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Four months after winning his third Grammy Award (best gospel album for All Things New: Live in Orlando), Tye Tribbett is the leading nominee for the 2024 Stellar Awards, with eight nods. Tribbett will also receive the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Icon Award.
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Pastor Mike Jr. and Ricky Dillard each received six nominations; Jonathan McReynolds and Erica Campbell each nabbed five.
Kim Burrell is set to receive the Aretha Franklin Icon Award.
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The 39th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is set to tape on Saturday, July 20 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. TV personality and comedian Loni Love and radio/TV personality and comedian Rickey Smiley are set to co-host. The two-hour show will premiere on the Stellar Network on Saturday, August 3 at 8 p.m. and repeat at 10 p.m. ET. It will also air in broadcast syndication from Aug. 10 – Sept. 8.
Tickets are available now at www.stellarawards.com or Ticketmaster.com.
The 39th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is executive produced by Don Jackson with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as producer and executive in charge of production; Michael A. Johnson as producer and director, Erin Johnson as talent producer and Daniel Moore as music director.
This year’s Stellar Awards show is part of the Stellar Plus week, which offers a diverse array of activities for attendees. A full list of events and ticket information is available at stellarplusexperience.com. Stellar Plus event sponsors include Amazon Music, Compassion and The Recording Academy.
Here’s a complete list of nominations for the 39th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards:
Artist of the year
Donald Lawrence; Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark; RCA Inspiration
Erica Campbell; I Love You; My Block Inc.
Pastor Mike Jr.; Impossible; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Tye Tribbett; All Things New (Live Album); Motown Gospel
Song of the year
“Able” ft. Marvin Winans; Jonathan McReynolds, Major Johnson Finley, Marvin Winans & Demetrius Terrell Wilson; MNRK
“Feel Alright (Blessed)”; Erica Campbell, Warryn Campbell, Marvin L. Winans, Juan Winans & William Weatherspoon; My Block Inc.
“It’s Morning”; Latrice Pace; Latrice Pace
“Only One Night Tho (Live)”; Tye Tribbett; Motown Gospel
Male artist of the year
Jonathan McReynolds; My Truth; MNRK
Melvin Crispell III; No Failure; RCA Inspiration
Pastor Mike Jr.; Impossible; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Tye Tribbett; All Things New (Live Album); Motown Gospel
Albertina Walker female artist of the year
Erica Campbell; I Love You; My Block Inc.
Jekalyn Carr; JEKALYN; Waynorth Music
Kierra Sheard; All Yours; RCA Inspiration/Karew Entertainment
Maurette Brown Clark; He Loves Me; Nettie’s Child Music/MNRK
Duo/chorus group of the year
Anthony Brown & group therAPy; Affirmations; Key of A/Tyscot/FairTrade
JJ Hairston; Believe Again Vol II; Tribl Records
Maverick City Music; The Maverick Way Complete; Tribl Records
The Walls Group; Four Walls; My Block Inc.
New artist of the year
Adam Blackstone; A Legacy Christmas; BASSic Black Entertainment Records/Anderson Music Group/Empire
Jevon Dewand & The Trapstarz; The Change Experience; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Jovonta Patton; Established; Newton Street Entertainment/MNRK
Rudy Currence; Stained Glass Windows; Mike Chek / MNRK
Album of the year
All Things New (Live Album); Tye Tribbett; Motown Gospel
Choirmaster II; Ricky Dillard; Motown Gospel
Impossible; Pastor Mike Jr.; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
My Truth; Jonathan McReynolds; MNRK
Choir of the year
B. Chase Williams & Shabach; CHASing the Next Chapter; Mellie’s Boy Muzic Group
Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster II; Motown Gospel
Vincent Bohanan & SOV; Live in Dallas; HezHouse Entertainment
Zak Williams & 1AKORD; Revisited; Enon Music Group
Producer of the year
Donald Lawrence; Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark; RCA Inspiration
Pastor Mike Jr. (Michael McClure Jr.) & Jevon Hill; Impossible; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Tye Tribbett, Joseph Bethea, and assisted by Shante Tribbett; All Things New (Live Album); Motown Gospel
Warryn Campbell; I Love You; My Block Inc.
Contemporary duo/chorus group of the year
Anthony Brown & group therAPy; Affirmations; Key of A/Tyscot/FairTrade
Housefires; How to Start a Housefire (Pt. III); Housefires Music
Pastor Dalton Hill & The Tabernacle Singers; Rejoice (Live from Boston); Beulah Tabernacle/Bean House Productions
The Walls Group; Four Walls; My Block Inc.
