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!

Over Stellar Awards weekend, Karen Clark Sheard announced the signing of the newest artist to her label, Karew Records– Jonathan Nelson!

After that, Jonathan tweeted and confirmed it, as did his twin bro, Jason Nelson. Jonathan was previously signed to Integrity Music, on which his latest album, Better Days, was released in 2010.

We can expect new music from Jonathan Nelson THIS YEAR.

Congrats Jonathan and Karew!

Every day this week, I’ve blogged about a new single and I’ve added it to the Pundit Player for you to check out before purchasing– one from Jason Nelson, one from Deon Kipping, and one from Brian Courtney Wilson.

But today it dawned on me– y’all aren’t really buying the singles, are you?

Commentators agree that the music industry has become a singles-based market. Now that people have the ability to bypass album fillers in exchange for “the good songs,” they do.

But, I’m also aware that gospel music consumers are several years behind the trends of the music industry as a whole. Gospel consumers still purchase physical CDs more than digital albums. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if you guys are NOT following the singles-market trend, and are actually still buying full projects.

Out of curiousity, how many of you buy singles before the album is released?

It’s a pretty well-known fact that Jason Nelson is just about one of my favorite male vocalists in gospel music today.

His tone is classic. His delivery is always intricate, but simple and straightforward. He’s an excellent songwriter and a compelling worshipper. He’s just great.

He was recently signed to Verity Gospel Music Group and will release his first single, “Shifting The Atmosphere” to iTunes on November 1st.

But guess who can listen to it right here, right now?

I’ve just added it to the Pundit Player on the bottom of your screen! It’s a great worship track full of passion and a great vocal performance.

Take a listen and let me know what you think!

And don’t forget, Jason Nelson will be joining Kirk Franklin on the Fearless Tour this Fall. Read our earlier post to get more info on it!

Mark your calendars and save your pennies– Kirk Franklin has announced a Fall tour, which will run during the month of November.

Titled the “Fearless Tour,” the shows will feature Franklin and his singers, plus special guests Isaac Carree, Sunday Best’s Amber Bullock, Jason Nelson and Deon Kipping.

Check out the dates, cities and venues (subject to change)–

Nov. 1, 2011 | Little Rock, AR | Venue TBA

Nov. 3, 2011 | Tulsa, OK | Mabee Center

Nov. 4, 2011 | Houston, TX | Arena Theatre

Nov. 5, 2011 | San Antonio, TX | NCCF

Nov. 6, 2011 | Oklahoma City, OK | Venue TBA

Nov. 9, 2011 | Birmingham, AL | Bill Harris Arena

Nov. 10, 2011| Montgomery, AL | Venue TBA

Nov. 11, 2011 | Atlanta, GA | Fox Theater

Nov. 12, 2011 | Greensboro, NC | War Memorial Auditorium

Nov. 13, 2011 | Columbia, SC | Venue TBA

Nov. 15, 2011 | Akron, OH | Civic Theatre

Nov. 17, 2011 | St. Louis, MO | Fox Theatre

Nov. 18, 2011 | Chicago, IL | House of Hope

Nov. 19, 2011 | Indianapolis, IN | The Venue

Nov. 20, 2011 | Pittsburgh, PA | Soldier Memorial Hall

Nov. 23, 2011 | Detroit, MI | Greater Grace

Nov. 25, 2011 | Philadelphia, PA | Keswick Theatre

Nov. 26, 2011 | Baltimore, MD | Lyric Theatre

Nov. 27, 2011 | New York, NY | Best Buy Theatre

Tickets for some venues have gone on sale already– others, not yet. I’d check with the venues above and, if that doesn’t work, get to Googlin’!

Who’s going???

The annual New Jersey-based True Worship Retreat, hosted by Lance Williams, will take place this year from September 8-10, 2011 in East Orange, NJ (at New Vision Full Gospel Baptist Church).

The conference features teaching and singing from some of the industry’s finest, including Edwin Hawkins, Kim Burrell, Jason Nelson, Beverly Crawford, Bishop Noel Jones and more.

Registration for the weekend is $55. For more info, visit http://www.trueworship.org.

It’s no secret that Donald Lawrence is one of my favorite artists in gospel music.  There aren’t many artists who can honor the rich heritage and sound of gospel, while still adding their own element to it.  He’s not of this era– he’s got few contemporaries– but he’s still relevant. That’s not an easy feat.

In case you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to read my album review at gmc’s official website.  That’s my official and formal deal on Donald Lawrence’s new album, YRM (Your Righteous Mind).

Here, I’ll allow myself to be a fan, just chattin’ about my favorite parts of the project… let’s go!

The a cappella intro to D. Lawrence’s remake of Commissioned’s “How Can We Sing (In A Strange Land)”… perfection.  And it only gets better, as Keith Staten and Jason Nelson take turns on lead.

