Saturday, March 11, 2023

Kirk Franklin has made history by becoming the first artist to hold the top position on a Songwriters Chart for 100 consecutive weeks


 Kirk Franklin has achieved a historic milestone by spending his 100th week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Songwriters chart (dated March 11). He is the first person to reach this milestone on a songwriters chart. In June 2019, Billboard launched various genre-specific rankings and Hot 100 Songwriters and Hot 100 Producers charts, including Christian, gospel, country, rock & alternative, R&B/hip-hop, R&B, rap, Latin, and dance/electronic. Franklin expressed his gratitude to his supporters, saying that as a songwriter, nothing is more rewarding than seeing your work resonate with people on a deep level. He feels humbled by the support he has received and thanks everyone who played a role in bringing his music to life.

Gospel Music Awards

Gospel music awards are ceremonies that recognize and honor the achievements of artists and other industry professionals in the gospel music genre. These awards are an important part of the gospel music industry, and they play a significant role in promoting and advancing the genre. In this blog post, we will take an in-depth look at gospel music awards, their history, their significance, and some of the most prestigious gospel music awards ceremonies.

History of Gospel Music Awards

The first gospel music award ceremony was the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, which was founded in 1969. The Dove Awards are considered to be one of the most prestigious gospel music awards ceremonies, and they have been a staple of the gospel music industry for over 50 years. Since the establishment of the Dove Awards, many other gospel music awards ceremonies have emerged, including the Stellar Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, and the BET Gospel Celebration.

Significance of Gospel Music Awards

Gospel music awards are significant for several reasons. First, they provide a platform for gospel music artists and other industry professionals to receive recognition and accolades for their work. This can help to promote their careers and advance the gospel music genre as a whole. Second, gospel music awards ceremonies can help to increase public awareness and appreciation for gospel music. This can help to attract new fans to the genre and expand its audience. Finally, gospel music awards can serve as a unifying force within the gospel music industry, bringing together artists, producers, and other industry professionals to celebrate their collective achievements.

Dove Awards

The Dove Awards are the most well-known gospel music awards ceremony, and they are often referred to as the Grammy Awards of gospel music. The ceremony is organized by the Gospel Music Association (GMA), and it honors artists and other industry professionals in over 40 different categories, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Producer of the Year. The Dove Awards ceremony is broadcast on television and attracts a large audience of fans and industry professionals.

Stellar Awards

The Stellar Awards are another important gospel music awards ceremony. The ceremony is organized by the Stellar Gospel Music Awards and honors artists and other industry professionals in over 25 different categories, including Traditional Gospel Album of the Year, Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year, and Gospel Radio Station of the Year. The Stellar Awards ceremony is also broadcast on television and is highly regarded within the gospel music industry.

BET Gospel Celebration

The BET Gospel Celebration is a newer gospel music awards ceremony, having been established in 2019. The ceremony is organized by BET (Black Entertainment Television) and honors artists and other industry professionals in several categories, including Best Gospel/Inspirational Artist, Best Gospel/Inspirational Song, and Best Gospel/Inspirational Album. The BET Gospel Celebration is broadcast on television and is a significant platform for gospel music artists within the black community.

Gospel music awards are an important part of the gospel music industry, and they play a significant role in promoting and advancing the genre. The Dove Awards, the Stellar Awards, and the BET Gospel Celebration are three of the most prestigious gospel music awards ceremonies, and they honor artists and other industry professionals for their achievements in the genre. These awards ceremonies serve as a platform for gospel music artists and other industry professionals to receive recognition and accolades for their work, and they help to increase public awareness and appreciation for gospel music. Overall, gospel music awards are a vital part of the gospel music industry, and they help to promote and celebrate the rich history and culture of gospel music.

Friday, March 10, 2023

Gospel Music: The Journey

 Gospel music is a genre of music that originated in African American churches in the United States. It is a form of Christian music that is characterized by its soulful and uplifting melodies, powerful lyrics, and passionate performances. Gospel music has a rich history that spans several decades and has influenced many other genres of music, including rock and roll, R&B, and soul music. In this blog post, we will take an in-depth look at gospel music, its history, its impact, and its significance in the world of music.

