The 26th Annual Stellar Awards were held in Nashville, TN this past Saturday.

Special awards went to Donald Lawrence (Lifetime Achievement), Kirk Franklin (Notable Achievement) and Vanessa Bell Armstrong (Living Legend).

Here’s a full list of the night’s winners…

Artist of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Fred Hammond
James Fortune & FIYA
Marvin Sapp

Song of the Year
BeBe Winans, “Close to You”
Fred Hammond, Calvin Rodgers, Phillip Feaster, Ericka Warren, Michael Bethany and Dynna Wells, “They That Wait”
James Fortune, C. Fortune and T. Vaughn, “Encore”
Marvin Sapp, “Best In Me”

Male Vocalist of the Year
Byron Cage
Fred Hammond
J. Moss
Marvin Sapp

Female Vocalist of the Year
CeCe Winans
Karen Clark Sheard
Lucinda Moore
Tamela Mann

Group/Duo of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Forever Jones
James Fortune & FIYA
The Anointed Pace Sisters

New Artist of the Year
Forever Jones
Kristina Halloway
Travis Greene
Victory Cathedral Choir

CD of the Year
Fred Hammond, Love Unstoppable
J. Moss, Just James
James Fortune & FIYA, Encore
Marvin Sapp, Here I Am

Choir of the Year
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
James Hall & Voices of Citadel
Victory Cathedral Choir
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir

Producer of the Year
Aaron Lindsey, Here I Am
Donald Lawrence, The Experience
Fred Hammond, Love Unstoppable
James Fortune, Terrance Vaughn and Ayron Lewis, Encore

Contemporary Group/ Duo of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Forever Jones
James Fortune and FIYA
Trin-i-tee 5:7

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
James Greer & Company
The Anointed Pace Sisters
The Christian Angels
The Mighty Clouds of Joy

Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year
Byron Cage
Fred Hammond
J. Moss
James Fortune

Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year
Alvin Darling
Darrell Hines
Marvin Sapp
Marvin Winans

Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year
CeCe Winans
Karen Clark Sheard
Lisa Page Brooks
Tamela Mann

Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year
Fredericka Faison
Lucinda Moore
Shirley Caesar
Vanessa Bell Armstrong

Contemporary CD of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans, Still
Fred Hammond, Love Unstoppable
J.Moss, Just James
James Fortune and FIYA, Encore

Traditional CD of the Year
James Hall & Voices of Citadel, Won’t It Be Wonderful
Marvin Sapp, Here I Am
Shirley Caesar, A City Called Heaven
Vanessa Bell Armstrong, The Experience

Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans, “Still”
Forever Jones, “Get Ready”
James Fortune & FIYA, “Encore”
Marvin Sapp, “Here I Am”

Music Video of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans, “Close to You”
Kirk Whalum, “Make Me a Believer”
Shirley Caesar, “Playground In Heaven”
The Anointed Pace Sisters, “If I Be Lifted Up”

Contemporary Choir of the Year
God’s Little Soldiers International
Myron Butler & Levi
Youth for Christ
Youthful Praise featuring JJ Hairston

Traditional Choir of the Year
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
James Hall & Voices of Citadel
Victory Cathedral Choir
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir

Special Event CD of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans, Still
Kirk Franklin, Are You Listening
Various Artists, CoCo Brother Live Presents Stand 2010
Various Artists, WOW Gospel 2010

Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
DJ Official, Entermission
Everyday Process, Outtadisworld
Sho Baraka, Lions and Liars
Trip Lee, Between Two Worlds

Children’s Project of the Year
God’s Little Soldiers International, Soldier Story
Kingdom Kids Worldwide, Kingdom Kids Worldwide Volume 1
The Velasquez Family Singers, While We Still Have Time
Youth for Christ, Thanks In Advance

Quartet of the Year
Reverend F.C. Barnes & Company
The Christian Angels
The Golden Wings Quartet
The Mighty Clouds of Joy

