Grammys Recap

The winners have been announced and in the GRAMMYs way, the televised celebration of the 48th Annual Grammy Awards was full of highs and lows. The closest to a live gospel or spiritual performance included Mariah Carey singing her soulful jolts and belting high notes on her "We Belong Together" performance, while jumping into an emotional "Fly Like A Bird", backed up by three-time Grammy nominee Hezekiah Walker & the Love Fellowship Choir. Closing the event was a soulful tribute to the late Wilson Pickett, featuring the Soulman himself Sam Moore (of the legendary Sam & Dave duo) and Yolanda Adams on background vocals with country superstar Bonnie Raitt. It may have been an uncomfortable situation for the gospel diva singing "In The Midnight Hour", but we are certain she could relate.

Of course, while the tough press continues to beat against Kanye West, he left with only Best Rap Album and a major performance with actor/singer Jamie Foxx on "Golddigger" after receiving a bulk of nominations this year. Big winners in other categories included American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, U2, Mariah Carey and John Legend. The late Luther Vandross' posthumous tribute album also was a big favorite (two wins), while performances from jazz great Herbie Hancock and pop sensation Christina Agulleria spawned major applause and was probably the most memorable of all the performances. Even though Shirley Caesar didn't go home with her Grammy (as spoken of in her album's title cut), Donnie, Yolanda and CeCe took home the trophies; proving once again the popular your name, the greater the chance of winning.

And the gospel winners are:

Gospel Choir or Gospel Chorus: "One Voice," Gladys Knight, choir director.
Nominees: "I Speak Life," Donald Lawrence & Co., "Live At The Fellowship," VIP Mass Choir, "One Church," The Choir Of Life (USA, Japan) and the Kurt Carr Singers, "20/85 The Experience," Hezekiah Walker & LFC

Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: "Purified," CeCe Winans.
Nominees: "Day By Day," Yolanda Adams, "Mary Mary," Mary Mary, "The J. Moss Project," J. Moss, "Dream," BeBe Winans

Best Gospel Performance: "Pray," CeCe Winans.
Nominees: "Looking For You," Kirk Franklin, "Lift Him Up," Hezekiah Walker & LFC, "I Call You Faithful," Donnie McClurkin, "Be Blessed," Yolanda Adams

Best Gospel Song: "Be Blessed," Yolanda Adams, James Harris III, Terry Lewis and James Q. Wright, (Yolanda Adams).
Nominees: "Lift Him Up," Hezekiah Walker & LFC, "We Must Praise," J. Moss, "Again I Say Rejoice," Israel & New Breed, "Heaven," Mary Mary

Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album: "Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs," Donnie McClurkin. Nominees: "I Know The Truth," Shirley Caesar, "Be Exalted," Marvin Sapp, "The Rose of Gospel: Live From Houston," Dorinda Clark-Cole, "Say The Name," Martha Munizzi, "Singing The Old Time Way," Bishop G.E. Patterson & Congregation