The Roots of Gospel Music

Gospel music has its roots in African American churches in the United States. It emerged in the late 19th century as a response to the oppression and hardship that African Americans were facing at the time. The lyrics of gospel songs often spoke about hope, faith, and the promise of a better life in heaven. Some of the earliest examples of gospel music can be traced back to the spirituals that were sung by enslaved Africans in the United States.

The Rise of Gospel Music

The popularity of gospel music grew rapidly in the 20th century. In the 1920s and 1930s, gospel music began to be recorded and distributed on vinyl records. This allowed the music to reach a wider audience and helped to popularize the genre. One of the most influential figures in the early days of gospel music was Thomas A. Dorsey, who is often referred to as the "father of gospel music." Dorsey was a songwriter and pianist who helped to popularize gospel music through his recordings and performances.

The Golden Age of Gospel Music

The 1950s and 1960s are often referred to as the golden age of gospel music. During this time, gospel music reached new heights of popularity, and many of the most iconic gospel songs were recorded. Some of the most famous gospel artists of this era include Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Sam Cooke. These artists helped to bring gospel music to a wider audience and helped to cement its place in the world of music.

The Influence of Gospel Music

Gospel music has had a profound influence on many other genres of music. Rock and roll, R&B, and soul music all have roots in gospel music. Many famous musicians, including Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, and Whitney Houston, started their careers in gospel music before branching out into other genres. The powerful emotions and passionate performances that are characteristic of gospel music have also influenced many other forms of music, including pop, country, and hip hop.

The Significance of Gospel Music

Gospel music has a deep and meaningful significance in the African American community. It has been used as a tool for social and political change, as well as a source of comfort and hope during times of hardship. Gospel music has also played an important role in the civil rights movement, with many gospel songs becoming anthems for the movement. Today, gospel music continues to inspire and uplift people around the world, and its legacy lives on through the many artists who continue to perform and record gospel music.

Conclusion:

Gospel music is a powerful and uplifting genre of music that has had a profound impact on the world of music. Its roots in African American churches and its deep emotional resonance have made it a source of hope and inspiration for generations of listeners. From its humble beginnings in the spirituals of enslaved Africans to its place as a global phenomenon, gospel music has a rich and meaningful history that deserves to be celebrated and appreciated.

Sunday, March 17, 2019

Hillsong annouces debut of "Another Fire"


Hillsong UNITED has announced the release of their highly anticipated album, PEOPLE. The worldwide album debut date is on April 26. The PEOPLE album is a  live project with twelve new songs. You can preorder the album as it is available on most of your favourite music platforms.
 Returning to their roots, to where it all began, PEOPLE pays homage to the group’s core mission; unity… a simple, yet most powerful message that’s needed in the world today more than ever.

“The hope for the project is simply understanding the power of music as a means of bringing people together, and letting it serve as a reminder that in our culture––the call to love our neighbor is a revolutionary act that perhaps rings louder now than ever.” says UNITED’s Joel Houston. “If there's one thing that music can do better than anything else on earth, is its innate ability to unify people. It’s the essence at the heart of what UNITED has always been about––and what we want this project to represent more than anything––bringing people together, from every different walk of life, with all our differing experiences, circumstances, and perspectives––and finding songs that give us reason to sing as individuals with a
common voice.”

Official track listing for PEOPLE
Ready or Not
Here’s to the One
Might Sound Wild
Whole Heart (Hold Me Now)
As You Find Me
Clean
Starts and Ends
Highlands
Holy Ground
Another in the Fire
Good Grace
Echoes (Till We See the Other Side) 


Monday, March 11, 2019

34th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards





The Stellar Awards is a Gospel Music Awards show  that honours Gospel Music artists, writers, and industry professionals for their contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. The Stellar Awards ranks high in status as the only Gospel Music television awards program syndicated in over 140 markets nationwide.
The awards is produced by the Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. (CCP).

