Tag: News

Lauren Daigle earns multiple wins at Billboard Music Awards

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Lauren Daigle collected a trio of trophies for Top Christian Artist, Top Christian Album, and Top Christian Song at this year’s Billboard Music Awards.  The CCM singer and songwriter continues to enjoy success from her third studio album Look Up Child and performed her crossover hit “You Say” during the awards show, which took place at MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 1.

Lauren Daigle
Lauren Daigle

The winners in each of the CCM and gospel categories are highlighted below.

Top Christian Artist
Cory Asbury
Lauren Daigle
For King & Country
Hillsong Worship
MercyMe

Top Gospel Artist
Kirk Franklin
Koryn Hawthorne
Tori Kelly
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Marvin Sapp

Top Christian Album
Cory Asbury, Reckless Love
Lauren Daigle, Look Up Child
For King & Country, Burn The Ships
Hillsong Worship, There Is More
Zach Williams, Chain Breaker

Top Gospel Album
Snoop Dogg & Various Artists, Snoop Dogg Presents Bible of Love
Aretha Franklin, Gospel Greats
Koryn Hawthorne, Unstoppable
Tori Kelly, Hiding Place
Jonathan McReynolds, Make Room

Top Christian Song
Cory Asbury, “Reckless Love”
Lauren Daigle, “You Say”
For King & Country, “joy.”
Hillsong Worship, “Who You Say I Am”
Tauren Wells, “Known”

Top Gospel Song
Todd Dulaney, “Your Great Name”
Koryn Hawthorne, “Won’t He Do It”
Tori Kelly ft. Kirk Franklin, “Never Alone”
Jason Nelson, “Forever”
Brian Courtney Wilson, “A Great Work”

See the complete list of BBMA winners here. 

34th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Winners and Honorees

April 1, 2019 (Las Vegas, NV) – Central City Productions wrapped up the taping of the 34th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Friday, March 29, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The biggest night in gospel music, hosted by Kirk Franklin, will premiere on BET Network on Easter Sunday, April 21, at 7pm ET (6pm CT).
The standout highlight of the evening was an emotional tribute performance by Kelly Price, Erica Campbell, and Regina Belle honoring the undisputed Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Family members of the late legend–Brenda Corbett, Jordan Franklin, and Kecalf Franklin–were presented with the inaugural Aretha Franklin ICON Award to give posthumous recognition of her profound impact on the gospel music genre and unforgettable contributions.
The undeniable breakout winner of the annual show was performer Jonathan McReynolds, who swept the awards taking home eight Stellar Awards including AT&T Artist of the Year, State Farm 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, and Urban/Inspirational Performance of the Year. Jekalyn Carr received three awards for Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year, and Traditional CD of the Year. The Walls Group was awarded twice as Duo/Chorus Group of the Year and Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year.
A special award presentation was also given to honor gospel legend Delores Washington Green of The Caravans with the Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award. Gospel star Yolanda Adams and Stellar Awards Founder, Chairman & CEO Don Jackson inducted James Robinson Jr. (Malaco Gospel), Jackie Patillo (GMA), and Phil Thornton (RCA Inspiration) into the Stellar Honors Hall of Fame. Quartet legends, The Sensational Nightingales, were honored with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award.
This year’s sensational lineup of performances included an energetic opening number by Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin stirring the audience to their feet performing new music, and a rousing medley by Phil Thompson, Kelontae Gavin, and Maranda Curtis. Other performers included Brian Courtney Wilson, Koryn Hawthorne, Todd Dulaney, Charles Jenkins, and Jekalyn Carr.
The show will continue to air around the country in broadcast syndication from April 27 through May 26 (check local listings). For more information visit us at www.thestellarawards.com. View the complete winners list below:
2019
34th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Winners
Category 1
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jonathan McReynolds, Make Room, Entertainment One
Category 2
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Not Lucky, I’m Loved,” Jonathan McReynolds, Terrell Demetrius Wilson & Anna B. Warner, Entertainment One
Category 3
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jonathan McReynolds, Make Room, Entertainment One
Category 4
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jekalyn Carr, One Nation Under God, Lunjeal Music Group
Category 5
DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Walls Group, The Other Side, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings
Category 6
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jabari Johnson, Day of Redemption, Entertainment One
Category 7
CD OF THE YEAR
Make Room, Jonathan McReynolds, Entertainment One
Category 8
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Bishop Noel Jones & City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir, Run to the Altar, JH/Tyscot
Category 9
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Jonathan McReynolds & Darryl “Lil Man” Howell, Make Room, Entertainment One
Category 10
CONTEMPORARY DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Walls Group, The Other Side, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings
Category 11
TRADITIONAL DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, Keep Pushin, Wonder Spirit/SRT/Shanachie
Category 12
CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jonathan McReynolds, Make Room, Entertainment One
Category 13
TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
VaShawn Mitchell, Cross Music, Tyscot
Category 14
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Tasha Page-Lockhart, The Beautiful Project, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings
Category 15
TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jekalyn Carr, One Nation Under God, Lunjeal Music Group
Category 16
CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR
Make Room, Jonathan McReynolds, Entertainment One
Category 17
TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
One Nation Under God, Jekalyn Carr, Lunjeal Music Group
Category 18
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“Not Lucky, I’m Loved,” Jonathan McReynolds, Entertainment One
Category 19
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Won’t He Do It,” Casey Cross, RCA Inspiration
Category 20
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Bishop Noel Jones & City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir, Run to the Altar, JH/Tyscot
Category 21
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
New Direction, When All God’s Children Get Together, New Haven Records
Category 22
INSTRUMENTAL CD OF THE YEAR
(Category omitted)
Category 23
SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
The Best of Fred Hammond, Fred Hammond, Verity/Sony Music
Category 24
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR
God Knows, Flame, Clear Sight Music
Category 25
YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Pure N Heart, “Be You” 15 Years Unplugged, Music2ChangeU
Category 26
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, Keep Pushin, Wonder Spirit / SRT/Shanachie
Category 27
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
Israel Houghton, Road to DeMaskUs, RCA Inspiration
Category 28
PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR
Your Great Name, Todd Dulaney, Entertainment One
THOMAS A. DORSEY MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Sensational Nightingales
 
