Alma Rivera starts off 2012 in California at the Dream Center (Angelus Temple), which is pastored by Mathew Barnett. Pastor Barnett, author of the New York Times Best Seller, The Cause within You, pastors what Time Magazine noted as “One of the three largest Churches in America.”

Alma Rivera is not unfamiliar with singing at large well known churches such as the Dream Center, having already led people to the mountain top of praise at Lakewood Church in Houston Texas, Metro Ministries, Brooklyn NY, plus others.

Her inspirational uplifting style of music continues to not only attract people who are drawn not just by the unique sound, which combines Gospel & Rock with a touch of Latin, but also the lyrics which are designed to inspire hope and bring out the greatness in people.

“We are so excited to have Alma Rivera with us at the Dream Center. Her gift of music and her love for people is a blessing to the world!”  — Pastor Mathew Barnett

MEDIA NOTE:

• Alma Rivera will perform at the Dream Center (Angelus Temple) (110 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026): Sun., Jan 29, at 9:00 a.m. & 11 a.m. 

ABOUT ALMA RIVERA: 
Alma Rivera’s music ministry began in 1998 after she graduated from the Instituto Canzion, a worship school founded by multiple Grammy award winner Marcos Witt.  As a bi-lingual performer, Rivera’s melodic sounds are enjoyed by English and Spanish-speaking audiences around the world. Her diverse musical style — encompassing contemporary praise and worship, pop, Rock and Latin Gospel — has been featured on: TBN’s Dino show; CBN’s Club700Hoy; CBN.com as the “Artist of the Day;” Harvest-tv.com on the “Harvest Show;” and she has performed as a guest singer at Lakewood Church in Houston; with Ricardo Sanchez at Israel Houghton’s 2010 Deeper Level Conference; with Grammy Award-winning artist, Israel Houghton at the Upper Room Church in Dix Hills, NY; at Bishop Hezekiah Walker’s Love Fellowship Tabernacle, and at the “Heart Revolution Conference” with Pastor Sergio De La Mora. Fans can connect with Alma on Facebook,Twitter, YouTube and MySpace and access: her appearance schedule, photos, download music and more atwww.MusicByAlma.com.  Alma’s music is also available oniTunes.

Andrea Helms is a lifelong singer and worshipper. She brought the best of her talent and spirit to every performance as a contestant on Season 4 of BET’s Sunday Best, the world’s leading gospel competition television show. It took her to the show’s finale, where she was first- runner up. Now she’s bringing her best to her debut CD as a Music World Gospel recording artist. Moving Forward, which features songs she performed on Sunday Best, will be released in stores and online everywhere on March 6, 2012.

Andrea thought about auditioning for Sunday Best for two years before the opportunity presented itself. “We just kept missing it. We would always catch the show during the tryout episodes and we wondered where you go to audition,” says Andrea. “I received a call from a friend who said they were going to be auditioning in Dallas and that I needed to go. Suddenly I started second-guessing myself and I almost didn’t go. But I showed up, and I was among thousands of people. I thought it would be a good learning experience. I didn’t really expect to make it as far as I did. I was surprised.”

Andrea believes that she came out of the Sunday Best experience stronger and more confident than when she went in. “It’s very taxing because not only are you singing for Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Kim Burrell—all these major artists—but you’re on national television,” she recalls. “You have to dig down deep into who you are and try to stay true to who you are, knowing that the only source that you have is God.”

Andrea felt it was especially intimidating to put her own stamp on songs made popular by outstanding singers such as Tremaine Hawkins and Whitney Houston, whose musicianship she most admires, along with Mariah Carey and Martha Munizzi. There is no doubt that she has successfully put her stamp on the seven songs on the CD. She offers a powerful, soulful and bluesy turn on Sunday Best judges Mary Mary’s song, “Yesterday,” which is her first single from the CD. Her version of Richard Smallwood’s classic “I Love the Lord” is uniquely her own. She also puts her own spin on the highly popular praise and worship song, “Because Of Who You Are,” written by Martha and Daniel Munizzi, as well as on Donald Lawrence’s songs “The Heaven Are Telling (A Mighty God We Serve) and “Encourage Yourself. And as an iTunes exclusive only, she presents a worshipful take on “Wind Beneath My Wings,” written by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar (this song will not be on the CD project).