Recorded Music Package of the Year
Cameron Hilson and Mark Neubauer, Get Ready (forever Jones)
Denise Trotman, Here I Am (Marvin Sapp)
Derek Blanks and Ken Barboza, Still (BeBe & CeCe Winans)
Jeff Gilligan, Love Unstoppable (Fred Hammond)

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Darwin Hobbs, Darwin Hobbs Live: Champion
James Fortune & FIYA, Encore
Phil Tarver, Place of Worship
The Anointed Pace Sisters, Access Granted

The awards show will air on gmc on March 5 at 8pm ET. Before that, however, you can catch it in most major markets (check your local listings) between January 22 and March 13.

A list of performers and presenters for the 26th Annual Stellar Awards has been released!

Among the performers are Marvin Sapp, Beverly Crawford, Deitrick Haddon, the Nevels Sisters, VaShawn Mitchell, the Soul Seekers, the Williams Brothers, the Rance Allen Group, forever Jones, JJ Hairston and Joshua’s Troop.  Also performing will be an all-star choir in tribute to Kirk Franklin, and the winners of the 2010 How Sweet the Sound competition in tribute to Donald Lawrence.

Award presenters and other participants will include J Moss, Dorinda Clark Cole, Hezekiah Walker, Andrae Crouch, Vickie Winans, Lisa Page Brooks, DeWayne Woods, Wess Morgan, Myron Butler, Yvette Nicole Brown, Dr. Bobby Jones and more.

The show will be taped this Saturday in Nashville, TN, at the Grand Ole Opry House, and will air on gmc on March 5 at 8pm ET.  The program will also air in various national markets from January 22nd through March 13th.  Check your local listings!

Lisa Page Brooks is taking over all things GOSPEL this weekend with the premiere of her latest music video for “God Is Good.”  In addition to being posted on various websites, the video will air on BET’s Video Gospel this Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 11am ET.

“God Is Good” is the latest single from Lisa Page Brooks’ Stronger album (Habakkuk Music), which was released in 2009, and is the follow-up tune to her radio chart-topping single “I Want To Say Thank You.”

Check out the video–

Whatd’ya think???

The nominees for the 26th annual Stellar Awards were announced on Saturday in Nashville, TN during a live telecast on gmc, hosted by Donnie McClurkin and featuring performances by Jessica Reedy, VaShawn Mitchell, Lucinda Moore, Joe Pace and more.

The show takes place on Saturday, January 15, 2011 in Nashville, TN. It will be hosted by Donnie McClurkin, alone, serving as the first time that the show has been hosted by only one person. Also, in honor of Albertina Walker, the “Female Vocalist of the Year” category will be forever named the “Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year” award.

The following are the recipients of the special awards:

Donald Lawrence will receive the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award
Kirk Franklin will receive the Thomas Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award
Vanessa Bell Armstrong will receive the Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award

And the nominees are…

Artist of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Fred Hammond
James Fortune & FIYA
Marvin Sapp

Song of the Year
“Close to You” | BeBe Winans
“They That Wait” | Fred Hammond, Calvin Rodgers, Phillip Feaster, Ericka Warren, Michael Bethany and Dynna Wells
“Encore” | James Fortune, C. Fortune and T. Vaughn
“Best In Me” | Marvin Sapp

Choir of the Year
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
James Hall & Voices of Citadel
Victory Cathedral Choir
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir

New Artist of the Year
Forever Jones
Kristina Halloway
Travis Greene
Victory Cathedral Choir

CD of the Year
Fred Hammond | Love Unstoppable
J. Moss | Just James
James Fortune & FIYA | Encore
Marvin Sapp | Here I Am

Producer of the Year
Aaron Lindsey for Here I Am
Donald Lawrence for The Experience
Fred Hammond for Love Unstoppable
James Fortune, Terrance Vaughn and Ayron Lewis for Encore

Female Vocalist of the Year
CeCe Winans
Karen Clark Sheard
Lucinda Moore
Tamela Mann

