A new Bishop Paul Morton compilation album, Memorable Moments, debuted at #8 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week.  The project features some of his greatest hits, including “Cry Your Last Tear” and “Let It Rain”.

I love to hear Bishop Morton sing– even more, I love to WATCH him sing.  Great man of God with lots of gifts…  Did anyone pick up the compilation project? Check it out by clicking here.

In related news, WOW Gospel 2010 still sits at #1 on the chart, followed by BeBe & CeCe Winans and James Fortune & FIYA at #2 and #3, respectively.

Tamela Mann’s The Master Plan is at #4 and Fred Hammond’s Love Unstoppable rounds out the top 5.

And that’s about it.

More details are surfacing about the upcoming Stellar Awards Mother’s Day Gospel Music Festival I mentioned last year, hosted by Central City Productions.

The 3-day celebration will take place in Orlando, FL from Friday, May 7th through Sunday, May 9th.  Hosts for the weekend will be Vickie Winans and comedian Akintunde.

Featured performers include Byron Cage, Deitrick Haddon, James Fortune, Kierra Sheard and Jonathan Nelson on Friday; Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, Vickie Winans and Crystal Aikin on Saturday; Karen Clark Sheard, Kevin LeVar and Endurance on Sunday.

In addition to your travel and hotel, you’ll have to buy tix for the big gathering.  A 3-day pass to all events can be purchased for about $162.50 from Ticketmaster.  Click here for more info on the event.

Little movement in Billboard’s top 5 this week, with the exception of Mary Mary’s return to the mix, from the #6 spot to the #5 spot.

Other than that, WOW Gospel 2010 is still at #1, followed by BeBe & CeCe Winans, James Fortune & FIYA, and Tamela Mann at #2, #3, and #4 respectively.

Other than that, things are pretty… simple.

The charts have such little activity right now, I nearly didn’t wanna look at ‘em.  And I definitely didn’t feel like typing it… but I shall.

The top 7 albums are in precisely the same spots that they were in last week…

WOW Gospel 2010 is #1, BeBe & CeCe Winans are #2, James Fortune & FIYA’s Encore is #3, Tamela Mann’s The Master Plan is #4 and Fred Hammond is #5 with Love Unstoppable, Mary Mary sits at #6 and Hezekiah Walker & LFC at #7.

Brian Courtney Wilson’s Just Love gets bumped up to #8 from its #9 spot last week.  And Vickie Winans makes a huuuuge leap, from #22 to #9 this week.  I’m assuming that’s from her appearance last week on The Mo’Nique Show on BET.

The next album to shake things up will be Marvin Sapp’s Here I Am, hitting stores in just 3 weeks, on March 16th.  But, stay close to me, folks… some of you are gonna receive it before then…

WOW Gospel 2010 is still at the top of Billboard’s gospel album chart, while James Fortune & FIYA’s Encore drops from #2 to #3, switching places with the reunion project from gospel duo BeBe & CeCe Winans.

Tamela Mann’s The Master Plan and Fred Hammond’s Love Unstoppable remain at the #4 and #5 spots, respectively.

What’s weird to me– remember how I’ve been rooting for James Fortune to have two albums in the top 10, but he just missed the mark because, though Encore debuted at #2, The Transformation fell to #11?  Well, now I dunno WHEN it’ll happen, cuz The Transformation just dropped from #11 to #24.  What’s up with that?!

In related news, Byron Cage’s Faithful To Believe jumps from #12 to #10 this week, which reminds me to ask you folks why his project hasn’t been doing better in sales.  In my estimation, it’s time for another single because the title track has been at radio since around July or August.  I think he could use a boost in exposure (though, I think the Stellar Awards probably helped a bit)… another track from the project might be just what the doctor ordered.

Whatd’ya think???

No movement whatsoever in Billboard’s Top 5.  AT ALL.

WOW Gospel stays at #1, James Fortune & FIYA’s Encore is #2, BeBe & CeCe are #3, Tamela Mann’s The Master Plan is at #4 and Fred Hammond rounds it out again at #5.

