the official nominees for the...
25th Annual
Stellar Awards
gos p e l today | N o v 2 , 2 0 0 9
The 25th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will return to Nashville on Saturday, January 16, 2010, for its 5th consecutive year and will be co-hosted by Vickie Winans, Donnie McClurkin and Kirk Franklin.
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Tamela and David Mann
Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones, Don Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Central City Productions, and Tamela and David Mann, from the television show “Meet the Browns,” were on hand on October 30th to announce the 2010 Stellar Award nominees. The Fisk Jubilee Singers performed. At the top of the nominee list with nine nominations each, are Donald Lawrence and Vickie Winans. They are both nominated in the “Artist of the Year,” “Song of the Year” and “CD of the Year” categories, to name a few. Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship garnered six noms and will compete with Vickie Winans and Donald Lawrence for Artist, Song and CD of the Year. Tied with Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship are Phillip Carter & SOV with their 3rd CD, Songs from the Storm. Kierra Sheard landed five nominations, including one for, Silky Soul Music—A Tribute to Maze, her collaboration with The Clark Sisters and J. Moss.
Donald Lawrence
Vickie Winans
“Sunday Best” winner Crystal Aikin and Mary, Mary, each picked up four nominations. Newcomer’s Niyoki and Shari Addison earned three, along with competitors Smokie Norful, Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers, and Israel Houghton. Gospel hip hop is always been controversial and this year’s line up is no exception. The “Rap Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year” nominees for this year are: Da Truth, Dooney Da Priest, Lecrae, and Papa San.. Special Awards to be handed out at the 25th Anniversary Awards celebration will include the presentation of “The James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award” to Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s. “The Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award” will go to the Mississippi Mass Choir for a decade of excellence, and Edwin Hawkins will be presented with this year’s “Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award,” celebrating his 40-plus year contribution to contemporary gospel. The show will be held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on Saturday, January 16, 2010. The following is a partial list of nominees and categories: ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Donald Lawrence, The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity lHezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship, Souled Out, Verity Records lKierra Sheard, Bold Right Life, EMI Gospel lVickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records l
Donald Lawrence, “Back II Eden” – The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity l Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship, “I Am Souled Out”- Souled Out, Verity Records l
Hezekiah Walker
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SONG OF THE YEAR
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Stellars...cont
Mary, Mary, “God in Me” - The Sound, Columbia l Vickie Winans, “How I Got Over” – How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records l
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Israel Houghton, The Power of One, Integrity Music l Philip Carter, Songs from the Storm, Sounds of Victory Ministries LLC l Smokie Norful, Smokie Norful Live, EMI Gospel l Stephen Hurd, Times of Refreshing, Integrity Gospel l
Bishop Thomas Weeks
Ties the Knot
gosp e l today | N o v 2 , 2 0 0 9
By Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min.
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Last week, Bishop Thomas Weeks tied the knot with Prophetess Christina Glenn in a private ceremony that only included his church family and friends. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper stated, “We intentionally did not invite the media to the ceremony because we wanted something intimate.” The couple has been in receipt of a number of congratulatory messages and prayers from members of the faith community. The couple appears together on a videotaped seminar showing Christians how to start loving relationships called “You Can Begin Again.” Weeks and Glenn made a decision not to grant interviews during the course of their courtship and only decided to go on camera days before the wedding ceremony to confirm their marital plans.
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FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin, Verity Records l Kierra Sheard, Bold Right Life, EMI Gospel l
Niyoki, Rest, D2G Records l Vickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records l
GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR l Donald Lawrence, The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity l Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, Just The Beginning, Verity Records l Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers, Experience The Evolution, Independent l Mary, Mary, The Sound, Columbia CD OF THE YEAR l Donald Lawrence, The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity l Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship, Souled Out, Verity Records l Smokie Norful, Smokie Norful Live, EMI Gospel l Vickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records gt
Is the Church Losing Its Appeal to the Next Generation? By Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min
Nov 2, 2009
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USA Today reports, “Seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30 — both evangelical and mainline — who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23, (according to Proverbs 22:6 instructs, “Train up a survey by LifeWay a child in the way he should go: and Research), and 34% of those said they had when he is old, he will not depart not returned, even from it.” sporadically, by age This familiar passage of scripture 30. That means about has been applied by most Christians one in four Protestant during their days of development. young people have However, just as the Prodigal Son, left the church.” many Christians have left the church In his new book, and the ways of God only to return scheduled to be once they became older and wiser. released this month, That trend may be changing. A new Milan Ford lists 83 items he believes generation of young people between 18 that young people would like churches and 35 have a completely different to stop doing. outlook on church traditions and In this fast paced culture that customs. More and more young people promotes instant everything, perhaps it are crying out for change in their is time for us to listen to the next religious experience and not just more generation, if we don’t, we very well of the same. could find ourselves in church alone. gt
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gos p e l today |
Oct 5, 2009
Dr. Teresa Hairston’s BOOT CAMP Helps Entrepreneurs Grow Their Businesses!
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On Friday, October 30th, a “lucky” 13 participants spent an entire day and evening in intense business sessions with Dr. Teresa Hairston, publisher of the #1 Magazine in the urban Christian community (Gospel Today Magazine). Hairston’s first “BOOT CAMP” as she dubbed it was an 8a.m. to 10p.m. affair with a brief 2hour dinner break. Sessions featured speakers who presented information regarding finances, marketing, branding and imaging. Participants got an opportunity to present their business plans and receive critical feedback to help them
sharpen their skills. Although held in Atlanta, where Gospel Today is headquartered, most attendees came from other states including: Ohio, Virginia, Maryland and . “I really didn’t do a lot of marketing for this first BOOT CAMP,” Hairston stated. “I wanted to keep it small and intimate and really give the attendees one-on-one attention.” Next year, Hairston plans to extend the BOOT CAMPS nationally. “I want to do one in the Midwest and another somewhere on the West coast, as well as one here in Atlanta.”
As for the attendees, their business interests ranged from cosmetologists to ministry leaders to publishers and authors—all seeking to take the next step on their paths to purpose. And there were glowing reports: “The sessions and speakers were excellent!” “The information and inspiration I got has given me the impetus to move to the next level!” “It was a wonderful experience.” “Business is not just an ‘extension’ of ministry,” Hairston explains. “A lot of Christians in business have great hearts and are extremely creative and talented. Many of them have been ‘brainwashed’ to believe that they can’t excel if they don’t have money. I started Gospel Today with just $300., so I know that although
money is necessary, it’s not the most important thing. Even with money, if you don’t understand some business basics, you’ll spend unwisely, and have a poor administrative structure and growth plan. I want to help people succeed. That’s my calling— to mentor those who are teachable and desire to learn and grow. I appreciate my colleagues—Lee Jenkins (finance expert), LaVon Lewis (marketing/branding expert) and Teena Gamble (stylist/fashion expert for helping this BOOT CAMP be an incredible experience!”
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For more information or to sponsor or attend BOOT CAMP in your area: email: drhairstongt@aol.com
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Roland Hairston Pastors