Male Vocalist of the Year
Byron Cage
Fred Hammond
J. Moss
Marvin Sapp

Group/Duo of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Forever Jones
James Fortune & FIYA
The Anointed Pace Sisters

Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year
Byron Cage
Fred Hammond
J. Moss
James Fortune

Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year
Alvin Darling
Darrell Hines
Marvin Sapp
Marvin Winans

Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year
CeCe Winans
Karen Clark Sheard
Lisa Page Brooks
Tamela Mann

Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year
Fredericka Faison
Lucinda Moore
Shirley Caesar
Vanessa Bell Armstrong

Traditional CD of the Year
James Hall & Voices of Citadel | Won’t It Be Wonderful
Marvin Sapp | Here I Am
Shirley Caesar | A City Called Heaven
Vanessa Bell Armstrong | The Experience

Contemporary CD of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans | Still
Fred Hammond | Love Unstoppable
J.Moss | Just James
James Fortune and FIYA | Encore

Contemporary Choir of the Year
God’s Little Soldiers International
Myron Butler & Levi
Youth for Christ
Youthful Praise featuring J.J. Hairston

Traditional Choir of the Year
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
James Hall & Voices of Citadel
Victory Cathedral Choir
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Forever Jones
James Fortune and FIYA
Trin-i-tee 5:7

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
James Greer & Company
The Anointed Pace Sisters
The Christian Angels
The Mighty Clouds of Joy

Quartet of the Year
Reverend F.C. Barnes & Company
The Christian Angels
The Golden Wings Quartet
The Mighty Clouds of Joy

Rap, Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
DJ Official | Entermission
Everyday Process | Outtadisworld
Sho Baraka | Lions and Liars
Trip Lee | Between Two Worlds

Music Video of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans | “Close to You”
Kirk Whalum | “Make Me a Believer”
Shirley Caesar | “Playground In Heaven”
The Anointed Pace Sisters | “If I Be Lifted Up”

Urban Inspirational Performance of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans | “Still”
Forever Jones | “Get Ready”
James Fortune & FIYA | “Encore”
Marvin Sapp | “Here I Am”

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
Cameron Hilson and Mark Neubauer for Get Ready
Denise Trotman for Here I Am
Derek Blanks and Ken Barboza for Still
Jeff Gilligan for Love Unstoppable

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Darwin Hobbs | Darwin Hobbs Live: Champion
James Fortune & FIYA | Encore
Phil Tarver | Place of Worship
The Anointed Pace Sisters | Access Granted

Children’s Project of the Year
God’s Little Soldiers International | Soldier Story
Kingdom Kids Worldwide | Kingdom Kids Worldwide Volume 1
The Velasquez Family Singers | While We Still Have Time
Youth for Christ | Thanks In Advance

Special Event CD of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans | Still
Kirk Franklin | Are You Listening
Various Artists | CoCo Brother Live Presents Stand 2010
Various Artists | WOW Gospel 2010

What do you guys think of the nominees???

The nominees for the 2010 Soul Train Awards were announced today.  Nods in the gospel category, “Best Gospel Performance, Male Female or Group” go to:

Youthful Praise feat. JJ Hairston | Fred Hammond | Marvin Sapp | Lisa Page Brooks | Hezekiah Walker & LFC | Tye Tribbett

Congrats to all of ya!!!

For a full list of nominees, click here.

The show, hosted again by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, takes place on November 10, but won’t air until November 28 at 9pm ET/PT on BET and Centric networks.

Who do you think is gonna take home the trophy?

We’re back with another album review in the Purchase Or Pass series, from contributing writer Mia Paylor.

This time, Mia’s helping you make an informed decision about buying Triumphant, the new album from VaShawn Mitchell, which hit stores TODAY.  And what I love most about her review is that she gets some help from one of the most unlikely of interns– her 6-year old son, Jordan.

