I started thinking about the last time we saw a Gospel artist perform on the Grammys. The last performance I could think of was when Kirk Franklin, Crystal Lewis, Bono, Gerald Levert, and Mary J. Blige performed Lean on Me back in the late 1990′s/early 2000′s. (I could be wrong about this. Please let me know if I am.)

Take a look at the video below and watch the complete performance. Notice how Tamela Mann and Dalon Collins completely out sing the other “recording artists” on stage. At that time they hadn’t begun their solo careers. They were part of the original Kirk Franklin and The Family.

What do you think about the video? Can you remember a more recent Gospel/Christian music performance at the Grammys?

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

It wasn’t announced on air, but Marvin Sapp won the award for Best Gospel Artist. Nominees in the category included Tamela Mann, Vicki Winans, The Annointed Pace Sisters and Kirk Franklin presents Artists United (Are You Listening).

I must admit that I am a little disappointed, because I’m probably one of the few people that watches awards shows to actually see people receive awards. I know that most people watch for the performances.

Alicia Keys performed a medley featuring a number of the songs that she made popular. The big shock came is when she started singing If I Ain’t Got You and Kim Burrell came out and joined her on stage. Kim gave us what I call the Christian version of this song by replacing the word “baby” with “Jesus”.

In true Kim Burrell fashion, she delivered an outstanding vocal performance. The crowd definitely responded positively to Kim’s presence.

The main Gospel music moment came when Kirk Franklin performed Are You Listening: A Song 4 Haiti. Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell and Karen Clark-Sheard joined him on stage to perform the song.

I would argue that during this song, five of the top 20 singers in the theater were all on stage together. I thought their performance was great. Karen Clark-Sheard was absolutely amazing with the ad-libs. Even Prince seemed to love by her singing.

If you missed the performance you can view it below.

Did you see the BET Awards? Post a comment and share your opinion.

The cast of Meet the Browns also appeared on the show. David and Tamela Mann talked about their careers, their marriage and more.

Take a look at the video and let me know what you think.

In the past, Butler has produced artists like Smokie Norful and Tamela Mann. Let’s not forget the work that he put into his own quality projects like Stronger, Revealed and Set Me Free.

It is a good thing anytime you can get Myron Butler to produce your CD. He is quickly becoming one of the top producers in the Gospel industry.

The live recording will take place on Friday, July 23, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at The Ginghamsburg Church, 6759 County Road 25A, Tipp City, Ohio 45371. Admission is FREE. For more information visit www.kingdomrecordsinc.com.

Have you ever listened to Tonya Baker’s music? What do you think about it?

Just in case you can’t wait until Sunday, you can take a look at the entire video here.

What do you think about the video?