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Gospel

Gospel legend CeCe Winans is among the first round of performers set for the 2024 GMA Dove Awards. Other performers include Tauren Wells — who is also set to host the show — Crowder, Natalie Grant, Forrest Frank, Joseph Habedank and Maverick City Music with Naomi Raine.
The 55th annual GMA Dove Awards will be presented on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville. The show will be taped and will premiere on TBN and TBN+ on Friday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET. An audio simulcast will air on SiriusXM’s The Message (channel 65) and on the SiriusXM App.

Trending on Billboard

An encore presentation will air on TBN and TBN+ on Friday, Oct. 11, at 8 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET.

Tickets for the Nashville taping are sold out.

Performers were announced on Tuesday (Sept. 17) on SiriusXM The Message by host and nominee Wells, whose project Joy in the Morning (Horizon Edition) is nominated for pop/contemporary album of the year.

Prior to the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards broadcast, Kristin Adams will host a red-carpet show on Friday, Oct. 4, on TBN+.

Brandon Lake is this year’s leading nominee, with 16 nods. Other top nominees include writer-producer Jeff Pardo (11 nominations), Chris Brown (10), Chandler Moore (10), writer-producer Jonathan Smith (10), Winans (five) and Raine (five).

The GMA Dove Awards have added a new category this year – Spanish language worship recorded song of the year.

See a list of GMA Dove Awards nominees in top categories here. For the full list of GMA Dove Awards nominees in all categories, visit doveawards.com.

The 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt serve as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returns as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, and Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager.

In terms of 21st-century music, there are few gospel artists who can traverse genres and retain the same levels of respect and integrity wherever their music takes them. One of those artists is Yolanda Adams. 
Across her sprawling, nearly four-decade career, Adams has lifted contemporary gospel to staggering mainstream heights, including five No. 1s on Top Gospel Albums from 16 career top ten entries. 1999’s blockbuster Mountain High…Valley Low is Adams’ most impressive showing on the Billboard charts, spending a whopping 32 weeks atop Gospel Albums, reaching No. 24 on the all-genre Billboard 200, and spawning the massive crossover hit “Open My Heart,” which leveraged success across R&B, dance, and gospel audiences to No. 57 peak on the Billboard Hot 100. An accomplished singer, songwriter, and radio host, Adams has also doubled down on her acting bona fides with two hit seasons of Kingdom Business, a BET+ musical drama executive produced by fellow gospel icon Kirk Franklin. 

It’s been 13 years since Adams’ last LP – 2011’s Dove Award-winning Becoming – and each of those years provides ample inspiration for 2024’s Sunny Days (out Sept. 13), created over the course of the past six years. Crafted in collaboration with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Donald Lawrence, John Jackson, Warryn Campbell, and Sir the Baptist, Sunny Days is a genre-fusing 16-track set that invites listeners to reevaluate their relationship with God and find ways to source inspiration from their own hearts and minds. “Church Doors,” the album’s lead single, arrived two weeks ago (Aug. 29) alongside a Fatima Robinson-helmed music video and two dance mixes featuring contributions from Terry Hunter and J. Ivy. 

Trending on Billboard

To help promote the album, Adams will embark on the Reunion Tour, a 33-date North American arena trek that also features Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, The Clark Sisters, and special guest Kierra Sheard-Kelly. 

“I’ve been in rehearsals for two weeks. You may get a 30-minute or an hour break and then you’re back at it,” Adams explains to Billboard. “The closer you get to tomorrow, the more you’re trying to iron out the kinks, but I’m excited! I’m performing [two new songs from Sunny Days], ‘Church Doors’ and the remix.” 

In an enlightening conversation with Billboard, Yolanda Adams details the making of Sunny Days, what she wants next in her acting career, taking the stage after a Trump-tainted NABJ Convention, and a possible RuPaul collaboration.

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1. Why was now the time to come back with a new album? 

Yolanda Adams: Well, I’m like LL Cool J, don’t call it a comeback! [Laughs.] I’ve been busy, but it was finally time to make sure that the project we started in 2018 actually got done. I’ve told my daughter forever: If you start something, you got to finish it. 

2. When was the moment you knew you had a full record on your soul?  

Maybe about two years ago. Jimmy [Jam] and Terry [Lewis] and I have been working since 2018. As soon as [that year’s] Grammys was over, the next day I was in the studio writing and putting some stuff down. Getting together with those guys is magic all the time because we’re always on the same trajectory of where we want the music to go for the world. 

 We worked on like three songs and then went back home. I started touring and then [my daughter] Taylor graduated, we [moved] her into Howard [University], and then the pandemic started. We couldn’t get back into the studio because the world was locked. Then in the beginning of 2021 was the first season of Kingdom Business. Jimmy and Terry were [also] working with Babyface for a Vegas residency, and then all of a sudden they started talking about the second season of Kingdom Business, so in between all of that we were doing a song here and a song there. 

This journey is just like the journey of life. You have your stops, you have your starts, you have your up days, you have your down days, you have your days of “Okay, what are we really doing?” And finally, we finished everything. 

3. What was the song that finally made the album feel complete? 

Once we finished the last two songs with Don Lawrence and Sir the Baptist. They were the two we were missing. We thought we had hit everybody who’s been a fan, and everybody who wonders “What can we get from Yolanda this time?”  

4. Why did “Sunny Days” feel like the appropriate title track? 

The world has been in such a weird place between 2018 and 2024. Sometimes we take for granted that the way we’re living today is going to be the same tomorrow or a couple of years from now. We have gone through [these] roller [coasters] of political and cultural craziness, and I wanted to write a song that expresses staying at an even type of keel, no matter what happens. No matter what you see, your perspective still has to be one of faith and optimism, so that’s why the entire album is called Sunny Days. 

