AND THE GRAMMY GOES TO . . .
The Grammy Awards have come a long way since the first gospel Grammy was presented to Mahalia Jackson in 1961 for Every Time I Feel the Spirit. Since then, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (aka the Recording Academy) has broadened its recognition of gospel music, and now Grammys are awarded for Best Gospel Performance and Best Gospel Song as well as Best Gospel Album in five categories. The 51st Grammy Awards ceremony was held on Sunday, February 8, 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and the gospel nominees and winners represented the very best Christian music has to offer.
Best Gospel Performance
“Get Up,” Mary Mary, Track from The Sound [Columbia]
Best Gospel Song (a songwriter’s award)
“Help Me Believe,” Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin), Track from The Fight of My Life [Fo You Soul Entertainment/Zomba Gospel; Publisher: Universal Music-Z Songs/Kerrion Publishing]
Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album
Alive and Transported, TobyMac [ForeFront Records/EMI CMG]
Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
Thy Kingdom Come, CeCe Winans [PureSprings Gospel/EMI Gospel]
Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album
Lovin’ Life, Gaither Vocal Band [Gaither Music Group]
Best Traditional Gospel Album
Down In New Orleans, The Blind Boys of Alabama [Time Life]
Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album
The Fight of My Life, Kirk Franklin [Fo Yo Soul Entertainment/Zomba Gospel]
On Monday morning, I phoned Blind Boys of Alabama member Ricky McKinnie to congratulate the group for its fifth Grammy win. Ricky was checking out of his hotel in L. A. when I called. Appreciative of my call, he told me something that makes a lot of sense whether you’re making a clean sweep at an awards show, headlining a major tour, singing a special in your church or unassumingly occupying a place in the choir. He said, “Greg, it’s great to have fans, but it’s better to have friends.” Well said, Ricky. But I think it’s safe to say to this year’s Grammy winners that your friends and fans thank you for your dedication to Christ and the way in which you use your talents and gifts to take gospel music to a whole new level.
THE DIFFERENCE MUSIC MAKES
Any Christian who has ever experienced discouragement, loneliness, heartbreak, apathy or a lack of faith is well aware of the profound impact of certain songs. Certainly, God uses ministers and sermons, friends and deeds and even trials and circumstances to speak to our hearts, but we must never underestimate the power of music and the Holy Spirit ’s ability to use singers and songs to stir our very souls.
In uncertain times like these, I’m particularly grateful for singers like Dottie Peoples who remind us that we serve an on-time God. When it’s easy to become consumed with ourselves and neglect those around us, it’s great that artists like Casting Crowns dare to challenge us with songs like “If We Are the Body”! And on some days what would we do without Andraé Crouch’s “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” Steven Curtis Chapman’s “More To This Life,” Nicole C. Mullen’s “Redeemer” or Scott Krippayne’s “Sometimes He Calms the Storm”?
I’m reminded of “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” and “He Washed My Eyes with Tears.” Inspired by life experiences and written decades ago by Thomas Dorsey and Ira Stanphill respectively, these songs remain timeless. In an era in which many of us have reached our rope’s end and are once again calling out to God, Dorsey’s pleading prayer is certainly in order. Still, others of us can relate to Stanphill’s poignant words when we, with great wisdom, pause to reflect on who we once were and how God has brought us to where we are today.
Then, there are songs like “God Will Make A Way” and “In Christ Alone” that were quite possibly penned and recorded before the lyrics could be sung with the deepest of conviction. Today these songs may have very well become virtual anthems for the artists who brought them to the forefront of our listening repertoires. “God Will Make A Way” was a single from Janet Paschal’s Spring Hill release, The Good Road, a project produced by Lari Goss. Though reassuring from the start, just think how much more precious its words are to Paschal and Goss who only recently waged their own battles with cancer. As for “In Christ Alone,” it was such a major hit for Michael English that he became a household name in Christian circles. English’s great accomplishments, however, would be overshadowed by news of his personal transgressions and drug addiction. Now rededicated to the cause of Christ, English is once again singing “In Christ Alone,” and his powerful testimony is beckoning countless prodigals back home into the fold.
No doubt, there’s a song for every situation and likely a singer who is just right for every song. With hard times upon us, the scriptures assert that neither crises nor unfortunate sets of circumstances can impede God’s plan for our lives. In fact, He promises to use these for our own good. Certainly, people from all facets of gospel music will face some challenges and obstacles in 2009 due to the economic downturn, but I believe, as bearers of the good news through song, we have a critical role to play in the advancement of the kingdom of Christ. It’s harvest season, and I can think of no better time to sing!
