Jimmy Needham Nightlights Review

Jimmy Needham… who’s he? Before we get into that let me point out how into hip hop I am; very!!! There’s just no other way to put it, (I hope I haven’t turned off anyone). Still that doesn’t hinder me from enjoying other genres of music including rock, alternative and a little R&B. so in relation to Mr Needham, a break from all the punch lines kicks, snares and head nodding is often necessary. He’s a songwriter/singer who I believe makes God proud just like David back in the day. He’s got three albums (as far as I know), was on Trip Lee’s album Between Two Worlds and has been on a WOW compilation cd. Nice pedigree huh? His most recent album’s just a reflection of all that, undoubtedly one of the best albums ever made.
Funny as this might sound; I only came across him and his music thanks to my association with rap. It all started when I saw a twitter post where Trip Lee made reference to him and I took interest went searching and found his song “Lost at Sea” on the WOW 2007 cd and that was it. I dug deeper for other projects and I was rewarded one day when my brother walked into the house one day with his latest album Nightlights. So why make so much of a fuss over him and music? Well, he’s a singer that’s as theologically sound as the deepest rappers we love and respect! Nightlights represent maturity and a sort of peak in what is an already impressive resume for Jimmy. With some well-crafted and beautiful songs, a wonderful voice and the boldness to experiment with a lot of genres, Nightlights presents itself as a must have. Each ballad is unique in itself and yet connected to the rest of the album. From the first song “Moving to Zion” a beautiful ballad about the journey of our Faith using Israel after Egypt as an analogy down to the last track “Nightlights” a beautiful Spoken Word piece each song is on point, touching on just the right themes. On “Part the Clouds” Jimmy urges us Christians to stop our lukewarm approach to witnessing to the unsaved, on the lovely “Light of Day” he sings to his “better half” with love and plans to stay in God’s plans for both of them. “Miss a Thing” exalts god’s omniscience and one of the best songs on the album “Being Small” is a prayer of humility asking God to cut us to size whenever we get “swollen heads” asking a very simple question; “Why I wanna be a hurricane when I'm barely a breeze? Cause I've already seen your storm bring me down to my knees...Whenever I climb too high, keep my feet on the ground and when I get full of me, turn me upside down...If it's you that's getting bigger, I don't mind, being small...So maybe I should step on down, hand off the King's crown to the God on the throne". Some serious food for thought right there…
This guy is obviously gifted but pulling this sort of thing again and again (three times in a row check out his discography) with such humbling yet encouraging consistency is nothing short of God’s doing. I had to get up to speed by getting his previous albums “Speak” and “Not without Love” and I kept asking myself what planet I had been on all these years. If you have done the same please do and I pray you get blessed as I was (and still am) by all you’ll hear and learn…

Japhia Life Nazareth Review

Label-Arms Out
I’d like you to have a brief flashback to the period between the mid and late 90s (probably the early 2000s too). The period just before hip hop’s demise; reflect on all the “good” music we had back then before this crunk ‘monster” descended on us all… nostalgic isn’t it? Now snap out of it as fast as possible! Reality check, the year is 2010 and as you read this you’ve probably reached a stage in life where you think that singing in an alien voice is a normal thing, or that skinny jeans that sag to the knees is as ok a practice as brushing one’s teeth. Yes, my brothers and sisters there’s trouble and chances of rescue are a measly 1 out of 10. Even though my mood suggests it, I’m not here to just lament the sorry state of things. This is a review for a true hip hop album from Japhia Life, Nazareth.
Japhia Life, Philly native who I can’t say I’ve heard much from save on J-Silas’s (now J-Johnson) album Soundproof and on DJ Morph’s International. I’ll confess to being one of the few that believes that outside the “big 3” (Lampmode, Reach and Cross Movement) very few Christians can rap. It’s safe to say guys like Braille, theBreax and Eric Cross have consistently proved me wrong. Japhia is another one of those “exceptions to the rule” sporting that effortless Philly style, over beats with conscious/underground appeal and he serves up Nazareth an album you can’t afford to sleep on. With such a good name for an album he lives up to (and goes beyond if I might add) expectation with this 14 tracker. It’s just like I said, a nostalgic, sober album that tackles a lot of real issues from gun crime to the everyday dilemma of looking for answers in our respective lives. One thing that is endearing about this album is Japhia’s calm flow which allows you to hear what he says as he takes you on a journey to show you that something good can come out of Nazareth (and even Philadelphia).
Standout songs include “Don’t Keep Me Waiting”, “I Wanna Go”, “Mama’s House” and a personal favourite “Does Anybody Know?” a very deep song… “Moment In Time” and “One Shot” are notable mentions too. Production wise there’s a sort of Jekyll/Hyde effect with some of the beats being really awesome (“Does Anybody Know?”, “One Shot” and “Don’t Keep Me Waiting”) and some of the other beats sounding too synthesized and generic. One producer that people shouldn’t sleep on though is this Chris Batson guy who was behind the “Does Anybody Know” track; he’s got these awesome drum loops that just complement Japhia’s style and delivery. Wit from Frontlynaz helped out with “Don’t Keep Me Waiting” and impressively too.
In conclusion Nazareth is one decent piece of art that may not be on everyone’s playlist but is a solid effort nonetheless. It gets a 3.5 from me, the type of album to give to the wounded few (like me) who pine away for the “good old days”.
P.S. Check out the album art, beautiful stuff man!!!

Brinson's first Video off the album OMG

this is a video from my man Brinson, review on his awesome album coming very soon,enjoy this meanwhile.

Brinson - Don't Rap No More Official Music Video from Brinson on Vimeo.

K-Drama WE FIT:The Workout Plan Review

Label- Cross Movement Records
We all know him (ok most of us do), father, producer, rapper and very importantly Christian. K-Drama ladies and gentlemen, the dude from Ohio who literally changed Christian Rap with his song “Air Jordan” the official “I want to remix it” song of last year (in case you didn’t know, that song has more remixes than Phil Jackson has trophies!!!).He’s got the love and respect of many and rightly so, his previous albums are good examples of consistency and he’s been rewarded so to speak with a recent record deal on the Cross Movement label!! Now he’s given us a “workout plan” to help us “get fit”.
How many of us remember the John Wells (Tonic) jam “The Body” from his “the Dash” album??? Now imagine a whole album with many more analogies on “body building” and “Godly exercise”, some beats that’ll make any of the vintage Jane Fonda fitness tapes go green with envy and then some amazing lyricism and you are ready to experience this album. Clocking in at 17 tracks K-drama doesn’t hesitate to show us he’s really got his weight up since 2008’s Boombaptism. This is quite the album considering it’s an easy contender for one of the top five albums of the year in a year that was extremely explosive for Christian Rap. Some of the tracks are literally workout tracks, perfect for playing while you jog or go through some regimens in the gym, take “holistic” or “This Waste” as examples, high tempo songs that talk about pushing one’s self to go above and beyond... this album is a “DIY” manual by rap that generally shows a Christian how to grow in The Faith. Nothing short of the best we hear a whole new level of maturity and even diversity exhibited on this project as opposed to Boombaptism (which can hold its own by the way). The beats range from heavy drum synths to techno sounding tracks with a few mellow tones present.
The intro as is always the case with K-Drama is on point, “Bodybuilders” gives us an overview of what the whole album’s about, then the fast paced “Holistic” tackles the ‘work out your salvation with fear and trembling’ tip and from there on out it’s blast off mode. A bunch of different themes are touched on and done justice to. “Don’t look down on me” with AD3 and Sean Slaughter kicks against judgemental stereotypes, “Stronger on My knees” emphasises how essential prayer is and “Spot Me” addresses the importance of building with other members of the Faith. Other strong tracks include “Get Your Weight Up”, “You doing too Much” (funny song), “DIE-IT” which features Humble TIP and a pretty neat D-MAUB sample and one of my favourites alongside “ This Waste”, “Hope They Aint Lying” a pretty good social commentary on the state of things right now(listen to the first verse on this one).
I’ve been all praises right? Any weaknesses? Well for starters some of the featured artists didn’t come hard enough. Although I understand discipleship and encouraging upcoming emcees, there’s often no need to throw a rookie on to the pitch if more “consistent”, “star” players are available for selection. Secondly(and finally), at 17 tracks the concept of “Building the Body” seems almost akin to flogging a dead horse, it’s almost as if the best songs are at the beginning of the album.
This project overall is a contender for the top 5 albums of the year. The balance between basic yet pretty much overlooked solid concepts, memorable beats and K-drama’s lyrical ability and wit make for an album that easily rubs shoulders with Rhema Soul’s Fingerprints or Json’s City Lights. Hopefully listening to the latest from the recently signed Cross Movement Records rapper will help you prayerfully get your “Weight Up” and get you as “ABnormal” as possible(pun intended). Just remember, “be like the cricket, hear from your knees, with Faith as eyes and knees as ears” (how deep is that?) actual words from K-Drama himself. I’ll give this a 4 star rating without flinching. Yeah it’s that good....
P.S. a Nigerian actually produced one of the jams on this project!!! Yup, a Nigerian.

