Category: News

Nominees for 34th Annual Stellar Awards announced; McReynolds lands nine nominations

Stellar Awards nominee Jonathan McReynolds
McReynolds
January 15, 2019 – Central City Productions announces the nominees in 28 categories for the 34th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, hosted again this year by history-making artist, Kirk Franklin on Friday, March 29. Contemporary gospel artist Jonathan McReynolds leads the field of nominees this year with nine nominations.  The powerhouse singer earned recognition for his work on the album Make Room (Entertainment One) as well as in the key categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year, and Recorded Music Packaging of the Year.
With seven nominations, chart-topping soloist Maranda Curtis is recognized by the Stellar Awards voting body for excellence in the categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year, Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year, Recorded Music package of the Year, and Praise and Worship CD of the Year for her work on Open Heaven (Red Alliance Media/Fair Trade). This year promises to pleasantly surprise the gospel audience with nominations for secular artists Snoop Dogg and Tori Kelly. Snoop Dogg garners a respectable three nominations for CD of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, and Special Event CD of the Year with his hit CD Bible of Love (RCA/Inspiration).  And Tori Kelly‘s angelic vocals have landed her three nominations in the categories of Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year and Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year with the smash hit “Hiding Place” (Schoolboy/Capitol), as well as Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year for her collaboration on “Never Alone” (Schoolboy/Capitol) with Stellars host Kirk Franklin. Todd Dulaney is blessed with six nominations for Your Great Name (Entertainment One) for Artist of the Year, CD of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, and Praise & Worship CD of the Year. Jekalyn Carr continues to rise higher in the gospel genre, earning five nominations this year in the top categories of Artist of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year, Traditional CD of the Year, and Recorded Music Packaging of the Year for her work on One Nation Under God (Lunjeal Music Group).
With four nominations each, Koryn Hawthorne, Kelontae Gavin, Bishop Noel Jones & City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir, and Jarrell Smalls and Company solidify their staying power in gospel music, representing contemporary and traditional gospel, respectively. Hawthorne is recognized for Song of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year, and Music Video of the Year. Gavin has garnered nominations for Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, and Praise & Worship CD of the Year. Bishop Jones & CORSC and Jarrell Smalls & Company are vying for Traditional CD of the Year among their four nods each.
Other artists earning Stellar nominations include: Judah Band, The Walls Group, Earnest Pugh, Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, VaShawn Mitchell, Jason Nelson, Israel Houghton, Fred Hammond, Jor’Dan Armstrong, and Brent Jones & the Waco Community Choir.
View the complete list of nominees by clicking here.
Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions, Inc. commented, “I am extremely excited about our 2019 Stellar Awards nominees. This year’s multiple nominations of new, established, as well as secular artists are a testament to the continued growth and success of gospel music and its appeal to a wide range of audiences across all genres. The Stellar Awards continues to be committed to celebrating the best in music that inspires and uplifts everyone.”
The Stellar Awards show taping will return to The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, March 29, 2019 and is open to the public, with ticket prices ranging from $50 to $200 at www.ticketmaster.com.
The week of activities begins with the Stellar Awards Independent Artist Showcase, taking place on Wednesday, March 27, with winners performing at the non-televised awards pre-show ceremony. The 2019 Stellar Gospel Music Awards Pre-Show is scheduled for Thursday, March 28, to showcase non-televised award winners. Also, the Stellar Gospel Radio Awards & Showcase will be held on Friday, March 29, honoring top radio stations and announcers serving urban gospel music audiences. Tickets for each event can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.

2019 GRAMMY nominees announced

Congratulations to nominees for the 61st GRAMMY Awards, announced earlier today (December 7).
 
Jekalyn Carr, Koryn Hawthorne, Tori Kelly, Jonathan McReynolds, Brian Courtney Wilson,
Cory Asbury, and The Walls Group are among several who received nominations in this year’s Gospel/CCM categories.
 
The complete nominations list is available here.  The awards show airs live Sunday, February 10, on CBS.  

Winners of 49th Dove Awards announced; Tauren Wells collects handful of trophies

Tauren Wells wins four Dove Awards
Wells walked away with four awards at the 49th annual show.

