Gospel Veteran Andraé Crouch has many reasons to “Keep On Singing”. Crouch nabbed a total of five nominations for the 28th Annual Stellar Awards, including Artist of the Year, CD of the Year, Traditional CD of the Year and a Song of the Year nomination for Let The Church Say Amen (featuring Pastor Marvin Winans).
The Journey, released in 2011 was his triumphant return to gospel music after a 5 year hiatus and featured stand out performances from the music world’s finest artists including Take 6, Kim Burrell, Rance Allen, Chaka Khan and Sheila E. Let the Church Say Amen is well on its way to becoming a gospel standard.
Mark your calendars for the release of Pastor Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago’s The Best of Both Worlds DVD and Deluxe Edition digital version on November 20th. The Best of Both Worlds CD, the first release for the Inspired People/EMI Gospel label spent three consecutive weeks in the top spot on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and Awesome, the lead single has remained at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs charts for 15 weeks. Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago received eight nominations for the 28th Annual Stellar Awards including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Choir of the Year and Traditional CD of the Year.
Riding on the heels of the success of his big-screen debut in the movie, SPARKLE starring Jordin Sparks and the late Whitney Houston, R & B song stylist Kem gets in the holiday mood with the release of Glorify the King, the lead single from his brand new holiday CD released October 16th .
What Christmas Means is the fourth Motown release for the 2 time Grammy nominee and Detroit native and is comprised of five original compositions and five holiday standards.
She was by far one of the most influential gospel singers of all time. Recording over 35 albums, she was the recipient of a number of gold records including one for her 1948 recording of Move On Up A Little Higher, which went on to sell over 8 million copies. She was a humanitarian, a civil rights champion working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King and Gospel’s first Superstar. The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences created the Gospel Music or Other Religious Recording category for Jackson making her the first Gospel Music Artist to win the prestigious Grammy Award. Gospelflava.com remembers the life and legacy of Mahalia Jackson.
Congratulations to Earnest Pugh and EPM Music Group. Christmas with Earnest Pugh and Friends has debuted at #2 on Billboard’s prestigious Top Gospel Albums chart. This marks the second Top Ten release for the new EPM Music Group. The Christmas album also charted at number 18 on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart and number 84 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart.
Inez Andrews, iconic gospel singer known across the world for her soaring contralto and vocal delivery on Mary, Don’t You Weep will be honored with the Ambassador Bobby Jones Legend Award at the 28th Annual Stellar Awards held on January 19th at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
Andrews joined the Caravans in 1957 and was featured as a lead soloist on many of the Carvans hits, including I’m Willing To Wait, I’m Not Tired Yet and Make It In. After a stellar career with the Caravans, she left in 1962 and had a huge success with the crossover hit Lord, Don’t Move the Mountain.
Kirk Franklin announced via webcast the nominees for the 28th Annual Stellar Awards. The Awards will take place on Saturday, January 19th at the Grand Ole Opry House Theater in Nashville, Tennessee. Check out the newly updated Stellar Awards website at www.thestellarawards.com and view the nominees announcement below
Highlight of Top Nominees:
Mary Mary – Total Nominations 9 Group/Duo of the Year, Song of the Year, Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, Urban Inspirational Single or Performance, Special Event CD of the Year, Producer of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago – Total Nominations 8 Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, CD of the Year, Choir of the Year, Song of the Year, Traditional CD of the Year, Traditional Choir of the Year and Pre-Recorded Music Packaging
Marvin Sapp – Total Nominations 6 Artists of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year, Traditional Male of the Year and Traditional CD of the Year
Fred Hammond – Total Nominations 6 Male Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, and Urban Inspirational Single or Performance
Andre Crouch – Total Nominations 5 Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, CD of the Year, Traditional Male of the Year and Traditional CD of the Year
Isaac Carree – Total Nominations 5 New Artist of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male of the Year, Urban Inspirational Single or Performance and Music Video of the Year
Ohio based Half Mile Home puts a new spin on Billy Preston’s Nothing from Nothing and craftfully delivers their new single, So Good from their forthcoming CD release Church Muzik & Inspiration. The 14 track CD will be released on November 6th and features a wide array of music ranging from contemporary gospel to traditional gospel with an “urban twist”.
Radio has warmly embraced “You Reign”, the first single from GODCHASER, the upcoming Verity debut of William Murphy. “You Reign” bowed at #22 on the R&R Gospel chart, and at #26 on the Soundscan Digital Genre Gospel Chart. The single gains momentum charting at #18 on this week’s chart.
Most will recognize Murphy from the 2001 smash hit Praise Is What I Do recorded by Shekinah Glory Ministry. However, gospel aficionados will remember hearing his soaring vocals on Jesus Is Alive from the Revival In the House CD as well as All Hail the Power from Bishop Clarence McClendon’s Shout Hallelujah CD. William Murphy was also a part of Michael Brooks group The Nation that recorded 2 cds for the CGI label.
Because we like to share, here is You Reign and All Hail the Power and be sure to look for William performing You Reign on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel on Sunday, December 23rd.
Gospel A-Listers BeBe Winans, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond and Mary Mary round out the Best Gospel/Inspirational Category
for the 2012 Soul Train Music Awards. Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks are also nominated in the category for their performance of Celebrate from the movie Sparkle. Gospel Jazz virtuoso Ben Tankard is among the nominees in the Best Contemporary Jazz Artist/Group Category.
The 2012 Soul Train Music Awards hosted by comedian and star of the TV Land Sitcom The Soul Man Cedric the Entertainer will tape on November 8th at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two hour show will simulcast on the BET and Centric networks on Sunday, November 25th. Check your local listings for the time.