Brotha' Percy

2010 STELLAR AWARD NOMINEES

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:25:35 -0500

2010 STELLAR AWARD NOMINEES

The 25th. annual event takes place, January 16, 2010 in Nashville, TN. at The Grand Ole Opry.

This year's hosts: DONNIE MCCLURKIN, VICKIE WINANS and KIRK FRANKLIN.

Complete Stellar Awards Nominee Listing:
( Brotha Percy's choices to receive a Stellar are highlighted in yellow. )

Artist of the Year:

Donald Lawrence; The Law of Confession Part 1; Quiet Water/Verity
Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship; Souled Out; Verity Records
Kierra Sheard, Bold Right Life, EMI Gospel
Vickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

Song of the Year: (Songwriter; Song - Album; Label)

Donald Lawrence, "Back II Eden" - The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity
Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship, "Souled Out"- Souled Out, Verity Records
Mary, Mary, "God in Me" - The Sound, Columbia
Vickie Winans, "How I Got Over" - How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

Male Vocalist of the Year:

Israel Houghton, The Power of One, Integrity Music
Philip Carter, Songs from the Storm, Sounds of Victory Ministries LLC
Smokie Norful, Smokie Norful Live, EMI Gospel
Stephen Hurd, Times of Refreshing, Integrity Gospel

Female Vocalist of the Year:

Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin, Verity Records
Kierra Sheard, Bold Right Life, EMI Gospel
Niyoki, Rest, D2G Records
Vickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

Group Duo of the Year:

Donald Lawrence, The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity
Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, Just The Beginning, Verity Records
Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers, Experience The Evolution, Independent
Mary, Mary, The Sound, Columbia

New Artist of the Year:

CoCo McMillan, I've Been Delivered, T Records
Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin, Verity Records
Kim Ruff, Ready To Live, MacKim Records
Shari Addison, Shari Addison, Verity Records

CD of the Year:

Donald Lawrence; The Law of Confession Part 1; Quiet Water/Verity
Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship; Souled Out; Verity Records
Smokie Norful, Smokie Norful Live, EMI Gospel
Vickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

Choir of the Year:

Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship, Souled Out, Verity Records
Joe Leavell & St. Stephen Temple Choir, God Is Able, Emtro Gospel
Malcolm Williams & Great Faith, In Your Glory, Malcolm James Music
Philip Carter & SOV, Songs from the Storm, Sounds of Victory Ministries LLC

Producer of the Year:

Donald Lawrence & Daniel Weatherspoon, The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity
Philip Carter and Michael Smith, Songs from the Storm, Sounds of Victory Ministries LLC
Troy Sneed, Derrieux Edgecombe and Titus Robertson, In Due Season, Emtro Gospel
Vickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year:

5AM Praise, The Beginning, Born Again Records
Christopher Page and The Dream Keeper's Ensemble, A Page From My Heart, Restoration Records
Donald Lawrence, The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity
Mary, Mary, The Sound, Columbia

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year:

Endurance, The Best of Endurance and More, SCCME Records
Greg O'Quin & iPraize, After The Storm, Pendulum Records
Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC's, Fall On Me, MCG Records
Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers, Experience The Evolution, Independent

Contemporary Male of the Year:

Darwin Hobbs, Free, Tyscot Records
Earl Bynum, Open My Heart, Earl Bynum Ministries
Smokie Norful, Smokie Norful Live, EMI Gospel
Troy Sneed, In Due Season, Emtro Gospel

Traditional Male of the Year:

Bishop Paul S. Morton, Cry Your Last Tear, Light Records
Donnie McClurkin, We All Are One (Live in Detroit), Verity Records
Malcolm Williams, In Your Glory, Malcolm James Music
Philip Carter, Songs from the Storm, Sounds of Victory Ministries LLC

Contemporary Female of the Year:

Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin, Verity Records
Kim Burrell, No Ways Tired, Shanachie Ent. Corp.
Kierra Sheard, Bold Right Life, EMI Gospel
Kim Ruff, Ready To Live, MacKim Records

Traditional Female of the Year:

Dorothy Norwood, 50 Years: It's Been Worth It All, Malaco
Dottie Peoples, Do It!, DP Muzik Group
Shari Addison, Shari Addison, Verity Records
Vickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

Contemporary CD of the Year:

Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin, Verity Records
Donald Lawrence, The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity
Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship, Souled Out, Verity Records
Kierra Sheard, Bold Right Life, EMI Gospel

Traditional CD of the Year:

