Category: News

Kirk Franklin, Sounds of Blackness, T.D. Jakes win NAACP Image Awards

Winners of the 2012 NAACP Image Awards aired tonight on NBC.  Gospel and inspirational nominees were represented across several categories.  Below are the categories that had at least one gospel or inspirational nominee, with the winner denoted in red.  Congratulations to all!

Outstanding New Artist

Committed
Epic

Diggy Simmons
Atlantic Records

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
Columbia Records

Mindless Behavior
Streamline/Conjunction/Interscope Records

Wynter Gordon
Big Beat/Atlantic Records

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration

Boyz II Men
Benchmark Entertainment/MSM Music Group

Cee Lo Green feat. Melanie Fiona
Elektra Records

Mary J. Blige feat. Drake
Geffen

Sounds of Blackness
Malaco Music Group

The Roots
Island Def Jam Music Group

Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary)

Becoming
Yolanda Adams
N House Music Group

Church on the Moon
Deitrick Haddon
Verity Gospel Music Group

Hello Fear
Kirk Franklin
Verity Gospel Music Group
Something Big
Mary Mary
Columbia Records

The Journey
Andraé Crouch
RiverPhlo Entertainment 

Outstanding World Music Album

Afrodiaspora
Susana Baca
Luaka Bop

Carnival Fever
Brother B
King Chero Records

Live at 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Boukman Eksperyans
MunckMix, Inc.

Sounds of Blackness
Sounds of Blackness
Malaco Music Group

The First Grader
Alex Heffes
Varese Sarabande

Outstanding Song

“Best Thing I Never Had”
Beyoncé
Columbia Records

“Fool for You” feat. Melanie Fiona
Cee Lo Green
Elektra Records

“I Smile”
Kirk Franklin
Verity Gospel Music Group

“So In Love” feat. Anthony Hamilton
Jill Scott
Warner Bros. Records

“Someone Like You”
Adele
Columbia Records

Outstanding Reality Series

All-American Muslim
TLC

American Idol
FOX

Dancing with the Stars

ABC

Sunday Best
BET

Tia & Tamera
Style Network 

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional

A Year to Wellness and Other Weight Loss Secrets
Bertice Berry
Freeman House Publishing

Living My Dream: An Artistic Approach to Marketing
Synthia Saint James
Create Space

Our Difficult Sunlight: A Guide to Poetry, Literacy, & Social Justice in Classroom & Community
Quraysh Ali Lansana
Teachers & Writers Collaborative

The T.D. Jakes Relationship Bible: Life Lessons on Relationships from the Inspired Word of God
T.D. Jakes
Atria Books

Too Important to Fail: Saving America’s Boys
Tavis Smiley (Author), Juan Roberts (Illustrator)
SmileyBooks

Kirk Franklin, Sounds of Blackness, T.D. Jakes win NAACP Image Awards

Winners of the 2012 NAACP Image Awards aired tonight on NBC.  Gospel and inspirational nominees were represented across several categories.  Below are the categories that had at least one gospel or inspirational nominee, with the winner denoted in red.  Congratulations to all!

Outstanding New Artist

Committed
Epic

Diggy Simmons
Atlantic Records

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
Columbia Records

Mindless Behavior
Streamline/Conjunction/Interscope Records

Wynter Gordon
Big Beat/Atlantic Records

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration

Boyz II Men
Benchmark Entertainment/MSM Music Group

Cee Lo Green feat. Melanie Fiona
Elektra Records

Mary J. Blige feat. Drake
Geffen

Sounds of Blackness
Malaco Music Group

The Roots
Island Def Jam Music Group

Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary)

Becoming
Yolanda Adams
N House Music Group

Church on the Moon
Deitrick Haddon
Verity Gospel Music Group

Hello Fear
Kirk Franklin
Verity Gospel Music Group
Something Big
Mary Mary
Columbia Records

The Journey
Andraé Crouch
RiverPhlo Entertainment 

Outstanding World Music Album

Afrodiaspora
Susana Baca
Luaka Bop

Carnival Fever
Brother B
King Chero Records

Live at 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Boukman Eksperyans
MunckMix, Inc.

