The 27th Annual Stellar Awards were held on Saturday, January 14, 2012 in Nashville, TN at the Grand Ole Opry House.  The show was hosted by Marvin Sapp and Dorinda Clark Cole, and will begin airing in local markets on January 21, 2012.  The program will also be broadcast nationally on GMC on February 11, 2012 at 8pm ET.  Click Here to see when the Stellar Awards airs on local stations in your area. 

VaShawn Mitchell was the nights big winner with 6 Stellar Awards.  Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and to all the winners!

Here are this year’s winners (winners are in RED)!

Artist of the Year
Earnest Pugh
Kirk Franklin
Mary Mary
VaShawn Mitchell

Song of the Year
“Nobody Greater” | Darius Paulk
“Well Done” | Deitrick Haddon
“I Smile” | Kirk Franklin
“I Choose To Worship” | Wess Morgan

Male Vocalist of the Year
Earnest Pugh
Israel Houghton
Smokie Norful
VaShawn Mitchell

Female Vocalist of the Year
Beverly Crawford
Kim Burrell
Martha Munizzi
Yolanda Adams

Group/Duo of the Year
James Fortune & FIYA
Mary Mary
Rance Allen Group
Trin-i-tee 5:7

New Artist of the Year
Greater Mt. Calvary Church Choir
Preashea Hilliard
Todd Dulaney
Y’Anna

CD of the Year
James Fortune & FIYA – I Believe
Kirk Franklin – I Smile
Mary Mary – Something Big
VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant

Choir of the Year
Chicago Mass Choir
Mississippi Mass Choir
Ricky Dillard
Shekinah Glory Ministry

Producer of the Year2
Aaron Lindsey, Tommy Sims & Israel Houghton for Love God. Love People.
Kirk Franklin for Hello Fear
VaShawn Mitchell, Daniel Weatherspoon & Rick Robinson for Triumphant
Warryn Campbell/Mary Mary for Something Big

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
James Fortune & FIYA
Mary Mary
Trin-i-tee 5:7

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
Keith Wonderboy Johnson & Spiritual Voices
Rance Allen Group
The Soul Seekers

Contemporary Male of the Year
Deitrick Haddon
Earnest Pugh
Israel Houghton
VaShawn Mitchell

Traditional Male of the Year
Keith Wonderboy Johnson
John P Kee
Rance Allen
Smokie Norful

Contemporary Female of the Year
Kim Burrell
Preashea Hilliard
Y’Anna
Yolanda Adams

Traditional Female of the Year
Beverly Crawford
Evelyn Turrentine-Agee
LaShun Pace
Twinkie Clark

Contemporary CD of the Year
Deitrick Haddon | Church on the Moon
Kirk Franklin | Hello Fear
Mary Mary | Something Big
VaShawn Mitchell | Triumphant

Traditional CD of the Year
John P Kee | The Legacy Project
Mississippi Mass Choir | Then Sings My Soul
Ricky Dillard | Keep Living
Smokie Norful | How I Got Over…

Urban Inspirational Performance of the Year
Deitrick Haddon | “Well Done”
Kirk Franklin | “I Smile”
Mary Mary | “Walking”
VaShawn Mitchell | “Nobody Greater”

Music Video of the Year – Short Form
Martha Munizzi | “Excellent” (Martha Munizzi)
Christian Heuer | “Walking” (Mary Mary)
Canton Jones | “God” (Canton Jones)
VaShawn Mitchell | “Nobody Greater” (VaShawn Mitchell)

Music Video of the Year – Long Form
Deitrick Haddon | Church on the Moon
Jerry Parries | Bishop Morton Celebrates…
Mississippi Mass Choir | Then Sings My Soul
Ricky Dillard | Keep Living

Traditional Choir of the Year
Chicago Mass Choir
Greater Mt. Calvary Church Choir
Mississippi Mass Choir
Ricky Dillard