Congratulations to all of the winners at the 49th Annual Dove Awards, which took place October 16, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville.  Tauren Wells, Cory Asbury, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard were among artists with multiple wins on Christian/gospel music’s big night.

For the complete list of winners, click here.  The Dove Awards will air exclusively on TBN this Sunday, October 21, at 8 PM CT. 

Gospel Music Fever, Libra Boyd nominated for 2018 DunAmis Gospel Awards

DunAmis Gospel Awards logoNominees for the 2018 DunAmis Gospel Awards have been announced and voting is underway.  

Gospel Music Fever Blog and its founder Libra Boyd received nominations in three categories. Libra is nominated for Female Musician of the Year and Gospel Announcer of the Year, while Gospel Music Fever Blog is nominated for Media Publication of the Year.  Michael Yelverton, Jerry Sadler & SOP, Deacon Authority, and Devin Paylor & IOP are also among several artists with multiple nominations.  

The DunAmis Gospel Awards was conceptualized by Bishop Terry Young to honor independent gospel artists, pastors, pastors’ wives, churches, and other local and regional talents.  The awards are voted on by the general public.  Click here to view the complete list of nominees and vote multiple times daily.

The DunAmis Gospel Awards will also bestow special honors on individuals with distinguished contributions to the gospel community.  This year, director/promoter/producer Dr. Walter Jones will receive the Local Legend Award; the Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Bishop Eric Ellis; and the Trailblazer Award will be bestowed upon musician and minister Dr. Joyce Harbor.   

The DunAmis Gospel Awards is a ticketed event that takes place October 27, at Cornerstone Conference IPHC in Browns Summit, NC.  Red carpet arrivals begin at 5 PM and the awards show starts at 6 PM.

Brent Jones to join Childish Gambino on new album

Brent Jones and Childish Gambino
Jones (left) with Childish Gambino
Rap superstar Childish Gambino has tapped Grammy and Stellar Award winner Brent Jones to record vocals on his upcoming album.
 
Childish Gambino is the musical alter ego of multi-talented actor, rapper, comedian, writer and director Donald Glover, who has taken the world by storm with his “This Is America” video–which has garnered over 500+ million views and sparked vital discussions about gun violence, mass shootings, and racial discrimination in America. 
 
“It is an absolute honor working with the brilliant Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino!” says Brent Jones.  “Not only is he at the very top of his craft but equally important, he is a great human being with a heart for the people.  I’m truly humbled that he chose me to be a part.”
 
Jones is presently enjoying the success of his current single, “Open Your Mouth and Say Something.”
 
– Excerpted from a JDI press release

Luther Barnes to be inducted into NC Music Hall of Fame

Pastor Luther Barnes is among seven artists to be inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame for 2018.Pastor Luther Barnes is among seven artists to be inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame for 2018.

Luther Barnes is an award-winning songwriter, producer, and singer whose discography includes projects with the Red Budd Gospel Choir, the Sunset Jubilaires, and the Restoration Worship Center Choir.  His father Bishop F.C. Barnes, of “Rough Side of the Mountain” fame, was inducted posthumously into the NC Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

The induction ceremony is set for October 18, 2018, at GEM Theatre in Kannapolis, NC.  Other 2018 inductees are pianist, composer, and media personality, John Tesh; singer and musician, Chris Daughtry; record exec, Dolphus Ramseur; R&B/soul singer-songwriter and producer, Calvin Richardson; GMA Gospel Music Hall of Famers, The Hoppers; and blues guitarist, Blind Boy Fuller.

Editor’s note: In the initial post of this story, GMF inadvertently listed Calvin Richardson as Chris Richardson.  GMF apologizes for the error. 

GMA announces 49th annual Dove Awards nominees

Tauren Wells is among 49th Annual Dove Awards nominees
Wells

Nominees for the 49th annual Dove Awards have been announced.  Tauren Wells and Tasha Cobbs Leonard are among several nominees who received multiple nods.  The complete list of nominees is available here.

