I knew this was gonna be the case…

Picture your favorite gospel artist… about WHAT AGE is he/she?

Between 41 and 50 – 41% (74 votes)

Between 31 and 40 – 24% (44 votes)

Between 21 and 30 – 15% (27 votes)

Over 50 – 12% (21 votes)

I don’t know/I don’t have a favorite – 7% (13 votes)

Under 21 – 1% (1 vote)

(Sidebar: I think that some of you THINK your favorite is under 50, but I am willing to bet that the folks you have in mind are older than you think.)

So, maybe it means nothing, but maybe it means everything.  Maybe it’s just reflective of the fact that most of the artists in gospel are actually older than artists in other genres, or that gospel audiences are older.

But what if it means that there are not enough opportunities for young artists in gospel?  What if it means that you actually have to wait until age 30-something to really “make it” in gospel music?  What if it means that, at some point, the industry will, in essence, die out, leaving a bunch of not-as-appreciated artists to usher the way?

I want to hear your thoughts– do these results surprise you?  Do you think they mean anything, or nothing at all?

And make sure you head over to the sidebar to cast your vote in the new survey, which asks:

What is your ideal venue size for a gospel concert?

Interesting.

How many gospel hip-hop albums do you buy in a year?

I don’t buy gospel hip-hop music – 58% (193 votes)

MAYBE one album – 19% (65 votes)

Between 3 and 5 – 11% (38 votes)

Between 6 and 10 – 6% (21 votes)

More than 10 – 6% (20 votes)

More than half of you folks said that you don’t buy gospel hip-hop. Period. So, now I’m wondering WHYYY…

Is it because you don’t like the style of music? Do you disagree with it completely, or do you just not dig it, personally? Is it that you don’t like the particular artists? Is it that you can’t understand the lyrics? Is it a bigger issue– like, you doubt the artists’ commitment to ministry?

Talk to me on this one, folks… definitely interested to know what’s up.

Anyone?

And make sure you head over to the sidebar to vote in the newest poll, which asks:

Picture your favorite gospel artist… about WHAT AGE is he/she?

I saw this coming, but I wanted to see percentages…

Who do you WANT to win this season of BET’s Sunday Best?

LeAndria Johnson – 69% (307 votes)

Elder Goldwire McLendon - 21% (94 votes)

I Don’t Care Either Way – 10% (43 votes)

As I’ve stated before, I don’t really have a preference between these two… either could win and I’d be fine.  And I think that’s how I voted, but I honestly can’t remember…

Time will tell who gets their way, huh?  Make sure you tune in THIS SUNDAY for the finale.  It’ll feature a certain guest artist with the Midas Touch in gospel music.

And make sure you head over to the sidebar to vote in the newest poll, which asks:

How many gospel hip-hop albums do you buy in a year?

Kinda saw this coming, but it was a tough survey to call…

Which FRED HAMMOND album of the past 10 years has been your favorite???

Purpose By Design – 45% (173 votes)

Free To Worship – 16% (59 votes)

Speak Those Things: POL 3 - 15% (57 votes)

Somethin’ ‘Bout Love – 12% (47 votes)

Love Unstoppable – 12% (44 votes)

I can’t even REMEMBER which album I voted for at this point.  I adored Purpose By Design, but I also looooved Somethin’ ‘Bout Love.  Speak Those Things had to grow on me, but once it did, that was my album for a year.  Same thing with Free To Worship.  I dunno.

*throws hands up*

Whatever.  Suffice it to say, the man puts out great and timeless music.

 Lemme know which album you voted for and WHY!

And make sure you head over to the sidebar NOW to vote in the newest poll, which asks:

Who do you WANT to win this season of BET’s Sunday Best?

Ya know, this was hard for me to vote on… I kinda love all of his albums…

Which DONALD LAWRENCE album is your favorite?

The Law Of Confession, Pt. 1 - 30%  (96 votes)

Finale: Act One & Two - 27% (86 votes)

Bible Stories - 20% (66 votes)

I Speak Life - 9% (31 votes)

Tri-City.com - 9% (29 votes)

Go Get Your Life Back - 4% (12 votes)

A Songwriter’s Point Of View – 1% (4 votes)

I think, right now, I’d have to agree.

The problem (if I can call it that) is that Donald Lawrence makes timeless music.  So, when I go back to Bible Stories or Tri-City.com, songs like “When Sunday Comes” or “God’s Favor” are as good today as they were then.  So, it’s hard for me to call something from 2009 my “favorite.” *shrugs*

I love it all.  Speaking of Donald Lawrence, today’s his birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA, sir!

Ok, folks… make sure you look on the sidebar (>>>) to vote in the next poll, which asks:

Which FRED HAMMOND album of the past 10 years has been your favorite???

I’m not at all surprised by the end result… I stand in agreement with the masses.

Which Karen Clark Sheard is your FAVORITE???

