JUST IN!!!

Here are the winners in the gospel categories at this year’s 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards!!!

Winners highlighted below in blue.

Best Gospel/CCM Performance
“Do Everything”
Steven Curtis Chapman
Track from: re:Creation
[Sparrow Records]

“Alive (Mary Magdalene)”
Natalie Grant
Track from: Music Inspired By The Story
[WOW Joint Venture/EMI CMG]

“Your Love”
Brandon Heath
Track from: Leaving Eden
[Reunion Records]

“Jesus”
Le’Andria Johnson
Track from: The Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson
[Music World Gospel]

“I Lift My Hands”
Chris Tomlin
Track from: And If Our God Is For Us…
[Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]

Best Gospel Song
“Hello Fear”
Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)
Track from: Hello Fear
[Verity Gospel Music Group/Fo Yo Soul Ent.; Publisher: Aunt Gertrude Music]

“Sitting With Me”
Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Gerald Haddon & Tammi Haddon, songwriters (Mary Mary)
Track from: Something Big
[Columbia Records; Publishers: Precious Baby Music/T Bella Music/EMI April Music, It's Tea Tyme, That's Plum Song]

“Spiritual”
Donald Lawrence, songwriter (Donald Lawrence & Co. Featuring Blanche McAllister-Dykes)
Track from: YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
[Verity Gospel Music Group; Publisher: Quiet Water Entertainment]

“Trust Me”
Richard Smallwood, songwriter (Richard Smallwood & Vision)
Track from: Promises
[Verity Gospel Music Group; Publishers: Universal-Z Tunes/T.Autumn Music]

“Window”
Canton Jones, songwriter (Canton Jones)
Track from: Dominionaire
[Cajo Records; Publisher: CAJO Music]

Best Gospel Album
The Love Album
Kim Burrell
[Shanachie Entertainment]

The Journey
Andraé Crouch
[Riverphlo Entertainment]

Hello Fear
Kirk Franklin
[Verity Gospel Music Group/ Fo Yo Soul Ent.]

Something Big
Mary Mary
[Columbia Records]

Angel & Chanelle Deluxe Edition
Trin-I-Tee 5:7
[Music World Gospel]

Best CCM Song
“Blessings”
Laura Story, songwriter (Laura Story)
Track from: Blessings
[Fair Trade Services; Publishers: New Spring/Gleaning Publishing]

“Hold Me”
Jamie Grace Harper, Toby McKeehan & Christopher Stevens, songwriters (Jamie Grace Featuring Tobymac)
[Gotee Records; Publishers: Universal Music, Brentwood Benson Tunes, Songs of Third Base/Chriscendo Music, Meaux Mercy/Achtober Songs]

“I Lift My Hands”
Louie Giglio, Matt Maher & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin)
Track from: And If Our God Is For Us…
[Sparrow Records/sixstepsrecords; Publishers: sixsteps Music/worshiptogether.com Songs/Vamos Publishing/Thankyou Music/spiritandsong.com Publishing]

“Strong Enough”
Matthew West, songwriter (Matthew West)
Track from: The Story Of Your Life
[Sparrow Records; Publishers: External Combustion Music/Songs For Delaney/Songs of Southside Independent Music]

“Your Love”
Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram, songwriters (Brandon Heath)
Track from: Leaving Eden
[Reunion Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing/Big Skwawka Music, Sony/ATV Timber Publishing/Windsor Hill Music]

Best CCM Album
Ghosts Upon The Earth
Gungor
[Brash Music]

Leaving Eden
Brandon Heath
[Reunion Records]

The Great Awakening
Leeland
[Essential Records]

What If We Were Real
Mandisa
[Sparrow Records]

Black & White
Royal Tailor
[Essential Records]

And If Our God Is For Us…
Chris Tomlin
[Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]

Just a quick reminder to watch the Grammys this weekend!

The awards show airs live on CBS this Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 8pm ET. The gospel categories are awarded during the pre-show, which will be streamed live at Grammy.com beginning at 4pm ET.

In case you need a reminder, the nominees are…

Best Gospel/CCM Performance
“Do Everything”
Steven Curtis Chapman
Track from: re:Creation
[Sparrow Records]

“Alive (Mary Magdalene)”
Natalie Grant
Track from: Music Inspired By The Story
[WOW Joint Venture/EMI CMG]

“Your Love”
Brandon Heath
Track from: Leaving Eden
[Reunion Records]

“Jesus”
Le’Andria Johnson
Track from: The Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson
[Music World Gospel]

“I Lift My Hands”
Chris Tomlin
Track from: And If Our God Is For Us…
[Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]

Best Gospel Song
“Hello Fear”
Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)
Track from: Hello Fear
[Verity Gospel Music Group/Fo Yo Soul Ent.; Publisher: Aunt Gertrude Music]