Sounds of Blackness
Sounds of Blackness
Malaco Music Group

The First Grader
Alex Heffes
Varese Sarabande

Outstanding Song

“Best Thing I Never Had”
Beyoncé
Columbia Records

“Fool for You” feat. Melanie Fiona
Cee Lo Green
Elektra Records

“I Smile”
Kirk Franklin
Verity Gospel Music Group

“So In Love” feat. Anthony Hamilton
Jill Scott
Warner Bros. Records

“Someone Like You”
Adele
Columbia Records

Outstanding Reality Series

All-American Muslim
TLC

American Idol
FOX

Dancing with the Stars

ABC

Sunday Best
BET

Tia & Tamera
Style Network 

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional

A Year to Wellness and Other Weight Loss Secrets
Bertice Berry
Freeman House Publishing

Living My Dream: An Artistic Approach to Marketing
Synthia Saint James
Create Space

Our Difficult Sunlight: A Guide to Poetry, Literacy, & Social Justice in Classroom & Community
Quraysh Ali Lansana
Teachers & Writers Collaborative

The T.D. Jakes Relationship Bible: Life Lessons on Relationships from the Inspired Word of God
T.D. Jakes
Atria Books

Too Important to Fail: Saving America’s Boys
Tavis Smiley (Author), Juan Roberts (Illustrator)
SmileyBooks

Kirk Franklin, Le'Andria Johnson win Grammys at the 2012 pre-show

Gospel’s Grammy winners have been announced at the 54th Grammy Awards pre-show.  The recipients are listed in red.

Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance
 
“Do Everything”
Steven Curtis Chapman
re:Creation 
 
“Alive (Mary Magdalene)”
Natalie Grant
Music Inspired By The Story 
“Your Love”
Brandon Heath
Leaving Eden 
“Jesus”
Le’Andria Johnson
The Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson 
“I Lift My Hands”
Chris Tomlin
And If Our God Is For Us…
Best Gospel Song
 
“Hello Fear”
Written by Kirk Franklin (performed by Kirk Franklin)
Hello Fear 
“Sitting With Me”
Written by Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Gerald Haddon & Tammi Haddon (performed by Mary Mary)
Something Big 
“Spiritual”
Written by Donald Lawrence (performed by Donald Lawrence & Company feat. Blanche McAllister-Dykes)
YRM (Your Righteous Mind) 
“Trust Me”
Written by Richard Smallwood (performed by Richard Smallwood & Vision)
Promises 
“Window”
Written by Canton Jones (performed by Canton Jones)
Dominionaire 
Best Gospel Album
 
The Love Album
Kim Burrell 
The Journey
Andraé Crouch 
Hello Fear
Kirk Franklin 
Something Big
Mary Mary 
Angel & Chanelle Deluxe Edition
Trin-i-tee 5:7 
Best Contemporary Christian Music Song
 
“Blessings”
Written by Laura Story (performed by Laura Story)
Blessings 
“Hold Me”
Written by Jamie Grace Harper, Toby McKeehan & Christopher Stevens (performed by Jamie Grace feat. Tobymac)
“I Lift My Hands”
Written by Louie Giglio, Matt Maher & Chris Tomlin (performed by Chris Tomlin)
And If Our God Is For Us… 
“Strong Enough”
Written by Matthew West (performed by Matthew West)
The Story Of Your Life 
“Your Love”
Written by Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram (performed by Brandon Heath)
Leaving Eden 
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
 
Ghosts Upon The Earth
Gungor 
Leaving Eden
Brandon Heath 
The Great Awakening
Leeland 
What If We Were Real
Mandisa 
Black & White
Royal Tailor 
And If Our God Is For Us…

Chris Tomlin

Kirk Franklin, Le’Andria Johnson win Grammys at the 2012 pre-show

Gospel’s Grammy winners have been announced at the 54th Grammy Awards pre-show.  The recipients are listed in red.

Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance
 
“Do Everything”
Steven Curtis Chapman
re:Creation 
 
“Alive (Mary Magdalene)”
Natalie Grant
Music Inspired By The Story 
“Your Love”
Brandon Heath
Leaving Eden 
“Jesus”
Le’Andria Johnson
The Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson 
“I Lift My Hands”
Chris Tomlin
And If Our God Is For Us…
Best Gospel Song
 
“Hello Fear”
Written by Kirk Franklin (performed by Kirk Franklin)
Hello Fear 
“Sitting With Me”
Written by Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Gerald Haddon & Tammi Haddon (performed by Mary Mary)
Something Big 
“Spiritual”
Written by Donald Lawrence (performed by Donald Lawrence & Company feat. Blanche McAllister-Dykes)
YRM (Your Righteous Mind) 
“Trust Me”
Written by Richard Smallwood (performed by Richard Smallwood & Vision)
Promises 
“Window”
Written by Canton Jones (performed by Canton Jones)
Dominionaire 
Best Gospel Album
 