Bishop Paul S. Morton & The FGBCF Mass Choir, Cry Your Last Tear, Light Records
Malcolm Williams & Great Faith, In Your Glory, Malcolm James Music
Philip Carter & SOV, Songs from the Storm, Sounds of Victory Ministries LLC
Shari Addison, Shari Addison, Verity Records

Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year (Artist; Song - Album; Label)

Donald Lawrence & Company, "Let the Word Do the Work" - The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity
Mary, Mary, "God in Me" - The Sound, Columbia
Niyoki, "Joy" - Rest, D2G Records
Vickie Winans, "How I Got Over" - How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

Music Video of the Year: (Artist, Song or CD title, Label)

Dr. Bobby Jones presents Renee Spearman and Prez, Dr. Bobby Jones presents Renee Spearman and Prez, JDI Records
Gerald Hinton, I'm On My Way, Davin Records
Niyoki, Joy/Rest, D2G Records
Vickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

Contemporary Choir of the Year:

Earl Bynum Ministries, Open My Heart, Earl Bynum Ministries
Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship, Souled Out, Verity Records
Mike McCoy & Voices United, Continue to Continue, Independent
New Direction, Destiny, New Haven Records

Traditional Choir of the Year:

Bishop Paul S. Morton & The FGBCF Mass Choir, Cry Your Last Tear, Light Records
Joe Leavell & St. Stephen Temple Choir, God Is Able, Emtro Gospel
Malcolm Williams & Great Faith, In Your Glory, Malcolm James Music
Philip Carter & SOV, Songs from the Storm, Sounds of Victory Ministries LLC

Special Event CD of the Year:

Dorothy Norwood, 50 Years: It's Been Worth It All, Malaco
Endurance, The Best of Endurance and More, SCCME Records
Reverend Timothy Wright, The Godfather of Gospel, Savoy / Malaco
The Clark Sisters, J. Moss and Kierra Sheard, Silky Soul Music - A Tribute to Maze, Barantera Music Group

Instrumental CD of the Year:

Ben Tankard, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, Verity
Daniel Weatherspoon, Official, Longlife Entertainment Inc.
Derrick Scott - The Seed of Kenaniah, The Total Experience, SHONDO Records
Mel Holder, Music Book Vol. 1, Psalmist Music Group

Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year:

Da' T.R.U.T.H., The Big Picture, Cross Movement Records
Dooney Da Priest, Pull Your Pants Up!, Malaco
Lecrae, Rebel, Central South Dist.
Papa San, Higher Heights, Habakkuk Music

Childrens Performance of the Year:

Eva Sabiniano featuring Alex Duncan, Born to Praise CD-2, Independent
Pure N Heart (Children's Choir), Pure-N-Heart Live, Music2ChangeU Records
Rev. Dr. Emory Andrews and Oxon Hill High School Choir, Amazing, Yrome Records
The Velazquez Family Singers, Family & Friends, Z.A.V.E. Records

Quartet of the Year:

Endurance, The Best of Endurance and More, SCCME Records
Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC's, Fall On Me, MCG Records
Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers, Experience The Evolution, Independent
The Soul Stirrers, A Soul Stirring Reunion, Malaco

Praise and Worship CD of the Year:

Israel Houghton, The Power of One, Integrity Music
Kathy Taylor, Live: The Worship Experience, Tyscot Records and Katco Music Group
Micah Stampley, Ransomed, Interface
Stephen Hurd, Times of Refreshing, Integrity Gospel

Recorded Music Package of the Year: (Art credit / Artist - Album / Label)

Chris Fieldman, Deitrick Haddon - Revealed, Verity Records
Denise Trotman, Donald Lawrence - The Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity
Lucretia Knight, Vickie Winans - How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records
Sam Noerr, BOERHAUS, Israel Houghton - The Power of One, Integrity Music

CHRIS PAGE PROMOTES ORGAN DONATION

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:06:30 -0500

STELLAR AWARD NOMINEE CHRISTOPHER PAGE, USING HIS NOMINATION TO PROMOTE ORGAN DONATION - NOT HIS CD

Gospel Recording Artist Christopher Page was recently nominated for his first Stellar Award for his latest release, "A Page from My Heart," which features the gospel line dance, "Sanctified Slide." Christopher is using the nomination for the highest award in the gospel industry as a platform to encourage more African Americans and Christians to commit to becoming organ donors by working with the National Office of Transplantation and Donate Life America.

