Word has it that Tina & Erica Campbell (Mary Mary) will be performing on the NAACP Image Awards tonight.  As I mentioned yesterday, the awards show will be broadcast live from L.A. on FOX tonight at 8pm ET.

According to a Twitter message sent by Erica Campbell yesterday, the gospel duo are seeking prayers for their performance tonight– “Tina has laryngitis n I’m 8mo pregnant, pray 4 MM!!”

Geeeeeeez.  I dunno how they do it, but they do it.  Touch ‘em, Lawd!

Scratch any previous announcements from BET about Sunday Best auditions beginning on January 30th or making a stop in Atlanta.  Not happenin’!

The real deal is that auditions begin THIS SATURDAY, February 20th, in Detroit, MI.  Also, the New York and Atlanta auditions have been cancelled.  Instead, the other audition cities will be New Orleans, LA (February 27th) and Philadelphia, PA (March 6th).  Click here for full details on how, when, who, yada yada.

The new season of Sunday Best premieres on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010.  I’ll definitely remind you guys as it comes closer and, like last year, I’m sure it’ll be an all-industry Twitter extravaganza, so you’ll wanna follow me now so you won’t forget!

IF YOU’RE AUDITIONING, don’t forget to read my lil’ editorial on what those contracts actually mean for you… it can be an incredible opportunity, but don’t get caught up cuz you didn’t understand the fine print.  Cool?

Okay, who’s auditioning???

Don’t forget to check out the GRAMMY Awards this Sunday, January 31st at 8pm ET/PT.

The gospel-related categories are not televised– they’ll be distributed at the pre-show, which will be streaming live at http://www.grammy.com at 1pm PT.

If you wanna review my predictions for who’s gonna win, click here.

I’ll send the winners via Twitter, so make sure you follow me if you don’t wanna watch the whole deal.

Okay, buddies, it’s that time of year again.  The GRAMMY Awards telecast is this Sunday, January 31st at 8pm ET/PT on CBS.

With that, it’s time for my predictions.  These were REALLY tough and I changed ‘em numerous times over the course of the past two weeks.  I’m finally at peace about them (for today), so I’m posting them before I change my mind again. LOL

Before I give ‘em, I wanna make two disclaimers–

(1) My predictions do NOT necessarily reflect my preferences, nor do they reflect who I ACTUALLY voted for on the GRAMMY ballot this year.  They’re predictions… and nothing more.

(2) The winner is often based on popularity.  Plain and simple.  Now, NARAS (the voting body) has gotten much better about this, even making all of the nominated music available for online listening so that we can make educated votes, but it’s still an uphill climb.  My predictions are based on how I believe the majority voted and that requires consideration of who’s most popular within the entire music biz.

Without further delay, here goes…

 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

This is a tough one, fresh out of the gate.  I’m thinking it’s gonna go to Heather Headley and Smokie Norful for a couple of reasons– folks adore “Jesus Is Love” and the song has carried mainstream significance for decades.  Similarly, Heather Headley carries mainstream voting power with her, despite the fact that it was a gospel project.  And, all that aside, their duet was quite good.

 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)

I’m betting on The Marys for this one.  The success and popularity of “God In Me” was like a runaway train– it was played everywhere, performed everywhere, talked about everywhere… and with good reason.  I expect this GRAMMY to be the culmination of over a year’s worth of rather deserved acclaim.

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

As much as I enjoy Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s project, I don’t think he’ll nab this one.  I’m actually torn on this, between Third Day and Decyfer Down… ultimately, I chose Third Day cuz they’re more of a household name.

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

Another REALLY hard one for me… Jars Of Clay, Jeremy Camp and Israel are established artists with great music and big followings.  Mandisa and Leeland are newer, but just as popular in many circles, and also making some great music.  I have NO PEACE about this, but I’m predicting Mandisa.  She has a good project and her widespread exposure (added to her lingering American Idol popularity) may tip the scales in her favor here.

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

I never have ANY clue when it comes to this category, cuz it’s just not my thing.  That said, I do know that Jason Crabb is one to watch right now, and I believe it’s because of this project.  That said, my money’s on Jason Crabb.