This year’s edition is the 34th in the series. It has been 32 years since the first awards show was taped at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago, and the Stellar Awards has now become the premier Gospel event that recognizes and honors African American artists. IT also showcases top Gospel artists and many film and TV stars.
The 2019 edition hold on the 29th of March. See the list of categories and nominees below:

2018 - 2019
34th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Nominees

Category #1
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Jekalyn Carr, One Nation Under God, Lunjeal Music Group
- Jonathan McReynolds, Make Room, Entertainment One
- Maranda Curtis, Open Heaven, Red Alliance Media/Fair Trade
- Todd Dulaney, Your Great Name, Entertainment One

Category #2
SONG OF THE YEAR
Nobody Like You Lord, Maranda Curtis & Anthony Rachel, Red Alliance Media/Fair Trade
Not Lucky, I'm Loved , Jonathan McReynolds, Terrell Demetrius Wilson & Anna B. Warner, Entertainment One
Won't He Do It, Makeba Riddick, Richard Shelton & Loren Hill, RCA Inspiration
You Know My Name (Live), Tasha Cobbs Leonard & Brenton Brown, Motown Gospel

Category #3
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Brian Courtney Wilson, A Great Work, Motown Gospel
- Jonathan McReynolds, Make Room, Entertainment One
- Kelontae Gavin, The Higher Experience, MBE/Tyscot
- Tye Tribbett, The Bloody Win, Motown Gospel

CATEGORY #4
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR*
- Jekalyn Carr, One Nation Under God, Lunjeal Music Group
- Koryn Hawthorne, Unstoppable, RCA Inspiration
- Maranda Curtis, Open Heaven, Red Alliance Media/Fair Trade
- Tasha Page-Lockhart, The Beautiful Project, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings
- Tori Kelly, Hiding Place, Schoolboy/Capitol

CATEGORY #5
DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Donald Lawrence & Tri-City, Goshen 432 Hz, RCA Inspiration
- Isaiah D. Thomas and Elements of Praise, Still Here, Murchison Motion Pictures
- Judah Band, Gone Fishin', Light Records
- The Walls Group, The Other Side, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings

CATEGORY #6
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Cheryl Thomas Fortune, Simply Cheryl, LuDawn/Tyscot
- Jabari Johnson, Day of Redemption, Entertainment One
- Phil Thompson, My Worship, Phil Thompson Worship/JamesTown
- PJ Morgan, The Transparency Project, IDMV Music Group

CATEGORY #7
CD OF THE YEAR
Bible of Love, Snoop Dogg, RCA Inspiration
Make Room, Jonathan McReynolds, Entertainment One
Open Heaven, Maranda Curtis, Red Alliance Media/Fair Trade
Your Great Name, Todd Dulaney, Entertainment One

CATEGORY #8
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- Bishop Noel Jones & City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir, Run to the Altar, JH/Tyscot
- Dexter Walker & Zion Movement, Hope, IndieBlu Music
- The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, I Am Reminded: Live!, Brooklyn Tabernacle Music
- Vincent Tharpe and Kenosis, Super Excited, Empty Me Entertainment

CATEGORY #9
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
- Jonathan McReynolds & Darryl "Lil Man" Howell, Make Room, Entertainment One
- Kirk Franklin, Ronald Hill, Phil Thornton, Clifton Lockhart, Tasha Page Lockhart, Myron Butler, Dontaniel Kimbrough, Zeek Listenbee, Cordell Walton, Edward "6Mile JP" Page, Charles "Ollie" Harris, Daniel Bryant, Bryan Popin & AyRon Lewis, The Beautiful Project, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings
- Kirk Franklin, Ronald Hill, Warryn Campbell and Phil Thornton,The Other Side, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings
- Todd Dulaney & Dontaniel Jamel Kimbrough, Your Great Name, Entertainment One

CATEGORY #10
CONTEMPORARY DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Donald Lawrence & Tri-City, Goshen 432 Hz, RCA Inspiration
- God's Chosen, God's Chosen, Dream Label Group/Dream Gospel/GFavored Entertainment/Capitol Christian
- Judah Band, Gone Fishin', Light Records
- The Walls Group, The Other Side, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings

