Word has it that gospel artist Melinda Watts is deep into the planning stages of her first conference to empower teenage girls.  It’s called the Dream Girlz Gathering and it’s going down August 19-21, 2010 in Vineland, NJ before hitting the road and hitting several cities across the nation.

The schoolteacher-turned-gospel-artist (by way of gmc’s Gospel Dream talent competition) has always had a passion for educating and empowering young girls on their journey to becoming young women– this conference is an outpouring of that passion.

And to assist her, she’s locked in the support of other great women in gospel, including Crystal Aikin, Karima Kibble, Neechy and more.

Visit http://www.dreamgirlzgathering.com or call 866-806-GRLZ for more info.

Anyone gonna check it out?  Anyone planning to attend?  Lemme know!

The nominees for the 41st annual Dove Awards were announced on Thursday.

Natalie Grant and Bart Millard will host the awards show on April 21st.  Unlike last year, the awards will not be broadcast live– they will air on gmc on Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 8pm-10pm EST.

There are 43 categories and you guys don’t know most of the names in ‘em, so I’m not typing it all… sorry.  BUT, you can visit http://www.gmclife.com/41st-dove-award-nominees for the full list.

In the meantime, a quick recap of some of the folks you’ll find there:

Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, Melinda Watts, Freddy Washington, Brian Courtney Wilson, Mali Music, Vickie Winans, Smokie Norful, Mary Mary, Crystal Aikin, Bishop Paul Morton, Hezekiah Walker, Heather Headley, Mandisa, B. Reith, Fred Hammond, Group 1 Crew, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., BeBe & CeCe Winans… see, there are just too many to name!

Ok, more Dove Awards info and discussion as the time draws nigh.  Until then, tell me what you think about the nominee list!

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…

In the gospel music industry, collaborations are BIG.  You wanna create a crazy buzz about your project before it hits the stores?  Tell folks you’ve got an exciting collabo on it.  You wanna kick up your television performance a notch?  Perform a collabo.

This year was a great year for collaborative work.  But I’ve decided to narrow the list down to my 5 favorite collabos.  In order, they are:

5.  “You Bring Out The Best In Me” – Vanessa Bell Armstrong feat. Rance Allen (from Vanessa Bell Armstrong’s The Experience)

When Vanessa Bell Armstrong decided to remake her own 80′s hit on her latest album, she prolly could’ve just done it herself and knocked it out of the ballpark.  But she’s a kind and gracious woman, apparently, because she gave us the gift of some classic Rance Allen moaning and groaning that took this live performance to a whole… ‘notha… level.  Their two voices grooving over some Donald Lawrence-produced background vocals– you kinda don’t want the track to end.

4.  “The Joy Of The Lord” – Coko feat. Israel Houghton (from Coko’s The Winner In Me)

Coko is a masterful collaborator in gospel.  It’s like she reads our minds and gives the mic to the VERY folks we’re aching to hear.  On her debut album, she featured everyone from Faith Evans to her mama (Lady Tibba).  This time around, she kept her mama, plus grabbed Kelly Price and Canton Jones.  My fave collabo on the album, though (and, thus, one of my faves of the entire year), was with Israel.  It’s a feel-good track with great vocal performances from both of ‘em… a true treat.

3.  “Available To You” – Melinda Watts feat. J Moss (from Melinda Watts’ People Get Ready)

After a much buzzed-about debut album, Melinda Watts entered the gospel scene with a project that had a little something for everyone.  Perhaps one of her strongest tracks was this duet with J Moss.  Kudos for taking a song that is performed too much at midnight musicals and making it fresh for us again, and double kudos for enlisting the vocal assistance (not that Melinda was at all in need) of one of the best male vocalists in the game.

2.  ”Every Prayer” – Israel Houghton feat. Mary Mary (from Israel Houghton’s The Power Of One)

When I saw that the Marys did a song with Israel, the last thing I thought I’d hear was a jazzy contemporary gospel track.  But they mastered the performance like the pros that they are and it quickly became one of my favorite songs on his album, if not of the entire year.  And there’s a GRAMMY nod to show for it.