Contemporary Choir of the Year
Lonnie Hunter & Structure
Shekinah Glory Ministry

Instrumental Gospel CD of the Year
Harold Rayford | I Am the Instrument
Moses Tyson Jr | Music Remastered & Sacred Organ
Todd Ledbetter | Meditations: Hymsn in the Key of Jazz
Winston Stewart | Season

Special Event CD of the Year
Bishop Paul Morton | Still
John P Kee | The Legacy Project
Shekinah Glory Ministry | Refreshed By Fire
VaShawn Mitchell | My Songbook

Rap, Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
Flame | Captured
Lecrae | Rehab
Lecrae | Rehab: The Overdose
Viktory | Birth of a Legacy

Children’s Project of the Year
Teen Pure N Heart | Pure N Heart Live
Santiago & Claude Deuce | My Destiny Place – My Imagination
The Velasquez Singers | Ten
T-Rep The Young Prayzr | Let’s Go

Quartet of the Year
Keith Wonderboy Johnson & Spiritual Voices
Rance Allen Group
The Soul Seekers

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
Christina Jones for Dominionaire (Canton Jones)
Denise Trotman & Greg Gilligan for Hello Fear (Kirk Franklin)
Martha Munizzi for Make It Loud (Martha Munizzi)
Tanner Gary for Triumphant (VaShawn Mitchell)

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Earnest Pugh | Earnestly Yours
Israel Houghton | Love God. Love People.
Shekinah Glory Ministry | Refreshed By Fire
VaShawn Mitchell | Triumphant

Spoken Word CD of the Year
Marco the Poet | Marco the Poet EP
Michael Diallo McLendon | The Diallo Experience
Selah | Look At You Loving Me
Trupoetry | Trupoetry

Special Award Honorees

Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award Honoree
VY HIGGINSEN

Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award Honoree
DOROTHY NORWOOD

James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree
JOHN P. KEE

Radio Station of the Year Finalists:

Major Market (3M+)
WPZE 102.5 FM (Atlanta, GA)
WPRS 104.1 FM (Washington, DC)
KJLH 102.3 FM (Los Angeles, CA)
WGRB 1390 AM (Chicago, IL)
 

Large Market (1-3M)
WHAL 95.7 FM/1460 AM (Memphis, TN)
WFMI 100.9 FM (VA-Norfolk-Newport, VA)
KCAO 600 AM (Baltimore, MD)
WMBM 1490 AM (Miami, FL)

Medium Market (500,000-1M)
WLOU 1350 AM (Louisville, KY)
WPRF 94.9 FM (New Orleans, LA)
WENO 760 AM (Nashville, TN) 
WPZK 102.5 (Little Rock, AR)

Small Market (under 500,000)
WDJL 1000 AM (Huntsville, AL)
WJNI 106.3 FM (Charleston, SC)
KOKA 980 AM (Shreveport, LA)
WIMG 1300 AM (Trenton, NJ)

Martin Luther King Jr.’s monument on the Washington Mall will undergo alterations after critics ceaselessly complained that the truncated “drum major” quote changed the meaning and made the civil rights leader seem “like an arrogant twit,” says Maya Angelou. But the MLK monument is not the only memorial to receive significant changes after its completion.

Legendary poet and activist Maya Angelou was the most prominent of the dissidents who previously said the truncated version made King sound like “an arrogant twit” because it was out of context.

The current inscription reads: “I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness.” The phrase is chiseled into one side of a massive block of granite that includes King’s likeness emerging from the stone. It became a point of controversy after the memorial opened in August 2011.

The phrase is modified from a sermon known as the “Drum Major Instinct,” in which the 39-year-old King explained to his Atlanta congregation how he would like to be remembered at his funeral. He made the February 1968 speech and was assassinated just two months later in Memphis, Tenn.

In the speech, King’s words seem more modest than the paraphrased inscription: “Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.”

Ed Jackson Jr., the executive architect of the $120 million project, stands by his decision to alter King’s words that he says were shortened for space reasons. “A few very carefully selected words will be added to the existing phrase; that will further amplify his statement about his role in America during the mid-20th century as a leader, a social advocate, a messenger, a voice of the people … for freedom, justice, hope and peace,” he said.