DR. BOBBY JONES LEGENDS AWARD
Dolores Washington Green
 
ARETHA FRANKLIN ICON AWARD
Aretha Franklin (posthumously)
 
STELLAR HONORS HALL OF FAME
– Jackie Patillo
– Phil Thornton
– James D. Robinson, Jr.
Gospel Radio of the Year Winners
MAJOR MARKET OF THE YEAR
WPZE Praise 102.5, Atlanta
LARGE MARKET OF THE YEAR
WFMI-FM 100.9 FM, Virginia Beach
MEDIUM MARKET OF THE YEAR
WCGL AM 1360/FM 94.7, Jacksonville
SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR
WIMG 1300AM, Ewing
INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR
uGospel Radio, http://uGospel.com
GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR
Dwight Stone, WPZE Praise 102.5, Atlanta, GA

'Spiritual Awakening' gospel music TV program ends its historic 77-year run

Spiritual Awakening art
Photo | WRAL.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Spiritual Awakening, believed to be among the longest-running gospel music TV shows on the East Coast, will air its final broadcast this Sunday (March 31), according to the show’s host, Bishop Terence Jenkins.  Spiritual Awakening’s history dates back to the early 1940s.  The following is excerpted from the website of its parent company, Capitol Broadcasting:

Spiritual Awakening is a locally-produced gospel music program that evolved out of the legendary “Sister Gary Spiritual Program.”  It is one of the oldest continuously-running gospel music shows on the East Coast. 

“The Sister Gary Program” began on WRAL Radio in 1942 and made its television debut on WRAL in 1969. After host Mabel Gary died in 1978, the program title changed to Spiritual Awakening, with hosting responsibilities going to Gary’s sister, Sandra Byrd.

 In 1989, Ms. Byrd passed the hosting baton to her son, Otis Byrd, a local pastor. Reverend Byrd hosted for more than a decade before giving way to Sonja Hamm, who hosted the show for some five years before turning it over to current host Terence Jenkins in late 2005.

 Spiritual Awakening has been produced since 1990 by Dona Anderson–a former programming assistant at WRAL-TV. Dona regularly schedules top regional and national talent to perform and minister to a weekly audience on WRAL-TV and sister station WRAZ-TV.

 The show focuses primarily on gospel music, but it has also featured segments on spiritual dance and breast-health awareness. The award winning program can be seen in parts of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

 Spiritual Awakening has won the Torchbearers Award for Excellence, presented by the Raleigh/Triangle Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America and also a Community Service Award presented by the Capital City Academy in Raleigh.

 Sunday’s broadcast, which is sure to be a bittersweet finale, features singer Tierra Martin.  It airs at 6am ET on WRAZ/Fox 50.

Doug Williams retires as president of Blackberry Records

Doug WilliamsJACKSON, MS (March 15, 2019) – After twenty-eight years of leading the label, Doug Williams is officially retiring from his role as President and CEO of Blackberry Records as of April 1, 2019. 

Williams was instrumental in signing such artists to the label as Bishop Paul S. Morton, The Canton Spirituals, The Williams Brothers, and many others.  Williams says, “We’ve had an incredible 28 years and made some history along the way.  However, God is leading me in other directions at this time in my life.”

Doug Williams will continue his involvement in the music industry.  “Music is my first love,” he says.  “Therefore, I’ll always be involved in some facet.  I still have a passion for singing, songwriting, and producing.”  When asked about the future of Blackberry Records now that he’s retiring, Williams states, “As of now, the future of the company is to be determined; however, we’ll make an official announcement once that decision has been made.”

Doug Williams was an instrumental catalyst behind Blackberry’s numerous Grammy nominations and Stellar Award wins. 