1.  “Wait On The Lord” Donnie McClurkin feat. Karen Clark Sheard (from Donnie McClurkin’s We All Are One)

I hear that Karen Clark Sheard wasn’t actually the original choice for this song– it was gonna be Tramaine Hawkins.  That, too, would’ve been an incredible performance, but God does all things well and He knew that this duet was gonna dominate the charts and our iPods.  On this song, Donnie stays true to his strengths– his a classic vocalist who can render a soaring ballad like few others– while Karen gives, arguably, one of her greatest performances in years.

Which collabos were among YOUR faves this year???

Melinda Watts checked in with GospelPundit.com to let you guys know what her favorite part of the holiday season is, and what she’s planning to do this year!

“My favorite part of the Christmas season is going to my parents’ house on Christmas Eve and having a very big dinner!  Every year we have shrimp scampi (a tradition) and all of my family brings different dishes over… We talk about our year and what we mean to each other.  I love it!

This year, my plans are different because I have a daughter now and my holidays will include a lot of Santa and wrapping paper!  I will be doing some concerts at houses in Sacramento during the week of Christmas.  I’m excited because they will be very intimate settings.”

About a month ago, I blogged about the popular Urban Soul Cafe two-day event that is taking place during Stellar Awards weekend, ON January 14th and 16th.  Just wanted to throw out another reminder– if you’re going to be in the area, buy your tickets now!  They’re only $10 in advance.

The events (hosted by Lexi, Canton Jones, DeWayne Woods and Sheilah Belle) will feature performances from J Moss, Melinda Watts, Y’Anna Crawley, Myron Butler, Sean Simmonds, Lisa McClendon and many more.

Plus, it was recently announced that Dr. Bobby Jones will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

I think it’ll be a good time of great performances that you don’t wanna miss.  Anyone planning to go?  Anyone been to one before?

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.

If you’ve ever attended the Stellar Awards weekend or GMA week, you’ve probably noticed (and perhaps attended) the highly popular performance event, Urban Soul Cafe.

Quickly becoming one of the largest and most successful grassroots performance opps in the industry, the event features performances from major and indie artists at reasonable prices in an intimate setting.

This year, Urban Soul Cafe presents its Stellar Awards weekend event, “Access Granted,” and it promises to be just as good as past events, with performances expected from J Moss, Melinda Watts, 21:03, Adrianne Archie and many more urban gospel artists.

There will be two events– one on Thursday, January 14th and one following the Stellars taping on Saturday, January 16th– and will be hosted by DeWayne Woods, Canton Jones, Lexi and Sheilah Belle.

Click here to view the full flyers for the event and to purchase tickets!

Soooo, if you were followin’ my tweets, you got up-to-the-minute results of the nominees.  My fingers HURT from typing so quickly on that BlackBerry!

For those of you who missed it, click here for a full list of nominees.

I’m disappointed that Sheri Jones-Moffett, Coko, 21:03, Melinda Watts, Damita Haddon and Kevin LeVar’s names are not anywhere among the nominees.  Each had great projects and should have been recognized.  Majorly not okay.

I’m very happy, though, for artists like Donald Lawrence (one of my faves this year), Kierra Sheard, Mary Mary, Hezekiah Walker, Israel Houghton, Daniel Weatherspoon, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Bishop Paul Morton…

Geez.  I just dunno.  Some of the names on there…

What do you guys think of the nominees?

If you missed the hit show Praise The Lord on TBN last night, I’m begging you to watch it online today.

This is not to be sensational, nor am I merely writing something so that I can have blog content.  My wife and I just watched the episode on DVR, overcome with emotion and tears THROUGHOUT the one-on-one chat between Pastor Donnie McClurkin and Steve Harvey.  My heart rejoices over Steve Harvey’s life– ALL of it– and I am left speechless by what we witnessed on our television set.  I have never seen anything like it.

I had intended to recap and summarize what Steve said, but I fear that doing so will minimize the value and impact of his words.

I just need you to watch it.  PLEASE watch it.

Click here to view in low video quality, click here for medium video quality, and click here for high quality.

Or, you can visit the TBN archives page at http://tbn.org/watch-us/archives.