“Sitting With Me”
Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Gerald Haddon & Tammi Haddon, songwriters (Mary Mary)
Track from: Something Big
[Columbia Records; Publishers: Precious Baby Music/T Bella Music/EMI April Music, It's Tea Tyme, That's Plum Song]

“Spiritual”
Donald Lawrence, songwriter (Donald Lawrence & Co. Featuring Blanche McAllister-Dykes)
Track from: YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
[Verity Gospel Music Group; Publisher: Quiet Water Entertainment]

“Trust Me”
Richard Smallwood, songwriter (Richard Smallwood & Vision)
Track from: Promises
[Verity Gospel Music Group; Publishers: Universal-Z Tunes/T.Autumn Music]

“Window”
Canton Jones, songwriter (Canton Jones)
Track from: Dominionaire
[Cajo Records; Publisher: CAJO Music]

Best Gospel Album
The Love Album
Kim Burrell
[Shanachie Entertainment]

The Journey
Andraé Crouch
[Riverphlo Entertainment]

Hello Fear
Kirk Franklin
[Verity Gospel Music Group/ Fo Yo Soul Ent.]

Something Big
Mary Mary
[Columbia Records]

Angel & Chanelle Deluxe Edition
Trin-I-Tee 5:7
[Music World Gospel]

Best CCM Song
“Blessings”
Laura Story, songwriter (Laura Story)
Track from: Blessings
[Fair Trade Services; Publishers: New Spring/Gleaning Publishing]

“Hold Me”
Jamie Grace Harper, Toby McKeehan & Christopher Stevens, songwriters (Jamie Grace Featuring Tobymac)
[Gotee Records; Publishers: Universal Music, Brentwood Benson Tunes, Songs of Third Base/Chriscendo Music, Meaux Mercy/Achtober Songs]

“I Lift My Hands”
Louie Giglio, Matt Maher & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin)
Track from: And If Our God Is For Us…
[Sparrow Records/sixstepsrecords; Publishers: sixsteps Music/worshiptogether.com Songs/Vamos Publishing/Thankyou Music/spiritandsong.com Publishing]

“Strong Enough”
Matthew West, songwriter (Matthew West)
Track from: The Story Of Your Life
[Sparrow Records; Publishers: External Combustion Music/Songs For Delaney/Songs of Southside Independent Music]

“Your Love”
Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram, songwriters (Brandon Heath)
Track from: Leaving Eden
[Reunion Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing/Big Skwawka Music, Sony/ATV Timber Publishing/Windsor Hill Music]

Best CCM Album
Ghosts Upon The Earth
Gungor
[Brash Music]

Leaving Eden
Brandon Heath
[Reunion Records]

The Great Awakening
Leeland
[Essential Records]

What If We Were Real
Mandisa
[Sparrow Records]

Black & White
Royal Tailor
[Essential Records]

And If Our God Is For Us…
Chris Tomlin
[Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]

The nominees for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards were announced tonight during a live telecast on CBS.

In the gospel categories, the nominees are–

Best Gospel/CCM Performance
“Do Everything”
Steven Curtis Chapman
Track from: re:Creation
[Sparrow Records]

“Alive (Mary Magdalene)”
Natalie Grant
Track from: Music Inspired By The Story
[WOW Joint Venture/EMI CMG]

“Your Love”
Brandon Heath
Track from: Leaving Eden
[Reunion Records]

“Jesus”
Le’Andria Johnson
Track from: The Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson
[Music World Gospel]

“I Lift My Hands”
Chris Tomlin
Track from: And If Our God Is For Us…
[Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]

Best Gospel Song
“Hello Fear”
Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)
Track from: Hello Fear
[Verity Gospel Music Group/Fo Yo Soul Ent.; Publisher: Aunt Gertrude Music]

“Sitting With Me”
Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Gerald Haddon & Tammi Haddon, songwriters (Mary Mary)
Track from: Something Big
[Columbia Records; Publishers: Precious Baby Music/T Bella Music/EMI April Music, It's Tea Tyme, That's Plum Song]

“Spiritual”
Donald Lawrence, songwriter (Donald Lawrence & Co. Featuring Blanche McAllister-Dykes)
Track from: YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
[Verity Gospel Music Group; Publisher: Quiet Water Entertainment]

“Trust Me”
Richard Smallwood, songwriter (Richard Smallwood & Vision)
Track from: Promises
[Verity Gospel Music Group; Publishers: Universal-Z Tunes/T.Autumn Music]

“Window”
Canton Jones, songwriter (Canton Jones)
Track from: Dominionaire
[Cajo Records; Publisher: CAJO Music]

Best Gospel Album
The Love Album
Kim Burrell
[Shanachie Entertainment]

The Journey
Andraé Crouch
[Riverphlo Entertainment]

Hello Fear
Kirk Franklin
[Verity Gospel Music Group/ Fo Yo Soul Ent.]

