2015 Stellar Awards highlights and winners (PHOTOS & VIDEO)

SURPRISE REUNIONS, ROUSING PERFORMANCES AND LEGENDARY HONORS WERE BESTOWED UPON THE BEST  IN GOSPEL MUSIC AT THE 30th ANNIVERSARY STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS SHOW   ERICA CAMPBELL WALKS AWAY WITH SIX TROPHIES FOR NEW ALBUM "HELP," FOLLOWED BY RICKY DILLARD AND NEW G WITH THREE AWARDS AND DEITRICK HADDON TIED WITH THE WALLS GROUP  FOR TWO WINS EACH   Tune in to the Stellar Awards premiere on TV One, Easter Sunday  April 5 at 9pm ET/8pm CT; Will also air in syndication April 6 through May 10 on 150 stations in over 125 markets.    The Stellar Awards opening performance featured Michelle Williams and a surprise reunion with Beyonce and Kelly Rowland singing her nominated single, "Say Yes." The Stellar Awards will premiere on TV One Easter Sunday, April 5 @ 9pm ET/8pm CT Rickey Smiley, Tamela Mann and David Mann LAS VEGAS, NV (March 29, 2015) - Dubbed the greatest night in Gospel music, the 30th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas turned "Sin City" into "Salvation City." Celebrating 30 years, the Stellar Awards was co-hosted with comedic flare by David Mann ("Mann & Wife), Tamela Mann ("Sparkle") and Ricky Smiley ("Dish Nation") during the 2-hour taped telecast premiering Easter Sunday, April 5 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on TV One. The Stellar Awards recognizes the year's best performances in the genre, honors Gospel music icons and acknowledges the accomplishments of individuals instrumental in advocating for the industry.   The big surprise of the evening came at the top of the show, when opening act Michelle Williams was joined by former bandmates Beyonce and Kelly Rowland in a show-stopping reunion that brought the audience to its feet singing her song, "Say Yes," a winner for "Best Music Video of the Year."     Ten-time nominee Erica Campbell took top honors, winning six awards including Artist of the Year, The Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year and Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year.  She acknowledged her sister, the other half of award-winning duo Mary Mary in her heartfelt remarks.   "Thank you Tina for saying that you needed a break," said Erica. "...Cause I wouldn't have done it ("Help") if you didn't say that."   Ricky Dillard and New G followed Campbell with three wins, and Deitrick Haddon tied with The Walls Group for two trophies apiece.  On stage after winning the Male Vocalist of the Year award, Haddon expressed gratitude for being recognized following a difficult time in his life.   "A couple of years ago I messed up so bad I thought I could never inspire anyone again," he shared. "I was ready to quit and God spoke to me - He said, if you humble yourself I'll lift you up to places you're never seen. This award is for people who think it's over for them."    Haddon later brought the house down with a star-studded rendition of "My City" collaborating with Dorinda Clark-Cole, Clareta Haddon, Kierra Sheard, J. Moss, 21:03 and Shelby Five.    The New Artist of the Year award was presented to Tasha Page-Lockhart, making her first Stellar Awards appearance, performing "Great Is Your Love" and "Faith Come Alive," with fellow first-timers The Walls Group.   Other masterful performances included Smokie Norful, Jonathan McReynolds, Erica Campbell and Pastor Beverly Crawford who all delivered passionate hand-clapping and foot-stomping presentations to the delight of the filled-to-capacity crowd.  The Stellar Awards signature is its powerful collaborations, and this year was no exception with Rance Allen Group, Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers, as well as Uncle Reece, Willie Moore, Jr. and Canton Jones teaming up to deliver amazing musical numbers.   Bishop Paul Morton received the Allstate James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award for his accomplishments and was honored in song by Kurt Carr & the Kurt Carr Singers with Zarcadi & Crystal singing a medley of "I'm Still Standing". Al "The Bishop" Hobbs, received the Chevrolet Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award for his career accomplishments on Capitol Hill.     Yolanda Adams and Israel Houghton performed "How Awesome Is Our God" celebrating the life of Andrae Crouch which set the tone for one of the most moving speeches of the night from his twin sister, Sandra Crouch. Speaking from the heart on behalf of her legendary sibling, Crouch was honored posthumously with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award for his lifelong contributions to Gospel that have influenced artists from every genre and around the globe.    "When the storms come and when there are no trophies, no Grammys and there's no light shining," she proclaimed, "...you still say to God be the glory."   This year, award show founder and Executive Producer Don Jackson, implemented a new tradition celebrating the extraordinary achievements in Gospel by presenting the inaugural Stellar Honors Club. In the tradition of the Kennedy Center Honors, The Stellars Honors inductees received a medallion to commemorate excellence in their respective fields. The inaugural awards were conferred upon Pastor Shirley Ceasar, Byron Cage, Clifton Davis, Ricky Dillard, Kirk Franklin, Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones, Vicki Mack Lataillade, Dottie Peoples and Vickie Winans.     