The Love Album
Kim Burrell 
The Journey
Andraé Crouch 
Hello Fear
Kirk Franklin 
Something Big
Mary Mary 
Angel & Chanelle Deluxe Edition
Trin-i-tee 5:7 
Best Contemporary Christian Music Song
 
“Blessings”
Written by Laura Story (performed by Laura Story)
Blessings 
“Hold Me”
Written by Jamie Grace Harper, Toby McKeehan & Christopher Stevens (performed by Jamie Grace feat. Tobymac)
“I Lift My Hands”
Written by Louie Giglio, Matt Maher & Chris Tomlin (performed by Chris Tomlin)
And If Our God Is For Us… 
“Strong Enough”
Written by Matthew West (performed by Matthew West)
The Story Of Your Life 
“Your Love”
Written by Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram (performed by Brandon Heath)
Leaving Eden 
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
 
Ghosts Upon The Earth
Gungor 
Leaving Eden
Brandon Heath 
The Great Awakening
Leeland 
What If We Were Real
Mandisa 
Black & White
Royal Tailor 
And If Our God Is For Us…

Chris Tomlin

"Victory Is Mine" featured on soundtrack of Oscar nominated movie

Malaco Music Group recently announced that a Malaco published gospel song appears in the Academy Award nominated film The Help.

“Victory Is Mine,” written by Dorothy Norwood and Alvin Darling, and a staple in congregations across the country, is featured in the movie.

The Help and/or its actresses are nominated for Oscars in the categories of Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress.

“Victory Is Mine” featured on soundtrack of Oscar nominated movie

Malaco Music Group recently announced that a Malaco published gospel song appears in the Academy Award nominated film The Help.

“Victory Is Mine,” written by Dorothy Norwood and Alvin Darling, and a staple in congregations across the country, is featured in the movie.

The Help and/or its actresses are nominated for Oscars in the categories of Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress.

Mavis Staples talks about her courtship with Bob Dylan, impact of her family’s music

Graham Rockingham of The Hamilton Spectator recently shared a delightful interview with gospel/soul/folk
songstress Mavis Staples.

Read what the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner says about Bob Dylan’s marriage proposal as well as the impact of the Staples Singers’ music here: Mavis Staples recalls her lost love.

Le’Andria Johnson performs in Raleigh – Jan. 21

Click flyer to enlarge

Tickets can be purchased at http://newliteentertainment.ticketleap.com/the-women-of-gospel-music.

VaShawn Mitchell wins big at Stellars (Complete List of 2012 Winners)

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Photo Credit: Rick Diamond
For VaShawn Mitchell, it was a weekend to remember at the 27th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards.  Mitchell had his hands full, leaving with six trophies for his CD Triumphant, which features Billboard’s number one gospel song of 2011, “Nobody Greater.”
A special moment in the evening came when Kirk Franklin, after having won Song of the Year for “I Smile,” shared his award with fellow category nominee Darius Paulk, the writer of “Nobody Greater.”
Other honorees of the evening were Vy Higginsen, who was presented the Thomas Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, and John P. Kee, who received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award.  Higginsen is perhaps most recognized as the founder of Gospel For Teens and as the first black female writer, producer, and director of the longest running Off-Broadway musical in the history of American theatre, Mama, I Want to Sing.

Photo Credit: Rick Diamond
The James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Kee for his remarkable music career that spans over three decades and encompasses a myriad of gospel music accolades.  In the late 1980’s, he was crowned the Prince of Gospel.
During the pre-show (see related story), the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award was given to Dorothy Norwood.
Daughters of “The Royal Lady of Gospel” Delois Barrett Campbell (who passed in August 2011, at age 85) were also recipients of a special Stellar Award at the pre-show. The trophies will now bear Campbell’s name among the inscriptions.  Additionally, fans of the Barrett Sisters were thrilled to learn that a film documentary chronicling the life and extensive career of Campbell and her siblings is scheduled for release in March.  It will feature vintage music footage and lively candid interviews with the internationally acclaimed trio.
The Stellar Awards will air nationally on the Gospel Music Channel, Saturday, February 11.  Visit www.thestellarawards.com and click Local Airdates for the broadcast dates and times in your area.

Below is this year’s complete list of winners.