Something Big
Mary Mary
[Columbia Records]

Angel & Chanelle Deluxe Edition
Trin-I-Tee 5:7
[Music World Gospel]

Best CCM Song
“Blessings”
Laura Story, songwriter (Laura Story)
Track from: Blessings
[Fair Trade Services; Publishers: New Spring/Gleaning Publishing]

“Hold Me”
Jamie Grace Harper, Toby McKeehan & Christopher Stevens, songwriters (Jamie Grace Featuring Tobymac)
[Gotee Records; Publishers: Universal Music, Brentwood Benson Tunes, Songs of Third Base/Chriscendo Music, Meaux Mercy/Achtober Songs]

“I Lift My Hands”
Louie Giglio, Matt Maher & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin)
Track from: And If Our God Is For Us…
[Sparrow Records/sixstepsrecords; Publishers: sixsteps Music/worshiptogether.com Songs/Vamos Publishing/Thankyou Music/spiritandsong.com Publishing]

“Strong Enough”
Matthew West, songwriter (Matthew West)
Track from: The Story Of Your Life
[Sparrow Records; Publishers: External Combustion Music/Songs For Delaney/Songs of Southside Independent Music]

“Your Love”
Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram, songwriters (Brandon Heath)
Track from: Leaving Eden
[Reunion Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing/Big Skwawka Music, Sony/ATV Timber Publishing/Windsor Hill Music]

Best CCM Album
Ghosts Upon The Earth
Gungor
[Brash Music]

Leaving Eden
Brandon Heath
[Reunion Records]

The Great Awakening
Leeland
[Essential Records]

What If We Were Real
Mandisa
[Sparrow Records]

Black & White
Royal Tailor
[Essential Records]

And If Our God Is For Us…
Chris Tomlin
[Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]

If you recall, NARAS significantly revamped the awards categories this year, chopping down 7 categories to 5, and crunching all of it into either “gospel” or “Christian contemporary music (CCM)”… it’s cleaner, though it may unfairly treat some very significant sub-genres (like Christian hip-hop).

*shrug*

A full list of nominees in all categories can be viewed here.

What do you think of the nominees???

September is Gospel Music Heritage Month!

To celebrate, this site will… well, there’s going to be a conference on… wait, no… an awards show will honor…

Nevermind. September is Gospel Music Heritage Month and, every year, very little is done to celebrate it. I’m chiefly guilty of it– I think I may have attempted to begin thinking about doing something a couple of years back.

A bit of background… the country has been celebrating Gospel Music Heritage Month since 2008, after Congress passed legislation acknowledging September as the month to honor gospel music. The initiative was spearheaded by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) and the National Recording Academy for Arts & Sciences, Gospel Music Channel (now known as gmc) and the Gospel Music Association.

But did you even know it was Heritage Month? Do you support or celebrate it?

I bet you’re not among the 864 people who “like” its official Facebook fan page, nor are you among the 37 people who follow its official Twitter profile (don’t feel bad, I just learned of it as I wrote this). And I know you don’t visit the GospelMusicHeritage.com website, which now simply redirects to the homepage of gmc, the organization that hosted the web address as the movement grew.

Ok, it’s not completely as desolate as I’m making it seem.

At the top of this month, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts hosted its 3rd annual “Evolution of Gospel” celebration in honor of Heritage Month. With a “Kennedy Center Honors…” type of vibe, the night honored the contributions of Dr. Bobby Jones, Cathy Hughes and First Lady Michelle Obama, who was unable to attend. The evening featured performances by Kirk Franklin, Richard Smallwood, Marvin Sapp and more.

And Heritage Month’s social media properties are hinting at some OFFICIAL event taking place in Houston, TX this month, though they haven’t announced a date or location.

My thought is that, because the gospel music community does not have an official, unified trade organization representing it, there is no group charged with really celebrating anything in it, including Heritage Month. Plenty of organizations– from SAGMA to GMWA, GMA to BMI, NARAS to various acronyms in between– have done their part to honor the music and culture, but these groups are often overworked and understaffed, with other primary corporate objectives. Their celebrations are splintered across the country and across the calendar year. Who can plan a month’s worth of unified gospel music activities?!

Again, this is not a knock against anyone– GospelPundit.com hasn’t exactly been the hub of Heritage Month features, trivia and giveaways. I tend to tell myself “ahhh, next year!”

But my observations do raise the question– we don’t really celebrate Gospel Music Heritage Month, do we?

If you agree, fine. If you disagree, tell me where the party is and let’s have at it.

Either way, I think we all need to do a bit more.

