Friday, October 26, 2007

This Just In: 23rd Stellar Award Nominees

During a live press conference in Nashville, TN, the nominees for the 23rd annual Stellar Awards were announced. The winners will be announced on January 12 during a taped session at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

Multiple nominees include the Clark Sisters, DeWayne Woods, Maurette Brown-Clark, Tramaine Hawkins, J Moss, the Wilmington Chester Mass Choir, Bishop Noel Jones & the City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir and Fred Hammond.

Only problem: why wasn't Patti LaBelle nominated, but Chante Moore and Kenny Lattimore was...that's another blog for another day. Hmmmmm...

And the list of the nominees are:

Artist of the Year
Fred Hammond; Free To Worship; Verity
J Moss; V2... ; PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Smokie Norful; Life Changing ; EMI Gospel
The Clark Sisters; Live - One Last Time; EMI Gospel
Kelly Price; This Is Who I Am; EcclectiSounds Entertainment/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba


Song of the Year (Songwriter; Song; Label)
Karen Clark Sheard ; "Blessed & Highly Favored"; EMI Gospel
Jimmy Hicks; "Born Blessed"; World Wide Music
PJ Morton; "Let Go "; Quiet Water/ Verity/ Zomba
Kurt Carr; "Still Standing"; Light Records/ Tehillah
Percy Bady; "Um Good"; EMI Gospel


Choir of the Year
Darius Brooks Presents, The Reunion Live in Chicago - Side A (featuring former members of the Thompson Community Singers) ; Journey Music Group
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir; It's Not Over; Emtro Gospel
Bishop T.D. Jakes & The Potter's House Mass Choir; Live in Kenya, Grace: The Kenya Experience ; Dexterity Records/ Rhino
Isaiah Thomas and the Elements of Praise; Isaiah Thomas and the Elements of Praise, Live! ; R.O.U. Records
Bishop Noel Jones Presents The City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir; Welcome to the City ; Tyscot Records/Alpha Dog Records


Producer of the Year
Fred Hammond; Free To Worship; Verity
Kurt Carr, Tramaine Hawkins; I Never Lost My Praise - Live;Gospo Centric/ Zomba
David Mann & Tamela Mann; Tamela Mann - The Live Experience; TillyMan Music
Donald Lawrence, The Clark Sisters; Live - One Last Time; EMI Gospel
Kelly Price & H.R. Crump, Kelly Price; This Is Who I Am ; EcclectiSounds Entertainment/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba


Group Duo of the Year
The McClurkin Project; We Praise You; Gospo Centric/ Zomba
The Clark Sisters; Live - One Last Time; EMI Gospel
The Mighty Clouds of Joy; Movin' ; EMI Gospel
The Anointed Pace Sisters; Return; Tyscot Records


New Artist of the Year
Group 1 Crew; Group 1 Crew; Fervent Records/ Curb Records/ WB
Antwaun Stanley; I Can do Anything ; Bajada Records/ Lightyear
Bishop Noel Jones Presents The City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir; Welcome to the City ; Tyscot Records/Alpha Dog Records
DeWayne Woods; Introducing DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet; Quiet Water/ Verity/ Zomba
Jimmy Hicks & The Voices of Integrity featuring The Levites; Born Blessed ; Worldwide Music


Male Vocalist of the Year
Fred Hammond; Free To Worship; Verity
DeWayne Woods; Introducing DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet; Quiet Water/ Verity/ Zomba
J Moss; V2... ; PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Troy Sneed; In HIS Presence; Emtro Gospel
William H. Murphy; Live in Atlanta, The Sound...Another William Murphy Project;; Music Group


Female Vocalist of the Year
Vanessa Bell Armstrong; Walking Miracle; EMI Gospel
Tramaine Hawkins;I Never Lost My Praise - Live; Gospo Centric / Zomba
Vickie Winans; Woman To Woman; Verity / Zomba
Tamela Mann; The Live Experience ; TillyMann Music


Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
Kenny Lattimore & Chante' Moore; Uncovered Covered; LaFace Records/ Verity/ Zomba
PAJAM Presents 21:03; Twenty One O Three; PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Verity/ Zomba
The McClurkin Project; We Praise You; Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Zie'l; Genesis; Light Records/Gospel Warehouse Records


CD of the Year
J Moss; V2... ; PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Tramaine Hawkins;I Never Lost My Praise - Live; Gospo Centric / Zomba
Vickie Winans; Woman To Woman; Verity / Zomba
The Clark Sisters; Live - One Last Time; EMI Gospel
The Caravans; Paved The Way; Malaco


Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
The Anointed Pace Sisters; Return; Tyscot Records
The Clark Sisters; Live - One Last Time; EMI Gospel
The Caravans; Paved The Way; Malaco
The Rance Allen Group; Closest Friend; Tyscot Records
Alvin Darling & Celebration; My Blessing Is On The Way; Emtro Gospel


Contemporary Male of the Year
Deitrick Haddon; 7 Days; Tyscot/ Verity/ Zomba
Dave Hollister; The Book of David: Vol. 1 The Transition; Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Fred Hammond; Free To Worship; Verity
Smokie Norful; Life Changing ; EMI Gospel
Micah Stampley; A Fresh Wind; The Second Sound ; Levitical Records


Traditional Male of the Year
Bishop Paul S. Morton; Still Standing; Light Records/ Tehillah
Rev. Timothy Wright; Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; Koch Records/Jordan Entertainment/ MQM Records
Alvin Darling; My Blessing Is On The Way; Emtro Gospel
Norman Hutchins; Where I Long To Be; JDI Records
Richard Smallwood; Journey: Live In New York; Verity/ Zomba


Contemporary Female of the Year
Coko; Grateful; Light Records
Tamela Mann; The Live Experience ; TillyMann Music
Shirley Murdock; Soulfood ; Tyscot Records
Vickie Winans; Woman To Woman; Verity / Zomba
Maurette Brown Clark; The Dream; AIR Gospel / Malaco


Traditional Female of the Year
Nikki Ross; Vol. 1 Touch: The Pastor Rudy Experience; Music World
Tramaine Hawkins;I Never Lost My Praise - Live; Gospo Centric / Zomba
Lemmie Battles;You're Looking At A Miracle LIVE; New Haven Records
Candi Staton;The Ultimate Gospel Collection; Shanachie Ent. Corp.
Prenestine Williams-Porter;Motor City Praise Records presents World Wide God; Motor City Praise


Contemporary CD of the Year
Shirley Murdock; Soulfood ; Tyscot Records
Sound of the New Breed; Freedom ; Integrity Gospel / Newbreed
Kelly Price; This Is Who I Am ; EcclectiSounds Entertainment/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Deitrick Haddon; 7 Days; Tyscot/ Verity/ Zomba
J Moss; V2... ; PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba


Traditional CD of the Year
Tramaine Hawkins;I Never Lost My Praise - Live; Gospo Centric / Zomba
The Anointed Pace Sisters; Return; Tyscot Records
Bishop Paul S. Morton; Still Standing; Light Records/ Tehillah
The Caravans; Paved The Way; Malaco
The Rance Allen Group; Closest Friend; Tyscot Records


Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year (Artist; Song; Label)
Kelly Price; "Healing" EcclectiSounds Entertainment/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
J Moss; "I'm Not Perfect" PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Deitrick Haddon; "Heaven " Tyscot/ Verity/ Zomba
Kirk Franklin; "Look At Me Now " Fo Yo Soul/Gospo Centric/Zomba
DeWayne Woods; "Let Go" Quiet Water/ Verity/ Zomba


Traditional Choir of the Year
Darius Brooks Presents, The Reunion Live in Chicago - Side A (featuring former members of the Thompson Community Singers) ; Journey Music Group
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir; It's Not Over; Emtro Gospel
Bishop T.D. Jakes & The Potter's House Mass Choir; Live in Kenya, Grace: The Kenya Experience ; Dexterity Records/ Rhino
Bishop Noel Jones Presents The City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir; Welcome to the City ; Tyscot Records/Alpha Dog Records


Contemporary Choir of the Year
Joshua's Troop LIVE JT3; New Haven Records
Isaiah Thomas and the Elements of Praise; Isaiah Thomas and the Elements of Praise, Live! ; R.O.U. Records
L. Spenser Smith & Testament; Statement: The Assignment Continues...; Emtro Gospel


Instrumental CD of the Year
The Craig Crawford Players; I'll Be With You ; Life Jam Records
Syreeta Thompson; Gabriel's Praise ; Blow Your Horn Girl Publishing
Lionel Jones; Papa Jones; Color Code Purple Productions, Inc.
Ben Tankard; Let's Get Quiet: The Smooth Jazz Experience ; Verity/ Zomba


Special Event CD of the Year
Various Artists; A Christmas To Remember ; EMI Gospel
Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin Presents Songs For The Storm Volume 1; Fo Yo Soul/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Mary Alessi & Friends; When Women Worship ; Miami Life Sounds Records
Various; Blackberry Records presents Wedding Songs ; Blackberry Records
Yolanda Adams; Yolanda Adams, The Best of Me ; Atlantic / Wea


Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
The Cross Movement; HIStory: Our Place in HIS Story ; Cross Movement Records
Joe L. Da Vessel; Testimony: 1 Lyrics 4 Life ; D.A.A.S. What's Up Entertainment
Pettidee; Resurrections...Past, Present, and Future... ; Sony/ BMG/ Soldier Sound Records
PAJAM Presents 21:03; Twenty One O Three; PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Verity/ Zomba
Various; BG Records Presents Gospel Skate Jams Vol. 2; BG Records


Children's Performance of the Year
Eva Sabiniano; Born To Praise; Pacific Studios
Kaira Miller; My Everything ; Vine Life Productions
The First Coast Children's Choir; Let The Children Sing! Volume IV Give an Applause!; Spirit of Life Records
Jada Simone Clark; Maurette Brown Clark's The Dream; AIR Gospel / Malaco Records


Quartet of the Year
7 Sons of Soul; Witness; Verity/ Zomba/ Soul World
The Mighty Clouds of Joy; Movin' ; EMI Gospel
The Rance Allen Group; Closest Friend; Tyscot Records
Slim & The Supreme Angels; The Judgement; Malaco Records
Pilgrim Jubilee Singers; Jesus Got Me Off; Malaco Records


Music Video of the Year (artist, song/CD title, label)
Jimmy Hicks & The Voices of Integrity featuring The Levites Born Blessed; Worldwide Music
J.Moss: "Operator"; V2... ; PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Shirley Murdock: "I Love Me Better Than That"; Soulfood; Tyscot Records
Vickie Winans: "The Rainbow"; Vickie Winans' Classic Gold Video Collection; Destiny Joy
Antwaun Stanley: "Teach Me"; I Can Do Anything; Bajada Records


Recorded Music Package of the Year [art credit / album (artist) / label]
Sean M. Kinney (art direction and design); Ronald Cadiz (photography); V2... (J.Moss); PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Denise Trotman (art direction and design); Ronald Cadiz (photography); Woman To Woman: Songs of Life (Vickie Winans); Verity/ Zomba
Nicola Goode (photography); Welcome to the City (Bishop Noel Jones Presents The City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir) ; Tyscot Records/ Alpha Dog Records
Anita Boriboon & Michelle Lukianovich (art direction and design); Kwaku Alston (photography); This Is Who I Am (Kelly Price); EcclectiSounds Entertainment/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Sean M. Kinney (art direction); Ronald Cadiz (photography); Introducing DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet; Quiet Water/ Verity/ Zomba


Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Marcus Cole; Write My Song; PureSprings/ EMI Gospel/ Riverphlo
Micah Stampley; A Fresh Wind; The Second Sound ; Levitical Records
Troy Sneed; In HIS Presence; Emtro Gospel
Stephen Hurd; My Destiny; Integrity
Maurette Brown Clark; The Dream; AIR Gospel / Malaco

[STELLAR-VISION]
Nominees announced for the 23rd annual Stellar Awards (Tennessean.com)
Stellar Awards (Offical Website)

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Obama's Church Draft


It's time to rack up black voters in the South.

To do that, you got to have a passion for good music, soul food and know how to shout Hallelujah. In the mostly conservative state of South Carolina, presidential hopeful and Democratic candidate Barack Obama is hoping to grasp the attention of black voters, conservatives and to raise monies for his campaign. This is really needed for Obama's campaign since fellow Democratic champion Hillary Clinton, according to polls, possesses a substantial lead over Obama in the early voting state. With hopes of gaining voters, his Outreach team has organized a 3-city gospel tour called "Embrace The Change" for the state featuring big name gospel artists including Fred Hammond, Mary Mary, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Beverly Crawford, Deitrick Haddon, Hezekiah Walker, the Mighty Clouds of Joy and Donnie McClurkin.

The tour sounds almost too good to be true - especially since it seems like manna from heaven will be falling on South Carolina. But Obama might have crossed the wrong line with gay/lesbian supporters. The buzz, all over the Internet, media resources and in the news publications, have mentioned that a gay rights group has asked Obama to drop Donnie McClurkin from the gospel tour who it says spreads false information about homosexuality being a choice and claim that the popular gospel singer preaches messages of homophobia.

"I don't believe that it is the intention of God," McClurkin said Monday in a telephone interview. "Sexuality, everything is a matter of choice."

In a statement, Obama said he believes gays and lesbians are "our brothers and sisters" and should be afforded the same respect, dignity and rights granted all other citizens.

"I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country," Obama said. "I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as president of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."

The statement did not say whether McClurkin will still perform on the tour.

After the heat has been raised on Obama's next move regarding McClurkin's involvement in his campaign, two questions may be raised: "Will he fall down?" and "Can he get back up again?"