Hear what Mia (and Jordan) have to say about VaShawn’s new project in this installment of Purchase Or Pass, titled “Jordan Says…”

* * *

Based on the many positive conversations I’ve had with folks about it, I believe that the first single alone, “Nobody Greater” (produced by VaShawn Mitchell and Daniel Weatherspoon), has placed VaShawn Mitchell’s EMI Gospel debut, Triumphant, on plenty “must buy CD” lists…including mine!

So, I was especially excited when I received my copy. And, like many of you, I prefer to listen to new music in the car first.  However, during this particular car ride and CD listening experience, my music loving, 6-year-old son, Jordan, was in the car too. Jordan’s comments about Triumphant were not only funny, but dead-on in my opinion. So much so, that I had to share them with my GospelPundit.com family!

Here’s how it went down…

“Mom,” Jordan says, “can we listen to the iPod?”

“No. We have a new CD. We’re gonna listen to it now.”

“Who is it?”

“VaShawn Mitchell.”

“Who’s that?!”

“You don’t know him, Son.”

About halfway through the first song, the Rocky-esque “Conqueror”, Jordan says…

“Mom, can we listen to something else?”

“Why? You don’t like it?”

“It’s okay, but I still wanna hear something else.”

“Wow. I actually feel you on that, Jordan. But, we have to listen to the whole CD.”

Once he recognizes the musical intro to “Nobody Greater”, Jordan says…

“Hey!” He’s smiling.

“Yup, it’s what you think it is. You love this song, huh?”

“Yeah, I do!” He sang his little heart out…stumbling all over the words! LOL!

After recognizing the musical intro to the recent hit, “Chasing After You”, Jordan says…

“Ooh, Mom!”

Then, after hearing VaShawn singing the lead on it, Jordan shouts…

“MOM!” He looks confused and offended.

“What, Jay?”

“This is the fake one! Where’s the lady?!”

“This is VaShawn Mitchell’s version of the song, Jordan. You won’t hear the lady on this one.”

“Well, it’s still the fake one.” He reluctantly sang along anyway.

While listening to the church-funky cut, “His Blood Still Works” (featuring Lisa Page-Brooks), I start yelling at the radio…

“Sang it, Lisa! SAAANG!”

“MOM! Mo–”

“Quiet, Jordan! “ I continued to SHOUT at the radio. I have no clue what Jordan said about the song. “His Blood Still Works” is too hot! I repeated the song more than once.

We finished the CD in the car over the next few days. I absolutely loved the reprise to “Nobody Greater” (featuring William Murphy). It’s a “must-hear” and a welcomed idea for worship teams already singing the single.

Triumphant has a familiar sound. It has pleasant vocals, church-friendly arrangements, and uplifting lyrics to raise the spirit of any downtrodden believer. I will say that I expected a bit more triumph…more hard-hitting, “gotta get my dance on” songs on a CD titled Triumphant. Was I wrong for that?!

Overall, I think our final exchange sums up what Jordan and I think about the CD:

“That’s it, Jordan. What’d you think of the CD?”

“It was nice,” Jordan says passively. “Can we listen to something else now?”

“Absolutely.”

* * *

Okay, first of all– Jordan is HILARIOUS to me.  Thanks for the review, Mia!  And please tell Jordan that his GospelPundit fam appreciates him!

I hope that helps, folks.  Anybody already grab it?  Anyone planning to?  Anyone thinking they’ll wait a while???

As a heads-up, you can listen to snippets AND buy it right now– the digital version is just $7.99 at Amazon.com.

Talk to me!

Troy Lilly, one of your favorite writers at GospelPundit.com, had a little chat that he wanted to share with you folks… I’ll let him tell you aaallll about it… Take it away, Troy!

~ ~ ~

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure to spend an afternoon with a new friend. Many of you know her by face and name. Even more of you know her by voice. She’s been featured in a couple recent Goodies posts right here on GospelPundit.com.

I’m talking about the one and only San Franklin.