One of the most talked about moments of the season was when Amber Bullock and Andrea Helms performed a duet, “Moving Forward,” penned by Ricardo Sanchez during the show’s finale. Andrea and Amber offer a powerful rendition of that song for this CD.

Andrea is especially drawn to the song, “Change,” on the CD because of her personal story. The recording includes some of her testimony. “From the time that my mother was carrying me, doctors told her that I would be a vegetable and that I would never talk or walk, but I was born a healthy 8 pound 2 ounce baby,” she said. “God performed a miracle. I wasn’t even supposed to be able to talk, and He gave me the ability to sing. Then, years later, when I had my son, I dealt with severe postpartum depression that literally caused me to have suicidal tendencies. I was still leading worship through it all, but it was really a rough, rough, time. I don’t remember a lot of my son’s first year being here with me because I was not in the right frame of mind. My mom is a fireball and a prayer warrior and she prayed me through it. I think God leads us through places like that so that we can minister to other people. Now I walk my victory out every day and I can speak to women and understand where they are coming from. So God has really changed me and that’s why that song means something to me.”

The CD was recorded at Music World Studios, which Andrea described as an “amazing place with a great staff.” The songs were produced by H. Doobie Powell for Chip Off The Block Productions, who Andrea describes as “a genius.”

Born in Odessa Texas, Andrea was an only child and the daughter of a preacher who was also an accomplished musician. Music was always a part of her life at home, at school, and at Friendship Church in Denton, Texas, where her father was pastor.

While in high school she won a position in the Texas All State Choir for three consecutive years, being named first chair soprano two of those years. Her junior year earned her first place in NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) competition, which encompassed the southern United States. Her senior year she won the Young Artist Competition, receiving a cash prize and the opportunity to solo with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra.

When she graduated from high school in 1992, she became minister of music at Friendship Church, where she led worship and directed the adult and children’s choirs and the band. She remained there until 1998.

Andrea met her husband, Michael, at Friendship Church when his family came there when she was 13 and he was 15. “From the time we first saw each other, we knew we were supposed to be together,” she said. They started dating when she was 15, and later Michael worked for the church in the outreach ministry and eventually became youth pastor. Andrea and Michael were married in 1993. In 1998 they were called to pastor another church and they left Friendship. After her father’s death, Andrea and Michael returned to Denton to co-pastor the church, where Andrea has resumed her role as minister of music.

Andrea describes her church as “a place that meets almost every need.” A nondenominational church with an interracial congregation between 300 and 500 people, it serves young and old and ministers to “anyone who comes to the door.”

Besides completing her CD, Andrea has been traveling around the country to minister in song. She recently was featured in the Jacksonville, Florida run of T.J. Hemphill’s play, Perilous Times II, with Music World label mate Le’Andria Johnson, Season 3 winner of Sunday Best. Andrea also has been asked by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s family to sing at his birthday celebration in Atlanta in January 2012. “This is probably the greatest honor that I’ve had in my entire life,” she said of the invitation.

Andrea is looking forward to what comes next as a result of Sunday Best and the CD. “When you start walking through the doors that God opens, you never know what’s behind that door,” she said. “I really would like to have a platform for my husband and me to share our ministry with the world. I want people to know who we are together and so I’m anxious to see what becomes of that.”

Her greatest goal, however, is to use her music to connect people with Jesus. “I want people to know how big Jesus is through what I sing,” she says. “I want them to know that he is real and that you don’t have to be cleaned up to come to Jesus, you can come as you are. And if that’s accomplished, then my mission is complete.”
 