5. “On God” is a fantastic opener. How did that track come together? 

That track came together because of a young man named Jamel [Smith], whose uncle John [Jackson] if I can say this, is our new “Big Jim.” He has this way of creating melodies, and Jamel has that young, fresh way of approaching gospel music without tearing down its integrity but giving it this fresh sound to where you want to keep listening to it. 

6. On “When We Pray,” there’s a really poignant lyric that goes: “Pain ain’t exclusive to you.” What was on your mind as you were writing these songs and sequencing the album?  

“When We Pray” is one of those songs that we wanted to hone in on because to get through life, you’re going to have to have an anchor. As believers, our anchor is prayer. That keeps us in communication with God. It keeps us grounded [and] balanced. Sometimes people feel that they’re on an island with their own pain, and that’s where the lyric comes from. There are eight billion people on this Earth, somebody at this present moment is feeling the same pain that you are. Don’t feel like you’re all alone by yourself, because He is the answer. When you pray, He hears exactly what you say. 

7. There are a lot of different styles on the album – a bit of contemporary R&B, some funk, a little nod to Afropop – what were you listening to while crafting this album? 

I don’t listen to anyone else in my genre when I’m preparing an album. I don’t listen to anyone in genres that I love — like jazz, R&B, techno, or funk — because I want to hear my sound for that particular project. I listen to seascapes and a lot of Beethoven.  I don’t like listening to what someone else is doing in my genre, because I never want to compare myself to what they’re doing. Chances are, if they’re younger than me, I’ve been there and I’ve done that because what I was doing when I was their age is now standard. 

I want to authentically be myself musically and spiritually, so I pull concepts and inspiration out of asking myself questions and journaling. I have notebooks all over my house. I call either Jimmy or Terry and I say, “Hey, this is what I’m listening to in my head, and think this is what I hear.” Then they [and Jackson] come up with these chord structures, and so does my [musical director] Rodney East. Music, just like life, is a collaboration. I don’t know anyone on this earth who doesn’t need anybody. That’s just the way great music happens and I believe that this album is going to change the way people view God. 

A lot of people have fallen into the trap of this Christian nationalist way of looking at God, and God has never placed himself in a box. So, we should never place God in a box. When your God can hate anyone that He created, we have a problem. He created each one of us knowing us and loving us. If he can know us, create us, love us, and be proud of us, why can’t we do the same thing? 

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8. What were the first and last songs recorded for this album? 

The very first song we recorded after the 2018 Grammys was “I Give You Peace” That is our adult version of a lullaby for grown people. I had just gone through some business challenges, I was trying to put something in the market and the market didn’t grasp it. I was at a happy place in my music and life, but this product could not get off the ground. My daughter was about to go to college and she was in a happy place and all of that. And I’m like, why isn’t this working?

It was just as though I heard God speaking to me. I’m in my office right by the stairwell and I look and the piano is there, and I hear God say, “Embrace the change you go through because in time it will reveal. Now face the day with expectancy, for your wounded heart will heal. There is a moment that you will notice a joy washes over you and takes the pain away. Now, step by step, your strengths [are] renewed.” God is about movement. God is about energy. God is about a step-by-step learning situation. I may not have even written that song, without going through what I did. 

“Church Doors” was the last song that we did and we were in Chicago. 

9. Last song recorded but the lead single — how did that happen? 

Isn’t that something?! Sylvia Rhone fell in love with both of those songs that Donald Lawrence and Sir the Baptist wrote. Now, of course, she loves Jimmy and Terry and she loves Warryn Campbell, who’s on there as well, but she fell in love with “Church Doors.” The first version of that song that she heard was the demo which was real gospel-y, and she loves gospel music. [Ezekiel “Zeke” Lewis] was also like “Oh, this one right here,” so we were all in agreement. 

10. You came out the gate with two very different mixes of “Church Doors,” why was that important for you to do? 

Oh my gosh, I don’t know if a lot of people know this, but I love to dance! Growing up in a household full of music and siblings that had fun [together], there was this musical joy that we had with no restrictions. We were Baptists, and Baptists could smoke and drink and go to the bowling alley and wear pants and all that. I didn’t have all of the restrictions that everybody else did, God was cool enough to go to the bowling alley with us. [Laughs.] He was also cool enough to go to the movies and be at church studies. 

[My team] sent a suggestion of the dance mix and I said, “Listen, if we’re going to do a dance mix, it better be fire.” Because if I have a dance mix, I’m going to dance! Me and Donald just cracked up, and he was like, “Sis, I got you.” So, they called J. Ivy and he hopped on it too. I’m just really excited that people get a chance to see all the versions of who I am and what I enjoy. 

11. Talk to me about the music video. Did you know you were going a bit viral on X (formerly Twitter)? 

Come on. I mean, we couldn’t ask for a better video! We couldn’t ask for a better choreographer or a better cinematographer. You get all of these views of different aspects of this song, which is really a testimony song. I think everybody can relate to it because there are times in our lives when we feel like we don’t know what’s going to happen and then you hear the Spirit of the Lord say, “Hey, you’re not done. You ain’t seen nothing yet, because your best is yet to come.” And you’re like, “When you let me get to those church doors, I’m going to tell them all what you’ve done for me.” 

And then Fatima came in with some great choreography. She has a great eye. Everything worked together, I loved the clothes, the youthful look, the fact that some of the young people were from Kanye’s Sunday Service [choir], and that these were actual union dancers who did not feel any inhibition because “Church Doors” is a gospel/inspirational song. I just wanted them to have fun because I believe that God intends for us to enjoy our life, and you enjoy it the way you enjoy it. 

