You could probably guess which names would appear on the top ten. Clearly VaShawn Mitchell, Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary all had big years. Each of them made the top 10. One surprising omission from the top 10 was "He Wants It All" by Forever Jones. That song came in at number 12. You can see the complete list by clicking here.

Here is the complete top 10 list:

1. "Nobody Greater" by Vashawn Mitchell

2. "I Smile" by Kirk Franklin

3. "I Give Myself Away" by William McDowell

4. "I Believe" by James Fortune & FIYA, Zacardi Cortez, Shawn McLemore

5. "He Has His Hands On You" by Marvin Sapp

6. "Well Done" by Deitrick Haddon

7. "My Heart Says Yes" by Troy Sneed

8. "Walking" by Mary Mary

9. "Over and Over" by Trin-i-tee 5:7 featuring PJ Morton

10. "I Need Your Glory" by Earnest Pugh

What are your thoughts? Are you surprised by anything on this list?
 

"My Testimony" will be on his new CD entitled "I Win". This new CD is expected to be released on March 3, 2013. 

Here's what I find interesting about Kirk Franklin's music. It seems to me that he does not just create music that he thinks people want to hear. He creates music that people need to hear. He could easily follow all of the musical trends and release Gospel music that sound and feel like what other genres are doing. However, it seems that he strays away from simply following trends and focuses more on the message of the music.

A strong message…that's what we get with "Hello Fear". I don't think this is Kirk Franklin's best album ever. (For my money, I'll take "The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin" over anything else that he has ever done.) Nevertheless, "Hello Fear" is good music. It is a 15 track album that will pierce your heart.

My favorite song on the entire album is "Before I Die". The production on this song is great. I'm sure people will blasting this song while riding around town on a warm spring or summer day. Beyond all of that, this song talks about the things we need to do with our lives to honor Jesus Christ.

The surprise of the album is "Something About The Name of Jesus Pt. 2". Wow! For this song Kirk brought together Marvin Winans, John P. Kee, Isaac Caree, and Rance Allen. In my Forrest Gump voice…"That's all I have to say about that."

Other guest appearances occurred in the songs "Give Me" (Mali Music) and "The Alar" (Marvin Sapp and Beverly Crawford).

Hello Fear is a very personal album. It speaks to the feelings and emotions that everyone experiences, whether they are a follower of Christ or not. With this album, you get to experience the feelings of the artist while being challenged to look introspectively and explore your own feelings.

If you are a Kirk Franklin fan then I know you're going to get this album. For everybody else…I suggest adding this album to your collection. Your heart will thank you for it.

Go grab your copy of "Hello Fear" on Amazon or iTunes.

The Dove Awards will be taped live at the Fox Theatre on Wednesday, April 20. The show will air on gmc Easter Sunday, April 24 at 7 PM EST.

Click here to see the complete list of nominees.

The 26th Annual Stellar took place this past Saturday and judging from many accounts it was a wonderful occasion.

If you were not able to see the show live in Nashville you will be able to catch it on TV in the upcoming months. GMC is set to air the Stellar Awards on Saturday, March 5 at 8 PM EST. Local stations will begin airing the program beginning January 22nd. You can go to www.TheStellarAwards.com for local listings. The 2011 station listings are not posted yet, but I’m sure that they will be available soon.

Marvin Sapp was the big winner of the night grabbing a total of 4 awards. That didn’t surprise me. In my opinion, the biggest surprise of awards is the fact that “Close to You” was named Song of the Year. It is a nice song, but I just can’t believe it beat out “Encore” and “The Best in Me”.

Here are the rest of the results:

James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award
Donald Lawrence

Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award
Kirk Franklin

Ambassador Bobby Jones Legend Award
Vanessa Bell Armstrong

Artist of the Year
Marvin Sapp

CD of the Year
Marvin Sapp-Here I Am

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
Forever Jones

Song of the Year
BeBe Winans- Close to You

Male Vocalist of the Year
Byron Cage

Female Vocalist of the Year
Karen Clark-Sheard

Group Duo of the Year
James Fortune & FIYA

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
The Mighty Clouds of Joy

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Darwin Hobbs-Darwin Hobbs Live: Champion

New Artist of the Year
Kristina Halloway

Choir of the Year
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir

Producer of the Year
Aaron Lindsey-Here I Am

Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year
James Fortune

Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year
Marvin Sapp

Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year
CeCe Winans

Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year
Lucinda Moore

Contemporary CD of the Year
James Fortune and FIYA- Encore

Traditional CD of the Year
Marvin Sapp- Here I Am

Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans-Still

Music Video of the Year
BeBe and CeCe Winans-Close to You

Contemporary Choir of the Year
Myron Butler & Levi

Traditional Choir of the Year
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir

Special Event CD of the Year
Various Artists-CoCo Brother Live Presents Stand 2010

Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
Trip Lee-Between Two Worlds

Recorded Music Package of the Year
Derek Blanks and Ken Barboza-Still

Children’s Project of the Year
Kingdom Kids Worldwide, Kingdom Kids Worldwide Volume 1

Quartet of the Year
The Christian Angels

What do you think about the results? Post a comment below and let me know.