JSon City Lights Review

Label- Lampmode Recordings

Json’s third studio release is the latest installment in what is for me a great story on the benefits of God’s Mercy and Grace. His story is one that I would love to tell but time and space will not permit me. When I was told that Lampmode had signed him and re-released his sophomore album “Life on Life” I was elated because I felt he deserved it. His addition to the Lampmode roster is a testament to the God given ability in him as a rapper and is also amazing seeing how different (in style) he is from his label mates say Hazakim and Stephen the Levite.
City Lights is a project that calls on all believers to get their Matthew 5:16 on in whatever part of the world they find themselves in and this call is made using a bunch of great jams, Json’s sick flow, storytelling ability and some awesome production. Some top notch guest artists contribute too.
As for standout songs there are quite a few, something we’ll have to get used to as far as the St Louis native is concerned so we’ll just explore a few of them especially the ones that caught my ear the most. “Crank it Up” with the very much on the rise PRo is simply ill, a song that will get you amped up on the idea of letting Christ shine through your life. “Peephole” and “Hustle City” give us an account of grimy St Louis, Tennessee ripe for some Salvation. There are awesome Jesus pointers like “Love like This” with Thi’sl and Jai, “Hope You See” asks us if God’s transforming power is at work in Json’s life, my answer? An emphatic yes, then there’s “Goon” featuring Thi’sl and AD3 and “City Lights” the title track with Flame and Trubble. Two radio friendly and yet evangelical songs which I expect to be remembered a long time from now. Of course, Json doesn’t let us down from the storytelling aspect (obviously a Lampmode thing) with “Unexpected Happenings” and “What I Am” alongside R-Swift are compelling stories. The best story and probably the best song on the album “Parent Me” with the beautiful production and hook by J.R. is a song that touches on the issue of parental neglect whether as a result of work or church. A simple beat and poignant Json lyrics make for a goose pimple inducing listen.
The theme of the album is not lost once on the album and there’s even a skit or interlude that just sums everything up, “I am a City Light” that features people from across the world, from Uganda to Canada to Russia!! I should add that Flame’s singing skills shouldn’t go unnoticed as he seems to know how to take hooks very effortlessly. Top notch production from guys like Big Juice makes this album a definite keeper, one of the top albums of the year. 4 solid stars…

shai linne Storiez Album Review

Those of us that love Christian rap won’t mind it if you call us addicts. After all we yearn for the next single or album to drop like a crack head yearning for a fix. I daresay in this hunger we’ve somehow learnt to take anything that comes our way under the tag of “Christian rap” and we accept it substandard (void of Word) or not. This can be put down partly to the fact the emergence of “crunk” which I’m sure every “hip-hop head” sees as a headache and an adulteration of the original genre. Well, I consider my self one of such “hip-hop heads” and I still love crunk. Have I sold out? A discourse for another day, today’s discourse however, revolves round an emcee that without a doubt deserves the title “hip-hop head”, his name? shai linne aka “the lower case emcee”
I’m specifically talking about his third studio album Storiez. This is one cd I barely knew was out and didn’t even listen to for a whole year! Why? Let’s just say made it to the top of my hit list first… that aside we all know shai line has a signature that includes lyrical ability and spiritual depth (his previous projects attest to that fact) but even I have to admit that this time he hit us hard with quality stuff. This is an album that is very much what it sounds like, a compilation of stories complete with a narrator (Pastor Rick Warren of The Purpose Driven Life fame) and these stories like every other good ones have profound lessons to teach. In an era where the average song is 4 minutes long, our guy decides to do songs that average 5 minutes, some even go up to 8 minutes! The guest list consists of people you may know and some you may not, from Flame to Json, Evangel to Ant it seems both the “underground” and the mainstream of rap are represented on the project. Might I add there are kids on a couple of songs (I mean we’re talking about stories right?)
I believe I’ve painted a pretty good picture as regards structure, now let’s get to essence (and I don’t mean the Dj). Shai linne has always hit on the message of salvation from eternal damnation and the songs on this album more than subtly make that fact known. From songs like “As the hour draws near”, “letters from the grave”, “wake up you’re alive” to all the other songs on the album there’s always something on each song that you can relate to regardless of your viewpoint. There’s a song about the Passover in Egypt, one about the great Charles Spurgeon, one about love but I think the greatest story (song) is Martyrs. With a cast of Json, Evangel, Techniq, Ant and God’s Servant this song tells of different martyrs in different times that were cut down for The Faith and their refusal to renounce Christ. My verdict, craftily profound and it even borders on disturbing as it makes you ask yourself “what have I been doing all this while?” (Although I doubt you’re being asked to looking for trouble or an easy death in the name of martyrdom). One thing that grips you on each song is the vivid representation of each story that you often feel like you were present at the time of each of the narrated events (except you are for some reason “imaginationally challenged”).
Storiez is a keeper, that’s for sure. Probably won’t get 5 stars from everybody but it’s amongst the best albums ever made. As I am rounding up I guess it’ worthwhile to mention that this album debuted at no 14 on the iTunes rap/hip-hop chart when it came out, obviously an indicator of the power within.

Outtadisworld Everyday Process Review

Everyday Process-Outtadisworld
Label-Cross Movement Records
C.S. Lewis (The great man who gave us Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity and much more)once wrote “if we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we are made for another world”. True? I guess so, my neighbour says that’s just hedonism and all I asked was “are we not all hedonists?” hence our dire need for Jesus. That C.S. Lewis quote is the first thing you hear in this robotic/futuristic voice on the freshest Everyday Process album Outtadisworld. And just in case you’re wondering neither the Cross Movement rappers nor my humble self have forgotten how to spell.
This album came out in late 2009 two years after their debut album and I must say it is more than awesome!! These two hard hitting cats from Philadelphia have given us an expository account of living an alien concept as far as the world is concerned, Christianity. Much like their first effort this album is just a grand slam! Refusing to be put in a box, they’ve given us a versatile/futuristic sounding album. Each song is the type that get’s you asking yourself if you are behaving like the “alien” you are or you’re just blending in with popular culture. With a style you can’t exactly brand apart from calling it the “Everyday Process sound” this is an album that has everything from techno beats to r n’ b beats, witty punchlines, scriptural admonitions and most of all the type of thing that David did and got God head over heels for him… Praise!
Right after the C.S. Lewis quote the first song “Invasion” has EP saying “I’m so left that I aint right” and that’s pretty much the concept throughout the album, they basically present the same message in different lights. It’s either the poignant “Against the Grain” or the nostalgic “Freak” (a sort of hip hop rendition of the dc talk Jesusfreak concept). From the techno inspired “I Don’t Belong” to the laid back, soothing and R n’ B influenced “Make You Smile” it’s just a case of beautiful rendition after beautiful rendition. Iz-real and Mac the Doulos do more than hold it down on the project and make an offering that will be loved by the average music fan and the hip hop head alike.
Of course like most albums there are lead tracks and to mention a couple the adoration drenched “Jesus Pride” is one, an anthem of sorts, this joint just outlines a bunch of attributes our Lord has without a hook or pause for air leaving you in a state of goose pimples and smiles as you attempt to visualize all that’s being said. I mean Mac the Doulos starts off by saying “Jesus is preeminent that means He’s supreme…” and ends with “…He killed death and shook it off/brushed His shoulders off and said look I’m Boss!” get the picture? Another one is “Fire” an ode to Jeremiah and not being able to hold back God’s message because the fire’s just too much (like third degree heat to the bones to be exact) and you could easily get consumed. Take note of the effortless delivery on this song along with witty metaphors for example “I’m powered by The Son like solar/… you can’t find the depth of His Love using sonar…” or “I tried to keep silent like mute man/but that was fire to the bone marrow like fusion…” how about “No longer like the X man but still they call me mutant…”? Classic stuff I tell you.
Are there any drawbacks? Believe it or not the only one I can think off is just as you’re getting amped on the message they are spitting you hear “Bye Bye” and “The Saga Continues” songs signalling the end and you’re probably thinking it’s a joke, but it’s true, the album’s too short! Such is the quality within this project. It’s been quite a while since I heard an album and wished it was a little longer (you’d probably have to go as far back as 116 Clique’s Amped!!!) but I guess the brevity is deliberate, so you don’t bite much more than you can/should chew.
This is truly a keeper, primarily for the message and then because it’s different from what is obtainable in Christian hip hop today, and not just different but unique!! To sum it all up all I can just tell you is this album is what they say it is… Outtadisworld!

