American Music Ball Cancelled

Last night, TMZ reported that some of the dozen planned inauguration balls were in deep trouble due to poor ticket sales. The American Inauguration Ball, headed by music legend Dionne Warwick, was cancelled for those reasons. Her party was set to feature headliners including Yolanda Adams, George Clinton, Chaka Khan, Marvin Sapp, Smokie Norful and Kirk Franklin. Alongside with her star-studded event, the joint party for the kids at the Hip-Hop Ball, which featured hip-hop stars Ludacris and T-Pain, was also axed at the last minute. Ticket sales proved to be a troubling factor for both events, with sales reaching over $450.

At Gawker, a popular online blog, they decided to leave some extra commentary on the subject after it was revealed how pricey the tickets were going. "Like subprime mortgages packaged up and resold as AAA bonds, the promoters were hoping they could transform their ball scams, through some alchemy, into Obama gold. We may feel bad for Warwick — but not for the fool who hired her."

But they also forgot to report the big truth: Dionne booked too many gospel acts. You know folk ain't going to pack a music hall for a gospel concert even for $50. $450 is really pushing it.

[DIONNE'S NOT HAVING A BALL]
Dionne Warwick Not Having a Ball at Inauguration [Gawker]

24th Annual Stellar Award Nominations

Central City Productions, under chairman Don Jackson, announced the nominees for the 24th Annual Stellar Awards - which takes place on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. Leading in multiple categories are Marvin Sapp, Beverly Crawford, Jonathan Nelson, Ricky Dillard, CeCe Winans, Kirk Franklin, Endurance, Youthful Praise and Canton Jones.

Also announced, renowned comedian/actor Sinbad will be serving as the host for the live taping.

The Stellar Awards have also selected their honorees for the upcoming show. The James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award will be awarded to Daryl Coley, while the Most Notable Achievement award will be given to Vickie Winans. The Ambassador Bobby Jones Award will be given to the Rance Allen Group.

Below you will find an extensive list of categories and their respected nominees for the 24th annual Stellar Awards.

Artist of the Year
Beverly Crawford; Live From Los Angeles; JDI Records
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Take It Back; Zomba Label Group
Kirk Franklin; The Fight of My Life; Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Ricky Dillard & New G; The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto; Nuspring Records/EMI Gospel

Song of the Year (Songwriter; Song; Label)
Canton Jones ; "My Day"; Arrow Records
Jonathan Nelson and Justin Savage; "My Name Is Victory"; Integrity Music
Marvin Sapp / Matthew Brownie; "Never Would Have Made It "; Zomba Label Group
Myron Butler and John Webb; "Stronger"; EMI Gospel
Percy Gray; "God Is My Everything"; New Haven Records

Male Vocalist of the Year
Byron Cage; Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation; Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Isaiah D. Thomas; The Greatest; Habakkuk Music
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Marvin Winans; Alone But Not Alone; PureSprings Gospel
The John Tillery Project; The Next Level; Danbla Records

Female Vocalist of the Year
Beverly Crawford; Live From Los Angeles; JDI Records
CeCe Winans;Thy Kingdom Come; PureSprings Gospel
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Take It Back; Zomba Label Group
Jessica Greene; 4 The World; Habakkuk Music
Shirley Caesar; After 40 Years... Still Sweeping Through the City; ShuBel Records/Light Records

Group Duo of the Year
Deitrick Haddon Presents Voices of Unity; Together in Worship; Tyscot Records
Israel & New Breed; Live: A Deeper Level; Integrity Music
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
The John Tillery Project; The Next Level; Danbla Records
Youthful Praise featuring JJ Hairston; Exalted ...Live in Baltimore; Evidence Gospel / Light Records

New Artist of the Year
Jai Reed; Anointed for Purpose; TLR Records
Jessica Greene; 4 The World; Habakkuk Music
Melody; The Reason; N'Flyte Music Group
Terrell Hunt; Awesome; Rich Escape Music
The Murrills; Donald Lawrence Introduces The Murrills Family Prayer; Verity/Zomba Label Group