I’m really not surprised by this. Musically speaking, Marvin Sapp had a very good year. His song “The Best in Me” was consistently on many charts all year long. A writer from the Associated Press listed “The Best in Me” as one of the top 10 singles for 2010.

What do you think? If you had to pick an “Artist of the Year” for 2010 who would it be?

Best Gospel Performance
Forever Jones-He Wants It All
VaShawn Mitchell-Nobody Greater
Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway-He’s Been Just That Good
Israel Houghton-You Hold My World
BeBe & CeCe Winans-Grace

Best Gospel Song
Beautiful Things-Lisa Gungor & Michael Gungor, songwriters (Gungor)
Better Than Hallelujah-Sarah Hart & Chapin Hartford, songwriters (Amy Grant)
It’s What I Do-Jerry Peters & Kirk Whalum, songwriters (Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway)
Our God-Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin)
Return to Sender-Gordon Kennedy, songwriter (Ricky Skaggs)

Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album
Church Music-David Crowder Band
For Those That Wait-Fireflight
Beautiful Things-Gungor
Rehab-Lecrae
Hello Hurricane-Switchfoot

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
Beauty Will Rise-Steven Curtis Chapman
Love God. Love People.-Israel Houghton
Pieces Of A Real Hart-Sanctus Real
Mosaic-Ricky Skaggs
Tonight-TobyMac

Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album
Times Like These-Austins Bridge
The Reason-Diamond Rio
Expecting Good Things-Jeff & Sheri Easter
Journey On-Ty Herndon
Live At Oak Tree: Karen Peck & New River-Karen Peck & New River

Best Traditional Gospel Album
The Experience-Vanessa Bell Armstrong
A City Called Heaven-Shirley Caesar
Downtown Church-Patty Griffin
Here I Am-Marvin Sapp
All In One-Karen Clark Sheard

Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album
Get Ready-Forever Jones
Love Unstoppable-Fred Hammond
Triumphant-VaShawn Mitchell
Aaron Sledge-Aaron Sledge
Still-BeBe & CeCe Winans

So, there you have it. What do you think about the nominatins?

[img credit: treehugger.com]

Mikaila Sapp wrote the book during the two years her recently deceased mother, Dr. MaLinda Sapp battled cancer. She is currently in the eigth grade. According to the inside jacket, the book tells the story of a “young lady transitioning into womanhood while experiencing life changing circumstances that inevitably progress maturity at an accelerated pace”.

It has to be interesting reading the insights of a 13-year-old while she watches her mother’s health fail. I could not begin to imagine what it would be like to be in her shoes, especially at such a young age.

I have not been able to find “The Girl Behind the Mask – The Diary of Marvin Sapp’s Daughter” on sale anywhere online. I will post and update once I find it.

In my opinion, Donnie McClurkin did a good job serving as host for the evening. I really didn’t expect anything different. In addition to hearing about the 2011 Stellar Award nominees, we got see a concert that featured a couple of different artists from the gospel industry. 

The performances from Vashawn Mitchell, Joe Pace and Lucinda Moore were all good. However, in my opinion, Jessica Reedy delivered the performance of the night. Her performance of God Has Smiled on Me was so unique and inspiring. She is definitely bringing a special sound to gospel music. 

Another highlight from the evening was a tribute to the late Gospel legend Albertina Walker. Don Jackson offered some very kind words regarding the life and legacy of this gospel pioneer.

Here is a list of the nominees for the 2011 Stellar Awards.

Artist of the Year
James Fortune & FIYA 
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Marvin Sapp
Fred Hammond 

Female Vocalist of the Year
Karen Clark Sheard
CeCe Winans
Lucinda Moore
Tamela Mann

Male Vocalist of the Year
J. Moss
Byron Cage
Fred Hammond
Marvin Sapp

Song of the Year
Best In Me, Marvin Sapp
Close to You, BeBe Winans
Encore, James Fortune, C. Fortune and T. Vaughn
They That Wait,  Fred Hammond, Calvin Rodgers, Phillip Feaster, Ericka Warren, Michael Bethany and Dynna Wells

Choir of the Year
James Hall & Voices of Citadel
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Victory Cathedral Choir
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir

New Artist of the Year
Forever Jones
Kristina Halloway
Travis Greene
Victory Cathedral Choir