Award-winning gospel star Maurette Brown Clark has hit the Top 5 with her single “I Hear The Sound (of Victory),” continuing its rise up Billboard’s Gospel Songs Chart to #5 for the week of January 28, 2012. The first single off her acclaimed fourth solo album The Sound of Victory, “I Hear The Sound (of Victory)” marks Brown Clark’s third Top 5 single in her career thus far, following on her #1 singles “One God” and “It Ain’t Over (Until God Says It’s Over),” and setting the stage for her next single “Awesome God.”

Recently bringing her live talents to Nashville, revving up the crowd as co-host of the 27th Annual Stellar Awards Pre-Show with Byron Cage, Brown Clark’s latest album showcases the powerful vocals and messages that fans know and love from “The Princess of Praise & Worship.” Recorded live before a packed audience in Norfolk, VA, her fourth album The Sound of Victory (Atlanta International Records/Malaco Music Group) was released on November 8, 2011 to acclaim from critics and fans, garnering a career-high album debut at #7 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums Chart. Featuring production from gospel industry titans Asaph Alexander Ward and Executive Producer D. A. Johnson, the 12-track collaboration presents the best of the two-time Stellar Award winner’s revered musical talents in uplifting the spirit of others, bringing comfort and keeping the faith in troubled times, with rousing, praise-filled melodies including “He’s Alive,” “Don’t Be Discouraged,” and revisiting fan favorites “Breaking Of Day” and “Even in the Rain.”

In-demand for her musical ministry, the longtime Baltimore resident has amassed an impressive 20 years in the gospel music industry, with hits including “Breaking Of Day,” “Just Wanna Praise You,” “Even in the Rain,” “One God” and “It Ain’t Over (Until God Says It’s Over),” and “Calvary” and “Angels” with Richard Smallwood and Vision. Growing up in Long Island, NY singing with her family group The Brown Singers, Brown Clark remains committed to expanding boundaries and uplifting others in faith as a singer, songwriter, musician, producer, wife and mother. She continues to tour across the country and worldwide sharing the Gospel, with 2012 tour dates including multiple dates in London, UK, Maryland, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

Maurette Brown Clark Tour Dates (Ongoing): January 28th Philadelphia, PA January 30-31st York, PA February 17-19th London, UK February 24th TX February 25th Conway, AR And More!

For the latest tour dates and other news about Maurette Brown Clark, please visit:

Official Website: http://www.maurettebrownclark.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/maurette-brown-clark

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/maurettebclark

The soundtrack for the recently released major motion picture, Joyful Noise, has debuted at #1 this week on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart. The project, produced by Mervyn Warren, features some pop-music-made-gospel by co-stars Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton and KeKe Palmer, as well as an original tune from Kirk Franklin.  

It also should be noted that the South African all-male a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo debuted at #4 with their Ladysmith Black Mambazo & Friends project. And Come Sunday, a special gospel project from jazz bassist Charlie Haden and the late Hank Jones, an acclaimed jazz pianist, debuted at #6.  

Next week I’m curious to see where James Fortune’s Identity project will land on the charts.  Don’t forget this Tuesday the legendary Luther Barnes will drop his new project “Yet Love” in stores and online.

Look below for the complete top 10 list: 

1 | Various Artists – Joyful Noise Sountrack
2 | William McDowell – Arise
3 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
4 | Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Ladysmith Black Mambazo & Friends
5 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
6 | Charlie Haden & Hank Jones – Come Sunday
7 | Lecrae – Rehab
8 | Marvin Sapp – Playlist: The Very Best of…
9 | Jessica Reedy – From the Heart
10 | Shirley Caesar – The Ultimate Collection

Gospel group Kevin LeVar & One Sound have announced a live CD and DVD recording of their sophomore project, Destiny – Live at the Dream Center, to take place on Friday, January 27th at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free for the taping, which will take place before a live audience at the Dream Center’s Angelus Temple (1100 Glendale Boulevard) in Los Angeles.

The Dream Center is partnering with Kevin LeVar & One Sound to bus in more than 500 people from Los Angeles-area shelters and outreach programs for a true night of life-changing ministry.

“This new project is all about destiny,” says LeVar. “You were born to be great! If there’s a dream down in your heart that is longing to get out, this is a night you can’t afford to miss.”

