Oooooooh boy.  There was so much on TV yesterday… I’m gonna try to recap it all and say what I gotta say about it, but I’m CERTAINLY going in reverse order so I can talk about BET’s Celebration of Gospel first!

Me no likey!

There were a small handful of performances that I thought were really good, the rest ranged from so-so to mediocre, with the exception of one that was really… just something special and unexpected.

First, the good news: Kirk Franklin gave an INCREDIBLE performance of “Little Boy,” with Rance Allen, Isaac Carree and Lowell Pye.  These brothers saaang the way singing is supposed to happen.  Also, Hezekiah Walker & LFC featured Marvin Sapp and DJ Rogers on “God Favored Me,” and they almost too me outta here!  Awesome.  And, of course, Karen Clark-Sheard, one of the greatest voices EVER, closed the show with Donnie McClurkin on his new cut, “Wait on the Lord.”  Phenomenal.

And, thanks to all you artists who are generally consistent in bringing a good performance.  You didn’t disappoint:  21:03, Mary Mary, Vickie Winans (one of the singing-est women in this industry… why don’t people really acknowledge that?), Bobby Jones and Shirley Caesar.

Kurt Carr’s performance was aight, mostly because his singers ripped it… as usual.  But what was with the random church ladies dancing on the side?  Speaking of which, did anyone happen to catch The Color Purple on Broadway?

Let’s see… what else…

Smokie Norful and Heather Headley… y’know, I was expecting VERY little from this performance, so I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t a trainwreck.  He sang well, she sang well, they sang well together.  Somebody’s gonna blast her on here, I KNOW, but I say it wasn’t bad.

Now, I know I’ve read at least one comment saying that Trin-i-tee 5:7′s performance of “Get Away” left much to be desired.  I’m not one of those “cover yourself up” kind of Christians, but I think a good performance requires more than trendy clothing… make sure we understand your concept, or see a theme, or at least some synchronized choreography.

About LL Cool J:  I thought he was going to be featured on a Mary Mary song, not vice versa.  In either case, I looked up at some point and saw money flying on the stage.  And I checked out.  Good thing, though, I did hear him say the name “Jesus,” finally… (see my earlier post to see what I’m talking about).

Finally, and I guess somebody’s gotta say it, so it may as well be me:  Teena Marie.

Yeah, that’s pretty much what we thought, too, Teena.

I can’t tell you how many Facebook status changes I saw after this woman got off stage.  Pure hatred.  LOL

I’ll say this:  I think that Teena Marie gave us what she’s been giving us for the past decade– a diminished vocal ability and lackluster performances.  Don’t get me wrong, she is absolutely a legend, but like so many legends these days, the voice ain’t what it used to be.  But that’s where she is, that’s where she’s been.  I don’t fault her.

Personally, I’m looking cross-eyed at BET for booking her.  I don’t think we (and by “we,” I mean YOU) should be booking artists to perform on any event, especially not a gospel music event, based solely on their prior contributions to the music industry.  Consider the event, consider the genre and consider the audience.  Consider the respect due to those three things, then choose your artists.

Ok, I’ve released all of that.  I am carefully opening the floodgates to comments from you all.

WHAT DID YOU THINK?

Well, excuuuuuuuuuse me, gospel consumers!  Y’all flipped the Billboard charts upside down, huh?

Look for the chart on the sidebar to your right. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Heather Headley’s gospel album debuts at #1, bumping Mary Mary to #2.  But Marvin Sapp sat at #2, so you’d think he’d now be #3, right?  Noooooo… The #3 spot was nabbed by Crystal Aikin’s debut album.  Marvin Sapp is now at #4.  And who’s following closely behind him at #5?  Shari Addison!

Three new artists (I’m counting Heather Headley as “new” to gospel) have debuted in the top 5 in their first week?  Impressive.

And, as an FYI, Heather Headley is also #1 on the Christian chart and #6 on the R&B chart.  She’s kinda not playin’.

Ahhh, the show.  It’s actually what we were all there for, despite the fact that it was surrounded by so many equally “stellar” events.  It was hosted by Dorinda Clark-Cole, Donnie McClurkin and Sinbad.  First, can I just say how great it was to see Sinbad again?  He is one of the funniest comedians, especially cuz he doesn’t curse in his routines.  And he didn’t disappoint at the taping, either.  His chemistry with Dorinda and Donnie was great, he was gracious… I think he should be a regular.

Anyway, my favorite performance was, hands-down, “Wait On The Lord,” by Donnie McClurkin.  This track, from his upcoming album, features Karen Clark-Sheard and they did a DYNAMITE job.  Karen soars and shines and Donnie provides the power ballad for which he’s generally known.  They had BETTER NOT edit that performance because it was unreal!

My other faves were: 21:03 singing a medley of “Cover Me” and “You,” Jonathan Nelson & Purpose singing “My Name Is Victory,” Da T.R.U.T.H. performing “Reward,” and Kirk Franklin performing a tribute/medley in honor of Rev. Timothy Wright.

Other notable performances came from Tye Tribbett & G.A., Heather Headley, and Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s, and uhh… Sheryl Lee Ralph’s impromptu spiritual.  Heheheheee… I’m just playin’.  It was good.

But umm… there were two expected performances that I didn’t see at the show (and I didn’t take any bathroom breaks this go ’round)… Mary Mary and Deitrick Haddon were announced to perform, but DIDN’T.  Arrrrrggghhh!

Anyway, great show, VERY quick taping (thank ya, Lawd!).  You can see a full list of the winners at GospelFlava.com cuz they already typed it up nice and pretty, they’re a great site, and there’s no point in me re-creating the wheel.  Click here.  AND they’ve posted the show’s anticipated air dates and times city-by-city.  Click here.  New York, you’re up first cuz yours airs this weekend, so don’t sleep or you’ll have to wait until it airs on the Gospel Music Channel in March.

Pictures are coming soon in my 2009 Stellar Awards Weekend Photo Gallery, so stay tuned.

Now, I thought I was satisfied at this point, but I was totally unprepared for the Post Party! It’s up next!

Just a quick reminder that the following three new releases are in stores TODAY:

Crystal Aikin (Verity) | Shari Addison (Verity) | Heather Headley (EMI Gospel)

Anyone planning to buy ‘em?  Anyone already bought ‘em?  Which ones y’all buyin’?

Talk to me.

This just in:  Smokie Norful’s fourth album, recorded a few months ago LIVE in Memphis, will be released on EMI Gospel on April 7th.  The album, titled Smokie Norful Live, will be released at the same time as the project’s DVD.

It’s a 10-track album, the first single of which (“Justified”) is slated to hit radio at the end of February.  Other notable tracks include a cover of “Jesus Is Love,” featuring Heather Headley, which they’ll perform together on BET’s Celebration of Gospel later this month, and “God’s Gonna Do It,” featuring Tye Tribbett.

I guess I’m a little hopeful.  We shall see…

The performers for next week’s BMI Trailblazers Award Luncheon have been announced.  If you recall from my earlier post, Twinkie Clark, Donald Lawrence and CeCe Winans will be honored this year at the annual Stellar Awards-weekend event.

Well, on hand to salute them will be:  Kirk Franklin, Faith Evans, Karen Clark-Sheard, Donnie McClurkin, Kierra Sheard, Kim Burrell, DeWayne Woods, Crystal Lewis, Lalah Hathaway, Heather Headley and more.

Sounds reeaaaally good.  We’ll see if I get in… pray without ceasing, folks!