BREAKING NEWSboys

I wish this was a news script and the above was rolling across the bottom of my screen and my headline would go “NEWSBOYS: In The Hands of God”. I would then begin to elaborate on the Newsboys album of the same name. I must first mention my knowledge of Christian rock was limited to just acts like Switchfoot, Jars of Clay and DC Talk but over the past few years I’ve become hooked on the likes of Red, Building 429, Skillet and even Relient K. relatively young bands huh? This in turn caused me to neglect guys like MercyMe and today’s focus, Newsboys.
Alas this is but just a music review, but trust me when I say it’s about an album that’s as about as hot as a breaking news story. Newsboys have been in the news recently with Michael Tait of that group (you know, that one with two other white dudes), joining them on tour and eventually as a band member with frontman Peter Furler opting for a less dominant, behind the scenes role. Has this reduced the content of the news(boys)? Nope!!In The Hand of God is a project for everybody and it has something a little rare in rock music; lyrics that are simple, straight to the point and without any need for deciphering. The message in each song is as direct as a sermon of the pulpit and yet the album is diverse in style, from the Resurrection inspired “No Grave” to the pop rendition “This Your Life”. This album is a perfect actualization of the saying “once a soldier always a soldier” (true because Newsboys have been at this for at least two decades)
Of course Tait is not on this album but he’s lead vocalist on tour and I can’t help but just look forward to the next album even though I haven’t even finished “ingesting” this album. It would be interesting to see how this plays out though.
Overall this is an album you won’t skip through (except for a couple of tracks) plus it’ll poke your conscience over certain issues (uh huh, your character, habits…). I think it’s safe to say the Newsboys have given us the news verbatim : We are in the Hands of God!

The Tonic-The Dash, Refreshment for the Race....

Yes, Ambassador’s got 3 albums, Phanatik has got 2, heck even Tru-Life has an album! (As solo artists that is) not to mention R-Swift, J.R., T.R.U.T.H. amongst a few. So the question that had been bugging me was what about tonic? Of course I kept asking that partly because he’s my fave among the fab four and also because I wondered what a Tonic album would sound like considering he was mostly responsible for most of the “anthems” on all ‘em C.M albums.
Then I got into my second year in school and I was pleased to hear he was working on his solo project aka “The Dash”. You can’t imagine how amped up and happy I was until Bam!! News hit us that Mr John Wells (his real name by the way) had had some sorta breakdown which led to hospitalization and work on the album was postponed indefinitely. Heartbroken, we rayed hard for him and by god’s Grace the tonic bounced back. I was meanwhile stuck with “Forever” (arguably the best C.M jam ever) and then History dropped just before it was announced that would be the last album they’d produce as a group. Talk about heartbreak! But there was at least a great legacy to look back upon. With Chop Chop, Soapbox and other albums dropping I kept itching (or should I say thirsting) for a Tonic album and on the 31st of March 2009, The Dash was dropped. Yup! After at least 4 years of anticipation the album’s here and my God! If reviews are anything to go by, another C.M. emcee has given us a top notch serving!
So what exactly is The Dash? For those of us conversant with athletics it’ll be common knowledge that the dash refers to a race and isn’t that what life is? Cradle to the grave, youth to old age, birth to death. And we’re all running different races whether we believe it or not. That’s the basic message on this album and Tonic further elaborates by explaining that on every tombstone (ok most of ‘em) is an epitaph that reads whatever the person or his friends/family wants it to read. Now just under that is a timeline for example 1947-2009(imaginary) and it’s pretty much obvious that there’s a dash in between the two dates. One’s life is more or less encapsulated in that dash, his or her achievements, activities, likes and dislikes are all attached to that little dash. With this album Tonic takes the initiative to try and suggest the best way to make that dash approved by God’s standards.
Now don’t get it twisted, just because this album’s been in the oven for about 4 years doesn’t mean it’s outdated (which is an impossibility with the C.M. by the way, flattery aside) because it’s got banging beats, catchy hooks and of course Heavy word! In addition to the mix is the all star cast of guest emcees ranging from Izreal to Shabach to even Enock and Earthquake (remember ‘em from all those C.M. albums of old?). And a couple of new cats inclusive too…. Trust me this is an album to listen to over and over again……
Parting shot? The Boss is the Boss, don’t mean to start any arguments but The Tonic’s not just C.E.O. by name or title, he’s C.E.O. by rap too. He’s got a mind that one needs to have 24/7, a mind that looks at issues critically. The dash is just the 1st in along series (I hope) of Tonic renditions. Simply put, High walk, High Talk, High Thought (in reverse of course)….

Don't Waste You Life!!!

there are songs an there are other songs,there are videos and there are other vidoes....this is one of em other videos...

AWESOME!!!!!

Dove Awards 2009 Baby!!!!!

This time around I get to talk about a bunch of awards where the people know what they are doing(I think) yes it's this year's Dove Awards and mayn!! twas awesome... to spare you all the long talking lemme go straight to giving you the info. Below you'll find all the winners....


40TH ANNUAL GMA DOVE AWARDS RECIPIENTS

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Steven Curtis Chapman

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Tenth Avenue North

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Steven Curtis Chapman

SONG OF THE YEAR song title; writer; publisher (award to the writer and publisher)
“Give Me Your Eyes”; Brandon Heath, Jason Ingram; Sitka 6 Music/Essential Music Publishing (ASCAP), Peertunes Ltd. (SESAC), Grange Hill Music (SESAC), Windsor Way (SESAC)

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Brandon Heath

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Natalie Grant

GROUP OF THE YEAR
Casting Crowns

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Bernie Herms

RAP/HIP HOP RECORDED SONG (song; album; artist; writer; label)
“Do Yo Thang”; The Yearbook; KJ-52; Jonah Sorrentino; BEC Recordings/Uprok

ROCK RECORDED SONG
“Lost”; End Of Silence; Red; Jasen Rauch, Rob Graves, Chad Cates; Essential Records

ROCK/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG
“Washed By The Water”; The Heat; NEEDTOBREATHE; Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart; Atlantic Records

POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG
“Give Me Your Eyes”; What If We; Brandon Heath; Brandon Heath, Jason Ingram; Reunion Records

INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG
“A New Hallelujah”; A New Hallelujah; Michael W. Smith; Michael W. Smith, Debbie Smith, Paul Baloche; Reunion Records

SOUTHERN GOSPEL RECORDED SONG
“Reason Enough”; Dream On; Ernie Haase & Signature Sound; Ernie Haase, Joel Lindsey, Wayne Haun; Gaither Music Group

BLUEGRASS RECORDED SONG
“They’re Holding Up The Ladder”; We Are Family; Jeff & Sheri Easter, Lewis Family, Easter Brothers; Russell Easter, James Easter, Edd Easter; Daywind Records