This new project from God Glorified Music, Inc., is the long-awaited follow-up to LeVar’s debut album, Let’s Come Together, which spawned a deluxe edition re-release and the hit singles “You Are Not Alone” and “A Heart that Forgives,” both of which shot to #1 and received “Best Video” nominations from television network GMC.

LeVar is in the midst of his year-long Forgive and Live Today Campaign, a movement that was created to inspire one million acts of forgiveness. In June, LeVar kicked off the campaign with a performance in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Gospel legends CeCe Winans and Hezekiah Walker, former Commissioned member Marcus Cole, Coco Brother and others have lent their voices to the cause, appearing at live events around the country. For more details, visit www.forgiveandlivetoday.org.

For more information, visit www.kevinlevar.com.

Powerhouse vocalist Natalie Grant will make her football debut at the 13th Annual National Football League’s Super Bowl Gospel Celebration. The show will tape before a live audience at 7:30pm EST on Friday, February 3, 2012 at the Clowes Memorial Hall on Butler University in Indianapolis, IN.

Sponsored by American Family Insurance and Verizon Wireless, the celebration is hosted by Wayne Brady, current host of the iconic CBS game show “Let’s Make A Deal,” and gospel’s sweetheart CeCe Winans. Grant will be performing alongside American Idol winner Fantasia, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker and “Players Choice” Wess Morgan, and Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound 2011 Overall Winning Choir, Salvation and Deliverance Church Choir.

In 2010, Grant released her chart-topping album Love Revolution, which gave her the highest-selling debut of her career. This heart-gripping songwriter and charismatic performer has an unshakable determination to remind listeners of the simple significance of love, and the revolutionary power that it carries. As a recent Grammy Nominee, GMA Female Vocalist of the Year for four consecutive years (2006-2009) and the top-selling Adult Contemporary female solo artist in 2005, 2006 and 2008, Grant is among a select number of artists to have achieved a formidable foothold at mainstream media and radio. Despite these accomplishments, it is the message of the Gospel, and the revolutionary power of love it carries, that she waves as her banner and her hope.

The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration has become legendary for its hand clappin’, soul-stirrin’ and foot stompin’ performances from artists including Patti LaBelle, BeBe Winans, Mary Mary, Israel Houghton & New Breed, Yolanda Adams, Jaci Velasquez, Fred Hammond and many more. NFL Players that have made appearances include Cris Carter, John Elway, Donovan McNabb, Kurt Warner, Tim Brown and Darrell Green, Raheem Morris and many more.

Tickets for the 2012 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com, www.superbowlgospel.com. Prices are $99, $79, $59, and $39 (additional service fees and taxes apply). Since its inception in 1999, the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration has partnered with a charity in each Super Bowl host city. This year, Gary Brackett’s IMPACT Foundation has been selected as the event’s charitable partner. For each ticket purchased for the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, $3.00 will go to the Foundation.

For more information on Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, please visit www.superbowlgospel.com and for the latest news and information on Natalie Grant, please log on to www.nataliegrant.com.

ABOUT NATALIE GRANT: A powerhouse vocalist, heart-gripping songwriter and charismatic performer, Natalie Grant has an unshakable determination to remind us of the simple significance of love, and the revolutionary power that it carries, as expressed on her latest project, Love Revolution. Released in August 2010, Love Revolution gave Natalie the highest-selling debut of her career. As a Grammy Nominee, GMA Female Vocalist of the Year for four consecutive years (2006-2009) and the top-selling Adult Contemporary female solo artist in 2005, 2006 and 2008, Grant is among a select number of artists to have achieved a formidable foothold at mainstream media and radio. Despite these accomplishments, it is the message of the Gospel, and the revolutionary power of love it carries, that she waves as her banner and her hope. Beyond her artistry, Grant remains an outspoken advocate for victims of human trafficking through Abolition International, which she created in 2005. She balances all of these endeavors with her greatest calling-as a wife, and mother of three.