Traditional CD of the Year
Won’t It Be Wonderful, James Hall & Voices of Citadel
Here I Am, Marvin Sapp
A City Called Heaven, Marvin Sapp
The Experience,Vanessa Bell Armstrong

Contemporary CD of the Year
Still, BeBe and CeCe Winans
Love Unstoppable, Fred Hammond 
Just James, J.Moss  
Encore, James Fortune and FIYA 

Producer of the Year
James Fortune, Terrance Vaughn and Ayron Lewis, Encore
Aaron Lindsey, Here I Am
Donald Lawrence, The Experience
Fred Hammond, Love Unstoppable

Group/Duo of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Forever Jones
James Fortune & FIYA
The Anointed Pace Sisters

Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year
Byron Cage
Fred Hammond
J. Moss
James Fortune

Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year
Alvin Darling
Darrell Hines
Marvin Sapp
Marvin Winans

Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year
CeCe Winans
Karen Clark Sheard
Lisa Page Brooks
Tamela Mann

Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year
Fredericka Faison
Lucinda Moore
Shirley Caesar
Vanessa Bell Armstrong

Contemporary Choir of the Year
God’s Little Soldiers International
Myron Butler & Levi
Youth for Christ
Youthful Praise featuring J.J. Hairston

Traditional Choir of the Year
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
James Hall & Voices of Citadel
Victory Cathedral Choir
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Forever Jones
James Fortune & FIYA
Trin-i-tee 5:7

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
James Greer & Company
The Anointed Pace Sisters
The Christian Angels
The Mighty Clouds of Joy

Quartet of the Year
Reverend F.C. Barnes & Company
The Christian Angels
The Golden Wings Quartet
The Mighty Clouds of Joy

Rap, Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
Entermission, DJ Official 
Outtadisworld, Everyday Process
Lions and Liars, Sho Baraka
Between Two Worlds, Trip Lee

Music Video of the Year
Close to You, BeBe and CeCe Winans 
Make Me a Believer, Kirk Whalum 
Playground In Heaven, Shirley Caesar 
If I Be Lifted Up, The Anointed Pace Sisters

Urban Inspirational Performance of the Year
Still, BeBe & CeCe Winans
Get Ready,Forever Jones 
Encore, James Fortune & FIYA
Here I Am, Marvin Sapp

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
Cameron Hilson and Mark Neubauer for Get Ready
Denise Trotman for Here I Am
Derek Blanks and Ken Barboza for Still
Jeff Gilligan for Love Unstoppable

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Darwin Hobbs Live: Champion, Darwin Hobbs
Encore, James Fortune & FIYA  
Place of Worship, Phil Tarver
Access Granted, The Anointed Pace Sisters 

Special Event CD of the Year
Still, BeBe and CeCe Winans
Are You Listening, Kirk Franklin
CoCo Brother Live Presents Stand 2010, Various Artists 
WOW Gospel 2010, Various Artists 

Children’s Project of the Year
Soldier Story, God’s Little Soldiers International 
Kingdom Kids Worldwide Volume 1, Kingdom Kids Worldwide
While We Still Have Time, The Velasquez Family Singers
Thanks In Advance, Youth for Christ

I’m sure you know that a few weeks ago his wife MaLinda passed away due to cancer. I don’t think any of us would have faulted him if he would have gone into hiding and stayed away from the public eye for a few months.

He is doing the complete opposite. He is already out and about participating in How Sweet The Sound. If I were to be faced with the same circumstances, I don’t know if I would be able to demonstrate the same amount of strength. With God, all things are possible. If I ever have to endure the passing of my wife, I will need A LOT of help from God.

I know what some of you may be thinking. Lady MaLinda Sapp was ill for quite some time. This allowed him to prepare himself for her passing. It is not easy to simply just get over it and move on. Although we may know the passing of a loved one may be eminent, the pain we feel is still real.

Even though MaLinda Sapp is rejoicing in heaven, I’m not sure it is fair for any of us to just expect Pastor Marvin to go on and live a normal life. Truth is, his life is probably completely different now. Life for his children will never be the same either.

I’m sure he agreed to participate in How Sweet the Sound months ago. He could have respectfully withdrawn from this commitment, but he didn’t. Judging by everything I have heard and read about MaLinda Sapp she would have wanted him to honor the commitments that he made.

I don’t know Pastor Marvin Sapp personally. Like many of you, I have watched him from afar for a number of years. I watched the broadcast of MaLinda Sapp’s homegoing service. I was impressed by the strength he showed during that time. I also admire him for continuing to do what God has called him to do.

I realize that there are millions of people that loose loved ones, and go back to work a week or even days later. I’m not saying that what Pastor Sapp is doing is superhuman. I have a high level of respect for those people as well.

Death is never an easy thing to deal with. Let’s continue to pray for Pastor Marvin Sapp and his family in the weeks, months and years to come.