Harry Johnson, the president of the King Memorial Foundation, says the group will weigh its options on the best way to make the quote alterations back to the original words of King.

Angelou was named to the memorial’s Council of Historians tasked with selecting the inscriptions for the memorial. But she was not in attendance when the council convened to discuss the inscriptions, Jackson said.

One spokesperson said, significant modifications to a completed memorial on the National Mall is not unprecedented.

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) honored gospel giants Kirk Franklin and Hezekiah Walker at its 13^th annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon today in Nashville. Held at Rocketown, the event brought legends and contemporary stars together to celebrate the careers of two of the genre’s finest. 

Marvin Sapp’s “The Best in Me” was named BMI’s Most-Performed Gospel Song of the Year. Co-written by Sapp and Aaron Lindsey, the song topped gospel charts and achieved historic crossover success, climbing from no. 78 to no. 14 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hot Songs Chart – the biggest jump for a gospel hit since Billboard began using Nielsen SoundScan 18 years ago. To celebrate, Sapp surprised the audience with a performance of “The Best in Me.”

Kim Burrell and Israel Houghton hosted the luncheon, along with Catherine Brewton, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, and Del Bryant, BMI President & CEO.

Rance Allen and Isaac Carree deliver an inspiring performance in tribute to Kirk Franklin

Faith Evans and Jessica Reedy arrive at the 13^th Annual BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Awards

A full slate of artists delivered stunning performances before the show, including Wess Morgan, William McDowell, Earnest Pugh and VaShawn Mitchell.

The awe-inspiring musical tribute to Hezekiah Walker featured Faith Evans, Dorinda Clark Cole, Kim Burrell, DJ Rogers, Tamela Mann, Israel Houghton and Marvin Sapp. The charismatic songs of Kirk Franklin were then celebrated with dynamic performances by Fred Hammond, Jessica Reedy and the Kirk Franklin Singers, Myron Butler, LeAndria Johnson, Isaac Carree, Rance Allen and Kim Burrell. 

Finally, an all-star collection of artists gathered on stage for “Looking for You,” which served as the event’s triumphant finale.

Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®), a global leader in rights management, is an American performing rights organization that represents more than 500,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music and more than 7.5 million musical works. BMI has represented the most popular and beloved music from around the world for more than 70 years. The company provides licenses for businesses that perform music, and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents. Find out more at www.bmi.com, follow @BMI on Twitter and stay connected through Facebook. 

About the 2012 Trailblazers honorees:

Kirk Franklin is the best-selling contemporary gospel artist in SoundScan history. He was the first gospel artist to sell more than one million albums, and today, his sales tally exceeds 15 million. While Franklin has earned 20 no. 1 singles on gospel charts, he has transcended genre and medium in countless ways, from serving as host of BET’s Sunday Best, to consistently crossing over to urban radio. With multiple BMI songwriting awards, seven Grammys, 37 Stellar Awards, 14 Dove Awards, and six NAACP Image Awards, he is one of gospel’s most decorated creators. In addition to changing hearts and minds through his music, Franklin rolls up his sleeves for numerous charities, such as World Vision and the Children’s Defense Fund, for which he was an Ambassador. He’s showing no signs of slowing: Released this year, his 12^th album Hello Fear and its lead single “I Smile” both topped charts.

www.kirkfranklin.com

Hezekiah Walker has led the Love Fellowship Choir, one of gospel music’s most influential groups, for more than two decades. The multiple Grammy winner has taken home 11 Stellar Awards, as well as numerous nominations for Dove, NAACP Image, and Soul Train honors. Through injecting traditional gospel and choir music with hip-hop and funk, Walker has crafted a distinct style that inspires and comforts young and old, black and white. He is also a soulful and persistently honest songwriter, capable of quiet introspection and airborne glory. Determined to carry the message even farther, Walker founded Love Fellowship Tabernacle Church and Hezekiah Walker Ministries, which serve not only as brick and mortar churches in New York and Pennsylvania, but resource centers for congregations all over the country as well. Walker’s acclaimed latest effort, Souled Out, is the thirteenth of his career.

www.hezekiahwalkerministries.com

The New International translation of the Bible is coming under scrutiny after it’s latest revisions and edition was released in late 2011.  Pastor Gregg Matte of Houston’s First Baptist Church recently made the announcement, deciding that the church would use the Holman Christian Standard Bible instead.

