The Winners are Highlighted in Orange.

And the Grammy Goes to:

Best Gospel Performance

“He Wants It All” by Forever Jones | Get Ready
“You Hold My World” by Israel Houghton | Love God. Love People.
“Nobody Greater” by VaShawn Mitchell | Triumphant
“He’s Been Just That Good” by Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway | The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter III
“Grace” by BeBe & CeCe Winans | Still

 Best Gospel Song

“Beautiful Things” by Lisa Gungor & Michael Gungor, songwriters (Gungor) | Beautiful Things
“Better Than A Hallelujah” by Sarah Hart & Chapin Hartford, songwriters (Amy Grant) | Somewhere Down The Road
“It’s What I Do” by Jerry Peters & Kirk Whalum, songwriters (Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway) | The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter III
“Our God” by Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin) | Passion: Awakening
“Return To Sender” by Gordon Kennedy, songwriter (Ricky Skaggs) | Mosaic

Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album

Church Music | David Crowder Band
For Those Who Wait | Fireflight
Beautiful Things | Gungor
Rehab | Lecrae
Hello Hurricane | Switchfoot

Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

Beauty Will Rise | Steven Curtis Chapman
Love God. Love People. | Israel Houghton
Pieces Of A Real Heart | Sanctus Real
Mosaic | Ricky Skaggs
Tonight | TobyMac

Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel

Times Like These | Austins Bridge
The Reason | Diamond Rio
Expecting Good Things | Jeff & Sheri Easter
Journey | Ty Herndon
Live At Oak Tree: Karen Peck & New River | Karen Peck & New River

Traditional Gospel Album

The Experience | Vanessa Bell Armstrong
A City Called Heaven | Shirley Caesar
Downtown Church | Patty Griffin
Here I Am | Marvin Sapp
All In One | Karen Clark Sheard

Contemporary R&B Gospel Album

Get Ready | Forever Jones
Love Unstoppable | Fred Hammond
Triumphant | VaShawn Mitchell
Aaron Sledge | Aaron Sledge
Still | BeBe & CeCe Winans

The man  taking Gospel Rap by storm is up for a Grammy nomination.  He makes a few observations that I’ve been wrestling with myself lately.  So I thought I would share this.  

Some times we can work so hard to achieve things that we forget that we’re working for the Glory of God.  Even in the secular industry you can let your light shine among men.  Lecrae talks about it below.

From Lecrae:

I’m in LA. I’m 2 inches away from some of Americas most popular entertainers. I’m walking around during Grammy week amongst tons of people who deeply desire to be accepted. I’m in a world where people want to be embraced by society and those they think are more important or significant than themselves.

It’s quite sad, but what’s sadder is that there are few Christians amongst them who are fighting to serve them and help them see where our true significance is found.
In Christ.

I didn’t come to take home a Grammy. If I’m honest I really doubt I will. I came to take home relationships with people who seem untouchable and who are addicted to the praise of men. I’m came to strategically place myself among them, to love them, to share hard truths with them and serve them.

Pray for my time here. Read more at Reach Records

Stellar Award Winner LONNIE HUNTER returns with his new choir STRUCTURE to bring forth “I’M BACK” on Black Smoke Music Worldwide.  This week, Radio Stations across the country began to put in rotation the title track, I’M BACK”.

Hunter’s new album will be the first under the Black Smoke records label.  Tune into the Lonnie Hunter radio show which is syndicated across the country, for your chance to win I-Pods that come pre-loaded with the album.  We also have Lonnie in our prayers as he recently lost his father this week. 

Check out the song below, and then check out our interview where Lonnie Hunter first announced the new partnership with Black Smoke Records.  He speaks about the expectations for the new release.

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“I’m Back”

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Creative Classic Agency is excited to welcome up and coming Gospel artist JAI, of St. Louis Missouri to its evolving talented roster. Jai’s larger-than-life charisma, effectiveness in ministry and musical gifts, were the driving forces that lead CCA to bring her aboard. She is a third generation ordained minister and former Worship Pastor with endless energy and a unique sound.

Jai is featured on the song “God Is Enough” from Lecrae’s 2011 Grammy nominated album Rehab (where she also receives writing credit) and will appear on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel in the New Artist Spotlight later this month. Having spent two years on the road as a background vocalist for Grammy Award-winning duo Mary Mary and also serving as background vocalist for Pastor Donnie McClurkin during the 2008 Barack Obama campaign, Jai is no stranger to the music industry. Jai is also featured on the single “The Invasion” from Trip Lee’s 2011 Stellar Award winning album Between Two Worlds which was debuted on BET’s 106 & Park as “New Joint of the Day” this past summer.

In August of 2010 Jai released her single “Incredible” through iTunes and other major digital platforms and received a positive response reflected in a peak position of #51 on the iTunes Christian/Gospel chart. With her independent success she has proven to be a dedicated and driven individual determined to reach her goals and continue sharing God’s message.

Creative Classic Agency looks forward to great endeavors with Jai and is immediately preparing for the release of her debut (full-length) album Culture Shock with a targeted release date of August 2011.

“We look forward to not only assisting in the growth of her music ministry, but also transforming her passion and vibrant character into a brand that demonstrates how impactful Gospel artists can be when groomed and positioned properly. The opportunities are really endless,” says CCA President, Nicole Heyward.

