The nominees for the 52nd annual GRAMMY Awards were announced last night during the GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live on CBS.  The awards telecast takes place on January 31, 2010 at 8pm ET/PT on CBS.

Like last year, I’m going to wait to give my predictions until a bit closer to the actual awards telecast.  Last time, I got 4 out of 7 of ‘em right, which wasn’t too bad.  I’m gunning to get ‘em all right this time.

 Until then, however, the nominees in the gospel-related categories are:

 Best Gospel Performance

“Free To Be Me” by Francesca Battistelli
Track from: Free To Be Me

“Jesus Is Love” by Heather Headley feat. Smokie Norful
Track from: Audience Of One

“I Believe” by Jonny Lang w/ Fisk Jubilee Singers
Track from: Oh Happy Day

“Wait On The Lord” by Donnie McClurkin feat. Karen Clark Sheard
Track from: We All Are One

“Born Again” by Third Day
Track from: Revelation

 Best Gospel Song

“Born Again” - Tai Anderson, David Carr, Mark Lee & Mac Powell, songwriters (Third Day)

“City On Our Knees” – Cary Barlowe, Toby McKeehan & Jaime Moore, songwriters (TobyMac)

“Every Prayer” – Dayna Caddell, Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey & Ricardo Sanchez, songwriters (Israel Houghton & Mary Mary)

“God In Me” – Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell & Warryn Campbell, songwriters (Mary Mary)

“The Motions” – Jason Houser, Sam Mizell & Matthew West, songwriters (Matthew West)

Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album

The Big Picture - Da’ T.R.U.T.H.

Crash - Decyfer Down

Innocence & Instinct - Red

Live Revelations - Third Day

The Dash – John Wells-The Tonic

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

Speaking Louder Than Before - Jeremy Camp

The Power Of One - Israel Houghton

The Long Fall Back To Earth - Jars Of Clay

Love Is On The Move - Leeland

Freedom - Mandisa

Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album

Jason Crabb - Jason Crabb

Dream On - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

The Rock - Tracy Lawrence

In God’s Time - Barry Scott & Second Wind

Everyday - Triumphant Quest

Best Traditional Gospel Album

God Don’t Never Change - Ashley Cleveland

The Law Of Confession, Pt. 1 - Donald Lawrence & Co.

Oh Happy Day - Various Artists

The Journey Continues - The Williams Brothers

How I Got Over - Vickie Winans

Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album

Audience Of One - Heather Headley

Renewed - Sheri Jones-Moffett

Just James - J Moss

Smokie Norful LIVE - Smokie Norful

Bold Right Life - Kierra Sheard

Gospel Artists Nominated In Non-Gospel Categories:

Best Urban/Alternative Performance – Tonex – “Blend” (Unspoken)

Best R&B Performance By Group/Duo w/ Vocals —  Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters – “Higher Ground” (Oh Happy Day)

*     *     *

Like I said, predictions coming later.  But in general, I’m SUPER DUPER pleased with these nominations.  I think they’re a fair and accurate representation of the songs, performances, albums and artists that did well in 2009.

I’m proud of all the nominees, but I’m particularly thrilled that Donnie McClurkin & Karen Clark Sheard were acknowledged for “Wait On The Lord,” and that “Every Prayer” (recorded by Israel Houghton & Mary Mary) got a nod.  Glad about J Moss and Da’ T.R.U.T.H. cuz they put out some really great music this year, and I LOVE that Sheri Jones-Moffett got her much-deserved nomination.

As an aside, I got a bunch of Twitter responses last night from people ready to boycott something cuz Mary Mary wasn’t nominated for best gospel album– it’s cuz they were nominated in that category last year. It’s all good!

For a complete list of nominees in all categories, click here.

Okay, folks… do you think of the nominees?

I first saw this video a while back on Gospel Music Channel and I was very impressed with the production quality of it (plus, the song is nice and encouraging, and Mandisa sounds GREAT on it).

I like the storyline of the video, as it depicts folks with real-life situations (i.e. marital issues, layoffs, loved ones away at war).  I love the lighting, the setting, the wardrobe, the development… I think it’s just a great video.

What do you think???

Who saw it???

The show opened with Kierra Sheard singing “Invisible” which, to me, was the PERFECT song for the Dove Awards.  I wish she had sung a little bit more of it, but the part that she DID sing, she sang her behind off!

She then introduced Mary Mary, who sang “Get Up.”  We knew that, cuz it’s what they were nominated for, but I was disappointed cuz I wanted them to re-introduce Kierra to do a little of “God In Me”.  Instead, it just kinda ended.  The Marys’ performance wasn’t their best, but there was nothing necessarily wrong with it either… it just kinda WAS.  But, no prob.  Glad y’all could open the dern thing!

Jonathan Nelson performed as part of the “New Artist of the Year” medley.  I was glad to see him on the show cuz I think he’s really good.  The background folk were crowded around two mics and their sound wasn’t stellar, but the song is still a fave of mine.

The musical finale featured Edwin Hawkins, Donnie McClurkin, Mandisa and Melinda Watts singing “Oh Happy Day,” trading turns RIPPING the mic to shreds.  Edwin was classic, Donnie soared as usual, Mandisa reminded everyone why we liked her to begin with, and Melinda began the process of staking her claim as a new artist to watch.  Good job, y’all!

The only gospel artist to win on-air was Mary Mary for Urban Recorded Song of the Year for “Get Up.”  Some awards were given during the pre-show, though, so visit http://www.doveawards.com/ a full list of winners.

Gospel Music Channel is gonna air encore performances throughout this weekend, so make sure you catch it.  It’s great to note the differences between the Stellars and the Doves… which begs the question:

Which did you enjoy watching more: The Doves or The Stellars?  And why?  Consider the performances, the artists, your familiarity with one over the other, the production quality, the money invested in each show… And for those of you who didn’t watch, but could have, why did choose NOT to?  Shout-out to my dude, Evin, for the nudge to ask y’all about this topic.

Talk to me!

FOLKS, don’t forget that the Dove Awards are airing LIVE tomorrow night at 8pm ET on the Gospel Music Channel.

I’m excited for the performances, with Mary Mary opening (how cool is THAT?!), immediately followed by Kierra Sheard (I smell a medley comin’).  Plus, Jonathan Nelson is slated to perform, and I still rock to “My Name Is Victory” like it came out last week.

Set your DVRs and VCRs and what not… it should be good!

Plus, heads-up:  GMC is airing a special documentary, From Idol to Inspiration, which discusses Christian contestants on American Idol, featuring interviews from Mandisa, Melinda Doolittle and others.  It comes on at 7pm ET, before the Doves.  Tune in!

I kinda cannot describe how good it is, nor do I know how to make each of you watch this series on the Gospel Music Channel, but…  it’s soooooooooooo good and each of you haaaaaaaaas to watch it.  It’s a bunch of performances, recorded at Nashville’s Union Station hotel, featuring a bunch of gospel and CCM artists, including Take 6, Natalie Grant, George Huff, Jars of Clay, Mandisa and Trin-i-tee 5:7.  My wifey and I watched a couple of the broadcasts yesterday and we were floored!

First, the audio and video production quality is nearly flawless.  The set is warm, intimate and inviting.  Everyone looks like a million bucks.  And the music… the arrangements of the songs, especially the classics, are amazing.  And the musicians are all incredible.  And the singers are giving it their ALL.  I have never heard George Huff kill the way he was killing on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”  And Natalie Grant absolutely demolished “O Holy Night.”  And Take 6 singing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”… ’nuff said.

Make sure you don’t miss it!  Check out the Gospel Music Channel’s broadcast schedule here.