COUNTRY RECORDED SONG
“I Wish”; How You Live Deluxe Edition; Point of Grace; Cindy Morgan, Phil Madeira; Word Records

URBAN RECORDED SONG
“Get Up”; The Sound; Mary Mary; Warryn Campbell, Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Eric Dawkins; Columbia Records, Integrity Music

TRADITIONAL GOSPEL RECORDED SONG
“Free At Last”; Down In New Orleans; The Blind Boys of Alabama; Traditional; Time Life Music

CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL RECORDED SONG
“How Great Is Our God”; How Great Is Our God; LaRue Howard; Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash; EMI Gospel

WORSHIP SONG
“Mighty To Save”; Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan; Hillsong Publishing

RAP/HIP HOP ALBUM (album; artist; producer; label)
Ordinary Dreamers; Group 1 Crew; Andy Anderson, Christopher Stevens, Sam Mizell; Fervent Records

ROCK ALBUM
Satisfied; DecembeRadio; Scotty Wilbanks; Slanted Records

ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Never Going Back To OK; The Afters; Dan Muckala; INO Records

POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Revelation; Third Day; Howard Benson; Essential Records

INSPIRATIONAL ALBUM
Great God Who Saves; Laura Story; Ed Cash; INO Records

SOUTHERN GOSPEL ALBUM
Lovin’ Life; Ernie Gaither Vocal Band; Bill Gaither, Guy Penrod, Marshall Hall, Wes Hampton; Gaither Music Group

BLUEGRASS ALBUM
We Are Family; Ricky Jeff & Sheri Easter, Lewis Family, Easter Brothers; Jeff Easter, Sheri Easter; Daywind Records

COUNTRY ALBUM
Around the Bend; Randy Travis; Kyle Lehning; Warner Bros. Records

URBAN ALBUM
The Fight of My Life; Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin; Zomba Gospel

TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM
Down In New Orleans; The Blind Boys of Alabama; Chris Goldsmith; Time Life Music, Integrity Music

CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ALBUM
Change the World; Martha Munizzi; Aaron Lindsey, Israel Houghton; Martha Munizzi Music

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian; Various; Harry Gregson-Williams; Walt Disney Records

CHILDREN’S MUSIC ALBUM
Absolute Modern Worship for Kids 4; Various; Chance Scoggins; Fervent Records

SPANISH LANGUAGE ALBUM
Rescatame; Seventh Day Slumber; Alejandro Allen, Susana Allen; BEC Recordings

SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM
Passion: God of This City; Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, David Crowder*Band, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, Fee, Matt Redman; Nathan Nockels; Sparrow Records, sixsteps Records

CHRISTMAS ALBUM
Peace on Earth; Casting Crowns; Mark Hall, Mark A. Miller; Beach Street

PRAISE & WORSHIP ALBUM
A New Hallelujah; Michael W. Smith; Michael W. Smith; Reunion Records

MUSICAL (title; creator; publisher (award given to creator)
God Bless the USA; Sue C. Smith, Joel Lindsey, Russell Mauldin; Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing

YOUTH/CHILDREN’S MUSICAL
An Island Christmas; Wayne Haun, Shelby Haun, Joel Lindsey; Lillenas Publishing Company

CHORAL COLLECTION
I’ll Say Yes; Carol Cymbala; Brooklyn Tabernacle Music

RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING (product; art director; graphic artist; illustrator/photographer; label)
Revelation (Third Day); Tim Parker, Becka Blackburn; Tim Parker; David McClister, RW Sims; Essential Records

SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO (title; artist; director; producer; production company; label)
“Slow Fade“; Casting Crowns; John Erwin, Andy Erwin; Erwin Brothers Motion Pictures; Beach Street

LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO ( title; artist; director; producer; production company; label)
Alive and Transported; TobyMac; Eric Welch; Tameron Hedge, Dan Pitts; Broken Poet Productions; ForeFront Records


now how Lecrae didn't get the award for best hip hop I dunno!just goes to show how popular demand still hurts us(just saying)yes I like Ordinary Dreamers,twas a cool album n all but!!!finally though, Brandon heath finally got proper recognition!
Y'all shouldn't mind me 'm just venting...

it's The GOD in me!

okay folks,I've been gone for a while I know but I'm back!!!!How was Easter?
Today I'm focusing on 1 of my fave(but controversial songs),Mary Mary's God in Me. The video is finally out but with some touchy issues attached. Yes the lyrics of the song seem to have too much swag n all but there's a bottom line message of God being the source of everything "good"(in this case material stuff) of course there's a thin line between pride and gratitude in this case but I personally see the song as a God pointer.
So what's wrong with the video?well we've got peeps like Kanye West and Common in it,hmmmm.....what's happening?'cause if we remember the album's weakest song(arguably) had erm...David Banner on it.Seems like bait to draw out Elder Craig Lewis right?well I won't say anything for now 'cause it's said that in the video only the "gospel" folks like Kiki Sheard,Isreal Houghton,and of course the Campbell Sisters themselves were on stage while the "other" folks including Heavy D and David Banner were not.Moral,Christians are above non-christians?hmmmmm...
Another argument is that this LOST folks need help,so the sisters extended some the Jesus way(remember Mary Magdalene?)
Don't wanna judge nobody but i just hope nobody goes astray thinkin we as Christians endorse these kinda secular artists....lemme know what you think,say something,leave a comment...
Yo' Boi
P.s other cool videos are ot like Lecrae's Don't Waste Your Life and Jahaziel's In My Neghbourhood

The 1st single off Identity Crisis Folks!!!

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Don't Miss the Identity Crisis Release Party in Nashville at the GMA's!

Wed. April 22nd 8-10 pm at B.B. King's. Click here for map

Special Guests: Sho Baraka, Trip Lee, Lecrae, Flame, J.R.

R-Swift, we got your back man..

Paul in the Book of Romans urges us to mourn with those who mourn amongst us and one of our own has had cause to mourn of recent,R Swift, that wonderful rapper and Man of God lost his infant son recently. I can only send out my love to him and his wife cause he n her more than anyone knows the extent of this pain. But if I can i just wanna refer them to a sermon of Pst john Piper's,where he quotes Romans 8:28-32 and he clearly states that everything including the "bad" works out for our benefit. Cliche?maybe but he goes on to quote 2nd Corinthians 12:9 which talks about God's sufficient Grace...let these words be comfort for them and above all Let them continue to lean on god for strength and support.
R.. we's with you in prayers man...

I Don't wanna gain the World n lose The Important Stuff!!

The Sound Of Good Music

Everybody listens to the radio @ one point or the other right? Well another puzzling question is “what the heck are we listening to?”… Enter MaryMary and The Sound, awesome radio station, awesome hits, and awesome listening experience… yeah all this blabbing happens to be about the concept behind MaryMary’s latest effort, The Sound. Just for the record this album got a couple of Grammy nominations and one of the singles duly won (Recognize!!!). Of course the concept behind it is nothing short of one in a million, an album that is supposedly the playlist of an imaginary radio station (Mind Block Radio) and in stark contrast to the station’s name this album has the same effect as dynamite on the mind, it’s just one big mind opener! How/Why? For one we’ve never heard the Campbell Sisters sing like this, Crunk, Funk, (whatever you want to call it) they’ve gone ahead and re-defined contemporary gospel music, and the guests on the station? Kierra Kikki Sheard , Marvin Winans just to mention a couple.
I’ve been hooked on this album and I think I’m even beginning to annoy my roommates! But trust me you can’t resist The Sound!!! The Sound is … The Sound (what more can I say?) in my opinion any female singer looking for a sorta standard shouldn’t look too far, the arrow points at “the two Marys” who by the way seemingly gave us a sneak preview of their new prowess when they took out the bridge on Deitrick Haddon’s “Love Him like I Do”. Like I said I’ve really bugged my roommates with this album and I feel you too should get accustomed to The Sound….

Favorite Jams? Get Up, I’m Running, I Worship You, God In Me, Seattle.