Kelly, Daigle, Crabb pick up Grammys at 61st awards

Congratulations to gospel and CCM’s winners at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, announced last evening (February 10, 2019) in Los Angeles.  

Tori Kelly
Tori Kelly

Best Gospel Performance/Song 
“Never Alone” – Tori Kelly featuring Kirk Franklin
Written by Kirk Franklin and Victoria Kelly

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
“You Say” – Lauren Daigle
Written by Lauren Daigle, Jason Ingram, and Paul Mabury

Best Gospel Album
Hiding Place– Tori Kelly

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Look Up Child – Lauren Daigle

Best Roots Gospel Album
Unexpected – Jason Crabb

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. 

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. 

Winans wins pair of trophies at 60th Annual Grammy Awards

Congratulations to gospel and CCM’s winners at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, announced last evening (January 28, 2018) in Los Angeles.  


Best Gospel Performance/Song 
“Never Have to Be Alone” – CeCe Winans
Written by CeCe Winans, Dwan Hill, and Alvin Love III

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
“What A Beautiful Name” – Hillsong Worship
Written by Ben Fielding and Brooke Ligertwood

Best Gospel Album
Let Them Fall In Love– CeCe Winans

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Chain Breaker– Zach Williams

Best Roots Gospel Album
Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope– Reba McEntire


Winans celebrated her wins from Nashville Life Church in Tennessee, where she and her husband Alvin Love are pastors. 


A post shared by CeCe Winans (@cecewinans) on

See the full list of 2018 Grammy Award winners here.

Hawkins’ ‘Oh Happy Day’ returns to Billboard charts at #1

A week after the death of four-time Grammy® Award-winning recording artist, Edwin Hawkins, The Edwin Hawkins Singers’ 1969 million-seller, “Oh Happy Day,” has charted at #1 on Billboard Magazine’s Gospel Digital Song Sales chart for the issue week ending January 27, 2018.  The classic song had a 999% sales increase following worldwide news coverage of the celebrated artist’s passing from cancer last week.
In recent months, Hawkins and his management team had begun to plan activities surrounding the 50th anniversary of “Oh Happy Day,” which was recorded in 1968 and then spread to radio airwaves everywhere in the spring of 1969.  This coming August will also mark Hawkins’ 75th birthday.  The Hawkins Family will honor the man and his music during a two-day “Celebration of Life” at The Harbor Life Church, 4760 Thornton Avenue, Fremont, CA 94536, on February 6 and 7.  The services will begin at 7 PM PT each evening.  The public is invited to attend the celebration and admission is free of charge. The events will stream live on Mr. Hawkins’ Facebook page: Iamedwinhawkins.


Some of gospel’s brightest stars will perform classics from Hawkins’ vast catalogue, ranging from “Worship the Lord” to “Imagine Heaven.” The luminaries performing either night are Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Winans, Bebe Winans, Beverly Crawford, Anita Wilson, LaShun Pace, Ted Winn, Melonie Daniels-Walker, Chrystal Rucker, BSlade, Chrystal Rucker, Minister Carole King, Tibari, and Bishop Yvette Flunder.


Donald Lawrence is supervising the music and Edwin Hawkins’ music director, Derrick Hall, is the bandleader. Kurt Carr and Ricky Dillard are guest choir directors. Jonathan Grier and Rusty Watson, the longtime musical director of the Love Center Choir, will direct the bulk of the choir vocals. There will also be a reunion of the original Edwin Hawkins Singers, as well as, an appearance by The New Edwin Hawkins Singers and the Dream Team. Speakers will include Stellar Gospel Music Awards founder, Don Jackson; Bishop Carlton Pearson; Dr. Mary Beth Gentry; and music legend, Richard Smallwood.
There has been an outpouring of condolences from members of the music community, including Neil Portnow, the President and CEO of The Recording Academy.  In a written statement, Portnow said, 

Edwin Hawkins was a celebrated recording artist recognized as a founder of modern gospel music.  He earned 19 GRAMMY nominations between 1969 and 1996, winning his first award for Best Soul Gospel Performance for `Oh Happy Day,’ the crossover hit that solidified his status as a leading force in gospel music.  He earned three more GRAMMY Awards® during his career in the Best Soul Gospel Performance and Best Gospel Album By A Choir Or Chorus categories.  Edwin’s contributions to the contemporary Christian genre and commitment to music celebrating religious faith will continue to inspire both artists and audiences for years to come. Our thoughts go out to Edwin’s family and collaborators during this difficult time.

– Press release

Winners of the 48th Annual Dove Awards announced

CeCe Winans

Congratulations to all of the winners at the 48th Annual Dove Awards, which took place October 17, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville.  CeCe Winans and Kirk Franklin were among many artists who picked up wins on Christian/gospel music’s big night.


For the complete list of winners, click here.  The Dove Awards will air on TBN this Sunday, October 22, at 8 PM CT.