Prior to the show, this year's celebration began with Tye Tribbett hosting a live stream on the star-studded red carpet featuring Gospel greats, television, film and political luminaries such as Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., Gary Dourdan, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Pastor Marvin Sapp, Adrienne Baillon, Amber Riley, Denise Boutte, Rev. Clifton Davis, DeVon Franklin, Donald Lawrence, Smokie Norful, Hezekiah Walker, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Dottie Peoples, Loretta Devine, Ben and Jewel Tankard, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Byron Cage, Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones, William McDowell, The Williams Brothers, Miss Robbie Montgomery and Tim Norman, Chante Moore, Earnest Pugh, and Kirk Franklin to list a few. As a part of the pre-show activities, additional awards were announced during ceremonies held on Friday. All of the Stellar winners are selected by online voters. Following the April 5 premiere on TV One, the 30th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will air in nationwide syndication from April 5 through May 10, 2015.   Don Jackson, CEO and Executive Producer of the show was humbled by the industry's support and the celebratory mood.  "It's so kind for people to just show up. We appreciate it. We definitely feel the love here in Las Vegas and we're looking at coming back." The 2015 STELLAR Award Winners   ARTIST OF THE YEAR IS ERICA CAMPBELL  - HELP, MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC   SONG OF THE YEAR WINNER IS TIFFANY JOY MCGHEE, AMAZING – AMAZING (RICKY DILLARD & NEW G), LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE   MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR WINNER IS DEITRICK HADDON - DEITRICK HADDON’S LXW, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT   ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR WINNER IS ERICA CAMPBELL – “HELP”   GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR WINNER IS THE WALLS GROUP – “FAST FORWARD”                                                                                                                                                     NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR WINNER IS TASHA PAGE-LOCKHART – “HERE RIGHT NOW”, FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA CD OF THE YEAR WINNER IS ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP, MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC   CHOIR OF THE YEAR WINNER IS RICKY DILLARD & NEW G, AMAZING,LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE   PRODUCER OF THE YEAR WINNER IS WARRYN CAMPBELL, HELP (ERICA CAMPBELL), MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC   CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR WINNER IS THE WALLS GROUP, FAST FORWARD, FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA   TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR WINNER IS LISA KNOWLES & THE BROWN SINGERS, THE EVOLUTION CONTINUES, ONE VOICE MEDIA   CONTEMPORARY MALE OF THE YEAR WINNER IS SMOKIE NORFUL, FOREVER YOURS, TREMYLES/MOTOWN GOSPEL   TRADITIONAL MALE OF THE YEAR WINNER IS DONNIE MCCLURKIN, DUETS, RCA INSPIRATION CONTEMPORARY FEMALE OF THE YEAR WINNER IS ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP, MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC   TRADITIONAL FEMALE OF THE YEAR WINNER IS BEVERLY CRAWFORD, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE, ECHO PARK/JDI   CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR WINNER IS ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP, MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC   TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR WINNER IS RICKY DILLARD & NEW G, AMAZING, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE   URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR WINNER IS ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP FT. LECRAE, MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC   MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR WINNER IS MATTHEW CHERRY, SAY YES FT. BEYONCE & KELLY ROWLAND – JOURNEY TO FREEDOM (MICHELLE WILLIAMS), ENTERTAINMENT ONE   TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR WINNER IS RICKY DILLARD & NEW G, AMAZING, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE   CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR WINNER IS DEITRICK HADDON’S LXW, DEITRICK HADDON’S LXW, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT   SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR WINNER IS TAMELA MANN, BEST DAYS DELUXE EDITION, TILLYMANN MUSIC   RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR WINNER IS LECRAE, ANOMALY, REACH RECORDS   YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR WINNER IS KENDRA SMITH, SOMETHING NEW, DIVINE RECORDS   QUARTET OF THE YEAR WINNER IS LISA KNOWLES & THE BROWN SINGERS, THE EVOLUTION CONTINUES, ONE VOICE MEDIA   RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR WINNER IS DEREK BLANKS, HELP (ERICA CAMPBELL), MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC   PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR WINNER IS WILLIAM MCDOWELL, WITHHOLDING NOTHING, DELIVERY ROOM MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT ONE   GOSPEL RADIO OF THE YEAR WINNERS   MAJOR MARKET OF THE YEAR -        WPZE 102.5/102.9, ATLANTA, DEREK HARPER     LARGE MARKET OF THE YEAR -        1480 WBBP, MEMPHIS, TRACY MORGAN     MEDIUM MARKET OF THE YEAR -        KMVP GOSPEL 860 AM, PHOENIX, LOUIS BLAND     SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR -        WEHA, ATLANTIC CITY, ELAINE M. HAWKES     INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR -        URBAN PRAISE, WWW.URBANPRAISERADIO.ORG, EFFIE ROLFE     GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR -        ANGELA MARTIN, WGRB – CHICAGO, IL