Traditional duo/chorus group of the year
JJ Hairston; Believe Again Vol II; Tribl Records
Kevin Vasser & BLVRS; I Believe; KTV Music
Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers; Live in Memphis 2; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
Ron Summers; God Can; Emanuel Media Group/Ron Summers Music
Contemporary male artist of the year
Jonathan McReynolds; My Truth; MNRK
Jovonta Patton; Established; Newton Street Entertainment/MNRK
Pastor Mike Jr.; Impossible; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Tye Tribbett; All Things New (Live Album); Motown Gospel
Traditional male artist of the year
John P. Kee; Tribute to a Legend: Rance Allen; Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
Kelontae Gavin; Testify; RCA Inspiration
Melvin Crispell III; No Failure; RCA Inspiration
Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster II; Motown Gospel
Contemporary female artist of the year
Kierra Sheard; All Yours; RCA Inspiration/Karew Entertainment
Latrice Pace; Exodus: The Journey of Obedience, Vol 2; Latrice Pace
Lena Byrd Miles; Brand New; My Block Inc.
Naomi Raine; Cover the Earth; Tribl Records
Traditional female artist of the year
Eartha Edwards; It All Belongs to God; Blockbuster Records/Javel Music
Jekalyn Carr; JEKALYN; Waynorth Music
Lucinda Moore; Lord, I Hear You; Nalah Music Group/New Day Distribution/The Orchard
Maurette Brown Clark; He Loves Me; Nettie’s Child Music/MNRK
Contemporary album of the year
All Things New (Live Album); Tye Tribbett; Motown Gospel
I Love You; Erica Campbell; My Block Inc.
Impossible; Pastor Mike Jr.; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
My Truth; Jonathan McReynolds; MNRK
Traditional album of the year
Choirmaster II; Ricky Dillard; Motown Gospel
Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark; Donald Lawrence; RCA Inspiration
JEKALYN; Jekalyn Carr; Waynorth Music
No Failure; Melvin Crispell III; RCA Inspiration
Urban single or performance of the year
“Feel Alright (Blessed)”; Erica Campbell; My Block Inc.
“Only One Night Tho (Live)”; Tye Tribbett; Motown Gospel
“Trusting God”; James Fortune & Monica; FIYA World/MNRK
“Witness”; Dexter Walker and Zion Movement; Indieblue Music
Music video of the year
“All Things”; West Webb and Jalen Turner; Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA Inspiration
“Feel Alright (Blessed)”; Rich Laru; My Block Inc.
“I Will Wait”; Avery Henley; Tyscot
“Look at God”; Damien Sandoval; RCA Inspiration
Traditional choir of the year
Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling; Destined for Greatness; HezHouse Entertainment
Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster II; Motown Gospel
Vincent Bohanan & SOV; Live in Dallas; HezHouse Entertainment
Zak Williams & 1AKORD; Revisited; Enon Music Group
Traditional artist of the year
Jekalyn Carr; JEKALYN; Waynorth Music
Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers; Live in Memphis 2; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
Melvin Crispell III; No Failure; RCA Inspiration
Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster II; Motown Gospel
Special event album of the year
Destined for Greatness; Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling; HezHouse Entertainment
Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark; Donald Lawrence; RCA Inspiration
Joy Is Here; JJ Hairston; JamesTown Music/MNRK
Tribute to a Legend: Rance Allen; Various Artists; Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
Rap/hip hop gospel album of the year
Emanuel; Da T.R.U.T.H.; Mixed Bag Entertainment
His Glory Alone II; KB; RCA Inspiration/Provident Label Group LLC
Pray for Atlanta; 1K Phew & Zaytoven; Reach Records
The Change Experience; Jevon Dewand & The Trapstarz; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Youth project of the year
AMG Kidz; The Kidz Interlude; AMG Kidz/Anderson Music Group
Nina Symmone; Just Smile; AMG Kidz/Anderson Music Group
Noah Alexander; Lots of Love; AMG Kidz/Anderson Music Group
Shout Praises Kids; Joy to the World; Integrity Music
Quartet of the year
Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers; Live in Memphis 2; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
Paul Porter & The Christianaires; Miracle EP; Porterboy Music Group/Trin Records
The Williams Singers; Reel Quartet; Deznell Music Group/Anderson Music Group
Young Men 4 Christ; Our Testimony; Independent
Recorded music packaging of the year
Brand New; JP Designs Art; My Block Inc.