GMAs 2009!!!

The nominations for the Dove Gospel music Awards have been made public !yup, some of our fav peeps made it on the list alongside people I've never hurd of!!! Hopefully they won't do what they did to my guy Brandon @ the Grammys!!!look below and find em all....

List of Dove Awards 2009 nominees:

SONG OF THE YEAR
Dove Award given to the songwriter and publisher.
song title; writer; publisher
“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”; Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, Traditional; sixsteps music (ASCAP), worshiptogether.com Songs (ASCAP)
“Cinderella”; Steven Curtis Chapman; Sparrow Songs (BMI)
“Empty Me”; Chris Sligh, Clint Lagerberg, Tony Wood; Foolish Tool Music (ASCAP), Word Music LLC (ASCAP), Kindacrazy Music (BMI), Row J Seat 9 Songs (ASCAP), New Spring Publishing (ASCAP), Bridge Building Music (BMI)
“Give Me Your Eyes”; Brandon Heath, Jason Ingram; Sitka 6 Music (ASCAP), Peertunes Ltd. (SESAC), Grange Hill Music (SESAC), Windsor Way (SESAC)
“I Will Not Be Moved”; Natalie Grant; Nat in the Hat (ASCAP)
“I’m Letting Go”; Francesca Battistelli, Tony Wood, Ian Eskelin; Designer Music (SESAC), Word Music LLC (ASCAP), Honest & Popular Songs (SESAC), Row J Seat 9 Songs (ASCAP), New Spring Publishing Inc. (ASCAP)
“Mighty to Save”; Ben Fielding, Joel Houston; Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (ASCAP)
“Never Going Back to OK”; Matt Fuqua, Josh Havens, Brad Wigg, Dan Muckala; Smells Like Music (ASCAP), Screaming Mimes Music (ASCAP)
“Reason Enough”; Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey; Bridge Building Music (BMI), Psalmsinger Music (BMI), Ernie Sig Sound Music (BMI), Hefton Hill Music (BMI)
“You Reign”; Bart Millard, Barry Graul, Steven Curtis Chapman; Simpleville Music (ASCAP), Wet As A Fish Music (ASCAP), Sparrow Songs (BMI)

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jeremy Camp
Jon Foreman
Ernie Haase
Brandon Heath
David Phelps
Marvin Sapp
Chris Tomlin

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Francesca Battistelli
Brooke Fraser
Karen Peck Gooch
Natalie Grant
Mandisa
Sandi Patty
Laura Story

GROUP OF THE YEAR
Casting Crowns
David Crowder*Band
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Mary Mary
MercyMe
Skillet
Third Day

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Casting Crowns
Steven Curtis Chapman
Fireflight
Marvin Sapp
Third Day
tobyMac
Chris Tomlin

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Addison Road
Francesca Battistelli
Fee
Jonathan Nelson
Remedy Drive
Chris Sligh
Tenth Avenue North

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Brown Bannister
Ed Cash
Ian Eskelin
Wayne Haun
Bernie Herms
Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp

Dove Awards in Recorded Song categories are given to the artist and songwriter (if other than the artist).
RAP/HIP HOP RECORDED SONG
“Beautfiul Morning”; Reiterate; Grits featuring Pigeon John; Teron Carter, Stacy Jones, Mo Henderson, John Duncan; Revolution Art
“Do Yo Thang”; The Yearbook; KJ-52; Jonah Sorrentino; BEC Recordings/Uprok
“Joyful Noise”; Our World Redeemed; Flame featuring Lecrae & John Reilly; Marcus T. Williams-Gray, Lecrae Moore, Emanuel Lambert, Jr.; Cross Movement Records
“Pull Your Pants Up!”; Pull Your Pants Up!; Dooney “Da Priest”; Duwayne Brown; Malaco Records
“So Beautiful”; Citizen Activ; Manafest featuring Trevor McNevan; Chris Greenwood, Adam Messinger, Trevor McNevan; BEC Recordings

ROCK RECORDED SONG
“Better Man”; Satisfied; DecembeRadio; Josh Reedy, Brian Bunn, Eric Miker, Boone Daughdrill, Scotty Wilbanks; Slanted Records
“For The Love Of The Game”; For The Love Of The Game; Pillar; Rob Beckley, Lester Estelle, Noah Henson, Michael Wittig; Essential Records
“Lost”; End Of Silence; Red; Jasen Rauch, Rob Graves, Chad Cates; Essential Records
“Shine Like The Stars”; Expect The Impossible; Stellar Kart; Adam Agee, Ian Eskelin; Word Records
“The Hunger”; Unbreakable; Fireflight; Dawn Richardson, Justin Cox, Glenn Drennen, Wendy Drennen, Phee Shorb, Ben Glover; Flicker Records

ROCK/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG
“Find You Waiting”; Satisfied; DecembeRadio; Josh Reedy, Brian Bunn, Eric Miker, Boone Daughdrill, Scotty Wilbanks; Slanted Records
“Keys To The Kingdom”; Ordinary Dreamers; Group 1 Crew; Manwell Reyes, Blanca Reyes, Pablo Villatoro, Andy Anderson, Noe A. Chaparro; Fervent Records
“Never Going Back To OK”; Never Going Back To OK; The Afters; Matt Fuqua, Josh Havens, Brad Wigg, Dan Muckala; INO Records
“Unbreakable”; Unbreakable; Fireflight; Dawn Richardson, Justin Cox, Glenn Drennen, Wendy Drennen, Phee Shorb, Rob Hawkins; Flicker Records
“Washed By The Water”; The Heat; NEEDTOBREATHE; Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart; Atlantic Records

POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG
“Cinderella”; This Moment – Cinderella Edition; Steven Curtis Chapman; Steven Curtis Chapman; Sparrow Records
“Give Me Your Eyes”; What If We; Brandon Heath; Brandon Heath, Jason Ingram; Reunion Records
“I Will Not Be Moved”; Relentless; Natalie Grant; Natalie Grant; Curb Records
“I’m Letting Go”; My Paper Heart; Francesca Battistelli; Francesca Battistelli, Ian Eskelin, Tony Wood; Fervent Records
“This Is Home”; Chronicles Of Narnia:Prince Caspian ; Switchfoot; Jonathan Foreman, Andy Dodd, Adam Watts; Walt Disney Records

INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG
“A New Hallelujah”; A New Hallelujah; Michael W. Smith; Michael W. Smith, Debbie Smith, Paul Baloche; Reunion Records
“For The Glory Of You”; Windows And Walls; Mark Harris; Mark Harris, John Lemonis, Tony Wood; INO Records
“Bless The Lord”; Great God Who Saves; Laura Story; Laura Story; INO Records
“Come Thou Fount”; Roots Run Deep; Jadon Lavik; Public Domain; BEC Recordings
“Dependence”; Jamie Slocum; Jamie Slocum; Curb Records

SOUTHERN GOSPEL RECORDED SONG
“Big Mighty God”; Nothin’ But Good; The Mike LeFevre Quartet; Lee Black, Sue C. Smith, Kenna West; Canaan Records
“I Believe God”; Real Faith; Brian Free & Assurance; Marty Funderburk, Steve Marshall; Daywind Records
“Reason Enough”; Dream on; Ernie Haase & Signature Sound; Ernie Haase, Joel Lindsey, Wayne Haun; Gaither Music Group
“Welcome To The Family”; Room For More; Booth Brothers; Jim Brady, Barry Weeks, Tony Wood; Daywind Records
“Yahweh”; The Ride; The Hoppers; Paula Stefanovich; Canaan Records

BLUEGRASS RECORDED SONG
“Help Is On The Way”; Help Is On The Way; Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; Michael E. Reed; Horizon Records
“I See A Crimson Stream”; Sounds Like Sunday; Janet Paschal; Garfield T. Haywood; Vine Records
“The Old White Flag”; You Gotta Love It!; Triumphant Quartet; Dianne Wilkinson; Daywind Records
“They’re Holding Up The Ladder”; We Are Family; Jeff & Sheri Easter, Lewis Family, Easter Brothers; Russell Easter, James Easter, Edd Easter; Daywind Records
“What Will I Wear”; I Just Wanted You To Know; Kim Hopper; Deborah Bailey; Canaan Records