CATEGORY #11
TRADITIONAL DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Gospel Legends, Resting Easy, Humility Music Group
- Jarrell Smalls & Company, A New Season, Southern Wave/Get Ready/SRT
- Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson, Keep Pushin, Wonder Spirit/SRT/Shanachie
- Nu Tradition, Nu Tradition, Altmo Productions

CATEGORY #12
CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Jonathan McReynolds, Make Room, Entertainment One
- Kelontae Gavin, The Higher Experience, MBE/Tyscot
- Todd Dulaney, Your Great Name, Entertainment One
- Tye Tribbett, The Bloody Win, Motown Gospel

CATEGORY #13
TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Earnest Pugh, Survive, EPM/Black Smoke
- Jarrell Smalls, A New Season, Southern Wave/Get Read/SRT
- Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson, Keep Pushin, Wonder Spirit/SRT/Shanachie
- VaShawn Mitchell, Cross Music, Tyscot

CATEGORY #14
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Benita Jones, The Evolution, IndieBlu Music
- Koryn Hawthorne, Unstoppable, RCA Inspiration
- Tasha Page-Lockhart, The Beautiful Project, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings
- Tori Kelly, Hiding Place, Schoolboy/Capitol

CATEGORY #15
TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Jekalyn Carr, One Nation Under God, Lunjeal Music Group
- Maranda Curtis, Open Heaven, Red Alliance Media/Fair Trade
- Shana Wilson-Williams, Everlasting, Shana Wilson Ministries/IndieBlu
- Tammi Haddon, Bishop Noel Jones & City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir - Run to the Altar , JH/Tyscot

CATEGORY #16
CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR
Bible of Love, Snoop Dogg, RCA Inspiration
Make Room, Jonathan McReynolds, Entertainment One
The Higher Experience, Kelontae Gavin, MBE/Tyscot
Your Great Name, Todd Dulaney, Entertainment One

CATEGORY #17
TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
A New Season, Jarrell Smalls & Company, Southern Wave/Get Ready/SRT
One Nation Under God, Jekalyn Carr, Lunjeal Music Group
Run to the Altar, Bishop Noel Jones & City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir, JH/Tyscot
The River, Keion D. Henderson, Eye Light Productions

CATEGORY #18
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Forever, Jason Nelson, RCA Inspiration
Never Alone ft. Kirk Franklin, Tori Kelly, Schoolboy/Capitol
Not Lucky, I'm Loved, Jonathan McReynolds, Entertainment One
Reckless Love, Israel Houghton, RCA Inspiration

CATEGORY #19
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
A Great Work, Matt Reed, Motown Gospel
For My Good, G. Randy Weston, Light Records
Won't He Do It, Casey Cross, RCA Inspiration
My Life; Grateful - Patrick Tohill, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings

CATEGORY #20
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- Bishop Noel Jones & City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir, Run to the Altar, JH/Tyscot
- Demetrius West & Jesus Promoters, ChoirOlogy: The Study of Choir Music, Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
- Dexter Walker & Zion Movement, Hope, IndieBlu Music
- The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, I Am Reminded: Live!, Brooklyn Tabernacle Music

CATEGORY #21
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- Brent Jones & the Waco Community Choir, Open Your Mouth and Say Something, JDI Records
- Dr. Alyn E. Waller Presents Fresh Anointing, Totally, Enon Music Group
- New Direction, When All God's Children Get Together, New Haven Records
- Vincent Tharpe and Kenosis, Super Excited, Empty Me Entertainment

CATEGORY #22
INSTRUMENTAL CD OF THE YEAR
- CATEGORY OMITTED
CATEGORY #23
SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
Bible of Love, Snoop Dogg, RCA Inspiration
Evidence, Elevation Collective, Elevation Worship Records
The Best of Fred Hammond, Fred Hammond, Verity/Sony Music
WOW Gospel 2018, Various Artists, RCA Inspiration