The "Giving Life through Gospel Music" campaign starts on November 13, 2009 during National Donor Sabbath Weekend and ends on August 1, 2010 on National Minority Donor Awareness Day. As part of the partnership, Christopher will have information available about the benefits of organ donation available at each performance during his Sanctified Slide Tour. Christopher will also donate a portion of his album sales to Donate Life America. In addition, he will also host workshops and conduct interviews across the country to address some of the myths, obstacles and fears associated with organ donation.

Christopher, who had a Cornea transplant a year ago and will have a second transplant in the Spring of 2010, feels that, "It is an honor to be nominated and possibly win the Stellar Award, but this honor means nothing if I can't use it to make a difference in someone's life. The way that I think about it is that I couldn't read the ballot or my lyrics if it weren't for someone else deciding to give me the gift of sight."

Christopher Page is a nationally known professor, minister, artist, clinician, and songwriter. Over the past ten years, he has ministered extensively throughout the United States. He has delivered stellar performances with some of the world's greatest and most celebrated gospel artists including Kirk Franklin, Vanessa Williams, Dottie Peeples, Maurette Brown Clark, Trin-i-tee 5:7, and All-4-One. Recently, the group has been featured on Bobby Jones Gospel, the United We Dance Convention and the Gospel Music Workshop of America.

To learn more about Organ Donation visit www.donatelife.net or www.organdonor.gov.

To view Christopher's EPK visit www.sonicbids.com/ChristopherPageandthe DreamKeepersEnsemble

Press Release: Christian Newswire

GOSPEL'S TOP 10 ALBUMS

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0500

" STILL "

GOT GOSPEL?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:39:00 -0500

NEW and UPCOMING!

GOSPEL MUSIC

�

�AVAILABLE THIS MONTH

��

�BROOKLYN TABERNACLE CHOIR - DECLARE YOUR NAME�- INTEGRITY MUSIC

TRIN-I-TEE 5:7 - Love, Peace & Joy At Christmas - EMI Gospel/Music World

�� DECEMBER

�

iPHONE PRAYER JOURNAL APP

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:13:29 -0400

BOWERS TECHNOLOGIES LAUNCHES

iPhone PrayerJournal App

Orange County-based Bowers Technologies recently developed a new iPhone application entitled PrayerJournal available at http://iproduceapps.com/prayerjournal/.

The prayer journal was the idea of Bowers Technologies founder and president Bryan Bowers who wanted to create a prayer tool that is easily accessible for individuals with active lifestyles. His application is geared to those in the 15 - 50 year-old range to provide a modern and up-to-date means of organizing prayers.

Bowers says the journal's simple-to-use interface helps to manage prayer requests in one place to maximize and organize prayer life. He reflects, "The application also keeps a record of answered prayers for reflection on God's amazing work."

PrayerJournal can manage an unlimited number of prayer requests and has functionality to e-mail prayer requests to others. Individuals can pray for an entire list, a smaller section, or just one person picked randomly. The application also records answered prayers and can email updates to others. There is a password protect feature to safeguard confidential information.

Bowers says, "My desire is that this application will be a useful prayer tool and provide many blessings and answered prayers along the way."

Bowers Technologies has repaired and maintained computers for small and mid-sized Southern California businesses for more than 18 years. His team is passionate about technology and mobile phone applications. Bowers Technologies is currently developing new iPhone applications that should be available in the next month on the iTunes store.

Source: Christian Newswire

OPRAH'S GOT A FAVORITE NEW SONG

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:47:49 -0400

OPRAH'S GOT A FAVORITE NEW SONG!

On Friday, October 23, 2009, BeBe & CeCe Winans performed live on The Oprah Winfrey Show (http://www.oprah.com/media/20091023-tows-bebe-cece-winans-perform) and sang Oprah�s new favorite song, �Grace,� from their chart-topping reunion album, STILL. After the studio and television audience heard the remarkable story of an alleged armed robber who ended up kneeling in prayer with his victim, the powerful lyrics and impact of �Grace� has ignited a whirlwind with the single jumping almost instantaneously to the #1 position on iTunes.