Of course, Woody [McClain] is the icing on the cake. The connection that we had during the video was just like… thank you so much for being in the video, nephew! I owe you. 

12. Do you have any cities that you particularly love to perform in or that you’re most excited to go to on the Reunion Tour? 

I love all the cities that we’re going to, but if I had to pick a specific city it would be Houston. There’s nothing like performing in your hometown where people who grew up with you are happy to see you doing something great. It feels so good because I live in a city where I am applauded, and not just tolerated. I’m accepted in all areas of my city, politically and socially. I just love it. 

13. You performed at the NABJ conference earlier this year. What was it like taking the stage after all of the Trump drama that had plagued the conference in the previous days? 

I think the NABJ got a bad rap for being who they are. They’re journalists, and the journalist’s job is to get the story. I don’t agree with [Trump] on a lot of things, but I do [believe] that as a journalist, you should speak to those you agree and disagree with. 

The problem with that specific incident is that [Trump] did not come with a heart to be open and honest. He had a whole bunch of stipulations, which you’re never supposed to give a journalist. They’re not asking him questions about Epstein Island or anything like that. They’re asking him legitimate questions as to why we should or should not vote for [him]. Because his M.O. is to attack, I think those ladies that were on stage were used. 

I’m a part of NABJ in Houston because my first degree is in radio/TV journalism. To hear from Roland Martin and Joy Reid… they were heartbroken. When you’re on the board and you get sideswiped with some things, of course, you’re going to ask your people, “Hey, what’s up with that?” 

Once we actually got to the performance on that Monday night, [the conference attendees] were ready for God to relieve them of that drama. By the time we got there, some folks weren’t sure if they wanted to be a part of this organization any longer. Sometimes, our job is to change the atmosphere and texture of people’s hearts so that they can get rid of the anger and stress and be softened again to do their jobs with the skill that they had been doing their jobs with before. And that’s one thing I’m very proud of when it comes to Team Adams — we understand our responsibility to make sure that wherever we go that atmosphere turns into [one] of love, acceptance, encouragement, and inspiration.

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14. Where do you hope Kingdom Business goes next? 

I hope that Kingdom Business gets its rightful place in the annals of great Black television. Although it’s drama and fantasy to a certain extent, I want people to glean from this show that [regardless of who we are] we all have things in our lives that we wish weren’t there. And some of those things come from our upbringing. 

[When I think of my character Denita, I think about] how many parents have nitpicked in their children’s lives to the point that the happiness that could have been theirs is not. Then that child turns into a grown-up who’s mad at the world. Not that we need to be the psychiatry of Black television, but I really think that we can speak to those dynamics that these two seasons of Kingdom Business kind of opened up. What I hope happens in [future[ seasons is that we start talking about those things that people are afraid to talk about. I ain’t scared of nobody, I’m Denita Jordan! [Laughs]. I’m not afraid to confront the past in a way that teaches us how not to bring certain things in the future. We have the opportunity of making this one of the premier African-American Emmy-winning programs, I think. 

15. Do you have a dream role? 

Of course, Denita stretches me, but anything that can stretch me past people’s imaginations of who I am [would be my dream world]. I want to play a multifaceted character that you haven’t seen a gospel artist or a person of inspiration play. That may be a Leontyne Price or a Lola Falana – I know Lori Harvey is playing Lola Falana in [Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist] — but them, or Josephine Baker, those kinds of people. They were multifaceted and they were politically astute.  

Even Mahalia Jackson, she did a lot for the cause of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the NAACP and the Urban League. She would give portions of her concert revenue to make sure that those things were good. She would cook for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and those folks. Those are things that I think people need to know about, African-American women who have really done some great things 

16. In April, you scored your first number one on Gospel Airplay since 2005’s “Be Blessed.” What does it mean to you to have that kind of career longevity? 

I’m still humbled by it. I am still astonished that after all these years, I’m still loving what I do and it’s not a chore to do it. Just give me some Chai tea with a couple of shots in it –- espresso! [laughs] — and some green grapes and I’m ready.  

I deem it an honor and a privilege to be able to go all over the world and do what we do the way we do it. I am surrounded by brilliant people at this table, and in Chicago, New York, LA, and Houston. I’m a different kind of boss; I give everyone room to blossom because I think that’s leadership. I just believe that God continues to pour out not just his spirit, but his favor on all of us because we really want to make the world a better place. 

17. Do you think there’s merit to the argument that today’s mainstream R&B singers are vocally lacking because they haven’t been trained in the church, or is that dynamic overblown? 

I think there are some incredible singers out there in the R&B realm right now. I don’t think that anyone has to have church choir training or any kind of choir training. But as a person who grew up in the church and understands what that choir training means, the church – good, bad, and different – is your first stage. And that stage can build you, or it can break you down. And thank God, I was a part of a church that built me. From my very first church in the peewee choir to the present day, I get a sense of community. I get a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. I get the sense of a prayer commune, so to speak, that will not let me fall or fail. 

Sometimes people just need a little guidance. I remember singing the solo one time, and the church was like [mimes deadpan expression]. I was like, “Well, I gotta go practice.” So, I do believe that there is some merit to having that foundation, and that means different things for different people. The one thing I can say is that I have never heard an R&B singer who came out of the church and could not sing. Tank is one of those, like, “Ms. Yolanda, my daddy was a pastor and blah blah blah.” I said, “I know, baby — because you do them kinda runs you only find in the tenor section of the Second Baptist Church!” 

18. At the Grammys this year, you said you would collaborate with RuPaul. Give me three words to describe what that would sound like. 

Fun, dancing, electrifying! 

