A Gospel Legend to Recieve Lifetime Achievement Grammy

I hope your Christmas was great!

I was just checking my email when I recieved an email from CCM Magazine. It featured an article about George Beverly Shea, who is known for touring with Billy Graham's Crusades as a soloist. He will be one of the reciepients of the Lifetime Achievement Grammy, along with other acts such as the Ramones and Dolly Parton (an impressive list I might say). Also, this win is significant because at 102 years old, Shea will be one of the oldest living persons to be honored with this award. He will recieve the Grammy in a separate ceremony, but it will be acknowledged during the broadcast on Feburary 13th.

Here's the link to the story. If I find any videos of Shea's performances, I'll post them at a later date.

Billboard Report (Week of January 1, 2011) + Year End Report

Christian Songs: "Christmas This Year" by TobyMac featuring Leigh Nash

• #16 iLike Libraries Most Added

Christian Albums: "Wow Hits 2011" by Various Artists

• #46 Billboard 200

Gospel Songs: "I Believe" by James Fortune & FIYA Featuring Zacardi Cortez & Shawn McLemore

Gospel Albums: "Rehab" by LaCrae

• #11 Christian Albums
• #14 Independent Albums
• #14 Rap Albums

And Now...the Best of 2010

Christian Songs: "All of Creation" by MercyMe

Christian Songs Artist: TobyMac

Christian Albums: "Until the Whole World Hears" by  Casting Crowns

• #37 Top Billboard 200
• #7 Christian Songs

Christian Albums Artist: Casting Crowns


Gospel Songs: "The Best in Me" by Marvin Sapp


Gospel Songs Artist: Marvin Sapp


Gospel Albums: "Here I Am" by Marvin Sapp

• #26 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
• #95 Top Billboard 200

Gospel Albums Artists: Marvin Sapp


Have a Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Gift... the Best of 2010 (According to iTunes)

Merry Christmas everyone!

First, an apology. I haven't been keeping up since classes ended. So, to make it up, I present to you iTunes top Christian/Gospel Albums of 2010.

1. "Until the Whole World Hears" by Casting Crowns
2. "Tonight" by TobyMac
3. "The Light Meets the Dark" by Tenth Avenue North
4. "The Generous Mr. Lovewell" by MercyMe 
5. "Beautiful Things" by Gungor 
6. "For Those Who Wait" by Fireflight
7. "Here I Am" by Marvin Sapp
8. "Born Again" by Newsboys
9. "The House You're Building" by Audrey Assad
10. "No Far Away" by Chris August
11. "Love God. Love People." by Israel Houghton
12. "The Medicine" by John Mark McMillian
13. "Outta Space Love" by Group 1 Crew
14. "Move" by Third Day
15. "Triumphant" by Vashaun Mitchell

I'll add links to music videos later. If you're interested in buying these albums, go to iTunes or your local retailers (man, do I sound like a commercial right now!)
Also, I'll post more Best of 2010 lists when I find them.

Billboard Report: Week of December 11, 2010

Here are the #1 songs on Billboard:

Christian Songs: "Starry Night" by Chris August

Christian Albums: "And if Our God is For Us..." by Chris Tomlin

• #34 Billboard 200

Gospel Songs: "I Believe" by James Fortune & FIYA Featuring Zacardi Cortez & Shawn McLemore

Gospel Album: "Rehab" by LeCrae

• #19 Christian Albums
• #26 Independent Albums
• #21 Rap Albums

Grammy Nominations are in!

About an hour and a half ago, CBS aired the Grammy nomination concert, where they announced nominees for major awards (ie. Album of the Year, Record of the Year, etc.) However, the rest of the nominees were announced online on the website. All of the Gospel, Christian, and Inspiration nominees are grouped together under the Gospel categories. Here are the nominees:

Best Gospel Performance:

• "He Wants All" by Forever Jones
• "You Hold My World" by Israel Houghton 
• "Nobody Greater" by VaShawn Mitchell
• "He's Been Just That Good" by Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway
• "Grace" by BeBe & CeCe Winans

Best Gospel Song (Songwriters award):

• "Beautiful Things" by Gungor (Lisa Gungor & Michael Gungor)
• "Better Than a Hallelujah" by Amy Grant (Sarah Hart & Chapin Hartford)
• "It's What I Do" by Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway (Jerry Peters & Kirk Whalum)
• "Our God" by Chris Tomlin (Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves & Chris Tomlin)
• "Return to Sender" by Ricky Skaggs (Gordon Kennedy)

Best Rock/Rap Gospel Album:

•  "Church Music" by the David Crowder Band
• "For Those Who Wait" by Fireflight
• "Beautiful Things" by Gungor
• "Rehab" by LaCrae 
• "Hello Hurricane" by Switchfoot

Best Pop/Contemporary Album:

• "Beauty Will Rise" by Steven Curtis Chapman
• "Love God. Love People." by Israel Houghton 
• "Pieces of a Real Heart" by Sanctus Real
• "Mosaic" by Ricky Skaggs
• "Tonight" by TobyMac

Best Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel Album:

• "Times Like These" by Austins Bridge
• "The Reason" by Diamond Rio
• "Expecting Good Things" by Jeff & Sherri Easter
• "Journey On" by Ty Herndon
• "Live at Oak Tree: Karen Peck & New River" by Karen Peck & New River

Best Traditional Gospel Album: 

• "The Experience" by Vanessa Bell Armstrong
• "A City Called Heaven" by Shirley Ceasar
• "Downtown Church" by Patty Griffin 
• "Here I Am" by Marvin Sapp
• "All in One" by Karen Clark Sheard

Best Contemporary R&B Album:

• "Get Ready" by Forever Jones 
• "Love Unstoppable" by Fred Hammond
• "Triumphant" by VaShawn Mitchell 
• "Aaron Sledge" by Aaron Sledge
• "Still" by BeBe & CeCe Winans

The winners will be announced on February 13, 2011. Stay tuned!