It�s not often that a lead news story can personify the lyrical content of a song, but the story of Angela Montez and Greg Smith has done just that. On October 19, 2009, what seemed like a normal day at an Indianapolis cash advance store became the true test of faith and a modern day example of grace. Montez was working when Smith entered the store, climbed over the counter and stuck a gun in her face. When she began to cry, the tide turned. Montez told Smith not to throw away his life and then began to pray. Soon after Smith also dropped to his knees and prayed with her for ten minutes. After hugging Montez, Smith then fled the store. While appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Smith stated that when he talked to Montez, he felt as though he was talking directly to �the Man upstairs.�

�As I sat in the green room listening to this real life story, it was almost unbelievable to hear about a woman who exemplifies what the song �Grace� is all about,� says songwriter BeBe Winans. �Its easy to give grace to someone you know, but what Angela did was allow God�s grace to be demonstrated through her life and as the song says, �still love me when I�ve done wrong.� I hope this song will resonate in people�s hearts and inspire all of us to realize the importance of grace in our everyday lives.�

STILL entered the Billboard charts as the #1 Gospel and Christian album when it was released on October 6, 2009. The success of the new album was also paralleled on the digital side as it claimed the #1 position on iTunes and Amazon�s Christian/Gospel charts. Proclaimed as �inspiring and uplifting� by the nation�s number one newspaper, USA Today, the platinum selling, Grammy-Award winning duo also received a 2009 Soul Train nomination in the Best Gospel Male, Female or Group category and will perform �Grace� live when the newly revamped award show tapes in Atlanta, GA on November 3rd. The 2009 Soul Train Awards will premiere on the new Centric Network on Sunday, November 29th.

VIRTUAL CHRISTIAN CAFE

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:02:07 -0400

They say 1,000 laughs equal a 10 mile run! Is that a joke? Well, The Hope Cafe, a non-profit ministry, is hosting their First Worldwide Christian Comedy Weekend to keep us all in shape!

The event will occur exclusively online at www.TheHopeCafe.net on Friday Oct. 30th thru Sunday Nov.1st around the clock. They are already hearing from viewers from all over the United States and extending a Warm Christian Welcome to the International Guests who have already checked in from Australia, Scotland, England , India, Canada, South Africa, Germany, France, Tuvalu, Malaysia, Romania, Japan, Peru, Brazil, and Spain!

The Hope Cafe, the "Original" 24 Hour Interactive Virtual Christian Coffee House/Cafe, will be hosting their First Worldwide Comedy Weekend at www.TheHopeCafe.net totally free of charge to the public.

This amazing Christian Coffee House/Cafe, TheHopeCafe.net Experience, is open for online Prayer and Ministry 24 hours a day. It's for the whole family to have access to everyday, all day. What a great place to spend quality time to find Refreshment, Encouragement and Fun while being inspired to develop an empowering experience with Jesus Christ.

Special events will be held at that site almost every month, while the most engaging Inspirational Video's are made available everyday in the "Latte Lounge". Devotional time and Homework has never looked easier with Classical Music and edifying PDF's at "Holy Grounds". And Prayer Requests and "Prayer- Chat" are received 24 hours a day at the "Door of Hope" page.

Finally, visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the Talent Search opportunity they offer for worldwide exposer without charge or the need for travel expences. Here's how. "Catch a Christian Star Rising" at the "Open Mic" Talent page is where Singers, Musicians, Comedians and Speakers are welcome to upload their MP3 or video samplers for the world to "discover" during another event soon!

Press Release: Christian Newswire

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN HISTORY AND HIP HOP

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:52:55 -0400

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN

HISTORY & HIP-HOP:

"Black Wall Street, Greenwood Tulsa, Oklahoma 1921"

Documentary Screening November 6, 2009

Hip-HopTV24/7.org Incorporated (HT2O) presents the first documentary screening in the series Bridging The Gap Between History & Hip-Hop entitled "Black Wall Street, Greenwood Tulsa, Oklahoma 1921" on November 6, 2009 at 6:00 P.M.

The screening will be held at The Corridor Gallery in Brooklyn, NY.

This documentary highlights one of the most unknown facts in American history and features notables such as Datwon Thomas, Pastor A.R. Bernard, Kim Osorio, Danny Simmons, Geoffrey Canada and several others. With this documentary HT2O looks to educate viewers, especially youth and create conversation to look deeper into stories of American history especially those that have been intentionally hidden. The CEO of HT2O and Director/Producer of this documentary, Queon Martin said, "we want our youth who are influenced by the culture of hip-hop to learn from America's past to help shape the future for themselves and their peers in Hip-Hop Culture." For sponsorship/donation/volunteer information please send an email to info@hiphoptv247.org. This is a private event by invitation only and is not open to the public. Press will be allowed into the event.