19. What voices most excite you in gospel music right now? 

Oh man, so many! Almost 100% of the artists that are out. I love Jekalyn [Carr], I love Le’Andria [Johnson], I love all of the Tashas. There’s so much talent in gospel music. Koryn Hawthorne, Jonathan McReynolds, I just love gospel music and the expression of joy that comes in gospel music. We can sing a song for 15 minutes and not sing the same thing twice. I think people who are not fans of the [current] gospel [scene] are not giving it enough grace.  

I said this years ago: I love Mahalia Jackson, but I can’t sing “Elijah Rock” like Mahalia Jackson did in the 50s and the 40s and be relevant to the times right now because there are people who have no idea who Mahalia Jackson is. But they do know who Yolanda Adams is — “Already Alright,” The Battle is the Lord’s,” etc. — and now they’re going to get a chance to enjoy even more with Sunny Days. You have to evolve with what’s going on in the world. We don’t have to change who we are, but move with the times so much so that people will say, “Oh! That’s a fresh take on that.” 

20. What song from Sunny Days are you most excited for fans to hear? 

It would have to be “Sunny Days.” It’s one of those songs that makes you smile when you hear it, and I want them to feel that sentiment in their lives. 

When Luminate reported the fastest-growing music genres in the first half of 2024 (through the week of May 30), contemporary Christian music (CCM)/gospel unexpectedly placed in the top five. When analyzing overall consumption — track-equivalent albums, stream-equivalent albums and on-demand audio — the genre grew 8.9%, more than twice the overall industry growth rate of 3.9% for the same period in 2023.
CCM/gospel’s rise is even stronger on Spotify. Representatives for the platform say the genre has grown 30% in the United States and more than 30% globally in the past year. Over the past five years, the genre has grown 50% stateside and 60% globally.

“This past March alone, the Christian and gospel genre had its biggest streaming month on Spotify ever,” says Maritza “Ritz” McCain, Spotify’s senior editor, Christian and gospel.

Trending on Billboard

McCain also points to CCM/gospel’s global reach, noting that while the United States is the largest market for Christian music, global consumption is expanding in markets that include Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and the Philippines. She also cites promising growth in markets such as India, Indonesia and Germany.

According to Luminate, the top five CCM/gospel acts for 2024’s first half were Elevation Worship, Lauren Daigle, Phil Wickham, Hillsong Worship and Brandon Lake. Elevation Worship’s song “Praise,” featuring Lake, Chris Brown — a different Chris Brown from the “Run It” singer — and Chandler Moore, is the biggest CCM hit of 2024 thus far, having spent 24 weeks atop Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart.

Cole Flynn, head of marketing at Elevation Worship Records, attributes “six or seven” different factors that have contributed to the shift. For one, the consumption and promotion of CCM by a new generation of social media-savvy fans on those platforms is attracting new listeners.

“This whole generation has grown up with Spotify and Apple Music, and with the ability to access any kind of music they want to hear at any point in time,” says Leigh Holt of Hsquared Management, which manages Daigle and Riley Clemmons. “The barriers have been broken. There are more people who can say, ‘These are the ways I want to express my faith.’”

According to Luminate Insights, the share of listeners who are millennials and younger grew from 39% of overall genre listenership in 2022 to 45% in 2024. Additionally, the number of hours that CCM/gospel fans spent with music each month increased from 47.9 hours to 56.8 so far in 2024 — a 19% increase.

“Worship music does skew younger, agewise and listenerwise,” Flynn says. “People in their 20s and 30s are listening to Elevation Worship, whereas a typical Christian radio audience might be a little older.” He adds that this evolution has necessitated changes in marketing strategies for Elevation Worship, as it has with other CCM/gospel artists. “We’ve released music a little earlier, teased it out a little earlier, tried to get the music in people’s minds and on their phones earlier and give away a little more of the master content than we would have five years ago.”

Lauren Daigle

Jeremy Cowart

A new crop of young talent — who are also social media natives — includes 29-year-old Forrest Frank, 21-year-old Josiah Queen and 24-year-old Seph Schlueter. Frank’s “Good Day” and Schlueter’s “Counting My Blessings” each reached No. 2 on the Hot Christian Songs chart, with the former making its way into the upper echelons of Spotify’s Viral 50 chart this year. And Queen’s “The Prodigal” was in the top 15 on the Christian Airplay chart. All three are nominees for new artist of the year at the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards in October.

Queen’s debut album, also named The Prodigal, and Frank’s Child of God both debuted at No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums chart in July and August, respectively, and the latter ascended to No. 28 on the Billboard 200.

Like artists in other genres, many top sellers in CCM/ gospel make social media key to their marketing plans. Daigle, 32, has over 5 million monthly Spotify listeners, and videos of concert moments, shared on TikTok, earn millions of views. Elevation Worship has over 1.9 million TikTok followers, and one March TikTok post of its hit “Praise” has garnered more than 19 million views. Brandon Lake, 34, who has over 4 million monthly Spotify listeners, has attracted 4.3 million views since posting a TikTok video in July that used his song “That’s Who I Praise.” And Frank racked up over 9 million views with a video that uses his “Good Day.”

“Content is still king,” Holt says. “The artists who are winning are the artists who are the most authentic on social media. Even with Elevation Worship, their content is very ‘man on the street,’ very accessible to everyone. I feel like that has a lot to do with the growth, as well as fans having insight into artists’ lives. Forrest Frank is great on social media, and Josiah Queen is really fun — he kind of teaches a master class a bit on that. They’ve figured out social media in a very organic way.”

Unlike most genres, CCM/gospel is built around a central message rather than a particular sound, allowing for a greater range of musical styles, including the pop of for King & Country and Frank; Queen’s rustic, singer-songwriter style; Tauren Wells’ pop/R&B vibe; and Lecrae’s rap.