Controversial gay film 'Blackbird' starring Mo'Nique and Isaiah Washington to be releasesd on April 24

 

 

UMC - Urban Movie Channel, an RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand, created by Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and Chairman of RLJ Entertainment today announced the April 24, 2015, U.S. theatrical release of the urban coming-of-age film BLACKBIRD. Based on the novel by the same name by Larry Duplechan, the film is directed by Patrik-Ian Polk (Noah's Arc, The Skinny), which he also co-wrote with Rikki Beadle Blair (Stonewall). The film stars Academy Award winning actress and comedian Mo'Nique (Precious), Isaiah Washington (Grey's Anatomy, Blue Caprice, The 100), Terrell Tilford (Single Ladies, Guiding Light), D. Woods (MTV's Danity Kane), Gary L. Gray (The Cosby Show, Bring It On: All Or Nothing), Torrey Laamar, Kevin Allesee, Nikki Jane and introduces breakthrough talent Julian Walker. 

 

"I am very excited to bring BLACKBIRD to theaters and to UMC," said Johnson. "BLACKBIRD is in line with my vision for UMC to bring together the African American/urban production and talent community with a distribution channel dedicated to showcasing and supporting their creative works. I have had the pleasure of knowing Mo'Nique since early in her career as a comedian and her appearances on BET, and I know and admire Isaiah's work as both an actor and a producer. I am certain that audiences will enjoy the inspirational storyline and powerful performances by this extraordinary cast.  BLACKBIRD is the type of high value content UMC was designed to promote," he concluded.

 

"Bob Johnson is a legend and a trailblazer - so I couldn't be more thrilled to work with him and his exciting new enterprise on the release of BLACKBIRD," director Patrik-Ian Polk said. "I've dreamed of making this film since first reading Larry Duplechan's groundbreaking novel twenty-five years ago as a freshman in college, and I can't wait to see it in theaters!"

 

BLACKBIRD is a personal, controversial, and inspiring story that introduces two up-and coming actors - Julian Walker and Kevin Allesee.  BLACKBIRD tells the story of seventeen-year-old Randy (Julian Walker), a devout Christian who tries very hard to be a good person. Since his father (Isaiah Washington) left, Randy takes care of his emotionally disturbed mother (Mo'Nique), sings lead in the church choir and is the kind of friend all of his classmates can depend on. As strong as he seems on the outside, Randy is hiding a secret inner struggle - a denial of his true self. It is not until he opens himself up to love that he discovers that becoming a man means accepting who you really are.

 

"I am truly proud to bring this amazing film to the big screen," said Oscar-winning actress Mo'Nique who is an executive producer for the film. "BLACKBIRD is about a young man in Mississippi coming to terms with his sexuality. It's an incredibly inspiring story that beautifully tells the journey of life, love, family and finding one's truth through a myriad of personal triumphs, strength and acceptance. After first reading the script, I knew this was a story that we had to tell. It's a story that will resonate profoundly in the hearts of many, and a story that I knew, if told correctly would create a movement and bring about change to the lives of so many people, especially within the African American and LGBT communities," she concluded.

 

"It was important to bring this film to theaters and I was honored to produce and work with Mo'Nique, Julian Walker and Kevin Allesse on this film," said Isaiah Washington. "Duplechan first introduced his novel BLACKBIRD nearly thirty years ago, yet the story remains just as timely today as it was when first told. BLACKBIRD is a glorious film, a personal journey and a story that deserves to be shared."