Finally Karen - 40% (242 votes)

2nd Chance – 25% (151 votes)

The Heavens Are Telling – 19% (116 votes)

It’s Not Over – 17% (103 votes)

In my opinion, Finally Karen is one of the best contemporary gospel albums of the past two decades.  It had a great blend of studio and live tracks, with awesome production from PAJAM and Donald Lawrence.  And the songs are classic.  That was clearly my pick, though I love her other albums.  How did YOU vote and WHY?

Also, I’m curious to know where you guys would rank her NEWEST album, All In One, which is in stores NOW.  Click here for my review and to purchase it.

Finally, make sure you head over to the sidebar (>>>>>>>>>>) to vote in the next poll, which asks: Which DONALD LAWRENCE album is your favorite?

Okay, conference organizers– this one is for you.  Folks don’t seem to mind the number of gospel conferences every year, but you might wanna have them in more central locations…

What do you think about the NUMBER of gospel music conferences and workshops?

I don’t mind the number, but I wish some were closer to where I live. – 43% (78 votes)

There are too many– only a handful of them are actually helpful. – 25% (46 votes)

I don’t mind the number– more opportunities for people to learn! – 23% (42 votes)

I don’t care– they’re all a waste of time and money anyway. – 9% (16 votes)

The votes kinda played out the way I expected they would.  A lot of conferences seem to be held in places that make it cost-effective for the organization, but not for the potential attendees.  So, ultimately, the organization pays low costs, but has low turnout.

It may take a lil’ more risk, but someone should throw a conference dead smack in the middle of Chicago or Washington, DC… see what happens. LOL

What do you guys think of the results?  Are you attending conferences anyway???

And make sure you head over to the sidebar to speak your mind on the next poll topic… this one is so fun, I’m gonna let you vote as many times as you want to:

Which Karen Clark Sheard album is your favorite???

I’m a little surprised by how this poll turned out and I’m eager to hear your explanations!

Do you feel that a church’s worship team should get PAID for singing each week?

Absolutely NOT!  It’s their service to the Lord – 53.6% (150 votes)

It depends on a couple of factors – 30.6% (86 votes)

Absolutely!  It’s only fair – 10.1% (28 votes)

I don’t really care either way – 5.8% (16 votes)

I was really expecting the majority to say that it depends on a couple of factors.  I was NOT expecting an unequivocal, hands-down “absolutely not” from you guys.  What’s that all about?!

In my mind, it should depend on several things– the size of the church, whether the musicians are getting paid, whether the pastor’s taking a salary, how instrumental the music ministry is to the success and growth of the church, the type of time commitment that is required of the worship team, etc.

Every model won’t work for every church and I definitely don’t think that folks should be getting paid just because they sing on Sunday.  But I also don’t think I’d ever be willing to say, in all cases, that worship singers shouldn’t be getting paid just because they should view singing as their service to the Lord.

I dunno… what do you guys think???

After you comment, make sure you head over to the sidebar to vote in the next poll, which asks “what do you think about the NUMBER of gospel music conferences and workshops?”

I kinda knew you all would vote this way…

Which January 26th release are you most excited about???

James Fortune & FIYA – 63% (110 votes)

WOW Gospel 2010 - 23% (40 votes)

Anthony Evans – 8% (14 votes)

The Mighty Clouds Of Joy – 6% (10 votes)

I think I probably agree.  James Fortune & FIYA are probably gonna bring some significant heat with their newest project, Encore.

BUT, I wanna caution you all to not simply dismiss the other projects– EACH ONE is gonna be good.  WOW Gospel features the greatest gospel songs of the past year– you want those.  Anthony Evans is incredibly underrated in the gospel industry, but he’s very popular in CCM… we need to embrace him on “this side,” cuz he’s a gifted worshipper with a phenomenal voice.  And The Mighty Clouds… if you haven’t listened to their single on the PunditPlayer, please do so now.  CLASSIC and great.

Don’t forget, each of these albums are in stores as of TODAY. You can preview tracks and buy ‘em by clicking any album below:

Which ones are you buying???

And don’t forget to vote in the next survey on the sidebar, which asks:

Of the nominees, who do YOU want to win the GRAMMY for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album?

Heheheee… I stand in agreement with you good people.

Who do you think should win ARTIST OF THE YEAR at the 2010 Stellar Awards?

Donald Lawrence - 51% (129 votes)

Kierra Sheard – 22% (55 votes)

Hezekiah Walker – 19% (49 votes)

Vickie Winans – 8% (20 votes)

It’s not that the other albums are bad AT ALL.  In fact, I enjoy each of ‘em.  But there’s just something about that Law Of Confession, Vol. 1 project from Donald Lawrence… simply incredible.

Make sure you follow me on Twitter to receive up-to-the-second Stellar Award results on Saturday– see if your favorite artist won!

Until then, go ahead and vote in the next poll on the sidebar, which asks:

Which January 26th release are you most excited about???