The translation is accused of being too gender neutral and softer on passages related to homosexuals.

Inside look at First Baptist Church – Houston, TX

“Upon review of the changes made to the NIV, Pastor Gregg believes that it is no longer as accurate in terms of reflecting the meaning of the original biblical texts,” reads the church’s website.

“Members and guests are welcome to use any translation of their choice – during the worship services, in Life Bible Studies, or for personal study of God’s Word.”

As the debate over the effectiveness of the translation continues, some Texas pastors have drawn similar conclusions about the latest NIV translation as Matte.

The Christian Post spoke with Andrew Werley, lead pastor for Jersey Village Baptist Church, also located in Houston, told CP that he has also felt that the NIV 2011 has “drifted.”

“I believe the TNIV or the NIV 2011 revision has drifted from what I would consider a true literal translation,” said Werley.

“As a communicator of God’s Word I want the bible I use to be as accurate as possible to the literal intent of the authors.”

Werley, whose church prefers the English Standard Version 2001, felt that pastors must “be sensitive to the Bible translation we use and promote.”

“I believe FBC Houston has incredible pastoral leadership and I know their decision was made in the best interest of their city, congregation and convictions,” said Werley.

“As a partner with them in trying to reach our city for Christ, I am happy to stand with them in their conviction to do what they believe is best for their church and their mission.”

The latest translation of the New International Version was released last year by the Committee for Bible Translation. It sparked controversy over allegations of being too gender neutral, with the Southern Baptist Convention in particular voicing opposition.

CBT claimed that it left 95 percent of the NIV (1984) alone in its changes and also revised many of the initial gender neutral phrases in certain verses.

The NIV 2011 also changed the wording of verses pertaining to homosexuality, with the CBT saying that it was done to clarify certain passages regarding the matter.

Madeline Tims, mother of late pastor Zachery Tims who was found dead in a New York City hotel room, has appealed the N.Y. Supreme Court decision Wednesday to release information about the cause and manner of her son’s death. As a result, the Appellate Court has issued an interim stay preventing the city from making that information public.

Madeline Tims’ plea was rejected by the court before Christmas, after she sued the New York medical examiner’s office, as well as the city, on Oct. 6. This was one day before the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) was set to issue a press release regarding the cause and manner of the Florida pastor’s death.

Zachery Tims, former senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center (NDCC), was found dead in his W Hotel room in Times Square Aug. 12. He was reportedly in New York City for a speaking engagement. The charismatic preacher battled drug addiction before becoming a Christian, which he described in his memoir called It’s Never Too Late. The book shares Tims’ story of “how a teenage criminal found his divine destiny and became a successful millionaire and pastor of a thriving church.”

Tims’ death has raised some controversy, as it was reported that a white powdery substance was found with the pastor’s body. As his former congregation is still waiting to find out whether their pastor succumbed to his old addiction, the minister’s family, lead by the mother, is fighting the legal battle to keep the cause of death only available to the closest of kin.

Madeline Tims’ attorney, Ricardo E. Oquendo, Esq., argued that since the City has no right to publicly disclose autopsy reports, neither should it be allowed to disclose information listed on such reports – such as the cause and manner of death. But the judge sided with the OCME, which has historically released the cause and manner of death of individuals to the public.

Presently, Madeline Tims’ appeal has again postponed the release of that information.

Meanwhile, Zachery Tims was replaced at NDCC by another celebrity pastor from Florida, Paula White. The decision to appoint White as Tims’ successor raised some tension between the church board and the minister’s ex-wife Riva Tims, who is the pastor at Majestic Life church.