Choirmaster II; Nathan Blaine; Motown Gospel
JEKALYN; Octavia’s Holmes; Waynorth Music
Lord, I Hear You; BMO Designs & Blair Monique Walker; Nalah Music Group/New Day Distribution/The Orchard
Praise and worship album of the year
Believe Again Vol II; JJ Hairston; Tribl Records
Chapter X: See the Goodness; VaShawn Mitchell; V Man Entertainment/Tyscot/FairTrade
The Journey; Todd Dulaney; DulaneyLand/MNRK
The Maverick Way Complete; Maverick City Music; Tribl Records
Praise and worship song of the year
“Always”; Jovonta Patton; Newton Street Entertainment/MNRK
“Holy Forever”; CeCe Winans; Red Alliance Media
“I Just Wanna Praise You”; Maurette Brown Clark; Nettie’s Child Music/MNRK
“It’s Working ft. Hezekiah Walker”; Todd Dulaney; DulaneyLand/MNRK
Rap/hip hop song of the year
“Amen Right There” (ft. Canton Jones & Everett Drake); Emcee N.I.C.E.; Gypsy City Music
“MIA” ft. 1K Phew; Jor’Dan Armstrong; Jor’Dan Armstrong Music
“Miracles” ft. Lecrae; KB; RCA Inspiration/Provident Label Group LLC
“Your Power” ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Lecrae; Reach Records
Top market of the year
WBGX 1570 AM, Chicago
WNZN 89.1 FM, Cleveland
WPRS Praise 104.1, Washington, DC
WPZE – MyPraise 102.5, Atlanta
Medium market of the year
KOKA 980 AM 93.3 FM, Shreveport
KZTS 1380 AM, Little Rock
WEHA 88.7 & 100.3 FM, Atlantic City
WJYD JOY 107.1 FM, Columbus, OH
Small market of the year
WBZF-98.5 FM, Florence-Myrtle Beach
WWLD-HD2 98.3FM, Tallahassee
WXHL 89.1 FM, Wilmington
WXOK 1460 AM, Baton Rouge
Internet station of the year
GODRadio1.com, https://streams.radio.co/sf6241e689/listen
Sound Gospel Radio, https://soundgospelradio.com/live/
Waycrosspraise/Power 89.1, https://www.waycrosspraise.org/
WVTC Gospel Radio Network, http://www.wvtcradio.com
Syndicated gospel radio show of the year
Early Morning Praise Party, Sherry Mackey & Dre Monie
Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell, Erica Campbell & Arlen “Griff” Griffin
The Nightly Spirit, Darlene “McCoy” Jackson
Willie Moore Jr Show, Willie Moore Jr & Dwight Stone
Gospel announcer of the year
Destiny Diggs, – WXHL 89.1 FM
Neiko Flowers, WPZE – MyPraise 102.5
Cheryl Jackson, WPRS Praise 104.1
Trey Nickelson, WBZF-98.5 F
Gladys Knight glistened through renditions of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Patti LaBelle kicked off her shoes during a spirited rendering of “Oh, People.” Kirk Franklin took the crowd to church and brought Vice President Kamala Harris on stage for a twirl, and Charlie Wilson closed things down with an extended call and repeat after declaring, “Our ancestors are smiling down on us celebrating something that would have seemed unfathomable.”
The second White House concert in celebration of Juneteenth, held on Monday (June 10), was a joyous affair from start to finish. The performances were bookended by opening remarks from VP Harris and closing comments from President Joe Biden, who both stayed for the entire event that took place three years after Biden signed bipartisan legislation establishing June 19 as a federal holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.
“Next Wednesday, across our nation, Americans will come together with generations of loved ones to celebrate Black excellence and leadership, culture and community, resilience and resistance,” said Harris. “And to remember our nation’s history in full.”
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“The White House lawn’s never seen anything like this before,” Biden noted, before warning that “old ghosts in new garments are trying to take us back” in time. “Taking away your freedoms, making it harder for Black people to vote or have your vote counted. Closing doors of opportunity, attacking the values of diversity, equity and inclusion. If you can believe it, banning books about Black experience. Black history is American history.”
Kamala Harris dances with US singer Kirk Franklin during a Juneteenth Concert in the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on June 10, 2024.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
Musical performances spanned a gamut of genres and decades. Anthony Hamilton, Brittney Spencer, Trombone Shorty, Raheem Devaughn, Doug E. Fresh and Patina Miller also took the stage.
And while the South Lawn was alight with dancing and jubilation, host Roy Wood Jr. made sure attendees — including Billy Porter, George Floyd’s brother Philonise Floyd and sister-in-law Keeta Floyd, leaders of the National Black Caucus, second gentleman Doug Emhoff and dozens of federal and state lawmakers including Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) — remembered the reason for the celebration.