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

This is another tough call.  Donald Lawrence is simply incredible and he definitely deserves an award, in my opinion, but I fear that voters may not have agreed with his placement in the “traditional gospel” category… on that grounds, is it the best traditional project?  Maybe not… I predict the Oh Happy Day compilation.  It successfully brought together heavyweights in gospel and mainstream music to commemorate one of the most popular gospel songs in history.  It’s hard to ignore that.

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

First of all, shout-out to EMI Gospel for having 4 of 5 the artists in this category.  That said, I’m QUITE unsettled about this one.  Ultimately, I predict that Heather Headley will grab it– she has a nice voice, an album that lots of folks enjoyed, and popularity in the mainstream.  In my opinion, her album was not the best out of this group and I didn’t know that so many people would vote for it.  But I’m inclined to believe that if she got enough votes to get a nomination, she just may have gotten enough to get the win.

Gospel Artists Nominated In Non-Gospel Categories:

Tonex was nominated for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for his single “Blend” (Unspoken), and he might win that, but I also see an India.Arie nod in the same category and she will probably nab the award.

Ann Nesby’s “Sow Love” (The Lula Lee Project) is nominated in Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance (dunno why), but I’m fairly certain that Beyonce’s rendition of “At Last” will win in that category.

Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters are nominated in the Best R&B Performance By Group/Duo with Vocals category for their performance of “Higher Ground” (Oh Happy Day), as is Ann Nesby for a Bobby Womack collabo, but I kinda expect the win to go to Jamie Foxx and T-Pain for “Blame It”.

OKAY.  Those are my predictions for the 2010 GRAMMY Awards.  For the full list of nominees in all categories, visit the GRAMMY website here.

What do you think???

The Decade Of WOW Giveaway was huuuuuge on Twitter– I got hundreds of submissions and I’m pleased to announce the winners.

And the winners are…

GRAND PRIZE - A DECADE OF WOW :  @jwillmuziq83

RUNNERS-UP:  @Tweenkey | @amezy | @BluHeiress | @braveh3art | @ArtisteBella

As a reminder, there’s ONE (1) grand prize package of a DECADE’s worth of the WOW Gospel series– that’s 20 CDs and 10 DVDs– from each year from 2000 to 2010. That’s MAJOR.

And then, five (5) runners-up are receiving the WOW Gospel 2010 CD and DVD, as well as a special edition calendar.

Thanks to EVERYONE who participated in the giveaway.  It was one of GospelPundit.com’s biggest yet and I’m super duper grateful to you.

Don’t throw in the towel yet, though… I’ve got more giveaways coming sooner than you’d think.

I neeeed you guys to check out this new artist, TolumiDE.

Her single, “My Love,” is so catchy, so hot, so fun and funky… I kinda can’t stop listening!  Sooooo, I’ve added it to the PunditPlayer, so you can be hooked too! LOL

Click here to listen!!!

TolumiDE is a new artist with a Nigerian and Canadian background.  She infuses gospel, reggae, funk, soul and African sounds and rhythms into music that works well.  I’m really digging the vibe.

Her full album, My Love, isn’t due in stores until April of this year, but the single will be available this Tuesday, January 26th, on iTunes.

You can visit her website, www.TolumiDEmusic.com, to learn more about her.  Plus, you can follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tolumide.

Also, peep her video for the single… it’s simple enough, yet features quality production.  Plus, I BELIEVE her in it, which is not always a given in gospel.  I think I’m a fan!

Okay, lemme know what you think!!!

You’re not gonna really believe any of this… but it’s for real.  And I’m quite thrilled to see where it goes!

Many of you know that Kim Burrell has lost over 100 lbs. in recent months, following a medical diagnosis suggesting that her health was in jeopardy.

Well, word has it that Kim Burrell has a new lease on life and she’s making BIG moves.  She’s recently launched a NEW official website (http://www.backstagewithkim.com), with NEW photos and a coupla NEW announcements…

The website shares that, in addition to an endorsement deal, she’s got a reality series in the works AND is working on her “first SECULAR album.”