A hearty congratulations are in order for Centricity Music’s Aaron Shust for reaching a career milestone. Shust’s single, “My Hope Is In You,” this week became the longest running #1 song in 2011 on the AC Monitor chart, which remained in the top spot for eight weeks. The single also was #1 on the iTunes Single Christian chart last week. This is the longest running #1 for Shust as an artist and is the first #1 hit at AC radio for Centricity Music. The project is Shust’s debut with Centricity Music and the song is from the album, This Is What We Believe.

“What an amazing song! What an amazing artist!,” exclaims Mike Prendergast, Program Director, KLTY, Dallas, TX.

“With the economy and condition of our world the past few years so many people are losing hope,” says Joe Buchanan, Music Director, New Life Media. “I’m so grateful we have a song like ‘My Hope Is In You’ to point people to where true hope can be rediscovered.”

Shust’s follow-up single, “Risen Today” from This Is What We Believe, will go for adds at radio January 20, 2012. The song is a re-make of the well-loved hymn, “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today,” and gives the classic tune an upbeat delivery but with the same respect for the message of the lyrics. Fans will have the chance to hear Shust perform the song live on the spring leg of the highly-popular Called To Love Tour that launces in March 2012.

About Aaron Shust

Shust exploded onto the Christian music scene in 2005 with his first album, Anything Worth Saying, which led to the artist signing with Brash Records. The second single from the project, “My Savior, My God,” started generating airplay on its own and rose to #19 on the Christian Radio & Records chart before being released to radio. Once released, it shot to #1 on six charts by April of 2006. At the GMA Awards in 2007, Shust was honored with three Dove Awards for Song of the Year (“My Savior, My God”), Songwriter of the Year, and New Artist of the Year. Shust’s second studio album, Whispered And Shouted, released in June 2007 and in 2009, Shust released his third and final CD for Brash Records, Take Over. The project included the Christian radio hit, “To God Alone.” At the 41st Annual Dove Awards this past spring, Shust won two awards; Veggie Tales Music: Here I Am To Worship (Children’s Music Album) and Glory Revealed II: The Word Of God In Worship (Special Event Album). Updates on Aaron Shust are available at www.aaronshust.com.

About Centricity Music

Centricity Music is an independent recording and publishing company based in Bellevue, Washington and Nashville, Tennessee. The company’s mission is to enable our artists to create life-changing experiences for the world. Centricity Music’s artist roster includes Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, Downhere, Jaime Jamgochian, Jason Gray, Me In Motion, and Sixteen Cities. For more information about Centricity Music visit online at www.centricitymusic.com.

Sweeping the internet this week is an incentive church message aimed at famed singer Beyonce Knowles.  Knowles, recently gave birth to a baby girl named Blue Ivy Carter.

The sign outside of Beulah Hill Baptist Church read “Beyonce Had Her Baby.  Satan is on Earth.”

The Pastor at Beulah Hill Baptist Church says the sign is the work of vandals and he didn’t notice it until numerous complaints came into the church.  The church soon took the sign down, after coverage from TMZ made the news go viral.

It’s hard to believe that a vandal could break into this sign, have all the appropriate letters to spell the phrase, and then display it with near perfect letter spacing.  

Beyonce’s husband, Rapper Jay-Z is accused of being apart of the unspoken illuminati brotherhood which aims to fix economic marketing and development to a manipulative advantage.  Jay-Z denies the claims, but Beyonce often gets backlash for partnering with the rap mogul.

Tyscot recording artist Damita makes no excuse for expressing her Love for God through her life and music. Whether singing live on stage or ministering at church, she makes it known that God is the center and love of her life.

Damita has proclaimed 2012 a year of great things for the body of Christ and plans to creatively express her love for God in many ways this year.

The buzz surrounding Damita is that she is aggressively completing her 2012 CD release on Tyscot Music & Entertainment. Her new music has been described as refreshing, anointed, dynamic and lyrically sound.