CD of the Year
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Take It Back; Zomba Label Group
Kirk Franklin; The Fight of My Life; Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Ricky Dillard & New G; The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto; Nuspring Records/EMI Gospel
Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Stand Out; Columbia Records/Axis

Choir of the Year
Chicago Mass Choir Just Having Church Live; New Haven Records
Isaiah D. Thomas; The Greatest; Habakkuk Music
Ricky Dillard & New G; The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto; Nuspring Records/EMI Gospel
Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Stand Out; Columbia Records/Axis
Shekinah Glory Ministry; Jesus; Kingdom Records

Producer of the Year
Aaron Lindsey; Thirsty; Zomba Label Group
Donald Lawrence; Donald Lawrence Introduces The Murrills Family Prayer; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Isaiah D. Thomas, Warren Jones, & Christopher Leach; The Greatest; Habakkuk Music
Jonathan Nelson, Justin Savage, & Kenneth Shelton; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Kirk Franklin & Harold Martin; The Fight of My Life; Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
Deitrick Haddon Presents Voices of Unity; Together in Worship; Tyscot Records
Israel & New Breed; Live: A Deeper Level; Integrity Music
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Myron Butler & Levi; Stronger; EMI Gospel
Vashawn Mitchell and Friends; Promises; Tyscot Records

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
Bishop F.C. Barnes & Co.; The Barnes Family Reunion II; AIR Gospel
Doug & Melvin Williams; Duets II; Blackberry Records
Endurance; I've Got a Home;SCCME Records
Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC's; So Much To Be Thankful For; MCG Records
The Canton Spirituals; Driven; Verity/Zomba Label Group

Contemporary Male of the Year
Byron Cage; Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation; Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Canton Jones; Kingdom Business; Arrow Records
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Marvin Winans; Alone But Not Alone; PureSprings Gospel
The John Tillery Project; The Next Level; Danbla Records

Traditional Male of the Year
Bishop Paul S. Morton; Embracing the Next Dimension; Light Records/ Tehillah
Keith 'Wonderboy' Johnson; Keith 'Wonderboy' Johnson presents The Rising Stars of Quartet Vol. 1; Malaco Gospel
Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC's; So Much To Be Thankful For; MCG Records
Luther Barnes; The Barnes Family Reunion II; AIR Gospel
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group

Contemporary Female of the Year
CeCe Winans;Thy Kingdom Come; PureSprings Gospel
Doreen Vail; Odyssey; Vail House Productions
Joann Rosario; Joyous Salvation; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Regina Belle; Love Forever Shines; Pendulum Records
Tonya Hairston Ware; The Voice; Princess Production Company

Traditional Female of the Year
Angela Spivey; Angela Spivey and The Voices of Victory "Eyes on the Prize"; Tekoa Records
Beverly Crawford; Live From Los Angeles; JDI Records
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Take It Back; Zomba Label Group
Dorothy Norwood; No Request; Malaco Gospel
Nancey Jackson-Johnson; The Launch Out Project; Habakkuk Music

Contemporary CD of the Year
Canton Jones; Kingdom Business; Arrow Records
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Marvin Winans; Alone But Not Alone; PureSprings Gospel
Deitrick Haddon Presents Voices of Unity; Together in Worship; Tyscot Records
Israel & New Breed; Live: A Deeper Level; Integrity Music

Traditional CD of the Year
Beverly Crawford; Live From Los Angeles; JDI Records
Bishop Paul S. Morton; Embracing the Next Dimension; Light Records/ Tehillah
Endurance; I've Got a Home;SCCME Records
Chicago Mass Choir Just Having Church Live; New Haven Records
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group

Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year (Artist; Song; Label)
Canton Jones; "My Day" Arrow Records
CeCe Winans; "Waging War" PureSprings Gospel
Deitrick Haddon featuring Ruben Studdard & Mary, Mary; "Love Him Like I Do " Integrity Gospel/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; "My Name Is Victory " Integrity Music
Kirk Franklin; "Declaration: (This Is It)" Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group