She was in the Washington, D.C.-area as a guest vocalist, and we talked about friends, music, and ministry for quite a while. In reality, though, “the interview” lasted only a few minutes.  We spent the majority of the time catching up and clowning, as if we were old friends.

I came away from our meeting energized, having experienced a person who is both a dynamic singer and anointed minister with a contagious warm spirit. Some of her words will jump right off the screen.

*     *     *

Troy: It’s great to get to talk with you. I know you’re very busy, but I’m thankful you took a few moments of your time to talk with me today – I really appreciate that.

San: I appreciate you having me…I’m not that busy (laughs)

It’s great to even be considered to sit down and talk to the audience, talk to you. It’s an honor and privilege.

Troy: So, what brings you to the Maryland/DC area?

San: I was here for Mount Pleasant Church and Ministries. Bishop Johnson in Baltimore, Maryland had a family and friends week – it was all week long and yesterday was the outdoor festival with Vanessa Bell-Armstrong, Lisa Page Brooks, Angela Spivey, myself, Bernard Harris…a lot of people.

Troy: The greats (laughs). Cool. I saw you tweeting because I do follow you on Twitter…

San: (Laughs)

Troy: And I know there are a few people who weren’t here. Tell me about some of your other friends, people that you’re close to in the area, who you didn’t get to see.

San: Oh, I didn’t get to see Jason Nelson, Pastor Nelson; I was supposed to go by his church this morning – he’s a very dear friend of mine…

Troy: Wow, love him!

San: Holla Walla, I didn’t get to see him. Who else? Well…Richard Smallwood (laughs) is a good friend of mine. He actually was in my hometown, Chicago, Ill., at the Edwin Hawkins Love Fellowship Conference.

I’m actually a native of that conference and of that church. You know, I spent 12 years with Bishop Hawkins and that whole movement, and I didn’t get to go to the conference this year because I’m in this area working, so…it’s been great, though, even though I didn’t get to see my friends here, the ministry opportunity was absolutely phenomenal.

Troy: Speaking of ministry, just talking with you earlier, that was something I actually got to hear more about – your opinions and your knowledge. So share a little bit more about what you know and your experiences in ministry versus just singing.

San: Well, something that probably most people don’t know is I’m an evangelist. I’ve been preaching for almost 20 years.

Troy: Wow!

San: Of course I started singing first.

Troy: Right.

San: And most people who minister or pastor, you start with the singing or the musicianship, and then you move on. But, I have found a way – thanks be unto God – to combine both. So when I sing I’m ministering Word, and when I’m ministering Word I end up singing, so they’re one in the same to me.

Whereas, you have some people who separate them – singing ministry and preaching ministry – they’re just one in the same for me, and it’s just ministry, period. So I try to make it an everyday part of who I am and not just when I get before the people or before an audience, but just a part of who I am everyday.

Troy: As it relates to the industry, with you having a ministering background, and with you blending the two pretty easily, what do you think of the state of the gospel music industry and do you feel everyone is able to do that as effectively as you are?

San: I believe in this season we are slowly but surely gearing the industry back to ministry, because I think we had taken the focus off of ministry. We were so focused on our look and so focused on our sound, and our riffs and runs, and the talent moreso than what’s behind the person who’s singing.

Troy: Yeah.

San: We have so many people who are behind the scenes, who are on the underground side of the industry that are really ministering to God’s people, you know, and they’re not always the ones who are elevated or celebrated necessarily.

Troy: Right.

San: There are people on the underground circuit that are laying hands and people are being healed and they’re ministering to people’s mental states and their emotional states and restoring people spiritually, but they don’t get the visibility that some “in the industry” get.

And so I think God is having to switch us back to ministry-minded people because we focus too much on talent which doesn’t destroy any yokes, it doesn’t break any bondages, you know what I’m saying, which doesn’t bring us to a state of wholeness, which is where I believe God wants his people.

Troy: Wow, yeah.

