William McDowell remains at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart for the third consecutive week, with his newest project, Arise. Le’Andria Johnson follows at #2, with a Marvin Sapp compilation from Verity rocketing from #10 to #3.

Also, indie artist Genita Pugh debuts at #9 with her latest album, My Purpose.

Check out the full top 10:

1 | William McDowell – Arise
2 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
3 | Marvin Sapp – Playlist: The Very Best of…
4 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
5 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me
6 | Lecrae – Rehab
7 | WOW Gospel 2011
8 | Jessica Reedy – From the Heart
9 | Genita Pugh – My Purpose
10 | Kierra Sheard – Free

I don’t have Genita Pugh’s project, but I took a listen at Amazon.com and it ain’t half shabby. Check it out–

Kudos to worship artist William McDowell, whose latest project, Arise, just debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart! The live set is a follow-up to As We Worship: Live, which features the radio hit “I Give Myself Away.”

Maurette Brown Clark’s The Sound of Victory also debuts in the top 10 this week, landing at #7.

Here’s a full snapshot of the top 10:

1 | William McDowell – Arise
2 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
3 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me
4 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
5 | Jessica Reedy – From the Heart
6 | Kierra Sheard – Free
7 | Maurette Brown Clark – The Sound of Victory
8 | WOW Gospel 2011
9 | Lecrae – Rehab
10 | Nevels Sisters – It’s My Time

Which of these are you still planning to purchase?

Shout-out to Christian hip-hop artist Shai Linne, whose new album, The Attributes of God, debuts at #5 this week on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart. His songs are cleverly steeped in theology– they’re deep, but accessible– and I love that. You can check out this project right here.

Le’Andria Johnson continues to rest at the #1 spot on this week, followed by Jessica Reedy’s From the Heart at #2 and Kierra Sheard’s Free at #3.

Here’s a glance at the Top 10 at Billboard:

1 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
2 | Jessica Reedy – From the Heart
3 | Kierra Sheard – Free
4 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
5 | Shai Linne – The Attributes of God
6 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me
7 | Lecrae – Rehab
8 | WOW Gospel 2011
9 | VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
10 | Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s – Living On The Lord’s Side

It will be interesting to see how the new releases from William McDowell and Maurette Brown Clark fare on the charts next week.

It’s like her sales are unstoppable! Lol

Le’Andria Johnson returns to the #1 spot on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week, after being bumped to #2 last week by Kierra Sheard’s new project, Free.

Kierra lands at #2, followed by Jessica Reedy at #3.

Most likely a result of the Stellar Awards nominations concert and results, Isaac Carree sees a sales jump, from #6 to #4, and Preashea Hilliard re-enters the chart at #8.

This week’s Top 10 at Billboard:

1 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
2 | Kierra Sheard – Free
3 | Jessica Reedy – From the Heart
4 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me
5 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
6 | Lecrae – Rehab
7 | WOW Gospel 2011
8 | Preashea Hilliard – Live Out Loud
9 | CoCo Brother – Gospel Mix V
10 | 116 Clique – Man Up

Next week should also be interesting, with the anticipated new release from The Nevels Sisters hitting stores this week.

Congrats go out to Kierra Sheard, who debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week with her new album, Free. She also landed at #40 on the Billboard 200! This is her first #1 debut since her 2006 This Is Me album. Check out our review of Free right here.

Also debuting in the top 5 this week is Micah Stampley’s latest project, One Voice. You can read our review of Micah’s project here.

By the way, it’s pretty dope that three young women hold the #1, #2 and #3 positions at Billboard this week!

Here’s a snapshot at this week’s Top 10:

1 | Kierra Sheard – Free
2 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
3 | Jessica Reedy – From the Heart
4 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
5 | Micah Stampley – One Voice
6 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me
7 | Lecrae – Rehab
8 | CoCo Brother – Gospel Mix V
9 | WOW Gospel 2011
10 | 116 Clique – Man Up

I’ll be interested to see if Le’Andria Johnson will rebound to #1 again next week– aside from Jessica Reedy’s debut and, now Kierra’s, she has reigned at #1 since her album came out the first week of September.

Le’Andria Johnson continues to sit at #1 on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart this week, with Jessica Reedy again following at #2, this week followed by Kirk Franklin’s Hello Fear.

The complete Top 10 this week:

1 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
2 | Jessica Reedy – From the Heart
3 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
4 | Lecrae – Rehab
5 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me
6 | 116 Clique – Man Up
8 | CoCo Brother – Gospel Mix V
7 | WOW Gospel 2011
9 | VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
10 | Andraé Crouch – The Journey

New releases this week came from Kierra Sheard, Micah Stampley, Sounds of Blackness and Shirley Murdock. I’m expecting to see some new entries to the chart next week!

In stores today is Kierra Sheard’s Free, an urban and pop-themed praise and worship album featuring tons of energy, inimitable vocal acrobatics and Kierra’s BRL Choir. With it, she stands firmly in a space of gospel music that may not have even existed previously, and she sets the bar for others to follow, if they can.

Kierra’s first release on her parents’ label, Karew Records, Free is intricately produced by her brother, J Drew Sheard II, and was recorded live in Chicago earlier this year.