Between musical acts and his own humorous quips, the comedian-actor provided context by outlining the chapters and principal players of Juneteenth history. “It’s important to know how we got all the way from enslavement to the first Black woman vice president and the first Black woman on the Supreme Court,” he said, referring to Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Franklin told Billboard pre-show that because of his Texas roots, Juneteenth has been an integral part of his life since childhood. “Now, for it to be celebrated within the framework of American culture is a very important transition because it gives credence to those moments in time where revisionist history somewhat erased those valuable contributions that people of color made to this country,” he said. “When we have allies in every corner of the American experience, it makes these moments even stronger. When we can celebrate those that were forgotten, overlooked, that were not given the same opportunities and freedoms … Juneteenth definitely is one of those eras in history that I love to see that we are reimagining and rewriting so the next generation can understand the value and importance of trying to get it right.”
Being able to come together through music, he added, is gift. “Especially the kind of music that I do. To do spiritual music, to do gospel music … those were the sounds that were echoing through the chambers of the Black experience during that era, and they were also the songs that were coded and road maps to freedom. Gospel music has always been that beacon of light for our people in one of the darkest of times. So to be here to be the representative of the genre is very humbling.”
Josiah Queen’s launch album The Prodigal enters Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart (dated June 8) at No. 1. Released May 24, the set earned 4,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. through May 30, according to Luminate.
The LP marks the first Top Christian Albums appearance for the 21-year-old Queen, based in Tampa, Fla. He initially accumulated traction by posting videos on TikTok, where he has approximately 100,000 followers.
“It’s been surreal to see the response to The Prodigal,” Queen tells Billboard. “It’s wild to me that these songs which I wrote in my living room and bedroom have made their way to people all over the world. My hope is that the album leads people closer to God.”
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Meanwhile, the set’s title track ranks at No. 7, after hitting No. 4, on the multimetric Hot Christian Songs survey. It drew 2.2 million in airplay audience and 1.8 million official U.S. streams in the tracking week.
Queen co-authored the single with Jared Marc, who also produced it. Queen co-wrote or solo-authored all 11 songs on the new album. He’s on tour and scheduled to make his first appearance at Nashville’s Grand Opry July 2.
Pastor Mike Jr. Extends Record Run
Pastor Mike Jr. adds his record-extending sixth consecutive career-opening No. 1 on Gospel Airplay with “Windows.” The song, which he wrote with Jaicko Lawrence, increased by 9% in plays during the tracking week.
The Birmingham, Ala., native previously topped Gospel Airplay as featured on Kierra Sheard’s “Miracles,” for a week last July and with his own “Impossible,” featuring James Fortune (two weeks, April 2023); “Amazing” (two weeks, May 2022); “I Got It” (four weeks, beginning in March 2021); and “Big Rock City” (10 weeks, beginning in February 2020).
Pastor Mike Jr. also ties Todd Dulaney and Jonathan McReynolds for the longest streak of Gospel Airplay No. 1s overall, regardless of career-launching runs. All three acts’ streaks are active, with Dulaney currently rising 25-24 with his newest entry, “No Weapon.”
Christian and gospel worship music collective Transformation Worship arrives at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums and Top Gospel Albums charts (dated June 1) with Overflow.
The set, which was recorded live, is the act’s first entry on both lists. Released May 17, it earned 6,000 equivalent album units, with 5,000 in album sales, in the U.S. in the week ending May 23, according to Luminate.
The Tulsa, Okla.-based Transformation Worship launched at the city’s same-named church by lead pastor Michael Todd.
The album (which, while seven songs long, runs nearly 54 minutes) includes hitmakers from both the Christian and gospel music genres, including Todd Dulaney on the title track and Tauren Wells and Fred Hammond on “Anchored.”
Camp’s 15th Top 10
Jeremy Camp’s new studio LP, Deeper Waters, enters Top Christian Albums at No. 2. Released May 17, it earned 5,000 equivalent album units, with 3,000 in album sales, in its opening week.
The 46-year-old, from Lafayette, Ind., co-authored all 13 tracks on the set. It follows When You Speak, which reached No. 2 on Top Christian Albums in September 2021, and the EP that he released with his wife, Adrienne, The Worship Project (No. 21, September 2020). Before that, his I Still Believe: The Greatest Hits hit No. 3 in March 2020. Camp posted his seventh and most recent No. 1 in October 2019 when The Story’s Not Over opened at the summit.
Deeper Waters’ lead single “These Days” rises to No. 3 on Christian Airplay with 6.2 million audience impressions (up 9%), having become his 28th top 10.
Elevation Worship’s “Praise,” featuring Brandon Lake, Chris Brown and Chandler Moore, ascends to No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart dated May 25.
During the May 10-16 tracking week, the song drew 6.2 million audience impressions, according to Luminate.