San: I think God has to shift us back to that because we’re losing…we’re…what do we say out on the Internet, “epic failing” (laughs)…

Troy: (Laughs) Yeah, that’s a Twitter thing!

San: When it comes to ministry, you know what I’m saying, we #EPICFAIL (laughs)

Troy: (Laughs)

San: So I think God is trying to get us back to a place in ministry where we’re effective and relevant.

Troy: What’s going on at home for you, back in Nashville?

San:  Back in Nashville I’m Minister of Music at a church called Perfecting Faith Ministries with Pastor Dale Jones. It’s a great church.  In this season it’s a great place for me to call home. It’s always good to have somewhere you can come and be settled.

Other than that…I’m working on my project. Everyone says, “when is your project coming out, when is your project coming out?”

Troy: Yes, we want to know.

San: And I want it out just as much as everybody else does. I told God years and years ago, if I cannot produce a project where someone puts it on and is instantaneously healed of a disease, or a worry or broken relationship, then I don’t wanna record. Everybody’s making music…everybody’s putting out a cd…I want to be able to minister and make a difference in somebody’s life.

God spoke to me and said that “every song on your project will speak to you” relating to somewhere I’ve been in my life. Like the single “Arise”… I was listening to that song after coming out of a divorce, thinking I had failed…I remember the words of the song ministering to me: “Today is the day of a new horizon, there’s new life.”

Troy: Yes.

San: For my project, for me, I want to meet the needs of God’s people. I want to be relative and transparent. People are looking for someone to say “I’ve been where you are and I understand, I feel your pain, and I can get down there with you.” Because that’s what I want to do, it’s taking me a little longer produce than I would like.

Troy:  Well, it sounds like it will be worth the wait.

San: I hope so.

Troy: We appreciate that. Sometimes with people coming out with stuff back to back, we question the consistency…

San: Yes, yes (laughs).

Troy:  We appreciate you letting it be a slow, churning process for the better end result.

San: I think it’s like ice cream…

Troy: (LAUGHS)

San: (Laughs) You know what I’m saying – I love sweets! But I say that because you can get ice cream, but if you know anything about homemade ice cream, old time, down South…

Troy: Grandma’s ice cream (laughs) mmmm.

San: Grandma’s ice cream where you have to put it down in the bucket and put the salt on the ice, and you have to churn that thing, and sometimes your arm gets tired from turning, but when it comes out it’s the best thing you’ve ever tasted in your life.

Troy: I can’t think of a better analogy than that. Last thing.

What advice would you give to someone who’s trying to nurture their ministry and let that lead, and avoid being persuaded by the pressure of the industry to just put something out?

San: To anyone in the industry…that’s been in the industry for years waiting on God to move, or just came in the industry waiting on God to move (laughs), it goes back to the old formula. Seek you first the kingdom of God and [all] of his righteousness, and everything else will be added unto you.

Troy: That’s right!

San: And I think transparency is the key. Being true first to yourself. As long as you remain transparent to yourself, it’s easy for you to be transparent to others. I think transparency brings about GREAT ministry.

Troy: With that I’ll say I was blessed to be in your presence for this short period of time…

San: Aww. Thank you.

Troy: I want to thank you again for sitting and talking with me candidly and openly.

San: Aww, thank you for having me.

*     *     *

I really enjoyed that interview!  Shout-out to Troy for makin’ it happen and for doing an impeccable job on it!

Were you familiar with San’s ministry? (you should be– I featured her last month!)

Here, I’ll help… peep this video–

Talk to me! What do you think?!

EXCLUSIVE

The album version of “I Want To Say Thank You,” the newest single from gospel legend Lisa Page Brooks, is already getting increased airplay at radio.

HOWEVER, she recently recorded a LIVE version of the track and you’re getting an exclusive listen RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.

Click right here to launch the PunditPlayer and lemme know what you think!!!