This week, Tyscot serviced the much-talked-about track “I Love You” to radio and it has quickly been added in rotation at several stations across the country. “I Love You” speaks of God’s endless love and Damita’s commitment to Him, no matter what life may bring.

It won’t take long for radio listeners and Damita fans to catch on to the lyrics and melody. In the song, she sings the heartfelt lyrics “When I need a shelter, I run to you, when I need help Lord, you bring me through and that’s why I love you”.

“I Love You” is a great lead single for Damita’s much anticipated 2012 release. She will perform her brand new single live in Nashville during various 2012 Stellar Award events.

Check out Damita’s live performances at the Urban Soul Café on January 12th and the Stellar Award Pre-Show on January 13th.

For Radio Servicing and Promotions contact: Jeff Hargrove at jeff@tyscot.com and Sidney Scott at sidney@tyscot.com

The Clark name is synonymous with Gospel Music. Legendary Dr. Mattie Moss Clark and multi-award winning Clark Sisters have laid a foundation for countless aspiring gospel artists. This also holds true for their direct lineage. Rising gospel songwriter and producer Larry Clark is following in the footsteps of his Grandmother Mattie Moss Clark and Mother Denise Clark.

In August 2000, the debut release of The Clark Brothers’ album “We Need Your Love” was Larry Clark’s first release as a singer, songwriter, and producer. In 2011 Clark’s record company, Larry Clark Gospel, inked a distribution deal with Central South/Infinity Music. The label’s inaugural release was Twinkie Clark’s With Humility project which boasted a Top 30 radio single (“God’s Got A Blessing”) and a 2012 Stellar Award nomination. Now, Clark is set to release his debut solo CD Antidote In Audio Summer of 2012.

Antidote In Audio includes a wide range of genres; traditional, hip hop, acoustic soul and pop ballads. The project also features a duet with Twinkie Clark on the classic favorite “Soon and Very Soon” (written by Andrae Crouch). The first radio single “Promised To Stay” released January 2 and is impacting gospel radio now.

BGroup: Being the son of a legendary Clark Sister, one may think there is great expectation to carry on the lineage. Is this something you were trained and groomed to do or is your music an innate gift that evolved into passion?
Larry: Unlike The Clark Sisters, I wasn’t afforded the musical tutelage from my grandmother. However, there were certain imprints made on me by watching them sing, play write and record.

BGroup: With the Clark name, do you have a since of entitlement in gospel music?
Larry: To be honest, I never really felt that way. I only dealt with great curiosity; by me by me having this famous last name, did God expect something from me?

BGroup: What instruments do you play on this project?
Larry: On this project, I played Piano, Organ and Drums.

BGroup: You have become a noted songwriter. How much of your debut project did you write and produce?
Larry: I wrote every song on this project, with the exception of Andrae Crouch’s “Soon And Very Soon”. The entire project is produced, written and arranged by me.

BGroup: How long did this project take you to develop?
Larry: This project was recorded in a 5 year span.

BGroup: What is unique about your music?
Larry: I feel that my music is unique because within the pop gospel structure I fused my personality into each track. Usually an artist will lend a part of the musical expression to the producer’s personality. With my music, it’s all from my own musical perspective and spiritual doctrine.

BGroup: What are your expectations from the gospel music industry?
Larry: I expect the industry will size me up and I eagerly anticipate what the general public has to say.

BGroup: What is your contribution to gospel music?
Larry: I believe that God has given me a new flavor for gospel music buyers. I also believe that the followers of my family’s music will have another avenue for their ears to travel.

BGroup: Antidote In Audio – why this title and how does it summarize this project.
Larry: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the medicine and the vehicle that the medicine is traveling in is Sound.

BGroup: Besides the obvious Clark Sisters and Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, who are some of your musical influences?
Larry: John P. Kee, Marvin Winans, James Moore, Doobie Powell, Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin and Steveland Morris.

BGroup: How do you want to impact listeners?
Larry: Two ways – I want to be a part of changing their lives through Christ and I want to inspire people musically and spiritually.