Elevation Worship frontman Brown co-wrote the song with Lake, Moore, Pat Barrett, Cody Carnes and Steven Furtick.
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The Charlotte, N.C.-based Elevation Worship rolls up its fourth Christian Airplay chart-topper. It’s Lake’s third and the first each for Brown (in an individually credited role) and Moore.
“Praise” dominates the multimetric Hot Christian Songs tally for an 11th week, having become the collective’s third leader on the list. Brown told Billboard upon the song’s coronation in March, “It is such an honor to be No. 1 again. We’re blown away by what God has done with ‘Praise,’ and we’re thankful for everyone who has streamed, tuned in and shared the song. We hope it is a great reminder of all the reasons to praise God not just for what He’s done, but for who He is.”
In addition to its airplay, “Praise” collected 3 million official U.S. streams and sold 1,000 downloads May 10-16.
Concurrently, the single leads the Christian AC Airplay chart for a second frame.
Mitchell, McClurkin Lead Gospel Airplay
On Gospel Airplay, VaShawn Mitchell’s “See the Goodness,” featuring Donnie McClurkin, rises to No. 1.
The song, which Mitchell wrote solo and co-produced with Thomas Hardin Jr., marks Mitchell’s fourth Gospel Airplay No. 1. The Chicago singer-songwriter previously reigned with “Lifted Up,” for a week in July 2021; “Joy” (seven weeks, 2017); and “Nobody Greater” (nine weeks, 2010-11).
Mitchell logged his first Gospel Airplay entry as featured on GMWA Mass Choir’s No. 8-peaking “Only a Test,” which began his tally of seven top 10s to date, in 2005.
McClurkin, from Copiague on Long Island, N.Y., adds his third Gospel Airplay chart-topper among seven top 10s. His debut entry, “I Call You Faithful,” became his first No. 1, for seven weeks, in 2005. He led again with “I Need You” for a week in 2017.
“Praise You Anywhere” hitmaker Brandon Lake, CCM and country musician Anne Wilson and music collective Elevation Worship are among the artists topping the list of nominees for the fan-voted, 11th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards, which is set to return to the Grand Ole Opry House on Sunday, May 26, Billboard can exclusively reveal.
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Fan voting for the awards opens at 6 p.m. CT on Monday (May 13) and runs through 6 p.m. CT on May 24 at klovefanawards.com.
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Lake leads this year’s nominees with four nominations, including nods for artist of the year, male artist of the year, song of the year (“Praise You Anywhere”). Wilson, Elevation Worship, Phil Wickham, Matthew West and TobyMac each earned three nominations. Wilson is up for artist of the year, female artist of the year, and song of the year (“Strong”).
Among Elevation Worship’s nominations are group of the year and worship song of the year (“Praise”), while Wickham picked up nominations in categories including artist of the year and worship song of the year (“I Believe”). West, a 12-time Billboard Christian Airplay chart-topper, has nominations in categories including artist of the year and song of the year (“Don’t Stop Praying”) while 13-time Billboard Christian Airplay chart-topper TobyMac’s nominations include song of the year (“Faithfully”) and artist of the year.
Among those with first-time nominations in various categories are Stephen McWhirter (“Come Jesus Come”), Housefires featuring JWLKRS and Ryan Ellis (“I Thank God”), “Counting My Blessings” singer Seph Schlueter, “Good Day” hitmaker Forrest Frank, Caleb & John (“Hallelujah Feeling”) and Josiah Queen (“The Prodigal”), as well as Terrian, who earned her first nomination as female artist of the year, as well as a nomination for breakout single, for “Big God.”
The awards ceremony, hosted by Lake and Sadie Robertson Huff, will broadcast on TBN on May 31. In addition to music-related categories, the awards highlight impactful films, television series, books, and podcasts.
The awards ceremony, sponsored by Coca-Cola Consolidated, will conclude the K-LOVE Fan Awards weekend, which launches with a Friday evening (May 24) kickoff concert, a Worship in the Round event, emerging artist showcase, songwriter’s showcase and a Sunday morning worship service.