The 2018 awards show will take place October 16, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville and will air October 21, exclusively on TBN.

Congratulations to all nominees!

Sponsored Post: Buy your ticket for Summerville’s ‘Spare the Rod’ play (Video)










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Sponsored Post: Summerville’s ‘Spare the Rod’ play comes to Carolina Theatre Sept. 29, features Le’Andria Johnson

DunAmis Kids Gospel Awards to celebrate youths’ contributions to community, region

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

The DunAmis Gospel Awards is gearing up for its very first awards event to recognize and promote children in ministry.

Billed as “The Ultimate Kid Experience,” the DunAmis Kids Gospel Awards will honor youth from ages five through seventeen who spread the gospel throughout their community and region.  Awards will be presented in thirteen categories.  The nomination window is open until June 16 at www.dunamisgospelawards.org.

The celebration, which will include red carpet interviews and spirited live performances, is set to take place August 25, 2018, at Morning Star Baptist Church in Burlington, NC.

The DunAmis Kids Gospel Awards is founded by Bishop Terry L. Young. 

Sponsored Post: Summerville’s ‘Spare the Rod’ play comes to Carolina Theatre Sept. 29, features Le’Andria Johnson

Tall One Outreach Ministries presents the award-winning gospel stage play, “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child – Part 2,” written and produced by Dr. Mildred Summerville and directed by Trina Jeffrie (aka Sister Cantaloupe) at the Carolina Theatre, 309 West Morgan Street, Durham, NC, on September 29, 2018, at 7:30 pm. 
 
Viewers are in for an unforgettable experience! Gracing the stage are Grammy award-winning artist Le’Andria Johnson; gospel singing sensation Shawn McLemore, who is known for his hit single “I Believe” featuring James Fortune; recording artists Dr. Pauline Plummer, Rhonda McLemore, and Queen of Gospel Comedy, Trina Jeffrie; and Apostle Aaron McNair, renown preacher, teacher, and author. The additional
supporting cast members will be selected from Durham School of the Arts and North Carolina Central University Department of Theatre and Dance. Also making an appearance is the Grammy nominated talented R&B diva Angie Stone.
 
A must-see story, the play is alternately a moving drama and a side-splitting comedy that will be talked about in families and generations to come. These insurmountable challenges have been encountered by most families. In this gripping and engaging dramatic piece, a woman is simply known as “Grandma” serves as the pillar of her surroundings. Her son’s family is in crisis, and those within her neighborhood are drowning in chronic troubles of their own. Through it all, Grandma seeks God on behalf of those who are not spiritually inclined enough to seek Him for themselves. Even those who resent her, such as her son’s sometimes rigid wife, Linda, ultimately end up on Grandma’s prayer list. And when the walls of the lives of those around Grandma seem to come tumbling down, they know who to turn to for guidance and sound counsel. It’s not always advice that they want to hear, but it is consistently the precise word needed to steer them in the right direction.
 
Using spirit-filled music and memorable characters like James, the doting son, Linda, the insensitive daughter-in-law, Tracy, the high-strung teenager, and Sister Cantaloupe, Grandma’s feisty sister, “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child – Part 2” portrays issues within the community such as family dysfunction, peer pressure, substance abuse, and other pertinent matters that are too often inadequately addressed or considered taboo altogether.
 
Other characters in the cast bring even more drama to the script. In her God-given wisdom, Grandma confronts Tracy’s suppressed anger and bitterness, convincing her to disclose facts about a rape kept secret for years. Also, she fervently prays for her grandson, William, who has a change of heart and avert
a life of gang involvement.
 
Though compounding events take a toll on Grandma, the audience will rejoice in knowing that this elderly woman’s life was prayer-centered, purpose-inspired, and, inevitably, not at all lived in vain. Extraordinary drama, corrupt karma, a supportive pastor, and a praying grandma, all come together to make “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child – Part 2” a must-see theatrical production! Infused with foot-stomping gospel music, this is soul-stirring entertainment that will warm hearts, tickle funny bones, uplift the spirits, and search the souls of all those who experience it.
 
– From a press release