CATEGORY #24
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR
BLSD, Jor'Dan Armstrong, Seaq Management
God Knows, Flame, Clear Sight Music
I Ain't Preaching to the Choir, Miz Tiffany, Digistoric Music
PRAISE, Emcee N.I.C.E., Gypsy City Music

CATEGORY #25
YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
- Christian Bolar, Speak It, BGA Music Group
- Personal Praise, We are Personal Praise, RoBabies Records
- Pure N Heart, "Be You" 15 Years Unplugged, Music2ChangeU
- The Children Speak, Hey Young World, HOLYwood Records

CATEGORY #26
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
- Gospel Legends, Resting Easy, Humility Music Group
- Jarrell Smalls & Company, A New Season, Southern Wave/Get Ready/SRT
- Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson, Keep Pushin, Wonder Spirit / SRT/Shanachie
- The Wardlaw Brothers, Stand There, TWB Records

CATEGORY #27
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
- Israel Houghton, Road to DeMaskUs, RCA Inspiration
- Justin Foster, Open Heaven, Red Alliance Media/Fair Trade
- Keemon Leonard, Make Room, Entertainment One
- Octavious Holmes, One Nation Under God, Lunjeal Music Group

CATEGORY #28
PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR
Everlasting, Shana Wilson-Williams, Shana Wilson Ministries/IndieBlu
Open Heaven, Maranda Curtis, Red Alliance Media/Fair Trade
The Higher Experience, Kelontae Gavin, MBE/Tyscot
Your Great Name, Todd Dulaney, Entertainment One
*A tie in the Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year category resulted in having 5 nominees

GOSPEL RADIO OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
MAJOR MARKET OF THE YEAR
- WGRB Inspiration 1390AM, Chicago
- WNAP 1110 AM, Philadelphia
- WPZE Praise 102.5, Atlanta
- WYCA 92.3 FM WPRS-FM, Hammond/Chicago

LARGE MARKET OF THE YEAR
- WFMI-FM 100.9 FM, Virginia Beach
- WJXY 103.5 FM/93.7 FM, Myrtle Beach
- WOKB 1680AM, Orlando
- WXHL 89.1FM, Wilmington

MEDIUM MARKET OF THE YEAR
- WCGL AM 1360/FM 94.7, Jacksonville
- WPZZ 104.7 FM, Richmond
- WREJ 101.3FM, Richmond
- WTJZ Praise 104.9FMj, Chesapeake
SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR
- WDJL-AM 1000, Huntsville
- WEHA GOSPEL 88.7 & 100.3 FM, Egg Harbor
- WHBT 1410 AM & 98.3 FM, Tallahassee
- WIMG 1300AM, Ewing

INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR
- GH3 Radio - "God's House of Hip Hop," http://www.gh3radio.com
- Gospel Central Radio, http://www.thegospelcentral.com
- SOAR Radio, http://soarradio.com
- uGospel Radio, http://uGospel.com

GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR
- Dwight Stone, WPZE Praise 102.5, Atlanta, GA
- Linda Greenwood, WNAA 90.1 FM, Raleigh, NC
- Randi Myles, WDMK-HD2, Detroit, MI
- Sherry Mackey, WHAL 95.7, Memphis, TN


Saturday, November 3, 2018

The Experience Lagos 2018 #TE13 #JesusOurPeace

Its the 13th edition of The Experience. The Gospel Music event holding  first friday of every December in Lagos, Nigeria has become an event people look forward to with people travelling from every part of the world to attend. It features diverse gift expression in worship and praise to God. An evening where over a million people gather to worship.
This year's edition is tagged 

 

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Deitrick Haddon's LXW (League of Extraordinary Worshippers) : Great God

 LXW (League of Extraordinary Worshippers) is a gospel choir with Deitrick Haddon,  as the pastor and leader. The LXW project is an amazing project that has brought together over 100 voices in LA. Their debut album features a list of 'Who's Who' in the current choir music sub-genre including Hezekiah Walker, Donald Lawrence, Ricky Dillard.
Check out Great God, one of the tracks on the album.