See the full list of 2024 K-LOVE Fan Awards nominees below:
Artist of the year
Anne Wilson
Brandon Lake
Casting Crowns
for King & Country
Lauren Daigle
Matthew West
Phil Wickham
TobyMac
Song of the year
“Come Jesus Come” – Stephen McWhirter
“Don’t Stop Praying” – Matthew West
“Faithfully” – TobyMac
“I Thank God” – Housefires f/JWLKRS & Ryan Ellis
“Praise” – Elevation Worship
“Praise You Anywhere” – Brandon Lake
“Somebody To You” – Rachael Lampa f/Andrew Ripp
“Strong” – Anne Wilson
Male artist of the year
Brandon Lake
Chris Tomlin
Crowder
Jeremy Camp
Matthew West
Phil Wickham
Tauren Wells
TobyMac
Female artist of the year
Anne Wilson
CeCe Winans
Katy Nichole
Lauren Daigle
Natalie Grant
Rachael Lampa
Tasha Layton
Terrian
Worship song of the year
“Fear is Not My Future” – Maverick City Music
“Firm Foundation” – Cody Carnes
“Holy Forever” – Chris Tomlin
“I Believe” – Phil Wickham
“I Thank God” – Housefires f/JWLKRS & Ryan Ellis
“Praise” – Elevation Worship
“Praise You Anywhere” – Brandon Lake
Breakout single
“Big God”- Terrian
“Come Jesus Come” – Stephen McWhirter
“Counting My Blessings” – Seph Schlueter
“Good Day” – Forrest Frank
“Hallelujah Feeling” – Caleb & John
“The Prodigal” – Josiah Queen
Group of the year
CAIN
Casting Crowns
Big Daddy Weave
Elevation Worship
Maverick City Music
MercyMe
We Are Messengers
We The Kingdom
Film impact
Sound of Freedom
The Shift
After Death
The Chosen Season 4 (Theatrical Release)
Big George Foreman
The Blind
Journey to Bethlehem
Ordinary Angels
TV/streaming impact
Jonathan & Jesus
Chasing CAIN
Eleanor’s Bench
Going Home (Season 2)
The Wingfeather Saga
Book impact
Mostly What God Does – Savannah Guthrie
Like A River – Granger Smith
Untangle Your Emotions – Jennie Allen
Practicing the Way – John Mark Comer
Rescue Story – Zach Williams
The Digital Fast – Dr. Darren Whitehead
Upon Waking – Jackie Hill Perry
The Awe of God – John Bevere
Podcast impact
Cooper Stuff – John Cooper
WHOA That’s Good – Sadie Robertson Huff
That Sounds Fun – Annie F. Downs
Made for This – Jennie Allen
The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast – Candace Cameron Bure
Back Porch Theology – Lisa Harper
Dolly Parton is delving into CCM/gospel anew, teaming with “Brighter Days” hitmaker Blessing Offor for his song “Somebody’s Child,” a soulful piano ballad that nods to finding solace and belonging in faith.
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Two-time Grammy nominee Offor, who just completed the first leg of shows opening for Lauren Daigle’s national tour, wrote the piano ballad with Joy Williams and Josh Ronen. The accompanying music video, starring Offor and Parton, begins with Offor playing and singing at a piano. He’s soon joined by Parton and a choir, heightening the emotion, while the video is interspersed with footage of various real-world situations of both joy and struggle, highlighting the need for compassion and empathy.
“We’re all ‘somebody’s child,’” Blessing said of the song in a statement. “It’s such a simple concept, but I hope it’s the beginning of us all realizing that there’s always a point of empathy, there’s always common ground if we want to find it. And there’s no better embodiment of finding common ground, finding relatability, than Dolly Parton. I’m so honored and humbled to have her on this project.”
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In January 2023, the Nigerian-born, Connecticut-raised Offor released his debut album My Tribe. He was nominated for the GMA Dove Awards’ new artist of the year in 2022 and that same year, earned a three-week Christian Airplay No. 1 hit with his TobyMac collab “The Goodness.” Offor has been featured on albums by Lee Brice and Chris Tomlin, while his song “Brighter Days” reached No. 2 on the Christian Airplay chart.
Ten-time Grammy winner Parton added in a statement, “I know it’s too easy to say it was a blessing singing with Blessing,” Dolly says, “but it was. I love the song ‘Somebody’s Child’ and I am very proud to be a part of it.”
Parton, of course, has teamed with a few other CCM/gospel artists in recent years, partnering with for King & Country on “God Only Knows,” as well as partnering with Zach Williams for “There Was Jesus” and “Lookin’ For You.”
See the video for “Somebody’s Child” below:
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CeCe Winans earns her 10th No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and her second on Top Christian Albums with the arrival of her live set More Than This on the tallies dated May 11.
The LP starts with 8,000 equivalent album units, including 5,000 in album sales, in the U.S. April 26-May 2, according to Luminate. It was recorded at Nashville’s Rocketown on Aug. 10, 2023.
Notably, the Detroit native has ruled Top Gospel Albums in five consecutive decades.
“I’m a firm believer that when you keep God at the center of everything, He will do the rest,” Winans says. “More Than This is a joyful collection of songs that focus on His faithfulness and greatness.”