Music Video of the Year (artist, song/CD title, label)
Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion; Journey Music Group
Deitrick Haddon featuring Ruben Studdard & Mary, Mary: "Love Him Like I Do"; Gotta Have Gospel! 5; Integrity Gospel/Gospocentric/Zomba Label
Kirk Franklin: "Declaration"; The Fight of My Life; Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group Marvin Sapp: "Never Would Have Made It"; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Myron Butler & Levi: "Stronger"; Stronger; EMI Gospel

Contemporary Choir of the Year
Brent Jones & The T.P. Mobb The Ultimate Weekend; Tyscot Records
James Fortune & FIYA; The Transformation; WorldWide Music
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Youthful Praise featuring JJ Hairston; Exalted ...Live in Baltimore; Evidence Gospel / Light Records
Ricky Dillard & New G; The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto; Nuspring Records/EMI Gospel

Traditional Choir of the Year
Bishop Charles E. Blake presents The West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir No Limit; EMI Gospel
Bishop Paul Morton & The Full Gospel Baptist Church Choir; Embracing the Next Dimension; Light Records/ Tehillah
Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion; Journey Music Group
Chicago Mass Choir Just Having Church Live; New Haven Records
The New Life Community Choir featuring John P. Kee Nothing But Worship; Zomba Label Group

Instrumental CD of the Year
Angélla Christie; The Breath of Life; ACSM Record Company
Barry D; Born To Play; TAQA Records/New Day
Courtney Nero; Make Me Walk; Courtney Nero Music
Esther Williams & Davey Yarborough; In the Spirit; DAV-EST
Jeff Majors; Sacred Major 7th; Music One

Special Event CD of the Year
Briana Scott; O What A Night; Waterbrooke Music
Dr. Bobby Jones; Bobby Jones Presents Ultimate Gospel; Time Life
The Clark Sisters; The Best of the Clark Sisters Encore; Dexterity Sounds
Vickie Winans; Happy Holidays from Vickie Winans; Destiny Joy Records
Yolanda Adams; What A Wonderful Time; Columbia

Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
Da' T.R.U.T.H; Open Book; Cross Movement Records
FLAME; Our World Redeemed; Cross Movement Records
Frontlynaz; Game Over; Frontlynaz, Inc.
Sho Baraka; Turn My Life Up; Reach Records
Trip Lee; 20/20; Reach Records

Children's Performance of the Year
Ashley Payne; Peace in Heaven; Champion-Payne Productions
Dijon; A Kid's Point of View; Verity/Zomba Label Group
First Coast Children's Choir/FISH Kids; Raise the Praise/"Raise The Praise" Fitness; Spirit of Life Records
Kaira Miller; In God's Time/It Ain't Over; GFM Entertainment
The Bradby Girls; So Grateful; Jewel Records

Quartet of the Year
The Blind Boys of Alabama; Down in New Orleans; Time Life
Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC's; So Much To Be Thankful For; MCG Records
Luther Barnes & The Sunset Jubilaires; The Barnes Family Reunion II; AIR Gospel
Endurance; I've Got a Home; SCCME Records
The Canton Spirituals; Driven; Verity/Zomba Label Group

Recorded Music Package of the Year [art credit / album (artist) / label]
Aziz Peregrino-Brimah for Bezworks Design, LLC [www.bezworks.com] and Vickie Winans (art Direction/design); David Deutsch, (photography); Happy Holidays from Vickie Winans (Vickie Winans); Destiny Joy Records
Michael Jay, (graphics); Arron Holmes(logo sketch art); Roussan Etienne, Jr.(photography); In His Image Band Gospel Go-Go, Live in DC: In His Image Band Gospel Go Go: "Word Of God" (In His Image Band); R.O.U. Marketing
Michelle Lukianovich (art direction/design); Keith Major (photography); Thirsty (Marvin Sapp); Verity/Zomba Label Group
Michelle Lukianovich (art direction/design); Meghan Foley/ Michelle Lukianovich (art director); Keith Major (photography); Take It Back (Dorinda Clark-Cole); Zomba Label Group
Donald Lawrence Introduces The Murrills Family Prayer (The Murrills); Verity/Zomba Label Group