Artist Of The Year
VaShawn Mitchell 

Song of the Year
“I Smile” – Kirk Franklin

Male Vocalist Of The Year
VaShawn Mitchell

Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year
Kim Burrell

Group/Duo of the Year
Mary Mary 

New Artist of the Year
Y’Anna Crawley

CD of the Year
Hello Fear – Kirk Franklin

Choir of the Year
Ricky Dillard & New G

Producer of the Year
Kirk Franklin

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
Mary Mary

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
The Rance Allen Group

Contemporary Male of the Year 
VaShawn Mitchell

Traditional Male of the Year
Smokie Norful

Contemporary Female of the Year
Kim Burrell 

Traditional Female of the Year
Beverly Crawford 

Contemporary CD of the Year
Hello Fear – Kirk Franklin

Traditional CD of the Year
How I Got Over – Smokie Norful

Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance Of The Year
VaShawn Mitchell 

Music Video of the Year – Short Format
“Nobody Greater” – VaShawn Mitchell 

Music Video of the Year – Long Format
Church on the Moon – Deitrick Haddon

Traditional Choir of the Year
Mississippi Mass Choir 

Contemporary Choir of the Year
Shekinah Glory Ministry 

Instrumental Gospel CD of the Year
Music Remastered and Sacred Organ – Moses Tyson, Jr. 

Special Event CD of the Year
Bishop Morton Celebrates 25 Years of Music – Bishop Paul S. Morton

Rap Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
Rehab: The Overdose – Lacrae

Children’s Project of the Year
Teen Pure In Heart Live – Pure-N-Heart 

Quartet of the Year
The Rance Allen Group

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
Make It Loud! – Martha Munizzi

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Triumphant – VaShawn Mitchell

Spoken Word CD Recording of the Year 
Look at You Loving Me – Selah

Radio Station of the Year – Major Market
KJLH 102.3FM – Los Angeles, CA 

Radio Station of the Year – Large Market
WHAL 95.7FM/1460AM – Memphis, TN 

Radio Station of the Year – Medium Market
WLOU 1350AM – Louisville, KY 

Radio Station of the Year – Small Market
KOKA 980AM – Shreveport, LA

Stellar Award winners of non-televised categories announced at pre-show

Dorothy Norwood and family of Delois Barrett Campbell receive special awards

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Gospel music’s version of the Grammys is taking place this weekend in Nashville.  The first winners of the 27th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards were announced last evening at the 2012 pre-show, held before a capacity crowd at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.  Hosts of the non-televised event were Byron Cage and Maurette Brown Clark.
 
“Gospel’s Greatest Storyteller” Dorothy Norwood received the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award.  The Caravan alumna’s career spans more than half a century. 
 
Left: Dorothy Norwood accepts the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award, recalling her years of traveling during the era of racial injustice and discrimination.
 
In addition to the awards presentations, a special award was given to the daughters of pioneering gospel great Delois Barrett Campbell, who passed away August 2011.  Because of her internationally renowned contributions to gospel music with the Roberta Martin Singers, the Barrett Sisters, and as a solo artist, her name will be inscribed on the Stellar Award.

Right: Mary Campbell, daughter of Delois Barrett Campbell, speaks as other daughter Sue Campbell-Ladd (far right), presenter Erma Davis, and cousin Skip Barrett look on.
 

Categories and winners announced at the pre-show are as follows:

Contemporary Male of the Year
VaShawn Mitchell

Traditional Female of the Year
Beverly Crawford

Contemporary Female of the Year
Kim Burrell

Contemporary Choir of the Year
Shekinah Glory Ministry

Choir of the Year
Ricky Dillard & New G

Traditional Choir of the Year
Mississippi Mass Choir

Traditional CD of the Year
How I Got Over – Smokie Norful

Contemporary CD of the Year
Hello Fear – Kirk Franklin

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Triumphant – VaShawn Mitchell

Instrumental Gospel CD of the Year
Music Remastered and Sacred Organ – Moses Tyson, Jr.

Children’s Project of the Year
Teen Pure In Heart Live – Pure-N-Heart

Music Video of the Year – Long Format
Church on the Moon – Deitrick Haddon

Urban Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year
“Nobody Greater” – VaShawn Mitchell

Quartet of the Year
The Rance Allen Group

Producer of the Year
Kirk Franklin

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
Make It Loud! – Martha Munizzi

Special Event CD of the Year
Bishop Morton Celebrates 25 Years of Music – Bishop Paul S. Morton

The Stellar Awards continues tonight at the Grand Ole Opry with hosts Dorinda Clark-Cole and Marvin Sapp.  Stay close to GMF for the complete list of this year’s winners. 

Photo Credit: Stellar Gospel Music Awards