The album follows Winans’ first live set, Believe for It: A Live Worship Experience, which started at No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums, and No. 3 on Top Christian Albums, in March 2021. She notches her eighth leader on the former chart without any other billed artists; she logged her first two No. 1s with Bebe Winans, her older brother: Heaven in 1989 and Different Lifestyles in 1991. She previously commanded Top Christian Albums with Throne Room in 2003.
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Concurrently, the new album’s “That’s My King” becomes Winans’ third No. 1 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart and her third top 10 on Hot Christian Songs (18-7). It drew 1.7 million official U.S. streams, up 111%, and simultaneously crowns Gospel Streaming Songs, marking Winans’ first chart-topper. On Christian Airplay, it pushes 20-19 (1.6 million audience impressions, up 35%). On Gospel Airplay, it ranks at No. 26.
Notably, as genre barriers blur among numerous formats, Winans is one of a growing number of artists — alongside the likes of Elevation Worship, Brandon Lake, Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine, Tauren Wells and others — who are actively being promoted to both contemporary Christian and gospel radio.
Campbell’s ‘Love’ Leads Gospel Airplay
Erica Campbell rolls up her fourth solo Gospel Airplay leader, all earned consecutively, with “Do You Believe in Love?,” which she co-authored.
The Los Angeles-based artist is also the host of the nationallysyndicated radio show Get Up! Mornings With Erica Campbell.
Campbell – who is also half of duo Mary Mary with sister Trecina – previously topped Gospel Airplay on her own with “Feel Alright (Blessed)” for two weeks starting in July 2023; “Call,” with Jor’Dan Armstrong (two, December 2022); and “Positive” (three, August 2022).
Mary Mary boasts three Gospel Airplay No. 1s: as featured, with Le’Andria Johnson, on PJ Morton’s “All in His Plan” (one week, September 2020) and with “God in Me,” featuring Kierra “Kiki” Sheard (seven weeks, beginning in June 2009), and “Heaven” (15 weeks, beginning in June 2005).
Anne Wilson’s Rebel, which fuses Christian and country music, arrives at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart dated May 4. It also opens at No. 10 on Top Country Albums.
In its launch week (April 19-25), Rebel earned a weekly career-best 16,000 equivalent album units in the U.S., with 10,000 in album sales, according to Luminate.
The set is the first to premiere in the top 10 of both Top Christian Albums and Top Country Albums simultaneously since March 2021, when Carrie Underwood’s My Savior bowed in the penthouse on both charts.
Wilson co-authored all 16 tracks on her new LP, the Lexington, Ky., native’s second full-length.
Wilson recently told Billboard, “Writing [Rebel], producing it and releasing it in, like, five weeks was very fast, but it’s been cool to see the reaction and how my music has been able to go to both country and Christian platforms and be appreciated in both.”
Wilson’s first full project, My Jesus, entered Top Christian Albums at No. 1 in May 2022 with 13,000 equivalent album units. It followed her introductory live EP, My Jesus: Live in Nashville, which arrived at No. 17 in August 2021 and hit No. 12 that October.
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The first Christian radio single from Rebel is “Strong,” which ranks at its No. 3 high on Christian Airplay with 5.7 million audience impressions. On the streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Christian Songs chart, “Strong” holds at its No. 4 best, also driven by 1.7 million official U.S. streams (up 12%).
Wilson has earned one No. 1, among four top 10s, on Hot Christian Songs and two leaders on Christian Airplay. Her freshman single, “My Jesus,” dominated the former for four frames and the latter for six weeks beginning in August 2021. Her holiday track “I Still Believe in Christmas” followed, leading Christian Airplay for a week and peaking at No. 15 on Hot Christian Songs.
So far, one Rebel single has been introduced to country radio: “Rain in My Rearview,” being promoted by EMI Nashville (while Wilson’s Christian songs are being worked by Capitol Christian). Both are under the Universal Music Group Nashville umbrella.
In 2021, with nearly four decades of recording under her belt, 15-time Grammy winner CeCe Winans released her first live album, Believe for It. However, with the world still reeling from COVID, she and her team were forced to shift the dynamics of making the album, recording the project in an intimate setting of about 50 people in Nashville.
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For her new album, More Than This, out April 26 via PureSprings Gospel/Fair Trade Services, Winans knew she wanted another shot at doing a live album. This time, the project was recorded at downtown Nashville venue Rocketown, with an audience of around 1,200 members.
“I wanted to experience the live audience,” Winans tells Billboard. “The last record was powerful, and God blessed it. But to hear the live audience on this one, it takes it to a whole other place for me.”