“The expansion of what Christian and gospel music sounds like has helped grow the listenership and, in turn, the consumption of the genre,” McCain says. “Artists like Lauren Daigle, NF and Montell Fish started with a Christian listener base and have grown to see success in broader audiences.” She adds that the inclusion of Christian/gospel artists on non-faith-based playlists such as R&B Weekly, Shine and Fresh Folk has also helped to expand the genre’s reach.

Also bolstering CCM/gospel’s presence are a number of recent collaborations with secular artists, including for King & Country with Timbaland, TobyMac with Sheryl Crow, Lecrae with John Legend, Anne Wilson with Lainey Wilson, Zach Williams with Dolly Parton and CeCe Winans with Carrie Underwood.

“It’s way easier to become a fan of one person and transfer that fandom to another, especially with great collaborations,” Holt says. “For King & Country has always kind of led the way in the Christian space, and that really brings different spotlights to the genre.”

As streaming consumption and social media promotion of CCM/gospel music have increased, so has the number of contemporary Christian radio stations in the United States. According to stationratings.com, the number of U.S. stations carrying the contemporary Christian format rose by 22 from July 2023 to July 2024. 

Titan Christian radio chains K-LOVE and Air1, which are owned by the non-profit Educational Media Foundation (EMF) have more than 1,000 broadcast signals. So far this year, the company has added more than a dozen signals to its fold.

“We’ve seen direct correlations of [streaming] consumption mirror the amount of audience we’re getting at radio,” Flynn says of Elevation Worship. “At the top of the radio chart, their song ‘Praise’ gets an audience of 10 million a week — that’s a massive difference. Let’s say radio doesn’t drive direct streams, which is an argument these days. It does drive massive awareness. There’s an intangible with church listeners, worship leaders, people putting it in Sunday morning [church services] set lists that exponentially grow that reach beyond radio, but that might have been the first place they heard it. So [radio]’s a huge help for us when we’re trying to get a song out there.”

“The songs coming out of our community continue to impact our audience, not only across all digital platforms but on terrestrial radio to over 30 million weekly listeners,” Gospel Music Association president Jackie Patillo said in a statement provided to Billboard. “People are hungry for a message that encourages and inspires.”

Growth in streaming, social media and radio reach ultimately impact artists’ touring. Elevation Worship sold out its spring Elevation Nights ’24 Tour before it began, averaging 11,600 tickets sold each night. Meanwhile, Holt says Daigle’s Kaleidoscope Tour has also seen growth in ticket sales.

“It’s a very different market now for ticket buying, post-pandemic, with multiple tours out. There’s a lot of competition,” Holt says. “But our ticket sales have grown this year, and we are back to our pre-pandemic numbers, which has been exciting to see.”

In the world of Southern gospel music, few names are more revered than The Nelons. Family patriarch Rex Nelon began his career with The LeFevres before launching The Rex Nelon Singers in 1977, and following his death in 2000, daughter Kelly Nelon Clark continued shepherding the group. They enjoyed a successful new era with a lineup that featured Kelly, her husband Jason Clark and daughters Amber Nelon Kistler and Autumn Nelon Streetman.  

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On July 26, the music world was stunned with the news that Kelly, Jason and Amber, along with four others, were killed when their private plane crashed in Wyoming, en route from Georgia to Seattle. The only surviving member of the singing group is daughter Autumn Nelon Streetman, who had flown on a commercial flight from Nashville to Seattle with her husband Jamie. While the investigation into the crash is ongoing, early reports have indicated there may have been a malfunction with the auto pilot.

The Nelons were on their way to Seattle to board the ship for the annual Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. Bill and Gloria Gaither and Karen Peck met Autumn and her husband at the hotel in Seattle to comfort them, and then gathered other artists to tell them the tragic news, which rocked the close-knit Southern gospel community. 

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Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016, The Nelons are known for such classics as “Come Morning,” which was awarded Southern Gospel Song of the Decade in the 80s, and “O For a Thousand Tongues,” as well as more recent hits such as “If God Pulled Back the Curtain,” which won the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song in 2021, one of the group’s 10 Dove Awards. Kelly Nelon Clark is a 2024 inductee into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. 

Autumn, who is expecting a baby boy in December, is left to continue the group’s legacy. In a stunning show of strength, she took the stage with the Isaacs to sing “Family Chain” at the Nelons memorial service in Roopville, Georgia on Aug. 6.

“People have asked me, ‘How did you get up there and sing at the funeral?’ And I told them, ‘This is what we do. We sing in good times and bad times,’” she tells Billboard. “The Lord just gave me the strength to get up there and do it.”

The Nelons’ final album, Loving You comes out Friday (Aug. 30) via Daywind Music. “Obviously we had no idea that this was going to happen,” Autumn says, “but I know God had a plan and he knew that this was going to happen even when we didn’t know. I think that this album was made for this time and each song will mean something to everybody. [It’s music] that anybody can relate to. I know it means something to me.” 

On Tuesday morning, July 23, just days before the plane crash, Kelly, Jason, Amber and Autumn shared their thoughts about the new album with Billboard over a lively Zoom conversation. This is Kelly, Jason and Amber’s last interview.

What do you feel this album has to say to your audience right now?Kelly: This morning I went to the business license office for a venue, and the lady looked at my name and she said, “I know who you are.” She said, “I have listened to your music since way back. I remember you being on the Gospel Singing Jubilee every Sunday morning, and I have used your music to get me through some of the hardest times in my life.” That made my morning! 

