Go with me if you will back to the year 1997. Super producer Michael Brooks finally decides to devote some time to producing a solo album for Lisa Page (lead singer for the contemporary all female group Witness). The end result was More Than You’ll Ever Know. (more…)
VaShawn Mitchell has kicked off 2012 on a Very High Note. The Grammy Nominee was the biggest winner at the 2012 Stellar Awards bringing home 6 awards in major categories. His ground breaking release “Triumphant” is still a favorite and has held steady on the Billboard Charts. (more…)
James Fortune and FIYA celebrates their first #1 Debut. “Identity” debut at #1 on Top Gospel and Christian Charts, Number 1 on Independent Albums Charts and #7 on Billboard Top 200 Charts. This is a well deserved honor as James and his team worked very hard on production and promotion of this new album. Identity features artist such as GRAMMY Award Winning Monica, Fred Hammond, GRAMMY Nominee and Sunday Best Winner Le’Andria Johnson, Nikki Ross, and more.
Identity is Fortune’s 3rd Album and is an 18 track album of encouragement and inspiration. Be Sure to catch James Fortune and FIYA performing “Never Again” on the Stellar Awards set to air on GMC February 11th, check your local listings for times.
GMC (formerly the Gospel Music Channel) has announced the World Premiere air dates for the 27th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards (more…)
Profile Feature: Ricky Dillard&New G
Nominations: “Choir Of The Year“ ”Traditional CD Of The Year“, “Music Video Of The Year-Long Format” (Keep Living), “Traditional Choir of the Year“,
Noted Work: 8 recorded projects-some include: “The Promise“, “Worked It Out“, Welcome To The Real World“,“No Limit“, and the 2012 Stellar Award Nominated “Keep Living“, a host of musical and television appearances, featured in motion picture “Leap Of Faith” starring Steve Martin (1992), Winner of several Stellar Awards, Grammy nominated
Ricky Dillard& New G have graced the gospel scene since the mid 80′s with their robust choir sound and high energy. Not only do we love to hear them sing, but we love to watch them get down whenever they perform. Dillard&New G are certainly mainstays of the Gospel genre. Ricky Dillard&New G’s newest project “Keep Living“, released on Light Records/EOne Entertainment, has garnered them 4 2012 Stellar Awards nominations. We caught up with Ricky Dillard to get his perspective on the nominations, his take on the place of choir, and what he enjoys most about The Stellar Awards weekend.
GOSPELflava.com: You and New G are nominated for 4 Stellar Awards this year. How are you all feeling about this accomplishment?
Ricky Dillard: It’s always an honor to be nominated and recognized for anything. The Stellar Awards have been committed to gospel music for almost three decades & provide an amazing opportunity for enthusiasts of gospel to see some of their favorite artists. It’s as a chance for the artist to come together, fellowship, and participate in what turns out to be an elegant weekend. I’m grateful to be a past winner and am honored to be recognized again with several nominations.
GOSPELflava.com: We’ve seen what some might call a “comeback” of the Choir sound in the last few years. Do you view it as a “comeback”? If so, why do you think the choir sound is becoming popular again with gospel music lovers?
Ricky Dillard: I would call it less of a “comeback” and more of a “push forward”. Some of us, who are committed to excellence in music without eliminating the choir, have been more resilient & determined to not just let others dictate what we’ve been building for years. I have a very strong opinion on the choir and still believe that it has relevance in the church on Sunday mornings, and it’s still very relevant in concerts around the world. We still get calls from overseas, for the choir to come to share ministry. I’ve always loved the choir sound and I love being apart of the choir movement, and now the revolution.
GOSPELflava.com: What do you enjoy the most about The Stellar Awards weekend?
Ricky Dillard: The fellowship, the incredible Five star dinners and presentation, as well as the ability to celebrate all of my constituents who are excelling in ministry & their artistry.
Find out if Ricky Dillard and New G win at the 2012 Stellars Awards by making your way to Nashville, Tennessee in January. It was great catching up with Ricky Dillard. Keep checking in throughout the week for more “Road To The Stellars” Stellar Profiles.
Profile Feature: Martha Munizzi
Nomination: “Albertina Walker Female Vocalist Of The Year”
Noted Work: GRAMMY Nominated Artist, Multiple Stellar and Dove Award Winner, critically acclaimed projects such as “Say The Name”, “The Best Is Yet To Come”, penned Classic praise and worship anthems such as “Glorious”, “Because Of Who You Are”, and “God Is Here”, worked with Grammy Award Winning Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey.
Profile Feature: Wess Morgan
Nomination: “Song Of The Year” for “I Choose To Worship”
Noted Work: Founder of the BowTie World Music Label, “Look At Me Now” CD/DVD , and “Under An Open Heaven” CD/DVD ft. “I Choose To Worship”, Appearances in Tyler Perry’s stage play, and a host of musical appearances.
Tune in to see performances from JJ Hairston, Beverly Crawford, VaShawn Mitchell, Forever Jones, The Soul Seekers, Marvin Sapp, and more!
The event that has grown to be hailed as one of the most exclusive and powerful events in Gospel Music will air on TV this Saturday. The 12th Annual BMI Luncheon honoring Commissioned and Pastor Shirley Caesar will air on GMC February 19, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. with an encore following at 8:30. The luncheon was filled with heartfelt tributes, words of encouragement, and great memories.
(gmc, formerly Gospel Music Channel, can be seen on DIRECTV 338, FIOS TV 224 and local cable. There is also a show page on the gmc website with a “gmc Insider” video of VaShawn Mitchell covering the awards at http://www.watchgmctv.com/video/bmi-trailblazers-gospel-sat-feb-19-gmc. )
Check out Melanie Clark’s Full Recap Of the Event: BMI 12th Annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon (2011)
The 26th Annual Stellar Awards will air this week in the following Markets this week. The Stellar Awards will air Nationally on Gospel Music Channel (GMC) on Saturday March 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. EST. Check your local listings for updates.
| MARKET: | STATION: | CHANNEL: | AIR DATE AND TIME: |
| Atlanta, Georgia | WAGA | 5 | Saturday Jan.29.2011 @ 4:00 p.m. |
| Elkhart, Indiana | WHME | 46 | Friday January 28, 2011 @ 8:00 p.m. |
| South Bend, Indiana | WHME | 46 | Friday January 28, 2011 @ 8:00 p.m. |
| Monroe, Louisiana | KARD | 14 | Saturday January 29, 2011 @ 2:00 p.m. |
| Monroe, Louisiana | KARD | 14 | Sunday January 30, 2011 @ 4:00 p.m. |
| New York, New York | WWOR | 9 | Sunday January 30, 2011 @ 3:00 p.m. |
| Greensboro, NC | WGHP | 8 | Sunday January 30, 2011 @ 12:00 p.m. |
| Winston Salem, NC | WGHP | 8 | Sunday January 30, 2011 @ 12:00 p.m. |
| Erie, Pennsylvania | WFXP | 66 | Sunday January 30, 2011 @ 1:00 p.m. |
| Columbia, SC | WZRB | 47 | Saturday January 29, 2011 @ 4:00 p.m. |
| Petersburg, Virginia | WRLH | 35 | Sunday January 30, 2011 @ 3:00 p.m. |
| Richmond, Virginia | WRLH | 35 | Sunday January 30, 2011 @ 3:00 p.m. |