BGroup: What is one thing that makes you different from other male gospel singers?
Larry: Since I write, I have my own sound, the canvas painted will allow my singing to be scripted differently.

Visit Larry on Facebook and find out more.

Mathew Knowles’ Music World Gospel will release Brian Courtney Wilson’s new CD project, So Proud, in stores and online everywhere on February 7, 2012.

The CD cover of So Proud, the highly-anticipated new project from gospel sensation Brian Courtney Wilson, features a picture of Wilson as a baby wearing headphones. For Wilson, that serves as a reminder of both the theme of his album and the driving force of his career. “Before my mom and dad knew I was going to be a singer, God had given them a promise to nurture into the person that I am today,” he says. “We are all given some promise, some vision for our future that we have to nurture, endure hard times for, and always believe in.” Wilson has nurtured his promise into a remarkable career in music ministry. Since the release of his debut CD, Just Love, Wilson has been touted as one of gospel music’s contemporary break-through artists of 2010 and 2011. “So Proud will be another breakthrough project for Brian and Music World Gospel,” says Mathew Knowles, founder, President and CEO of Music World Entertainment. “Brian’s devoted followers will be very pleased and he’s sure to capture new supporters with this project.”

The inspiration for this project came three years ago when Wilson penned “So Proud,” the title song and the CD project’s first single. The song is about remembering…remembering the reasons why you should keep going when the days seem the hardest…remembering your value when people cast you aside…remembering the people who did not give up on you when you feel like giving up on yourself…and most of all, it’s about remembering that the reason we have so much to remember is because God has always been there to make a way through the people in our lives.”

This week, Wilson’s current single, “So Proud” moves to #20 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Song chart with +130 spins, and #18 on the Gospel Indicator chart. “So Proud” had two new radio adds at WUFO-AM (Buffalo, NY) and WGRB-AM (Chicago, IL). The single is now available on over 150 digital and streaming outlets.

Wilson believes God gave him “So Proud” when he was feeling especially discouraged and needed to remember the way to go. He knew then that the song would anchor his next project, and his goal for the rest of the album was to assemble a group of songs that would convey what it means to live in God’s promise. Wilson wrote or collaborated on most of the songs, and served as co-producer for all of the tracks on the CD. “It’s important to me that people see this as a body of work,” says Wilson. “We’re really trying to tell a story about believing in the promise, pressing through to realize the promise and protecting the promise. I am praying that the songs on the album will encourage the world the way they have encouraged me.” So Proud features 12 new songs. The album is produced by Stan Jones and co-produced by Brian Courtney Wilson with additional song producer’s credit by Aaron Lindsey and PJ Morton.

Wilson’s new single, “He Still Cares,” which will impact gospel radio on January 23, was written by Stan Jones, who considers this song an extension of “All I Need,” the mega hit that he penned for Wilson’s first album. The message is that even when you’ve had a touch from the Master, you still may go through trials and tribulation. But you must believe that God still cares for you, and He will give you what you need, when you need it, to make it through.

Wilson kicked off his promotional tour in Dallas, Texas on Sunday, January 8, at two churches: Word of Truth Family Church (Eben and Sara Conner, Senior Pastors) and Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church (Leonard O. Leach, Senior Pastor). In addition, Wilson ministered in song for the 50th Birthday Celebration for Dr. Renee Hornbuckle, Senior Pastor of Agape Christian Fellowship. The promo tour continues and will include visits in Little Rock, AR and Memphis, TN (Wednesday, January 11). Wilson will be in Nashville to attend the various Stellar Awards Weekend activities. On Friday, January 13, he will attend the BMI 13th Annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon, as well as other pre-concert events that evening. On Saturday, January 14, Wilson will resume the promo tour in St. Louis, MO for an event with the American Heart Association. He heads back to Nashville, TN on Sunday, January 15, to perform, along with DeWayne Woods, Myron Butler, Lowell Pye and others, at the Post Stellar Awards Concert at the Crystal Fountain Church. The weekend activities will be followed by dates in Chattanooga, TN and Huntsville, AL (Monday, January 16); Montgomery, AL and Columbus, GA (Tuesday, January 17); Atlanta, GA (Wednesday, January 18); and Phoenix, AZ (Thursday, January 19). On Friday, January 20, Wilson will open for Marvin Sapp in concert at the Arena Theatre in Houston, TX and will remain in Houston through Wednesday, February 1 for various promotional activities. Wilson will continue his promo tour in Lake Charles, LA and Lafayette, LA (Thursday, February 2,); followed by Baton Rouge (Friday, February 3); New Orleans, LA (Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5); Houston, TX (Tuesday, February 7); and Beaumont, TX (Wednesday, February 8).