COUNTRY RECORDED SONG
“Did I Make A Difference”; Front Row Seats; The Oak Ridge Boys; Rob Crosby, Bill Anderson; Spring Hill Music Group
“Good Side Of Goodbye”; Home For Now; Living Waters Trio; Wayne Haun, Dave Clark; Vine Records
“I Saw God Today”; Troubadour; George Strait; Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell, Wade Kirby; MCA Nashville
“I Wish”; How You Live Deluxe Edition; Point of Grace; Cindy Morgan, Phil Madeira; Word Records
“Jesus And John Wayne”; Lovin’ Life; Gaither Vocal Band; Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither, Doug Johnson, Kim Williams, Benjamin Gaither; Gaither Music Group

URBAN RECORDED SONG
“Declaration (This Is It)”; The Fight Of My Life; Kirk Franklin; Kenneth C. Loggins, Michael H. McDonald; Zomba Gospel
“Get Up”; The Sound; Mary Mary; Warryn Campbell, Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Eric Dawkins; Columbia Records, Integrity Music
“Love Him Like I Do”; Revealed; Deitrick Haddon with Ruben Studdard and Mary Mary; Warryn Campbell, Erica Campbell, Deitrick Haddon, Lamar Edwards; Zomba Gospel
“No Looking Back”; No Looking Back; Damita; Damita Haddon; Tyscot Records
“Not A Slave”; Life By Stereo; J.R.; Courtney Peebles; Cross Movement Records

TRADITIONAL GOSPEL RECORDED SONG
“Cry Your Last Tear”; Cry Your Last Tear; Bishop Paul S. Morton & the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Mass Choir; Vashawn Mitchell; Light Records
“Deliverance”; Past And Present; Lillie Knauls; Teddy Huffman, Lillie Knauls, Wayne Haun; Vine Records
“Free At Last”; Down In New Orleans; The Blind Boys of Alabama; Traditional; Time Life Music
“God Is Good”; Love Forever Shines; Regina Belle; Bernard Belle; Pendulum Records, Walker Davis Entertainment
“Souled Out”; Souled Out; Hezekiah Walker; Estee Bullock, Nate McNair; Zomba Gospel
“Take It Back”; Take It Back; Dorinda Clark-Cole; Derrick Starks; Zomba Gospel

CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL RECORDED SONG
“Favor Of God”; Change The World; Martha Munizzi; Aaron Lindsey, John Rowsey; Martha Munizzi Music
“Great Grace”; Overcomer; Alvin Slaughter; Mary Alessi, Aaron Lindsey; Integrity Music
“How Great Is Our God”; How Great Is Our God; LaRue Howard; Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash; EMI Gospel
“My Name Is Victory”; Right Now Praise; Jonathan Nelson; Jonathan Nelson, Justin Savage; Integrity Music
“Shall We Gather At The River”; The Standard; Take 6; Robert Lowry; Heads Up International
“Waging War”; Thy Kingdom Come; CeCe Winans; Christopher Capehart, Brannon Tunie, CeCeWinans; PureSprings Gospel

WORSHIP SONG
Dove Award in the Worship Song category given to the songwriter and publisher.
song; writer; publisher
“A New Hallelujah”; Michael W. Smith, Debbie Smith, Paul Baloche; Word Music LLC, Smittyfly Music, This Is Your Time Music, Integrity’s Hosanna! Music, Leadworship Songs
“Breathe On Me”; Natalie Grant; Nat In The Hat Music
“Jesus Messiah”; Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash; worshiptogether.com Songs, Alletrop Music, sixsteps Music
“Mighty To Save”; Ben Fielding, Joel Houston; Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
“You’re Not Alone”; Meredith Andrews; Word Music LLC

Dove Awards in Album categories are given to the artist and producer (if other than the artist).
RAP/HIP HOP ALBUM
Citizen Activ; Manafest; Adam Messinger, Manafest, Boi-1da, Chris Stacey, Arion, Josh MacIntosh; BEC Recordings
Ordinary Dreamers; Group 1 Crew; Andy Anderson, Christopher Stevens, Sam Mizell; Fervent Records
Pull Your Pants Up!; Dooney “Da Priest”; Dooney “Da Priest”; Malaco Records
Rebel; Lecrae; Joseph Prielozny, G-Styles, Dion Burroughs, Kadence, Devon Burroughs, Teddy P., Bobby Taylor, JR, k-Drama, Sixth Sense Music Productions; Reach Records
Reiterate; Grits; Mo Henderson, T-Dogg, Anthony Johnson, Jr.; Revolution Art

ROCK ALBUM
Comatose Comes Alive; Skillet; Carl Diebold, Paul Kerby, Zachary Kelm; Ardent Records, INO Records
For The Love Of The Game; Pillar; Travis Wyrick; Essential Records
Satisfied; DecembeRadio; Scotty Wilbanks; Slanted Records
Southern Hospitality; Disciple; Travis Wyrick; INO Records
To Know That You’re Alive; Kutless; Peter Kipley; BEC

ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Daylight Is Coming; Remedy Drive; Ian Eskelin; Word Records
Expect The Impossible; Stellar Kart; Ian Eskelin; Word Records
Hello; After Edmund; Scotty Wilbanks; Slanted Records
Never Going Back To OK; The Afters; Dan Muckala; INO Records
Unbreakable; Fireflight; Rob Hawkins; Flicker Records

POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Bebo Norman; Bebo Norman; Bebo Norman, Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp; BEC
Fall And Winter; Jon Foreman; Jon Foreman; Credential Recordings, lowercase people records
My Paper Heart; Francesca Battistelli; Ian Eskelin; Fervent Records
Relentless; Natalie Grant; Bernie Herms, Shaun Shankel; Curb Records
Revelation; Third Day; Howard Benson; Essential Records

INSPIRATIONAL ALBUM
After The Rain; Aaron & Amanda Crabb; Tre’ Corley; Daywind Records
Great God Who Saves; Laura Story; Ed Cash; INO Records
Infinite Grace; Women of Faith Worship Team; Chance Scoggins; Myrrh Records
Roots Run Deep; Jadon Lavik; Jadon Lavik, Zach Hodges, Keith E. Smith, Nic Rodriguez, Fernando Ortega, Tony Guerrero; BEC
Songs For The Journey; Sandi Patty; David Hamilton; INO Records


SOUTHERN GOSPEL ALBUM
Ephesians One; Karen Peck & New River; Bubba Smith; Daywind Records
I Just Wanted You To Know; Kim Hopper; Dave Clark, Kim Hopper; Canaan Records
Lovin’ Life; Gaither Vocal Band; Bill Gaither, Guy Penrod, Marshall Hall, Wes Hampton; Gaither Music Group
On The Way Up; HisSong; Wayne Haun; Vine Records
Room For More; Booth Brothers; Barry Weeks; Daywind Records

BLUEGRASS ALBUM
Bluegrass Worship; Various; Steve Ivey; Star Song Music
Help Is On The Way; Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; Doyle Lawson; Horizon Records
Hymns From Chigger Hill; Chigger Hill Boys & Terri; Mike Richards, Terri Argot Gore, Ricky Gore, Mark Dunham, Bobby Strangenberg, Ethan Blair, Justin Kropf; Daywind Records
I Don’t Regret A Mile; Larry Sparks; Larry Sparks; Sparks Music
Pickin’, Praisin’, & Singin’: Hymns From The Mountain; Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad; Bill McBee, Dale Thomas, Jerry Cole, Cody Shuler, Matt Flake; Rural Rhythm
We Are Family; Jeff & Sheri Easter, Lewis Family, Easter Brothers; Jeff Easter, Sheri Easter; Daywind Records
What A Journey; Paul Williams & The Victory Trio; Paul Williams; Rebel Records