That’s what is important— that God uses what we do and what we sing. I feel the same way about this new project. I feel it’s got the lyrical content that the world needs to hear. I’m so excited about it! I love all the music and the songs, but I love the lyrics about how God will help us through anything that we will go through, anything. We look out in our audiences — we’re starting to put the songs on the stage —and you can see the people in the audience. Tears just flow.

The lead single from the album, “There’s a Hole in the Heart,” was written by Bill Gaither and Larry Gatlin. How did you come to record that one?Jason: We were in Bill’s office watching a private screening of the movie Reagan. Some of the producers of the film had asked us to contribute some music. Afterwards, Bill said, “I’ve got some lyrics I’ve got to read you,” so we went to his office and he read us these lyrics: “There’s a hole in the heart of this country,” and he said, “I’ve been writing songs for over 70 years and I think every song has a time and a season and it’s time for this song.” That was the first song we recorded when we went back to the farm.

Why do you feel it’s an appropriate song for this time?Amber: We are so divided right now, probably more than we’ve ever been, as a nation. This song actually gives hope where it can truly be found — not in a political candidate, not in government. You’re not going to find hope on the news. That’s pretty obvious to anybody who watches any news station, but you’re only going to find it in the Lord. He’s the one that can fill any void or fear you may have about the future. You don’t have to worry because He already knows what’s going to happen.

This song truly is a movement and we’ve seen it happen. Churches have put the lyrics of this song on their church signs. We’ve started giving out yard signs that people are being able to put in their yards. We’ve encouraged them not to be divisive with neighbors. You don’t have to put out a political sign. You can put out this sign and you can bring unity to everybody and bring real hope.

Jason, you wrote or co-wrote six of the 10 songs on Loving You. Did you have a vision of what you wanted this album to be as you started writing?Jason: We were very intentional about writing. I invited some of my best writing buddies, Joel Lindsey and Wayne Haun, and they were gracious enough to come to our farm in Georgia. I usually go to Nashville to write, and I said, “Guys, I would really love it if we could write this entire record at the farm.” So they flew in and we spent a week here at the farm. I think we wrote about 15 songs and several of those ended up on the record.

There are four producers on the record: Jason, Gordon Mote, Bill Gaither and Wayne Haun. That can sometimes result in an album that sounds fragmented, but this is a very cohesive record. How did you accomplish that?Jason: I’ve produced a lot of our stuff over the years, but we have such deep relationships with Gordon, Bill and Wayne. Gordon probably was the driving force behind a lot of the rhythm and sonically it’s probably one of my favorite records that we’ve ever done. Bill is a big idea guy. Wayne’s strongest suit is he understands the strength of a song. If you will let him, he will make sure you’ve got commercial songs on your records. He’s a great song coach. All of us bring in those different things. I’m always going to be driving the harmony towards our records because we’re a family that sings harmony.

You have some specials guests on the album, including the Gaither Vocal Band and Joseph Habedank on “Moses.” NT Martin is featured on “River of Peace (Rio de Paz).” How did that collaboration come about?Jason: We searched forever to find someone to sing the Spanish part. We couldn’t get anybody in Nashville [whose] schedule worked out, so I went to TikTok and found this famous singer from Spain. I messaged him and said, “Hey, we’ve got this song and we need a singer. Would you consider singing it with us?” He said, “Yes.” We sent it to him and gave him some coaching on where we wanted his parts and the harmonies with Amber.  He sent it back with the Spanish parts to teach Amber how to sing Spanish with him. 

“Hand of an Unseen God,” written by Jason, Kenna Turner West and Don Poythress, has a really powerful lyric. Is there a story behind that one?Jason: Going into the writing session that day, I got a call from Amber, and I’ve asked her permission to share this story in interviews. We were waiting on her ultrasound to find out the gender of her baby. When she called, she couldn’t speak. She had learned that she had miscarried, so we went into that writing session really heavy-hearted and then literally two hours later, I get a call from our other baby girl, Autumn. She tells me — and we were completely blown away by this news — that she just found out that she was pregnant. So, I’m like, “Lord, it really is true that you weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice,” and sometimes in the Christian life, you do it the same day. Don was like, “Man, we need to write that,” and so we began to write that song: “In my weeping, in my rejoicing, when my world is good or when it falls apart, I am held by the hand of an unseen God.”

The album closes with “We’ve Always Had a Song,” written by Jason, Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey. With your lengthy history in gospel music, Kelly, what does this song mean to you?Kelly: The first thing that I ever remember really was music. My father was with the LeFevres at the time and the first song I remember, he was teaching me “The Rains Came Down and the Floods Came Up.” I never dreamed that that little song would carry me through a lot of difficult and trying times. It makes you realize that songs and music heal the soul when you are going through difficulties so for me being in the music business and ministry, there’s always been a song that has kept me going.

 Kelly, you’ve been in Southern gospel music a long time. How does this season feel, to be carrying on your family’s legacy with your husband and two daughters?Kelly: It’s a great time. I feel like I’m on the other side. I’m 64 so I’ve had a lot of life up until this point, but now this is my plan — and I hope it’s God’s plan — but I’d like to see my grandchildren up there singing. This is a really good time, and I’m excited about what the Lord is doing. The older people loved when my daddy was here, but the new and younger crowd love Amber and Autumn so much. A long time ago people would come up to me when I was young and say, “Oh, if you could only see how your dad looks at you.” I really didn’t understand that too much, but now I do because when I see them sing and I listen to their voices and the anointing that the Lord has given them, I’m so proud. So now I understand what exactly they were saying about my dad and now it’s me.