ABOUT THE SUPER BOWL GOSPEL CELEBRATION: The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration was launched in Miami in 1999 during Super Bowl XXXIII weekend. Few recognized that many athletes and fans desired an event to celebrate the big game, not only to show their love for football, but also an outlet to express their faith through uplifting sounds and the rich culture of gospel music. In 2002, the event became the first and remains the only gospel event sanctioned by the NFL. Since its inception, the show has drawn crowds in the thousands and has demonstrated growth year-over-year, selling out venues in major Super Bowl host cities including Dallas, Tampa, Detroit, Jacksonville, Houston and Phoenix.

The movie Red Tails surprised many critics with it’s strong debut this week coming in at #2.  Four new movies were released this weekend, and the established fan base of Underworld was figured to run-away with the first weekend sales.  This was not the case.

Red Tails cruised into second place with a very respectable $19.1 million thanks to a strong buzz from facebook and twitter users.  The African American community was set to come out and support after news broke that Hollywood would not put up the money because of the all black cast in leading roles.  Viewers Friday sent a loud message to Hollywood.

The community came out in droves, but audiences were mixed with all ethnicities interested in the real life account of the Tuskegee airmen.   To put the accomplishment into perspective we can look at what other airplane fighter pilot movies have done in their first week. 

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow ($15.6 million), Stealth ($13.3 million), and Flyboys ($6 million), though it was about even with Sky Captain in estimated attendance. The audience breakdown was 51 percent male and 66 percent 25 years and older. The movie received an “A” CinemaScore, which improved to a fantastic “A+” score for those below 18 and above 50. Also of note: Red Tails marks distributor 20th Century Fox’s best opening for a non-franchise title since last April’s Rio.

Underworld Awakening took home the top spot at the box office this weekend with 25.4 million, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close and Haywire were less impressive, though, and The Artist failed to gain much traction in its nationwide expansion. The Top 12 movies this week earned an estimated $111.7 million this weekend, which is up a whopping 26 percent from the same period last year.

Highly acclaimed singer/songwriter, Andrew Peterson, will be entering the recording studio this week working on his third studio project for Centricity Music, which will release early fall 2012. Peterson, who has been called “one of the greatest Christian lyricists of all time,” has written all new songs for the album. The CD will be produced by long-time collaborator, Ben Shive (Sara Groves/Matt Werz/Eric Peters) and Cason Cooley (Matthew Perryman Jones/Katie Herzig/Mat Kearney/Sixpence None The Richer), with Andy Gullahorn co-producing.

“I’m as scared and as excited as ever about going into the studio,” says Peterson. “The whole process of writing the songs, then choosing them, then trying to find the best way to record them, feels like fumbling around in the dark looking for a light switch. That’s why it’s so nice to have guys like Ben Shive, Andy Gullahorn, and Cason Cooley to help me find my way. They’re amazing at what they do, and I totally trust them. If I were to stick with the light switch analogy, it’s like they have night vision goggles or something.”

Following the recording of his new album, Peterson will once again join the spring leg of Steven Curtis Chapman’s Songs & Stories Tour, which also features Josh Wilson. The fall leg of the tour was such a success with sold-out dates and enthusiastic audiences that Chapman booked the spring 2012 dates that launch February 2nd in Tulsa (Broken Arrow), OK and conclude March 11th in Ocala, FL.

“Being on the road with SCC last fall was an amazing experience,” adds Peterson, “not just because of the music or the audiences; I made some great new friends in the process and got to be part of Show Hope’s ministry. I can’t believe we get to do it again in 2012.”

Also upcoming for Peterson this year will be his 3rd annual RabbitRoom.com event, Hutchmoot 2012. The event will be held in Nashville this fall, and dates will be announced soon. Last year’s conference, featuring best-selling author Sally Lloyd-Jones, sold out in six hours! Peterson will begin writing the fourth and final installment of his Wingfeather Saga series in early 2013, following his highly successful Behold The Lamb Of God Christmas tour in December. This year the tour will include two shows at Nashville’s historic Ryman auditorium.