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As with her previous album, Winans sets classic worship songs alongside modern ones. On More Than This, classics such as “Sanctuary” and “Oh the Blood of Jesus” are tucked alongside modern worship fare — such as Chris Tomlin’s recent hit “Holy Forever,” Elevation Worship’s “Worthy” and Maverick City Music’s “Refiner,” as well as two songs Winans co-wrote, the title track (which features musician Todd Dulaney) and “Be Still and Know.”
Winans reunited with producer Kyle Lee, as well as co-producers Thomas Hardin, Jr. and Tyrone Jackson, for the new album. She notes that they carefully selected the dozen songs that make up the tracklist, with the intent of weaving an upbeat, joyful message throughout the project.
“We got the chance to create a worship service more than a record, a time of worship that would tie the old with the new,” Winans says. “I know a lot of people don’t listen to whole albums nowadays, but I like to create a piece of work that you can listen from the beginning to the end, and you connect that thread all the way through.”
Both performing live and performing cover songs presented its own unique challenges in the recording process of the album.
“You have to rehearse with the band and singers, and learn the songs,” says Winans, who is managed by MWS Group, which also manages CCM pioneer Michael W. Smith. “If I had my preference I would learn the songs, tour the songs, then do the record — because then you’re very familiar with the songs and the performance, you have a tight feel to it. But I went in with a lot of prayer, asking God to help me remember everything and spent a lot of time with my producer and rehearsing so that when you get in front of that live audience, you’re just able to flow with the songs.”
Music has been a mainstay for Winans’ entire life, as she began singing as part of the larger Winans family group, before CeCe joined her brother BeBe to form a duo. They released their first album, Lord Lift Us Up, in 1984. A few years later, they signed with Capitol Records and issued their 1987 project BeBe & CeCe Winans. The duo issued numerous Gospel hits such as “Lost Without You” and “I’ll Take You There” (featuring Mavis Staples), before they launched solo careers. In 1995, CeCe released the debut solo album, Alone in His Presence, which went on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA. To date, she has released 11 solo studio albums.
The title track to Believe For It brought another hit for Winans, reaching the top 10 on the Christian Airplay chart in 2021 and becoming a 12-week No. 1 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart in 2022. She followed with her rendition of Bethel Music’s “Goodness of God.” In 2023, Winans also notched other Billboard year-end accolades including top gospel artist, female; as well as top gospel song (“Goodness of God”).
Where “Believe For It” and “Goodness of God” were ballads, “That’s My King,” the current single from her new album, frames worship lyrics with a danceable groove.
“Kyle brought me this song and when I heard it, I was like, ‘This is incredible,’” Winans relates of the song, which is currently at No. 25 on the Christian Airplay chart. “It’s fun, and it’s upbeat, not just in tempo but in its message.
“I think sometimes we forget because we do associate church and God with being in a solemn assembly. He is to be reverenced, but He said in his presence, there’s fullness of joy,” she continues. “That’s not something to keep quiet, but that’s something to proclaim and to share so that other people can have hope too. And I think this song embodies all of it. ‘That’s My King’ reminds us that we have hope.”
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That joyous spirit in the song gets amplified when she performs it each night on her current The Goodness Tour, which runs through May.
“In our live show, we’ve added pompoms. I’m like, ‘This is a cheer. We got to cheer this. It’s a party,’” she explains. “It’s one of those songs that is contagious, so full of joy. It’s like cooking a good meal. You put all of the ingredients in there, then you stir it up and you get the full benefit of the flavor.”
The album closes with “In a Little While,” a song written by Winans’ son Alvin Love III.
“It’s a great, powerful message to end the album with,” Winans says. “It’s another song that makes you want to dance, is joyful. That’s one of the songs I played for Kyle because it’s been years since [Winans’ home church choir] Nashville Life recorded it, and it has an older, retro sound. That was a song that he was like, ‘I don’t know about this,’ but I was like, ‘This is one we have to do.’ That night when we recorded it, everybody was jumping around, singing, nobody wanted to leave. He came back to me and said, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re so right.”
Songs from More Than This will likely be included in the setlist when Winans brings her third annual Generations Live conference to Nashville’s Belmont University on May 10-11. The conference will feature guests Joyce Meyer, Jackie Hill Perry, Dr. Anita Phillips, Sheryl Brady, Ashley Phillips, Andrea Mellini and Nashville Life Music.
“I think last year we saw four generations of women attend,” Winans says. ‘My family will be there. I’m so grateful I still have my mom. She’s 87, and my daughter will be speaking this year. I’m so proud of her. I am looking forward to laughing. I’m looking forward to crying, to seeing generations come together.”