One of the most highly publicized events of the Stellar Awards weekend was the Bonnerfide Radio Launch Party, the celebratory event hosted by Gerard Bonner for… well, the entire industry.  The party did not disappoint… it was a virtual who’s-who of folks in the industry and just about everyone rolled through at some point to show their love.

In case you don’t know by now, Bonnerfide Radio is a new internet radio station created and hosted by Gerard Bonner (also of GospelFlava.com).  Within months, the interactive radio show/chat room experience was nominated for a 2010 Stellar Award for Internet Radio Station Of The Year, and garnered the support of MAJOR gospel artists, including Fred Hammond, J Moss, John P. Kee, Sheri Jones-Moffett and countless others.

The night, hosted by popular journalist and personality Jawn Murray, boasted performances and appearances from new and established artists including PJ Morton, Jonathan Nelson, Jason Nelson, George Huff, Melinda Watts, Myron Butler, Candy & Peaches West, Algernon, Tre Thomas, Claude Deuce, Sheri Jones-Moffett, Rae Ellis, CMO, Dominique Side, JJ Hairston, Darnell Davis & Remnant, Lisa Page Brooks… I have to stop there cuz I’m losing myself in the evening again.

But just imagine a relaxed (though packed to the RAFTERS) lounge setting at Nashville’s popular venue, Limelight, featuring food and drink, enhanced by ministry/entertainment from some of the most creative and skilled vocalists in our game.  That’s where I was on Friday night!

Wanna make sure I mention this testimony, too– immediately after THIS event, Gerard Bonner was involved in an automobile accident in which his car was totaled.  From what I understand, he was hit by another car, which sent his car head-on into a truck… an 18-wheeler.  Praise God, Gerard and the passengers with him, walked away with only minor bruises– no internal bleeding or complications whatsoever.  When I spoke with him a few hours later, he was resting up to make sure he had enough energy for the rest of the Stellar weekend!

Now, I’m not big on blaming everything on the devil… I think, sometimes, folks just have auto accidents.  But if you were blessed to watch how God has been dropping miracles for Gerard left and right over the past several months, and if you had seen how that evening was a confirmation of so many of Gerard’s dreams and ambitions (based on his calling), and if you had seen the wreckage and how the accident REALLY could’ve turned out another way… you’d probably be rejoicing that the hand of God remains more powerful than any attempt of the enemy, that His plans can never be ruined, that He’s a God of mercy, grace and love… I’m not thrilled about the accident, but I am thrilled that God is consistent in showing His children “I’m here for you… I’ve got plans for you… I’ve got you– physically, financially, emotionally, spiritually…”  Let’s rest in that.

Anyway… it was kind of a once-in-a-lifetime type of deal, cuz how many launch parties can be thrown?!  But maybe, if we’re nice to him, Gerard Bonner will throw the industry another shindig next year…

In the meantime, you can check out his live radio show EVERY weekday morning, from 9am to 12noon ET, at http://www.getbonnerfide.com/.  You’ll immediately see what everyone is raving about…

If you’re gonna be REMOTELY close to Nashville for Stellar Awards weekend, make sure you mark the Bonnerfide Radio Launch Party on your calendar.  It’s going to be awesome!

Bonnerfide Radio is the brainchild of host Gerard Bonner.  In just a few short months, the show has raised the bar for what gospel radio should be.  He’s even been nominated for a 2010 Stellar Award for Internet Radio Station Of The Year!

To celebrate the launch of his new show, Gerard is having the launch party of a lifetime on Friday, January 15th.  Featured guests include Sheri Jones-Moffett, JJ Hairston, Lisa Page Brooks, Vashawn Mitchell, Melinda Watts, Jonathan Nelson, Jason Nelson, and MORE.

Click the image below to see the full-size flyer and for more details.  Tickets can be purchased NOW at http://www.GetBonnerfide.com.

I plan to be in the house.  For SURE.  Who else???

And don’t forget– you can tune in to Bonnerfide Radio every weekday morning, from 9am-12:30pm ET (with a little afterparty usually thrown in) at GetBonnerfide.com.