For more information on Peterson please visit online at www.andrew-peterson.com or www.centricitymusic.com

According to CNN legendary singer Etta James has passed away due to complications with leukemia.

Etta James whose prominent voice lit up such hits as “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” and the wedding favorite “At Last,” has died, according to her longtime friend and manager, Lupe De Leon. She was 73.

She died from complications from leukemia with her husband, Artis Mills, and her sons by her side, De Leon said.

She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, and also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C. James died at a hospital in Riverside, California.  James would have turned 74 Wednesday.

“This is a tremendous loss for the family, her friends and fans around the world,” De Leon said. “She was a true original who could sing it all — her music defied category.

“I worked with Etta for over 30 years. She was my friend and I will miss her always.”

The Black Gospel Blog, reports that Etta James has been connected with the church most of her life.  James received her early musical training from famed choir director J. Earle Hines, and also participated as a young girl in the Echoes of Eden choir of the St. Paul Baptist Church of Los Angeles.

Click Here to Read More CNN

The 43rd annual NAACP Image Awards were announced on January 19, and “The Help” leads the pack with eight nominations.  Gospel groups like Sounds of Blackness hang tough with R&B Groups in the Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration category.  Director/Producer Tyler Perry’s works also warranted nominations.  Kirk Franklin was nominated in two categories.

Check out the full list of nominations below:

Movies
Outstanding Motion Picture
“Jumping the Broom”
“Pariah”
“The First Grader”
“The Help”
“Tower Heist”

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Eddie Murphy – “Tower Heist”
Laurence Fishburne – “Contagion”
Laz Alonso -“Jumping the Broom”
Oliver Litondo – “The First Grader”
Vin Diesel – “Fast Five”

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Adepero Oduye – “Pariah”
Emma Stone -” The Help”
Paula Patton – “Jumping the Broom”
Viola Davis – “The Help”
Zoe Saldana – “Colombiana”

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Anthony Mackie – “The Adjustment Bureau”
Charles Parnell – “Pariah”
Don Cheadle – “The Guard”
Jeffrey Wright – “The Ides of March”
Mike Epps – “Jumping the Broom”

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Bryce Dallas Howard – “The Help”
Cicely Tyson – “The Help”
Kim Wayans – “Pariah”
Maya Rudolph – “Bridesmaids”
Octavia Spencer – “The Help”

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
“I Will Follow”
“Kinyarwanda”
“MOOZ-lum”
“Pariah”
“The First Grader”

Outstanding Foreign Motion Picture
“A Separation”
“Attack the Block”
“In the Land of Blood and Honey”
“Le Havre”
“Life, Above All”

Outstanding Documentary (Theatrical or Television)
“Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest”
“Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey”
“Sing Your Song”
“The Rescuers”
“Thunder Soul”

TV
Outstanding Comedy Series
“Love That Girl! “
“Modern Family”
“Reed Between the Lines”
“The Game”
“Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Dule Hill – “Psych”
Malcolm-Jamal Warner – “Reed Between the Lines”
Phil Morris – “Love That Girl! “
Pooch Hall – “The Game”
Terry Crews – “Are We There Yet? “

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Tatyana Ali – “Love That Girl! “
Tia Mowry-Hardrict – “The Game”
Tracee Ellis Ross – “Reed Between the Lines”
Vanessa Williams – “Desperate Housewives”
Wendy Raquel Robinson – “The Game”

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Craig Robinson – “The Office”
Damon Wayans, Jr. – “Happy Endings”
J.B. Smoove – “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Nick Cannon – “Up All Night”
Tracy Morgan – “30 Rock”

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Amber Riley – “Glee”
Gabourey Sidibe – “The Big C”
Keshia Knight Pulliam – “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”
Maya Rudolph – “Up All Night”
Sofia Vergara – “Modern Family”

Outstanding Drama Series
“Boardwalk Empire”
“Grey’s Anatomy”
“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
“The Good Wife”
“Treme”

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Andre Braugher – “Men of a Certain Age”
Hill Harper – “CSI: NY”
L.L. Cool J – “NCIS: Los Angeles”
Taye Diggs – “Private Practice”
Wendell Pierce – “Treme”

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Chandra Wilson – “Grey’s Anatomy”
Khandi Alexander – “Treme”
Regina King – “SouthLAnd”
Sandra Oh – “Grey’s Anatomy”
Taraji P. Henson – “Person of Interest”

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Corey Reynolds – “The Closer”
Ice T – “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
James Pickens, Jr. – “Grey’s Anatomy”
Nelsan Ellis – “True Blood”
Omar Epps – “House M.D.”