COUNTRY ALBUM
Around the Bend; Randy Travis; Kyle Lehning; Warner Bros. Records
Home For Now; Living Waters Trio; Terry Thompson; Vine Records
Hymned Again; Bart Millard; Brown Bannister; INO Records
I Turn To You; Richie McDonald; Frank Myers, Gary Baker, Tommy Lee James; Lucid Entertainment
Runaway Train; Crabb Revival; Ben Isaacs, Tre’ Corley; Daywind Records

URBAN ALBUM
Bold Right Life; Kierra Sheard; Warryn Campbell, J. Drew Sheard, Asaph Ward, Gerald Haddon, Paul Allen, J Moss; EMI Gospel
The Fight of My Life; Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin; Zomba Gospel
Kingdom Business; Canton Jones; Canton Jones, The Music Doctorz, Carlin Muccular, Antonio Neal, Randy Harrison, Vernon Messam; Arrow Records
No Looking Back; Damita; Gerald Haddon, Tim & Bob, Deitrick Haddon, Courtney Horton, David Garcia; Tyscot Records
Revealed; Deitrick Haddon; Andre Harris, Vidal Davis, Warryn Campbell, Blaze “The Champ”, Deitrick Haddon, Gerald Haddon, David Haddon, Tim & Bob, Percy Bady; Zomba Gospel

TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM
A New Day; Paul Porter; Paul Porter, David Caton, Tony Homer; Light Records
After 40 Years…Still Sweeping Through the City; Shirley Caesar; Bubba Smith; Light Records
Cry Your Last Tear; Bishop Paul S. Morton & the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Mass Choir; L. Trenton Phillips, Elvin Ross; Light Records
Do It!; Dottie Peoples; Dottie Peoples; DP Muzik Group
Down In New Orleans; The Blind Boys of Alabama; Chris Goldsmith; Time Life Music, Integrity Music


CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ALBUM
Change the World; Martha Munizzi; Aaron Lindsey, Israel Houghton; Martha Munizzi Music
Stand Out; Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Tye Tribbett II, Dana Sorey, Thaddaeus Tribbett; Columbia Records, Integrity Music
The Sound; Mary Mary; Warryn Campbell; Columbia Records, Integrity Music
The Standard; Take 6; Mark Kibble; Heads Up International
Thy Kingdom Come; CeCe Winans; Tommy Sims, Christopher Capehart, Luther Hanes, Percy Bady, Cedric Caldwell, Victor Caldwell, Alvin Love III; PureSprings Gospel

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
A Treasury of Hymns; LaDonna; Eric Wyse; Martingale Music
Always There; Harold Rayford; Antoine Chamber; Tyscot Records
Born to Play; Barry D.; Barry D.; Taqa Records
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian; Various; Harry Gregson-Williams; Walt Disney Records
Love Beyond All Measure; Stephen Petrunak; Stephen Petrunak; GIA Publications
The Breath of Life; Angella Christie; Angella Christie, Kevin Griffen; ACSM

CHILDREN’S MUSIC ALBUM
Absolute Modern Worship for Kids 4; Phoebe Ebensberger, Emily Ebensberger, Abbie Ebensberger, Joseph O’Brien, Timmy O’Brien, Mikey O’Brien, Abbie Chapman, Meghan O’Brien, Adelaide Bauer, Kristen Bauer, Karissa Selby, Emma Rose Williamson, Tyler Beiden, Garrett Williamson; Chance Scoggins; Fervent Records
All God’s Animals; TJ McCloud; Brandon Scott Thomas, Eric Wyse; Martingale Music
David: Shepherd, Psalmist, Soldier, King!; Bible StorySongs; Paula King, Catherine Walker; Bible StorySongs
Shout Praises Kids – I Am Free; Jeff Sandstrom, Kurt Goebel, Stephen Leiweke, Jeremy Redmon; Integrity Music
Sleepytime Lullabies; Praise Baby; Matt Huesmann; Big House Kids
Tell The World; Hillsong Kids; Julia A’Bell, Gio Galanti, Andrew Crawford, David Wakerley; Hillsong, Integrity Music

SPANISH LANGUAGE ALBUM
Abriras Las Puertas; Malin; Miguel Angel “Malin” Villagran; Integrity Music Latin
Alabanza Y Adoracion: Del Corazon; Lucia Parker; Tom Brooks, Dario Navac; 3:16 Media
Mi Salvacion; Ingrid Rosario; Christian Cartone; Rejoice Music
Refrescate!; Aline Barros; Juan Salinas; Integrity Music Latin
Rescatame; Seventh Day Slumber; Alejandro Allen, Susana Allen; BEC
Sobrenatural; Marcos Witt; Marcos Witt; CanZion
Tengo sed de Ti; Soraya Moraes; Marco Moraes; Line Records


SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM
Billy: The Early Years Official Motion Picture Soundtrack; Brooks & Dunn, Mac Powell, Sara Evans, Alan Jackson, China Edelman, Patty Griffin, Brandon Heath, Gregory Page, Michael W. Smith, Melinda Doolittle, Roy Orbison, Brad Paisley, Josh Turner, Sierra Hull, John Cowan, Harry Stinson, Ronnie Bowman, Ronnie McCoury, John Wesley Ryles; Anastasia Brown; Arista Nashville, Essential Records
Country Bluegrass Homecoming Volume One; Gaither Vocal Band, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, The Grascals, Buddy Greene, The Isaacs, Gordon Mote, Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, The Booth Brothers, George Jones, Wesley Pritchard, Reggie & Ladye Love Smith, Brittany Allen, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Charlotte Ritchie, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Jimmy Fortune, Dailey & Vincent, Jason Crabb, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Cherryholmes, Lisa Daggs-Charette, Vince Gill, Sonya Isaacs, Becky Isaacs Bowman; Bill Gaither; Gaither Music Group
How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites from the Grand Ole Opry; The Charlie Daniels Band, Mac Powell, Alan Jackson, Patty Loveless, Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Skaggs & The Whites, Sara Evans, Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Loretta Lynn, Vince Gill, Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood; Steve Gibson; Sony BMG Nashville
Passion: God of This City; Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, David Crowder*Band, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, Fee, Matt Redman; Nathan Nockels; Sparrow Records, sixsteps Records
Your Name; Joel Auge, Leeland Mooring, Paul Baloche, Aaron Shust, Phil Wickham, Josh Reedy, Ayiesha Woods, Ian Eskelin, Mark Stuart, Vicky Beeching, Jared Anderson, Christy Johnson, Sean Loche, Aaron Boyd, Jason Roy, Wes Willis, Lincoln Brewster, Adam Agee; Ian Eskelin; Integrity Music

CHRISTMAS ALBUM
Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style; Gaither Vocal Band; Russell Mauldin; Gaither Music Group
Christmas Songs; Fernando Ortega; John Andrew Schreiner, Fernando Ortega; Curb Records
Home for Christmas; BarlowGirl; Otto Price; Fervent Records, Curb Records
O Holy Night; Sara Groves; Ben Shive; INO Records
Peace on Earth; Casting Crowns; Mark Hall, Mark A. Miller; Beach Street

PRAISE & WORSHIP ALBUM
A New Hallelujah; Michael W. Smith; Michael W. Smith; Reunion Records
Great God Who Saves; Laura Story; Ed Cash; INO Records
Hello Love; Chris Tomlin; Ed Cash; Sparrow Records; sixsteps Records
Opposite Way; Leeland; Matt Bronleewe; Essential Records
The Invitation; Meredith Andrews; Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp; Word Records

Dove Awards in the Musical and Choral categories are given to the creators.
MUSICAL
Child of Wonder; Lari Goss, Rob Howard; Word Music
East to West; Gary Rhodes; Word Music
God Bless the USA; Sue C. Smith, Joel Lindsey, Russell Mauldin; Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing
Savior; David Moffitt, Sue C. Smith, Travis Cottrell; Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing
The Risen Christ; Don Cason, Karla Worley; Clear Call Music


YOUTH/CHILDREN’S MUSICAL
An Island Christmas; Wayne Haun, Shelby Haun, Joel Lindsey; Lillenas Publishing Company
Angels We Have Heard; Dave Clark, Jayme Thompson; Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing
It’s a Wonder-Full Life; Pam Andrews, Luke Gambill; Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing
Lifesong; Sue C. Smith, Simon Hawkins, Kris Crunk; Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing
The Christmas County Spelling Bee; Celeste Clydesdale; Clydesdale & Clydesdale, Word Music

