex)
June 16 – Philadelphia, PA (Deliverance Evangelistic Church)
June 18 – Newark, NJ (McDonald’s Gospelfest – Prudential Center) *not a free concert
June 21 – Detroit, MI (Greater Grace Temple)
June 23 – Chicago, IL (Christ Universal Temple)
June 25 – Dallas, TX (Friendship West Baptist Church)
July 22 – Los Angeles, CA (West Angeles COGIC)
September 10 – Washington, DC (Black Family Reunion Celebration – National Mall)

The McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour concerts are FREE (except for the McDonald’s Gospelfest event in Newark, NJ), and tickets are available, while supplies last, at the host church and select local retailers.

“Gospel music gives inspiration to people and McDonald’s is known for giving to communities around the world,” said Hezekiah Walker. “I am honored to headline a tour of this nature and be able to share my music with audiences across the country to uplift and inspire them.”

Bishop Walker will be joined by all-star gospel artists 21:03 in Philadelphia, Detroit and Chicago; Canton Jones in Atlanta and Jackson, MS; Myron Butler and Anthony Evans in Dallas; and Nikki Potts in Los Angeles.

“McDonald’s is really excited to share in culture and community in a way that really connects with our consumers in a meaningful way,” expressed Rob Jackson, McDonald’s Director U.S. Marketing.  “During the community events, attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about Ronald McDonald House Charities® and the incredible work they do to help families right in the local community.”

In previous years, the tour featured top gospel artists such as CeCe Winans, Regina Belle, Smokie Norful, J. Moss, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Kierra “KiKi” Sheard.

For more info about the tour, visit www.365Black.com, McDonald’s portal for its 365Black® programs, celebrating the African American community throughout the year.

Who’s attending???

The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS), the body for awarding the coveted Grammy Awards, announced yesterday that it is revamping its categories, removing 52 categories from this year’s 109 categories.

In addition to eliminating the distinction between “male” and “female” awardees in some categories, several genre-based categories were eliminated, including Gospel.

Take a look at the categories from last year (on the left) as compared to what will be the categories next year (on the right)…

For a comparative list of how the rest of the categories changed from this year to the coming year, click here.

What do you think?  Good look?  Bad look?

Hey folks– new music coming your way from Martha Munizzi!

The Grammy-nominated praise & worship artist will release her newest album, Make It Loud, on April 26th.  Recorded live in Orlando, FL, the album is “a declaration for Christians to stand up and be bold and vocal about their faith.”

The album is said to be the culmination of a gathering of worship leaders in a movement Munizzi began called EPIC Worship (Experience a Passionate Intimate Connection with God), and features several of the leaders on the project. Special guests include William McDowell, Michael Gungor, and even Martha’s daughter Danielle.

For more info, hit up http://www.MarthaMunizzi.com.

Music World Gospel, owned by Mathew Knowles, has added another client to its roster– Vanessa Bell Armstrong.

As announced yesterday, the legendary vocalist has been signed to an exclusive recording and co-management deal with the rising gospel entity.  She will be co-managed by Clive Ellis of CAnthony Entertainment.

Mathew Knowles has been making significant steps in the gospel music industry over the past several months, most recently being named to the Board of Directors of the Gospel Music Association (GMA).

No word yet on when Vanessa Bell Armstrong’s first album on the label will hit stores, but if her Grammy-nominated The Experience is any indication, I think it’ll be worth the wait.