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Alfre Woodard – “Memphis Beat”
Anika Noni Rose – “Law & Order Special Victims Unit”
Archie Panjabi – “The Good Wife”
Diahann Carroll – “White Collar”
Loretta Devine – “Grey’s Anatomy”

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
“Five”
“Hallmark Hall of Fame, Mitch Albom’s Have a Little Faith”
“Luther”
“The Least Among You”
“Thurgood”

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Esai Morales – “We Have Your Husband” Idris Elba – “Luther”
Laurence Fishburne – “Thurgood”
Louis Gossett, Jr. – “The Least Among You”
Samuel L. Jackson – “The Sunset Limited”

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Anika Noni Rose – “Hallmark Hall of Fame, Mitch Albom’s Have a Little Faith” Jenifer Lewis – “Five”
Rosario Dawson – “Five”
Taraji P. Henson – “Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story”
Tracee Ellis Ross – “Five”

Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Aaron D. Spears – “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Bryton James -” The Young and the Restless”
Emerson Brooks – “All My Children”
James Reynolds – “Days of Our Lives”
Texas Battle – “The Bold and the Beautiful”

Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Christel Khalil – “The Young and the Restless”
Julia Pace Mitchell – “The Young and the Restless”
Tatyana Ali – “The Young and the Restless”
Tonya Lee Williams – “The Young and the Restless”
Yvette Freeman – “The Bold and the Beautiful”

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)
“BET News Exclusive: The President Answers Black America”
“Judge Mathis”
“Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel”
“Unsung”
“Washington Watch with Roland Martin”

Outstanding Talk Series
“Anderson “
“Oprah’s Lifeclass”
“The Doctors”
“The View”
“The Wendy Williams Show”

Outstanding Reality Series
“All-American Muslim”
“American Idol”
“Dancing with the Stars”
“Sunday Best”
“Tia & Tamera”

Outstanding Variety Series or Special
“2011 BET Awards”
“Black Girls Rock! “
“Oprah Presents: Master Class”
“Prince! Behind the Symbol”
“UNCF An Evening of Stars Tribute to Chaka Khan”

Outstanding Children’s Program
“A.N.T. Farm”
“Dora the Explorer”
“Go, Diego! Go! “
“I Can Be President: A Kid’s-Eye View”
“My Family Tree”

Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children’s Program (Series or Special)
China Anne McClain – “A.N.T. Farm”
Keke Palmer – “True Jackson, VP”
Lance Robertson – “Yo Gabba Gabba”
Leon Thomas III – “Victorious”
Zendaya Coleman – “Shake It Up”

Recording
Outstanding New Artist
Committed
Diggy Simmons
Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
Mindless Behavior
Wynter Gordon

Outstanding Male Artist
Anthony Hamilton
Bruno Mars
Cee Lo Green
Chris Brown
Common

Outstanding Female Artist
Beyonce
Jennifer Hudson
Jill Scott
Ledisi
Mary J. Blige

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration
Boyz II Men
Cee Lo Green feat. Melanie Fiona
Mary J. Blige feat. Drake
Sounds of Blackness
The Roots

Outstanding Jazz Album
“Chano y Dizzy” – Terence Blanchard and Poncho Sanchez
“Friends” – Stanley Jordan
“Guitar Man” – George Benson
“Legacy” – Gerald Wilson
“Road Show Vol. 2” – Sonny Rollins

Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary)
“Becoming” – Yolanda Adams
“Church on the Moon” – Deitrick Haddon
“Hello Fear” – Kirk Franklin
“Something Big” – Mary Mary
“The Journey” – Andrae Crouch

Outstanding World Music Album
“Afrodiaspora” – Susana Baca
“Carnival Fever” – Brother B
“Live at 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival” – Boukman Eksperyans
“Sounds of Blackness” – Sounds of Blackness
“The First Grader” – Alex Heffes

Outstanding Music Video
“25/8” – Mary J. Blige
“Hear My Call” – Jill Scott
“I Was Here” – Beyoncé
“Someone Like You” – Adele
“Where You At” – Jennifer Hudson

Outstanding Song
“Best Thing I Never Had” – Beyonce
“Fool for You” feat. Melanie Fiona – Cee Lo Green
“I Smile” – Kirk Franklin
“So In Love” feat. Anthony Hamilton – Jill Scott
“Someone Like You” – Adele

Outstanding Album
“4” – Beyonce
“F.A.M.E. ” – Chris Brown
“I Remember Me” – Jennifer Hudson
“Lasers” – Lupe Fiasco
“The Light of the Sun” – Jill Scott

Literature
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
“A Silken Thread” – Brenda Jackson
“Boundaries” – Elizabeth Nunez
“Say Amen, Again” – Reshonda Tate Billingsley
“Silver Sparrow” – Tayari Jones
“The Plot Against Hip Hop: A Novel” – Nelson George

Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction
“Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America” – Melissa Harris-Perry
“Super Rich” – Russell Simmons
“The Cosmopolitan Canopy” – Elijah Anderson
“The Wealth Cure: Putting Money in Its Place” – Hill Harper
“Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness?: What It Means to Be Black Now” – Toure

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
“2Grieve 2Gether: A Journal from the Heart Helping Survivors & Supporters Navigate the Healing Process” – Denise Hall Brown
“A Defining Moment”- Patricia Duncan
“The Loom” – Shella Gillus
“The Strawberry Letter” – Lyah Le Flore
“We the Animals” – Justin Torres

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Auto-Biography
“A Singular Woman: The Untold Story of Barack Obama’s Mother” – Janny Scott
“Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention” – Manning Marable
“My Song” – Harry Belafonte
“No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington” – Condoleezza Rice
“The John Carlos Story” – John Carlos, Dave Zirin

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
“A Year to Wellness and Other Weight Loss Secrets” – Bertice Berry
“Living My Dream: An Artistic Approach to Marketing” – Synthia Saint James
“Our Difficult Sunlight: A Guide to Poetry, Literacy, & Social Justice in Classroom & Community” – Quraysh Ali Lansana
“The T.D. Jakes Relationship Bible: Life Lessons on Relationships from the Inspired Word of God” – T.D. Jakes
“Too Important to Fail: Saving America’s Boys” – Tavis Smiley (Author), Juan Roberts (Illustrator)

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
“Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain: The Curtis Brown Poems” – James Golden
“Head Off & Split” – Nikky Finney
“Honoring Genius: The Narrative of Craft, Art, Kindness and Justice” – Haki Madhubuti
“Intimate Thoughts” – Darrin Henson (Author), Anna Saunders (Illustrator)
“Last Seen” – Jacqueline Jones Lamon

Outstanding Literary Work – Children
“Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band” – Kwame Alexander (Author), Tim Bowers (Illustrator)
“Before There Was Mozart” – Lesa Cline-Ransome (Author), James Ransome (Illustrator)
“Heart and Soul” – Kadir Nelson (Author/Illustrator)
“White Water” – Michael S. Bandy (Author), Shadra Strickland (Illustrator)
“You Can Be A Friend” – Tony Dungy (Author), Ron Mazellan (Illustrator)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
“Camo Girl” – Kekla Magoon
“Eliza’s Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary” – Jerdine Nolan (Author), Sadra Strickland (Illustrator)
“Jesse Owens: I Always Loved Running” – Jeff Burlingame
“Kick” – Walter Dean
“Planet Middle School” – Nikki Grimes