CHORAL COLLECTION
Cradle That Rocked The World; Geron Davis, Christopher Phillips, Jukka Palonen; Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing
Glorious Day; David Moffitt, Sue C. Smith, Travis Cottrell; Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing
He Still Leads – Christ Church Choir; Landy Gardner, Joy Gardner, Christopher Phillips; Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing
I’ll Say Yes; Carol Cymbala; Word Music
Make a Joyful Noise; Regi Stone; Word Music

Dove Award in the Recorded Music Packaging category given to the art director, graphic artist, illustrator and photographer.
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING
…Is My Friend (Hawk Nelson); Invisible Creature; Don Clark; Don Clark; Jeremy Cowart, Neil Visel; BEC Recordings
Remedy Club Tour Edition (David Crowder*Band); Shelley Giglio, David Crowder; Gary Dorsey; Brody Harper; Sparrow Records, sixsteps records
Revelation (Third Day); Tim Parker, Beka Blackburn; Tim Parker; David Mcalister, RW Sims; Essential Records
Storm the Gates of Hell Deluxe Edition (Demon Hunter); Invisible Creature; Ryan Clark; Shane McCauley, David Stuart, Greg Lutze, Ethan Luck; Solid State Records
The Tide Will Swallow Us Whole (Trenches); Invisible Creature; Ryan Clark; Solid State Records

Dove Awards in the Video categories are given to the artist, director and producer (if other than the artist).
SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Daylight; Remedy Drive; John Erwin, Andy Erwin; Erwin Brothers Motion Pictures; Word Records
Fan Mail; KJ-52; Sam Sanchez; Sam Sanchez; Difted Productions; BEC
In the Valley of the Dying Sun; House of Heroes; Danny Yourd; Steve Hoover; Endeavor Media; Mono vs. Stereo
Movin’; Group 1 Crew; John Erwin, Andy Erwin; Dan Atchison; Erwin Brothers Motion Pictures; Fervent Records
Slow Fade; Casting Crowns; John Erwin, Andy Erwin; Erwin Brothers Motion Pictures; Beach Street

LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Alive and Transported; tobyMac; Eric Welch; Tameron Hedge, Dan Pitts; Broken Poet Productions; Forefront Records
Comatose Comes Alive; Skillet; Carl Diebold; Carl Diebold, Paul Kerby, Zachary Kelm; Atlantic, Lava , Ardent, INO Records
Country Bluegrass Homecoming Volume One; Bill & Gloria Gaither; Doug Stuckey; Bill Gaither; Gaither Television Productions; Gaither Music Group
O Holy Night; David Phelps; David Phelps, Jimmy Abegg; David Phelps, Jim Chaffee, Jimmy Abegg, Ben Pearson; MG&A; Word Records
The Altar and the Door Live; Casting Crowns; Cary Goin; John Erwin, Andy Erwin; Erwin Brothers Motion Pictures; Beach Street

Grammys 2009 Heartbreaks and/or Healing?

Yup!the Grammys came, the Grammys left, in it’s wake a couple of broken hearts and even more conspicuos small children bickering(don’t wanna mention names) as usual in the “gospel category there were more black winners than white(inconsequential or not? You tell me)most of my peeps won, most of them didn’t,but Joel 2 is becoming more of a reality sha in music and otherwise!!
Below are the nominees and winners,remember my predictions?well let’s join ‘em in celebrating n help them understand there’s more ground to be covered!!!

BEST GOSPEL PERFORMANCE
“I Understand,” Kim Burrell, Rance Allen, Bebe Winans & Mariah Carey
“East To West,” Casting Crowns
“Get Up,” Mary Mary
“Shall We Gather At The River,” Take 6
“Waging War,” CeCe Winans

BEST GOSPEL SONG
“Cover Me,” James L. Moss, songwriter (21:03 With Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful & J Moss)
“Get Up,” Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Warryn Campbell & Eric Dawkins, songwriters (Mary Mary)
“Give Me Your Eyes,” Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram, songwriters (Brandon Heath)
“Help Me Believe,” Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)
“You Reign,” Jim Bryson, Steven Curtis Chapman, Nathan Cochran, Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Mike Scheuchzer & Robby Shaffer, songwriters (MercyMe)

BEST ROCK OR RAP GOSPEL ALBUM
“Hello,” After Edmund
“Our World Redeemed,” Flame
“We Need Each Other,” Sanctus Real
“Rock What You Got,” Superchick
“Alive And Transported,” TobyMac

BEST POP/CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ALBUM
“This Moment,” Steven Curtis Chapman
“What If We,” Brandon Heath
“Opposite Way,” Leeland
“Hello Love,” Chris Tomlin
“Thy Kingdom Come,” CeCe Winans

BEST SOUTHERN, COUNTRY, OR BLUEGRASS GOSPEL ALBUM
“Room for More,” Booth Brothers
“Lovin’ Life,” Gaither Vocal Band
“Steps to Heaven,” Charlie Louvin
“Hymned Again,” Bart Millard
“Ephesians One,” Karen Peck & New River

BEST TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM
“Down in New Orleans,” The Blind Boys of Alabama
“I’ll Say Yes,” The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
“Take it Back,” Dorinda Clark-Cole
“Deitrick Haddon Presents . . . Together In Worship,” Voices Of Unity
“Bishop Charles E. Blake Presents… No Limit,” The West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir

BEST CONTEMPORARY R&B GOSPEL ALBUM
“Reflections,” Jason Champion
“The Fight of My Life,” Kirk Franklin
“The Sound,” Mary Mary
“Donald Lawrence Introduces: Family Prayer,” The Murrills
“Stand Out,” Tye Tribbett & G.A.
That Brandon Heath didn’t win anything makes me sad though!!! Also think they should separate rock from rap, that way more peeps like Flame get to win.. nobody could stop Mary Mary though!
Peace…

Watch Out!!!!

with great joy I wanna tell peeps to watch out cos some of the best in The Xtian Rap Ministry are bout to hit us with some tight stuff!yup I can mention @least The Tonic, Da'T.R.U.T.H. and Tedashii!!!('ll update ya'll later) Tonic's album is the long awaited The Dash,Tedashii's is Identity Crisis and ma boy T.R.U.T.H.'s album is called The Big Picture. Truly this year's gon' be a crazy one!

Ever Wondered Where Plus One Went?

Well I did….. And I still do wonder from time to time. I mean, this is one group that underwent a complete metamorphosis from sweetheart boy band to (almost) heavy metal rock band, from pop to rock, from boys to (young) men. Dunno if I’m the only one that feels this way but it seemed to me like a father watching his kids grow. Proof? The all too obvious variation in sounds(and even themes) between their 1st album and their last (to the best of my knowledge) Exodus. Of course (like most groups) a couple of ‘em left, there were a few additions, and then their look, their sound and even their orientation changed! The truth remains though, that there’s a huge similarity to those secular boy bands we all loved once (shamefully some of us still do!) who at 1st used to belt out bumpy jam after bumpy jam alongside mushy jams but as time went on, resorted to crooning soft, “deep” and I daresay mature ballads( Backstreet Boys for example).
If you can remember songs like Soul Tattoo, I Don’t Care, Camouflage and the like, you’ll certainly agree that they don’t in any way sound like the songs that were on Exodus, say Circle, Poor Man, Exodus. Don’t get distracted though, the question is actually where are they? Because it’s been at least 3 years since they dropped Exodus, the question should probably be accompanied by another one that goes “are they preparing for something big?” are they about to hit us with something far better to further cement their “rock band status”? Well don’t worry; I’m on it (Who send me?)
We’ll soon hear something new about them on Under Construction. Sadly that's not true cause I hear they parted ways with each other and are now following different endeavours!Two of them have since formed a new Rick band called Castledoor(Gabe combs and Nate Cole) sad huh?probably,.... Meanwhile lemme recommend Falling Up’s Dawn Escapes while you wait for the glorious return of Plus One.