There is a new lyric video for Kirk Franklin’s new song “I Smile.” I like it because it’s really helping me learn the words to the song. A lot of anticipation is building for Kirk’s new CD. Expect Kirk to do big numbers when this project comes out in March.

Maximum Artist Group, formed over a decade ago by Mitchell Solarek, has been at the helm of managing several successful artists, songwriters and producers in faith-based and mainstream music.

The company’s roster of clients includes Christian powerhouse vocalist Natalie Grant, Grammy Award-winning artist/producer/songwriter Donald Lawrence, and Grammy Award-winning songwriter/producer Bernie Herms.  Maximum Artist Group has divisions in management, publishing and creative services.

“I can remember to this day where I was the first time I heard Mary Mary’s first single, ‘Shackles,’” says Solarek of the company’s new client.  “I have been a huge fan of their artistry since that day. I could not be more excited to be a part of their career.”

In addition to their upcoming album, Mary Mary recently announced plans for the ‘Still Something Big’ tour, a co-headline tour with popular duo BeBe & CeCe Winans, to begin in April of 2011.

It appears Puff Daddy AKA Diddy stopped by Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Potters House for Sunday morning worship last Sunday.  Following Diddy’s tweets it’s apparent that he’s been thinking about God a lot lately.  

The week before the  Superbowl Diddy started a Christian frenzy when he tweeted that he wanted to fill his I-Pod up with Gospel music.  He asked Twitter followers what artists should he download.  Comments started pouring in.

Might seem small but getting Diddy on fire for Christ would be a huge victory for the Kingdom of God.  Just one tweet to his more then 3 million followers garners the passions of his most loyal fans.  Later Diddy was talking to ex-NFL player Dion Sanders about what Gospel events to attend during Superbowl weekend down in Dallas.  This coming from the man known for throwing some of the biggest parties in history.  It seemed like his heart this weekend was on a spiritual mission. 

Bishop Jakes tweeted this to Diddy “@iamdiddy…was so glad that you were with us at The Potter’s House this past Sunday for worship. You are in our prayers.”

Due to a scheduling conflict with Bobby Jones’ schedule, the dates have changed for the 4th Annual Bobby Jones Gospel in New Orleans Taping. 

Path MEGAzine has been named one of the official outlets accepting and distributing sponsorship applications for the 4th Annual Bobby Jones in New Orleans Showcase.  The event is shown on the WORD network and companies interested in sponsoring the event will receive high visibility at the showcase. 

Dr. Bobby Jones is one of the most well respected faces in Gospel today.  With over 30 years on television Dr. Bobby Jones was the first Gospel show on the BET network.  Jones is responsible for breaking many artists into the industry by his numerous media platforms. 

The producer and organizer of the event, Bishop Ryan Warner of Versatile Entertainment has given Path MEGAzine the esteemed task of promoting the event and accepting sponsorship applications.  Through Path MEGAzine E-Blast, mailing-list subscribers will also find out information on registering recording artists to be on the show.  You can go to www.pathmagazine.com to join the PATH mailing list, and receive information on getting your artist on the showcase. Or email Path MEGAzine for a faster response.

The event starts on Friday, June 3rd & 4th 2011.  Musical showcases begin at 1pm and 7pm daily.  There is a music forum that takes place on Saturday morning with top industry executives.  The event is FREE for those wanting to watch the nightly showcases, and Gospel industry panel discussions.  There is also a VIP luncheon available with Dr. Bobby Jones and more.

For information on sponsorships, email Kris@pathmagazine.com or call 713. 516.6555. For more information on attending the concert visit www.bobbyjonesgospelinneworleans.com/

Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to seeing you in New Orleans!

Well it looks like the girls of Trinity 5:7 are doing just fine as a duo.  They recently lost their trio counter part Adrian, as she pursues other business ventures. 

The ladies went into the studio to record with famed producer P.J. Morton and what they left with was a sure hit.  The single “Over & Over” premiered on the Coco Brother Show last night and the song is getting immediately added by radio stations across the country. Take a listen below. 

What do you think?
 



  

Also Read:Kirk Franklin Set to Release 12th CD, “Hello Fear” In Stores March 22, 2011
 

In a surprise move Fox Sports decided to air the controversial Christian themed commercial.  The commercial was originally rejected by Fox Sports for containing too much “religious doctrine” and for being too offensive.

The network aired the commercial Just before the fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers game, the 30-second biblical spot popped up in limited markets to the surprise of football fans and Christian media.

In that hour, the Look Up 316 website that the commercial advertised drew so much traffic that it was difficult to load the web page.

“The LookUp316.com website hit totals are soaring …,” Larry Taunton, executive director of Fixed Point Foundation, the group behind the ad, tweeted.

An plethora of media attention undoubtedly help to change Fox Sports mind.  It is not clear why the decision was made to reverse their decision, but to God be the glory!  The commercial features no preaching but simply encourages curious viewers to look up John 3:16.

In the television ad, a group of friends are watching a football game in a living room. They cheer when one of the players on defense tackles his opponent. Then a closeup is shown of the defensive player’s eye black where he has painted “John 3:16.” One of the viewers asks his neighbor what that means. After the neighbor shrugs, the viewer offers to look it up for them on his cell phone.

The commercial concludes with “LookUp316.com: A Message of Hope.”  Watch it below.