*pauses*

OKAY, so, there you have it, folks.  I encourage you to check out her full website for yourself, and make sure you sign-up there to receive her updates and become a member of her mobile club!

See below for a screenshot from her new website:

And her latest Twitter profile pic– make sure you follow her at http://www.twitter.com/kimburrelllove:

 

I think she looks tasteful and great.  And, knowing her, even if she does a “secular” album, she’s gonna be giving God glory in it and through it.

I KNOW some of you are thrilled, others will be really ticked… either way, I wanna hear your thoughts.  WHAT DO YOU THINK?!

To celebrate the upcoming release of WOW Gospel 2010 (in stores on January 26th) I’ve partnered with Verity Gospel Music Group to offer you the EXCLUSIVE chance to win the WOW Gospel CDs and DVDs from EVERY YEAR of the PAST DECADE.

It’s a DECADE OF WOW!!!

That’s two CDs and one DVD from 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003…2004, 2005, 2006, 2007…2008, 2009 AND 2010 in one big ol’ bundle pack!

As you know, WOW Gospel is an annual compilation project– a double CD and one DVD featuring the hottest songs and videos in the gospel industry.  And, if you’ve missed ANY of the greatest gospel hits of the past DECADE, here’s your chance to recover.

THE PRIZES:

ONE (1) GRAND PRIZE winner will receive the Decade Of WOW collection– that’s 20 CDs and 10 DVDs from every release WOW Gospel from the year 2000 to the year 2010!

Five (5) other winners will receive a WOW Gospel 2010 CD/DVD (this year’s release, due on January 26th) and a limited edition calendar, which is still an awesome prize!

HOW TO WIN:

 1.  This contest will be run solely on Twitter, so you must have a Twitter account to participate.  Sign up here if you don’t have one yet!

2.  Follow me at http://www.twitter.com/gospelpundit.

3.  When you see my ‘GIVEAWAY‘ message every day, simply RE-TWEET it and you’ll be entered to win!

3.  You can enter as many times as you want each day– just RE-TWEET to enter again.  The more you do it, the better your chances of winning the grand prize!

4.  On release day, Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 12 noon CST, one (1) name will be randomly drawn from among each Re-Tweet.  I will notify that person, via Direct Message on Twitter, that they have won the GRAND PRIZE and I will announce it on Twitter and at GospelPundit.com.

Plus, five (5) names will be selected from among my Twitter followers to each receive this year’s WOW Gospel 2010 CD, DVD and calendar.  They will also be notified via Direct Message and have their names announced on Twitter and at GospelPundit.com.

 THE RULES:

1.  The DECADE OF WOW Giveaway runs from Friday, January 15, 2010 through Tuesday, January 26, 2010.

2.  This contest is restricted to residents of the U.S. and Canada.  Sorry to all my intercontinental buddies!

3.  You must be following me at the time of the drawing, at 12 noon CST on Monday, January 25, 2010, in order to be eligible to win any prize.  (You can un-follow me after that, but why would anyone do that?!)

4.  The altering of the GiveAway message, in any way, may be grounds for disqualification.  Further, GospelPundit.com reserves the right to disqualify any entrant, at any time, for any reason whatsoever in its sole discretion.

5.  The re-tweeting via Twitter of the GiveAway message shall constitute consent of the individual to the rules and terms of this contest as discussed above.

That’s it!  See you in the Twitterhood!

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???

Earlier today on Twitter, I did a quick survey asking people to tell me their favorite Hezekiah Walker album and their favorite song from that album…

The responses varied, of course, from Focus On Glory to Family Affair to Souled Out, and everything in between…

I wanted to give you folks the opportunity to weigh in, too.  In fact, I didn’t even tell the Twitterverse about my favorite…

It’s a hard one, for sure, cuz I think Love Fellowship is my favorite choir ever.  But I think my absolute FAVORITE album from Hezekiah Walker is Live In New York and I’m gonna have to cheat for the favorite song, cuz I have several.

I love “Second Chance” most, I think… but also “Sweeter As The Days Go By,” “I’ll Fly Away,” and… well, the whole project!

Okay, talk to me… TRY to narrow it down, but if you have to name a few albums, or a dozen songs, I won’t mind. LOL