Amber and Autumn, how do you feel about being part of this musical dynasty?Autumn: When I was young, I knew that one day I would eventually be up there, but I’ll tell you, when I first started, I didn’t want any part of it, just because I was scared to sing in front of people… but now honestly, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. And now that I’m having a child, I hope that he grows up on the road and gets to travel to all these amazing places. I’m so blessed.

Amber: I wanted to sing since the time I came out [of the womb], so I was a total opposite of Autumn. I love being on stage. I started on the Gaither Homecoming Kid’s videos at four years old, so Gloria Gaither had me working on the stage as a toddler. I’m forever grateful for that, because there are hardly any other kids that could say that they’ve had the life that Autumn and I have had. . . I just hope that when our time is up that we’ve made a mark on another generation that will follow in our footsteps.

 Any additional comments on the new record?Jason: When we came out of COVID and were starting to inch our way back to touring and recording, we really had a new revival and new focus. I think you sense that in this record. It sounds fresh. We wanted to sound like it was the first record we ever made — and we’ve been doing this forever. We really have invested so much energy into this from every detail, and I’m hoping it’s going to find its way to some lady in Venezuela or maybe some person in Spain, or maybe some person driving a truck on the back roads in Kentucky. Wherever it may find its way, we trust the Lord with the results, but this is our best offering. Here it is. Take it and use it. 

After making a series of homophobic remarks throughout her career, gospel singer Kim Burrell made an official apology over the weekend.
While accepting the Aretha Franklin Icon Award at the 39th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Burrell offered an apology to the LGBTQ community for the “hurtful” comments she’s made over the years.

“I have, over the course of time and with much soul-searching, come to fully understand the reach and impact of my voice beyond Gospel music,” the singer explained. “There is such a care to take when you realize you’re not just preaching to the choir anymore. You’re preaching to the ones who wanted to be in the choir and were too scared to come because they didn’t understand our language. … [I] understand that some of my past words, comments, preaching have been received by the LGBTQ+ community as negative and hurtful. There’s nothing more hurtful than to think — to imagine — that you’ve said something in the name of God, and it hurt somebody.”

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The singer continued, claiming that her use of “church lingo” may have contributed to her ignorant comments. “We have a church jargon that everybody doesn’t get. And sometimes you have to say it for the people in the back. And for that, I want to apologize to the LGBTQ community. Let’s give them a great big round of applause,” she said to the audience. “We want them to have strength and to sincerely know that we must all do the work to embrace all of God’s people. Tonight, I hope this award and this moment can be the beginning of bridge-building and listening to each other as we follow peace with all men and develop the character of God, which requires seeing God.”

In a now-infamous sermon in 2017, Burrell called LGBTQ+ people “perverted” and told those living with a “homosexual spirit” that “I love you and God loves you but God hates the sin in you and me.” As a result of Burrell’s sermon, Ellen DeGeneres canceled the singer’s appearance on her talk show, saying at the time, “There’s no room for any kind of prejudice in 2017.”

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In response, Darian Aaron, the director of local news: U.S. South for LGBTQ+ advocacy organization GLAAD, published a statement calling Burrell’s apology merely “a first step” toward “accountability and healing” for the community.

“Black LGBTQ people who remain in traditional faith communities are very familiar with the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric Burrell and others have espoused throughout her career,” he wrote. “We are well-versed in the ‘lingo and jargon’ of Black church culture and a gospel music industry that benefits from our gifts but demands us to be silent about our truth. …  Burrell’s speech is evidence of a tipping point where Burrell, the Black church, and the gospel music industry can recognize and accept us all as people of faith and as worthy of Black liberation as anyone else.”

Watch a clip of Burrell’s apology below, and read the entirety of GLAAD’s response on their website.

Less than six months after winning his third Grammy Award (best gospel album for All Things New: Live in Orlando), Tye Tribbett swept the 2024 Stellar Awards, winning six awards, including artist of the year and song of the year for “Only One Night Tho (Live).” The Motown Gospel artist also received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Icon Award.
The 39th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards show taped 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 co-hosted the show.

Jekalyn Carr was runner-up in the awards count with four awards, including the Albertina Walker female artist of the year award. Melvin Crispell III, Ricky Dillard and Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers each won two awards.

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Despite his sweep, Tribbett did not win male artist of the year. That award went to Crispell, who also took traditional male artist of the year.

Kim Burrell received the Aretha Franklin Icon Award.

Performers included Chandler Moore, Kierra Sheard, Anthony Brown and group therAPy, Da’ T.R.U.T.H, Israel Houghton, Karen Clark Sheard, Kelontae Gavin, Koryn Hawthorne, Lisa Knowles-Smith, Mali Music, Melvin Crispell III, Rich Tolbert Jr., Tasha Page-Lockhart, Ricky Dillard and Tamela Mann.

Kirk Franklin, Erica Campbell, and Angel Taylor also made special appearances.

The two-hour show will premiere on the Stellar Network on Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. and repeat at 11 p.m. ET. It will also air in broadcast syndication from Aug. 10-Sept. 8. In addition, BET will air the show on Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

The 39th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show was 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.

Here’s a complete list of nominations for the 39th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, with winners marked:

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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: “Only One Night Tho (Live)”; Tye Tribbett; Motown Gospel

Male artist of the year

Jonathan McReynolds; My Truth; MNRK

WINNER: 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.

WINNER: 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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: Jovonta Patton; Established; Newton Street Entertainment/MNRK

Rudy Currence; Stained Glass Windows; Mike Chek / MNRK

Album of the year

WINNER: 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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: Warryn Campbell; I Love You; My Block Inc.

Contemporary duo/chorus group of the year

WINNER: 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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: Melvin Crispell III; No Failure; RCA Inspiration

Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster II; Motown Gospel

Contemporary female artist of the year

WINNER: 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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: 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.