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???

This week, Kirk Franklin’s Hello Fear regains the #1 position on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart, after Donald Lawrence debuted at #1 last week with his new project, YRM (Your Righteous Mind).

D. Lawrence now follows at #2, with the WOW Gospel 2011 project at #3, Mary Mary’s Something Big at #4, and Earnest Pugh rounding out the top 5.

The full top 10 at Billboard:

1 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
2 | Donald Lawrence – YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
3 | WOW Gospel 2011
4 | Mary Mary – Something Big
5 | Earnest Pugh – Earnestly Yours
6 | Pastor James R. Adams – Times of Refreshing
7 | Richard Smallwood – Promises
8 | Deitrick Haddon – Church on the Moon
9 | Lecrae – Rehab
10 | Various Artists – Gospel’s Best Worship

Unless you’ve been under a rock, you know that Isaac Carree’s new album, Uncommon Me, hit stores this week (check the review right here). I’m expecting that project to chart well next week.  Do you have it yet?

Which of these projects in the Top 10 are you still not sure that you wanna buy?

Donald Lawrence debuts at #1 this week on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart with his new project, YRM (Your Righteous Mind)! The album also entered at #41 on the Billboard 200. Congrats!

If you don’t have the album yet, you are missing out… terribly. Read my TWO album reviews and get it today.

Here’s the full top 10 at Billboard:

1 | Donald Lawrence – YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
2 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
3 | Earnest Pugh – Earnestly Yours
4 | WOW Gospel 2011
5 | Pastor James R. Adams – Times of Refreshing
6 | Mary Mary – Something Big
7 | Richard Smallwood – Promises
8 | Lecrae – Rehab
9 | William McDowell – As We Worship
10 | Deitrick Haddon – Church on the Moon

I’m not sure how next week will shake out, though I’m inclined to believe that Donald will remain high on the charts for a bit.

The next releases I’m expecting to make an impact are Isaac Carree’s Uncommon Me (August 23) and Dorinda Clark Cole’s I Survived. Reviews coming soon!

No debuts this week in the top 10, but there were a few re-entries into the Top 10. William McDowell re-enters at #7 (I’m thinking it has a little something to do with that Sunday Best performance– GREAT job!).

We also see Lecrae return at #9 with Rehab and Deitrick Haddon back, at #10, with his latest project, Church on the Moon.

Here’s how the rest of the top 10 shakes out on the Gospel Albums chart:

1 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
2 | Earnest Pugh – Earnestly Yours
3 | WOW Gospel 2011
4 | Mary Mary – Something Big
5 | Pastor James R. Adams – Times of Refreshing
6 | Richard Smallwood – Promises
7 | William McDowell – As We Worship
8 | Dawkins & Dawkins – From Now On
9 | Lecrae – Rehab
10 | Deitrick Haddon – Church on the Moon

I’m eager to see next week’s numbers– I think Donald Lawrence will have a strong debut (maybe even #1?), especially with all of the promotional work he’s been doing this week. If you don’t have it yet, check out my review and listen to snippets here.

Congrats are in order to brother duo Dawkins & Dawkins, whose new album, From Now On, debuted at #4 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week. Brothers Eric and Anson hadn’t recorded an album together in 11 years. Good work, fellas!

Also, Christian rapper Thi’sl debuts at #6 on the chart with his new album, Beautiful Monster.

The Top 10 on the Gospel Albums chart…

1 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
2 | Richard Smallwood – Promises
3 | Earnest Pugh – Earnestly Yours
4 | Dawkins & Dawkins – From Now On
5 | WOW Gospel 2011
6 | Thi’sl – Beautiful Monster
7 | Mary Mary – Something Big
8 | Pastor James R. Adams – Times of Refreshing
9 | VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
10 | Trin-i-tee 5:7 – Angel & Chanelle

Do you have the new D&D album yet? How about the project from Thi’sl?

Its first week in stores, Richard Smallwood’s Promises debuts at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart. Congrats to the maestro!

The rest of Billboard’s top 10 in Gospel…

1 | Richard Smallwood – Promises
2 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
3 | Earnest Pugh – Earnestly Yours
4 | Mary Mary – Something Big
5 | WOW Gospel 2011
6 | Pastor James R. Adams – Times of Refreshing
7 | Trin-i-tee 5:7 – Angel & Chanelle
8 | Deitrick Haddon – Church on the Moon
9 | Lecrae – Rehab
10 | Marvin Sapp – Playlist: The Best Of…

Next week, I’ll be eager to see how Dawkins & Dawkins fares on the charts. Lots of folks have been awaiting their new album, From Now On, which dropped this Tuesday.

Also, if you don’t have Richard Smallwood’s project yet, check out my review and listen to the snippets, then BUY it!