Hip-HopTV24/7.org Incorporated�s (HT2O) mission is to provide information that is vital to youth in the culture of hip-hop by giving them information that is educational, entertaining and fun. This information will include career exploration and development, alternatives for a healthy diet and healthy way of life, arts and cultural enrichment, conflict resolution, socialization, literacy, college preparation and positive personal growth. Youth will be able to obtain this essential information through the website, seminars and workshop programs. The website will be one of the first of its kind that is produced, written and reported by youth for youth that includes information on HIP-HOP (H- History, I- Industry, P- Politics, H- Health & Humanity, O- Opportunity, and P- Prosperity).

Source: PR.com

CROSS MOVEMENT MEMBER DIES

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:58:56 -0400

FOUNDING MEMBER OF CROSS MOVEMENT DIES

Read complete story > > > HERE

ARTIST REVIEWS

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:20:09 -0400

ARTIST REVIEWS

FRED HAMMOND - LOVE UNSTOPPABLE - VERITY

Fred Hammond is one of my favorite gospel artists. I've enjoyed and have been blessed by his ministry in song since his days with Commissioned. Of the recordings bearing his name or contribution, my list of "Fred favorites", excluding Commissioned for now, are:
The Inner Court
Spirit Of David
Pages of Life - Chapters 1 & 2 and
Somethin' "Bout Love - a CD I've yet to give a rest!. It's that good!

Today, Fred steps up to the plate with a new effort entitled, "Love Unstoppable " and oh yes, Fred delivers! After some recent challenges in his life during the past few years, Fred's undaunted relationship with the Holy Spirit remains evident.

Love Unstoppable opens with a prayer - a sweet prayer, that is, from his cherished offspring, BreeAnn Michelle & Darius Sean Hammond. Everyone is included in this prayer - You, me and even Barack Obama.

Usually, when reviewing a new project, here is where I attempt to dig deep, handing you on a platter who arranged and song what, but hey, on this occasion, I'm going straight to the chase. As over used as these 2 words may be, I can't help but agree with others that Love Unstoppable is a "MUST HAVE." You don't want to sleep on this project or worse - miss it!

My favorite tracks are -- well, I have none! I like them all and that's quite usual for yours truly.

However, tracks that garnered extra attention from my ears were, "Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me," "Awesome God," "Happy" and the "Lost In You Again." Lost In You Again is infectious and will speak to your spirit - that is, if you're truly engaged in the lyrics!

My prayers continue to be with Fred; he's an awesomely gifted brother and friend and all he strives to do with every effort is to direct you and I into an eternally intimate and growing relationship with the Lord he serves, Jesus Christ.

Bless ya' Fred!

*********************************************************

BEBE & CECE WINANS - STILL - MALACO/B&C RECORDS

It doesn�t quite seem like it, but it certainly has been 15 years since Bebe and Cece Winans have recorded a full project together; the last project being the 1994 release �Relationships.� The duo, both now 15 years older (Bebe 47, Cece, 45) have 25 recording years behind them, that is, when you consider their initial release, �Lord Lift Us Up,� was presented in 1984.

This long awaited and much anticipated new collection is appropriately entitled, �Still.� Though sister, Cece preferred it to be named, �So Happy,� she was graciously overrode by her producer/writer/older brother, Bebe, who strongly felt that with the maturity and wisdom now gained by both, an album entitled �Still� would prove to be a much better fit. It appears he was correct.

Bebe and Cece still sound absolutely great together; as great today as they ever have; the two must have been created to sing as a team � their vocals truly compliment each other better than any male/female duet that I can think of.

With this return, it�s a pleasure to see that the duo has enlisted some production support from a familiar name and blast from the past - Keith Thomas, who has shown up on a few of their projects from the 1987 Capitol Records release, which brought great exposure to the duo; Thomas also had input on their release 15 years ago. Also lending production expertise is Mervyn Warren, Warryn Campbell, Percy Bady and Winans fam: Alvin Love III (Cece's son) and Mario Winans.

Besides glowing over the packaging and photography included with this package, I am, of course, impressed with the musical content. My favs are the title track, which reflect and reminisce on their career over the years, while giving sort of a wordplay on previous CD titles. One song's lyrics in particular, the selection, "Things," captured my attention, since we as a nation are presently engulfed in a financial Recession, initiated by our nation's recession in character; it�s a very timely track featuring brother Marvin Winans; oh, how I wish every boardroom on Wall St. would give ear to this track! Other favs include: �Close To You,� "Grace," "He Can Handle It," �The Garden,� �Never Thought� and the beautifully Bebe penned track, sure to become a wedding day favorite, "I Found Love."

Very simply put, but indeed a fact - after all these years, Bebe & Cece Winans �STILL� have it!

****************************************************