WINNER: “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

WINNER: “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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: Shout Praises Kids; Joy to the World; Integrity Music

Quartet of the year

WINNER: 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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: “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

WINNER: “Your Power” ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Lecrae; Reach Records

James Cleveland lifetime achievement award

WINNER: Tye Tribbett

Aretha Franklin Icon Award

WINNER: Kim Burrell

Top market of the year

WBGX 1570 AM, Chicago

WINNER: WNZN 89.1 FM, Cleveland

WPRS Praise 104.1, Washington, DC

WPZE – MyPraise 102.5, Atlanta

Medium market of the year

WINNER: 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

WINNER: WXHL 89.1 FM, Wilmington

WXOK 1460 AM, Baton Rouge

Internet station of the year

WINNER: 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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: Cheryl Jackson, WPRS Praise 104.1

Trey Nickelson, WBZF-98.5 F

William “Rusty” Golden, a musician, songwriter and son of The Oak Ridge Boys member William Lee Golden, died July 1, 2024 at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was 65.

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Golden was born Jan. 3, 1959 in Brewton, Alabama and was the eldest son of William and Frogene Golden. By age 13, he was playing drums for the band The Rambos, featuring songwriter Dottie Rambo. He wrote his first song by setting one of his grandmother’s poems to music. After being inspired by an Elton John concert in 1972, Golden began learning to play piano and by 17, he was touring with Larry Gatlin as a keyboard player, before playing on studio recordings including Gatlin’s 1977 album Love Is Just a Game, Marty Stuart’s 1999 concept project Pilgrim and more.

A few years later, he moved further into the spotlight, forming The Boys Band, with the group recording their debut album which included the 1982 song “Runner” (the song’s video was the first produced in Nashville for MTV) and “Don’t Stop Me Baby (I’m on Fire),” which entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The group disbanded in 1984.

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That same year, Golden earned an RIAA Gold record as a songwriter for The Oak Ridge Boys’ Bobbie Sue album, which encouraged Golden to start writing songs with Marc Speer. In 1985, Golden and Speer launched Golden Speer, which included Golden’s brother Chris Golden on lead vocals. By the following year, the label had shifted directions, with Rusty and Chris recording as the duo The Goldens and releasing the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart entries “Put Us Together Again” and “Sorry Girls.”

They moved to Capitol/SBK Records and issued the 1990 album Rush For Gold, which included the songs “Take Me Back (To the Country),” “Keep the Faith” and “Long Gone.” Rusty then returned to his gospel music roots, writing songs including the 2008 songs “What Salvation’s Done For Me” from The Booth Brothers, and Karen Peck & New River’s “I Want to Thank You.” He also released the solo albums Sober and Angels.

In 2020, Rusty and Chris teamed with William Lee Golden for the family band William Lee Golden and the Goldens. They were joined by brother Craig, nieces Elizabeth and Rebekah and nephew Elijah to create a three-generation family band. The group released a trio of projects—Country Roads: Vintage Country Classics, Old Country Church Gospel and Southern Accents: Pop & Country Rock. Last year, Rusty was honored for his musicianship when he was named keyboard player of the year at the Josie Music Awards.

William Lee Golden said in a statement, “This is the hardest thing ever for a father to have to face. I love family more than anything. Rusty was a great musician, a talented songwriter and a wonderful son. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the days ahead. I love you, son.”

Rusty Golden is preceded in death by his mother Frogene Normand, grandparents Luke & Rutha Mae Golden, and Elliot & Estelle Normand. He is survived by his father William Lee Golden (Simone), and brothers Craig Golden, Chris Golden (Marie), and Solomon Golden, as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended family members.

Grammy winner Brandon Lake, known for his Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart-topping hits including “Gratitude” and “Praise You Anywhere,” has signed with UTA for booking representation. Lake recently wrapped a sold-out, 20-city tour crisscrossing the United States and was both a co-host and a winner at the annual K-LOVE Fan Awards in Nashville. “I am […]

Crystal Aikin’s “He Can Handle It” ascends to No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart (dated June 29). The single increased by 2% in plays June 14-20, according to Luminate.
The song, which was recorded live, was co-written by Nate Bean and Ayron Lewis.       

Aikin, from Tacoma, Wash., banks her first chart-topper in her third Gospel Airplay appearance. It follows “So Amazing,” which peaked at No. 21 in March 2015, and “I Desire More,” which hit No. 18 in June 2009.

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Aikin has achieved two top 10s in her two appearances on Top Gospel Albums. All I Need arrived at its No. 8 best in February 2015 after her self-titled debut set opened and peaked at No. 3 in January 2009.

Aikin, who earned a nursing degree from Pacific Lutheran University, won the first season of BET’s Sunday Best in 2007. Genre cornerstone Kirk Franklin hosted the talent show from that year to 2021.

‘Look At’ Koryn Hawthorne

Also on Gospel Airplay, Koryn Hawthorne adds her fourth top 10 as “Look at God” rises 12-9 (up 23%). The song, which the Abbeville, La., native co-penned, follows “Speak to Me,” which became her second No. 1 in April 2021, leading for a week. Her rookie entry “Won’t He Do It” began a 19-week command in March 2018 and “Unstoppable” reached No. 5 in June 2019.

On the multimetric Hot Gospel Songs tally, Hawthorne has three chart-toppers. As a finalist on the eighth season of NBC’s The Voice, she first led with “How Great Thou Art,” which she performed on the show, for a week in April 2015. “Won’t He Do It” dominated for 41 weeks beginning in March 2018, the chart’s longest reign ever by a female artist, and “Speak to Me” ruled for 19 frames beginning in November 2020.

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