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Byron Cage; Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation; Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Israel & New Breed; Live: A Deeper Level; Integrity Music
CeCe Winans;Thy Kingdom Come; PureSprings Gospel
Shekinah Glory Ministry; Jesus; Kingdom Records

Marvin Sapp and Shekinah Glory Goes Gold

While recent reports of gospel sales have dropped in the last two quarters, there is still a bit of good news in the music market with the RIAA's recent announcements of Chicago's Shekinah Glory Ministry and Marvin Sapp reaching gold status.

Marvin Sapp was recently featured in USA Today and by the Associated Press about his record-breaking success of the hit single "Never Would Have Made It;" a song that remains perched at number one on the gospel charts to this day and continues to touch the lives of millions with his inspiring message. The song is a crossover success - reaching number one on the urban adult contemporary charts and crossing over to the R&B and pop charts - and has become the longest running number one single in all of Billboard's genre history. The album Thirsty, released last July, has since been certified gold and continues to break records.

Shekinah Glory Ministry, the urban worship magnet of Chicago, also has alot to be thankful for. Their double-CD, Live, was also certified gold by the RIAA this week; becoming their second straight RIAA gold record released. The album, released independently through Kingdom Records and distributed by Universal, featured the radio hit "Yes."

Elder Phil Tarver is the Praise and Worship Leader of Shekinah Glory Ministry: "We are taught that the more God exalts you the more you should humble yourself. We are humbled but honored to know that more than a few folks are enjoying what we do as we continue our mission of creating music that pierces the kingdom of darkness and enlarges the Kingdom of God."

[GOLDEN LINKS]
Marvin Sapp song continues to break records (Associated Press)
Marvin Sapp's gospel hit finds crossover success (USA Today)
Kingdom Records Scores Second RIAA Certified Gold Record (GospelCity.com)
Marvin Sapp (MySpace.com)
Kingdom Records (Official Website)

When Doves Cry Out

April 23 will be a big day in the history of the Dove Awards. The 39th Annual Dove Awards not only will be airing live in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry House on the Gospel Music Channel, but the impressive line-up of performing artists are continuing to add up. And the type of diversity is something that should be documented - ultimately proving that the Doves is bound to be the biggest night in Gospel music this year.

American Idol finalists Chris Sligh, Mandisa and Phil Stacey have all been added to the extended line-up, along with American Idol winner and Jive Recording Artist Jordin Sparks. Country legend Wynonna Judd, Ricky Skaggs and the Whites, Point of Grace, Natalie Grant, 33 Miles and DeWayne Woods are also set to rock the stage.

In a special tribute to Michael W. Smith, the American Idol stars along with Amy Grant will pay tribute to the CCM legend with a special medley.

The Clark Sisters and Marvin Sapp are also expected to perform, along with Casting Crowns, Switchfoot, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Israel Houghton, Angella Christie and the David Crowder Band.

As announced before, the show will not have a host, but will be led by musical performances and the award announcements.

Gospel Music Channel is the exclusive television home for the GMA Dove Awards. GMC is the fastest growing television network in America and can be seen in 40 million homes across the country on DIRECTV channel 338, cable systems including Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, Charter, and Knology as well as on Verizon FiOS. In addition to the live telecast - set to air April 23 from 8-10 p.m. (ET), GMC will present back-to-back encore broadcasts that night and additional re-airings following.

Tickets for the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards are currently available at TicketMaster or www.doveawards.com

[LOVEY-DOVEY]
Dove Awards (Official Website)
Gospel Music Channel (Official Website)

GMA Gets Diversified (PRAYZE Report)