Fans will appreciate her cover of Chris Tomlin’s ”Indescribable,” the playfully melodic “People,” and the whimsical choir cut “Victory,” which features James Fortune (it’s my personal fave on the project).

Other standout tracks include the hard-driving single “You Are,” the pop-flavored “War,” with a chorus that reminds me a bit of something the Black Eyed Peas might do, “Since I Found Christ” with Mali Music, and the title track, “Free.”

Kierra Sheard has said that this album is her best to date, implying that it represents her better than any other. Consumers may be surprised to hear that, as many considered her 2006 sophomore album, This Is Me, to be sonically definitive of her artistry. Or, at least we want it to be.

But it’s clear– on Free, Kierra is probably most “herself.” She is vulnerable and transparent, at times absolutely overcome with emotion and tears as she worships God or challenges the crowd to a lifestyle of holiness.

Undoubtedly, Free is a musical wonderland with plenty to take in. I had to listen repeatedly to even get a sense of all that was happening. Still, I can’t help but wonder if a segment of her earlier audience will feel a bit lost among the complicated melodies and arrangements.

For those expecting an urban album, this isn’t it. For those expecting a churchy project, it isn’t that, either. Free is the recorded result of a live worship experience featuring Kierra and the BRL Choir singing songs as imaginative as they could dream, reaching out to a God as mighty, but as personal, as He is.

Free is in stores NOW. Listen to snippets and/or buy it right here–

At this point, Bonnerfide Radio has pretty much become synonymous with great music during the day and exclusive listening parties at night. It’s kinda like… THE PLACE to be.

In true Bonnerfide fashion, founder/host Gerard Bonner is hosting a listening party for Kierra Sheard’s new project, Free, on Monday, October 17th at 8pm ET.

You’ll hear new tracks from the new project before it hits stores the next day. And, the artists have been known to pop in for their listening parties… I’m just sayin’.

Monday. 8pm ET. http://www.GetBonnerfide.com. Be there!

Paul “PDA” Allen, part of the powerhouse production camp PAJAM, was recently named the Youth Pastor of Straight Gate International Church, where Bishop Andrew Merritt is pastor.

Last month, PDA and his wife, Keisha, hosted a huge youth conference in Detroit, in connection with the church’s youth ministry, G1 (God First). The event, intended to encourage and motivate youth for the upcoming school year, featured an array of artists (i.e., Lecrae, Kierra Sheard, James Fortune) and sponsors like McDonald’s and Radio One.

The Henry Ford Health System was on-hand to provide medical screenings and every student in attendance received school supplies and opportunities to speak with college recruiters.

I hear that “Minister P,” as PDA is affectionately referred to, has got more tricks up his sleeve to impact the youth. Let’s pray for him as he walks in this role, cool?

In the penultimate episode of gospel music’s most popular TV competition, finalists Andrea Helms and Amber Bullock squared off for the title of Sunday Best.

Before they did, though, the show opened with James Fortune & FIYA singing their hit single “I Believe,” with Shawn McLemore and Zacardi Cortez. It was a rousing performance showcasing ranges, agility and skill, and the audience went straight to the cross on this one.

Kirk Franklin said the show would feature the finalists singing classic tunes from the incomparable Walter Hawkins. And so they began…

Andrea Helms – “Changed”
This is the best I’ve heard her all season– it was tasteful and controlled, backed by her signature passion. I agree with Donnie on this one– glad Andrea didn’t try to recreate a Tramaine Hawkins moment. I wanted a bit more vocal styling at the end (it got a bit wordy with ad libs that, while passionate, were a lot to follow at times), but it was a solid performance.

Amber Bullock – “Thank You”
At first, I heard the acoustic vibe and I thought “nooooo,” but when I heard the beat come in, I thought “yeaaaaah!” I do agree with the judges that she added a bit too much riffing and movement, and didn’t stay true to the simple complexity of the song, BUT the woman just flat out sang it.

It appears that the Walter Hawkins theme was just for a time, because they moved on to Richard Smallwood and Kurt Carr for round two… I’ll allow it.

Andrea Helms – “I Love The Lord”
I really wanted a fast song from her, but her voice seems to do better on ballads. I echo my season-long issue– passion and purity does not overshadow the need for precision on pitch, a controlled tone and the execution of the runs an artist attempts. Now, I DID enjoy her impromptu worship flow at the end– I think that’s what has sustained her in this competition– but from a technical standpoint, this wasn’t her best.

Amber Bullock – “For Every Mountain”
Kirk was right when he introduced her– “she’s gonna have to sing from the heart” if she wants to win. It began as pensive and trained as she’s been all season, but mid-way through it, the game was OVER. Amber lost herself in every note and word, and we saw a part of her that we haven’t seen all season– passion, conviction, connection with God, then us. I’ve never seen a finalist send the judges IN to wrap up your song.

Richard Smallwood followed with his latest single “Trust Me.” He consistently writes classic tunes– they just come out “classic.” It’s always great to see and hear from him.

Coulda sworn Kierra Sheard was gonna be on the show– they even did a teaser about it– but I guess not. *shrugs*

And that was it, folks!

Check my earlier post for all the details on how to vote for Amber or Andrea. You have until this Saturday at noon Eastern Time, and can vote up to 10 times per voting method.

I pick Amber. What about you???