Listen to “Spiritual,” the latest single from this album, to hear how masterfully Donald incorporated the classic “fruits of the Spirit” segment from the Clark Sisters’ 1981 tune “Walk In the Spirit” (Twinkie was before her time, by the way). THIS type of stuff is where he shines.

If you attended any of the regional Verizon Wireless How Sweet the Sound events last year, you probably remember Marvin Sapp and CeCe Winans performing the Walter Hawkins classic “When the Battle Is Over” with Donald. On the album, singers Kim McFarland and Dante Hall (one of Donald’s newer full-time vocalists) tag team on it. It’s gospel like it’s s’posed to be.

There aren’t many duos like sisters Tobbi and Tommi.  And they demonstrate it on their remake of Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire.”  The bass line is true to the original, which is wise– this feels like a great, updated version of something we’re still jamming to anyway.

I adore the complex harmonies on the vamp of “The I AM Factor.”  That, with the string arrangement… wow!

Aaaand Floyd Wilkinson’s performance of the Daryl Coley tune “II Chronicles,” is a more-than-fitting pairing. He executes it with precision and passion– definitely a fave.

Other stand-outs for me are “Second Wind” (featuring Anita Wilson) and “We Agree” (featuring Israel Houghton), the latter of which is a refreshing and unexpected pairing.

In a nutshell… buy it.

By the way, for street day (August 9, 2011), Amazon.com is selling it for $3.99!
Grab it here!

I woke up incredibly hoarse this morning.  I know that I talked on the phone quite a bit yesterday for business, and that I went to bed later than usual because I was celebrating at a friend’s party, but I knew neither of those things was the culprit.

Jason Nelson is to blame.

See, I listened to Jason Nelson A LOT yesterday while riding in my car. More than listening, though, I sang along.  Tried to, anyhow…

Jason’s got one of those voices that just makes you wanna try it. Like, perhaps you’ll accidentally stumble upon being able to sing like him, if only for one moment.  You’ll go hoarse trying to sing with Jason Nelson.

But Jason’s not the only one– at times, for me, it’s been Teddy Campbell, Isaac Carree, Floyd Wilkinson, Donnie McClurkin, Melonie Daniels, Kim Burrell…

And I know I’m not alone in this because I’ve driven alongside some churchy people putting on a full CONCERT in their car.

So, tell me– who is an artist that you go hoarse trying to sing with?

So, by now, most of you have gotten the opportunity to grab Better Days, the latest project from Jonathan Nelson.

I know I can’t get enough of the band hits on “Cry Holy,” the incomparable vocals of Jason Nelson on “Another Way,” or the GRAMMY-worthy vocal performance from Kierra Sheard on “Performance” (it’s MAJOR to me).

But what about you?  You lovin’ it?  Just likin’ it a little?  Do you prefer this project to his Integrity debut, Right Now Praise?

What’s the word on Jonathan Nelson’s project???

There’s a practice that’s become popular behind the scenes in gospel over the last decade. You may or may not be familiar.

Here’s the scenario: Artist A decides they need to record a “worship” album. Their record company hires a team of songwriters and producers to create a worship experience for Artist A. The record is cut, with mixed or “aight” results.

Not so for William McDowell – singer, songwriter, producer and worshipper. This new tide in the industry toward worship aligns perfectly with what he’s been doing all along. Even before he connected with his musical mentor, a man by the name of Ron Kenoly (a praise and worship pioneer), William was clear about his purpose.

Just one listen to his double-disc debut album, As We Worship: Live, released early last year, will make that purpose clear for you– to lead a new generation of worshippers. I was struck by how often he literally speaks (and sings) of “going to the nations so the whole world will know.”

I know you’re wondering one other important thing. What’s this William McDowell sound like? Well, his music has a William sound. Honestly, I’d love to compare him to Israel Houghton or Jason Nelson, or even Ron Kenoly. But I think his sound is a unique blend of all three with acoustic, contemporary and urban elements.

The best way for to draw your own conclusion is to listen!

His single “I Give Myself Away” has been making an impact on Christian radio, and is also available with his album on iTunes. It’s become popular with praise and worship teams, so chances are you’ve already heart it.  If not, check out this clip featured below–

However, I wouldn’t stop there. He definitely has a few other cuts that you’ve got to hear: “Psalm 27 (One Thing)” featuring LaRue Howard, “Give Us Your Heart” and “Send Me,” featuring Brad Fontaine.  And oh yeah, “The Sound of Heaven.”

Basically, listen to the whole thing because I’m sure you’ll find plenty of favorites on the two discs, just like I did.

For our friends down south, you can also catch William’s ministry in person. He’s the Music Minister at The Gathering Place in Lake Mary, FL, led by Pastor Sam Hinn.

Either way, I want to know what you think.  Go listen (right now) and be sure to come back and share!