So Proud follows Wilson’s debut CD, Just Love, which entered at #2 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and #6 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart. The CD has remained at #1 on Christian Music Trade Association’s (CMTA) Inspirational Albums chart for 52 weeks. Since its release in June 2009, the CD held steady in the Top 20 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart for over 90 weeks—longer than any other CD title on Billboard’s Top 50 that year [2010].

For artist performance and branding inquiries, please call Music World at 713-772-5175.

ABOUT MUSIC WORLD GOSPEL

In 2002, Music World Entertainment President and CEO Mathew Knowles founded Spirit Rising Music, now known as Music World Gospel. Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, Music World Gospel is a premiere faith-based record and management company under the umbrella of Music World Entertainment/Music World Music. Music World Gospel is the largest owned and operated African American Gospel label in the world. The company is dedicated to developing creative and innovative approaches to producing and promoting gospel, sacred, and inspirational music worldwide. Its mission is to reach, inspire and empower a diverse audience around the globe. Music World Gospel features a roster of award-winning recording artists, joint ventures and special projects including Trin-i-tee 5:7, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Brian Courtney Wilson, Micah Stampley, Juanita Bynum, Le’Andria Johnson, Amber Bullock, Elder Goldwire, Andrea Helms, Pastor Rudy Rasmus, ESSENCE Gospel, Ultimate Gospel, the Most Powerful Voices, The Gospel Superfest, Spirit Rising and The Pastor Rudy Experience brands. Music World Gospel’s joint ventures and partnerships include Universal Music Christian Group, Fontana Distribution, Integrity Africa, BET, ESSENCE Communications, Son Flower Records, Interface Entertainment, Dr. Bobby Cartwright, Jr., and James Fortune and Fiya World, LLC. The company has achieved record breaking success on the sales and radio charts, with several artists’ albums and singles debuting atop Billboard and Christian Music Trade Association charts and remaining in the Top 5, 10 and 20 positions for as many as 100 weeks and counting.

ABOUT MUSIC WORLD MUSIC

Music World Music was founded by Mathew Knowles, founder, President and CEO of Music World Entertainment. Music World Music has had an unprecedented impact on the history of music around the globe, with record sales exceeding 300 million worldwide. Knowles established several recording imprints under Music World Music, including Music World Gospel, Music World Country/Compadre and Music World Kids. Music World Music was crowned by Billboard magazine as one of the Top Imprint Labels of the decade (2000-2009). With successes across multiple genres, including pop, R&B, gospel, dance, and country, as well as soundtracks and special themed projects, Music World Music has produced over 100 award-winning, platinum and gold albums. Music World Music was also named the #1 Dance Imprint Label in 2009 by Billboard magazine. Under Music World Music, Destiny’s Child became a global phenomenon and was named the Best Selling Female Group of All Time in popular music, selling over 100 million records and collecting nearly 200 awards, including GRAMMY® Awards, World Music Awards, American Music Awards, MTV Awards (U.S., Europe and Asia), Billboard Awards, BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and countless others. Under Knowles’ guidance, both Destiny’s Child and Beyoncé experienced spectacular success during the decade between 2000 and 2009. Destiny’s Child was named on Billboard magazine’s Top 10 Artists of the Decade (2000-2009) and, as a solo artist, Beyoncé was crowned Billboard’s number one Artist of the Decade—Female (2000-2009) and number 4 Top Artist of the Decade (2000-2009).