The following information includes the announced tour dates and locations:

October 26, 2007
Gospel performances by:
Mary Mary, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, Beverly Crawford
GENERAL ADMISSION $10
DOORS OPEN at 7:00PM
North Charleston Performing Arts Center
5001 Coliseum Drive North Charleston, SC 29418
http://www.sc.barackobama.com/embrace26

October 27, 2007
Gospel performances by:
Byron Cage, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Vanessa Bell Armstrong
GENERAL ADMISSION $10
DOORS OPEN at 7:00PM
Greenwood Civic Center
1620 Hwy 72 221 E. Greenwood, SC 29649
http://www.sc.barackobama.com/embrace27

October 28, 2007
Gospel performances by:
Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Deitrick Haddon, Mighty Clouds of Joy
GENERAL ADMISSION $10
DOORS OPEN at 5:00PM
The Township Auditorium
1703 Taylor Street Columbia, SC 29202
http://www.sc.barackobama.com/embrace28

[OBAMA RAMMA]
Group to Obama: Drop McClurkin From Tour
(AP)
Obama Criticized Over Singer (New York Times)
Barack Obama (Official Website)
Barack Obama (Official MySpace Page)
Donnie McClurkin (Official Website)
Truth Wins Out (Official Website)

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Birmingham, In My Own Words



I love my city.

Some might think I don’t. Funny I mention that - since I sometimes feel like I overlook the peeps here (but for really good reasons) and have recently made decisions on PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com to become a more broader, global-outreach community and not to single out the viewing audience from other locations in the world. Most will remember I had a section on the site months ago that focused only on events in my hometown - but decided to incorporate any events of serious magnitude within the national events. But I really have grown to love my community, my birthplace, my home. I always had a heart for it, but I’ve seen it flourish and grow over the last couple of years (even when many skeptics said the “Magic” in the City did an “abracadabra”). And it’s a growth I have accepted and have embraced with great respect and dignity.

Now, for those that don’t believe me and really want to make this blog a laughing matter - let me prove my point in this paragraph. There’s more to Birmingham than historic dates within the Civil Rights holiday calendar. We have a flourishing entertainment community that has grown in leaps and bounds - and the nightlife on the town is something to see. We are proud of businesses and social outlets like WorkPlay and Bottletree - pushing excellence into the mainstream with a down-home, local approach. We have new commercial business and corporations seeking to make Birmingham home and we have kept a large number of our industry neighbors within the city limits. New expansions of the Summit have kept our attention and the gorgeous, new look of Eastwood Village - scheduled to open on October 22 - is an event we all are anticipating to partake of. Old buildings that many condemned for its demise like the City Federal and the old Cabana Hotel have been resurrected with mighty power as extravagant lofts and renovated condominiums. The Birmingham News - the state’s largest newspaper - has a gorgeous building to shout about. Then there’s the new FBI Field Office building - a neat addition to the city’s landscape - and the $100 million, eight-story, state-of-the-art, environment-friendly Social Security Administration building (that is almost completed). The Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, on the University of Alabama Birmingham campus, is also a flagship center of attention for the arts and continues to feed the community with its large, universal popularity. And then add to the mix a culture that is flooded with greatness and attitude including the progressive Southside (Five Points South) area and the renaissance in the Five Points West area. And with the large expansion of the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) - set to include a up-scale entertainment district and lucrative dining - and the welcoming of both the five-star Renaissance Hotel into the downtown area and another quality hotel to be placed on the Southside, the people of Birmingham should have a lot to be grateful for.

But are we fellow Birminghamians really grateful?

Others around us are suffering and when they said that misery loves company, that it does. That misery has crept into Birmingham politics and has turned the city’s mayoral race into a circus full of division. And that’s because the heart of our local political body has now bubbled into a amalgamation of mutated, self-absorbed soothsayers. Just say the magic words and act like you can preach a lil’ while and you already have an audience aiming to be faithful.

Not that I hate the idea that so many are now trying to take the mayor’s seat...I just despise the idea that so many candidates are only taking the position seriously because they see an opportunity and have failed to make important strides of success to impact their community. I see Birmingham as a promising territory that has grown in large proportions and have once again made a name for ourselves. Most of the credit concerning the great things that have come from the area must be forwarded to the great people that live here. They have made it all possible...but let’s also recognize that we have a great leader and visionary in position and now that the city’s councilors have cooperated with him, we have seen a great deal of progress with our very eyes. I would hate if we decided to make one wrong move to loose everything we’ve gained.

The future of Birmingham looms and falls on one day - October 9, 2007. We will see who will take this great city forward in hopes to make it brighter and better. All I know is Mayor Bernard Kincaid has done an incredible job during his tenure as mayor. All of the accomplishments mentioned, without a lick of scandal or increases of taxes, were all possible because of the Mayor’s leadership and wisdom. I would seriously hope that the people of my hometown won’t let me down. We’ve come too far to turn around now. One bad move and we just might have to say “abracadabra” once and for all.