In fact, #6 and #7 stay the same, too, with Mary Mary and Hezekiah Walker holding fast, respectively.

Props to Brian Courtney Wilson for jumping from #12 to #8.

The charts may look the same for a while, at least until Marvin Sapp’s Here I Am comes out next month.  Then, it’s all over. LOL

Whatd’ya think??

I kept saying a shake-up would come, and it kinda did.

The newest project in the WOW Gospel series has debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart.

James Fortune & FIYA’s newest album, Encore, debuted at #2.  He said yesterday, via Twitter, that Encore sold more in one week than his last album, The Transformation, sold in 6 months’ time!

The fun industry moment that I predicted last week didn’t take place… though James Fortune debuted #2, his older project, The Transformation, got bumped outta the top 10.  It sits at #11, though, so stay tuned… maybe he’ll have two albums in the top 10 next week.

WOW Gospel, however, DID manage to have two albums in the top 10– in addition to the 2010 release debuting at #1, WOW Gospel 2009 sits at #9.  Well, kudos to Y’ALL then!

With last week’s releases, BeBe & CeCe Winans’ reunion project, Still, drops from the #1 spot for the first time since its release, landing at #3.  Tamela Mann is holding strong at #4, followed by Fred Hammond’s Love Unstoppable at #5.

Time Life Entertainment’s latest rendevous into the gospel marketplace, Shouting Down The Aisles, debuted at #8 on the charts.

Hmm… I think those are the highlights.  Whatd’ya think???

Consider this a public service announcement and don’t pass on this offer.

James Fortune & FIYA’s newest album, Encore, and Brian Courtney Wilson’s acclaimed debut project, Just Love, are both available at Amazon.com FOR JUST $5!  It’s part of their larger 100 Albums For $5 Each campaign.

The $5 sale applies to digital downloads only, but… it’s 2010.  That’s what we’re doing. LOL

Click the images below to check out the music and to make a purchase.

Who’s getting ‘em???

We could be on the brink of a fun little industry moment… and, since I’m an industry nerd, that excites me!

James Fortune & FIYA’s last project, The Transformation, still rests at #10 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart.  With the release of their newest album, Encore, this past Tuesday, James Fortune & FIYA stand a really good chance of having TWO projects in Billboard’s Top 10.  That will be quite cool for him.  Rootin’ for ya, James! LOL

Other than that, same ol’ deal… little movement in the top 5 spots– BeBe & CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond, Tamela Mann rest at #1, #2 and #3, respectively.  This past week, Mary Mary and Hezekiah Walker switched spots, with Bishop Hez landing at #4 and the Marys at #5.

In addition to James Fortune’s record, we can expect WOW Gospel 2010 make some significant sales… we’ll probably see that high on the charts next week, too.

Whatd’ya think???

I kinda knew you all would vote this way…

Which January 26th release are you most excited about???

James Fortune & FIYA - 63% (110 votes)

WOW Gospel 2010 - 23% (40 votes)

Anthony Evans - 8% (14 votes)

The Mighty Clouds Of Joy - 6% (10 votes)

I think I probably agree.  James Fortune & FIYA are probably gonna bring some significant heat with their newest project, Encore.

BUT, I wanna caution you all to not simply dismiss the other projects– EACH ONE is gonna be good.  WOW Gospel features the greatest gospel songs of the past year– you want those.  Anthony Evans is incredibly underrated in the gospel industry, but he’s very popular in CCM… we need to embrace him on “this side,” cuz he’s a gifted worshipper with a phenomenal voice.  And The Mighty Clouds… if you haven’t listened to their single on the PunditPlayer, please do so now.  CLASSIC and great.

Don’t forget, each of these albums are in stores as of TODAY. You can preview tracks and buy ‘em by clicking any album below:

Which ones are you buying???

And don’t forget to vote in the next survey on the sidebar, which asks:

Of the nominees, who do YOU want to win the GRAMMY for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album?