 

The film is executive produced by Sidney Hicks and Mo'Nique Hicks and produced by Keith Brown, Patrik-Ian Polk, Carol Ann Shine and Isaiah Washington.  The deal was negotiated by Mark Ward on behalf of RLJ Entertainment and attorneys Ricky Anderson and Nathan Hale Williams on behalf of the filmmakers.

 

In February 2014, 'Blackbird' began its very successful film festival run as the closing night gala screening for Los Angeles' Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) where it won the Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature Film. Other notable festival appearances include Newfest at Lincoln Center in New York City, Out On Film in Atlanta, Reeling in Chicago, Outfest Fusion in Los Angeles, The Seattle LGBT Film Festival, ReelQ in Pittsburgh, Outflix in Memphis, Long Beach QFilms, New York's American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and The Tampa International LGBT Film Festival.  'Blackbird' also sold out the twelve-hundred-seat historic Castro Theatre in San Francisco at Frameline Film Festival, the country's oldest LGBT film fest. 

 

Internationally, 'Blackbird' had successful screenings at festivals in Barcelona, Melbourne, Copenhagen and Amsterdam with forthcoming appearances in Canada, England and Italy.  Multiple festival juries and audiences have rewarded 'Blackbird' with 'Best Feature' honors: Outflix Memphis, Atlanta's Out On Film, Reeling in Chicago and the Crossroads Film Festival in Polk's native Mississippi. Additionally, the film received honors for Best Ensemble Cast, Best Director & Best Actor (Julian Walker) at Atlanta's Out On Film and the Diversity Award at the Barcelona LGTIB Film Festival.

 

UMC - Urban Movie Channel (), RLJE's proprietary digital channel features urban-themed movies as an alternative to conventional subscription-based channels by showcasing the best drama, documentaries, comedies, horror, and stage plays. 

 

Among the titles available now are live stand-up performances featuring Kevin Hart, Jamie Foxx, and Charlie Murphy; documentaries Dark Girls and I Ain't Scared of You: A Tribute to Bernie Mac; the feature films All Things Fall Apart starring 50 Cent, Mario Van Peebles, and Ray Liotta; and The Suspect starring Mekhi Phifer. Bestsellers include the stage play production of David E. Talbert's What My Husband Doesn't Know. UMC can be found at:  www.urbanmoviechannel.com. 

Controversial gay film 'Blackbird' starring Mo'Nique and Isaiah Washington hits theaters April 15

 

UMC - Urban Movie Channel, an RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand, created by Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and Chairman of RLJ Entertainment today announced the April 24, 2015, U.S. theatrical release of the urban coming-of-age film BLACKBIRD. Based on the novel by the same name by Larry Duplechan, the film is directed by Patrik-Ian Polk (Noah's Arc, The Skinny), which he also co-wrote with Rikki Beadle Blair (Stonewall). The film stars Academy Award winning actress and comedian Mo'Nique (Precious), Isaiah Washington (Grey's Anatomy, Blue Caprice, The 100), Terrell Tilford (Single Ladies, Guiding Light), D. Woods (MTV's Danity Kane), Gary L. Gray (The Cosby Show, Bring It On: All Or Nothing), Torrey Laamar, Kevin Allesee, Nikki Jane and introduces breakthrough talent Julian Walker. 

 

"I am very excited to bring BLACKBIRD to theaters and to UMC," said Johnson. "BLACKBIRD is in line with my vision for UMC to bring together the African American/urban production and talent community with a distribution channel dedicated to showcasing and supporting their creative works. I have had the pleasure of knowing Mo'Nique since early in her career as a comedian and her appearances on BET, and I know and admire Isaiah's work as both an actor and a producer. I am certain that audiences will enjoy the inspirational storyline and powerful performances by this extraordinary cast.  BLACKBIRD is the type of high value content UMC was designed to promote," he concluded.

 

"Bob Johnson is a legend and a trailblazer - so I couldn't be more thrilled to work with him and his exciting new enterprise on the release of BLACKBIRD," director Patrik-Ian Polk said. "I've dreamed of making this film since first reading Larry Duplechan's groundbreaking novel twenty-five years ago as a freshman in college, and I can't wait to see it in theaters!"

 

BLACKBIRD is a personal, controversial, and inspiring story that introduces two up-and coming actors - Julian Walker and Kevin Allesee.  BLACKBIRD tells the story of seventeen-year-old Randy (Julian Walker), a devout Christian who tries very hard to be a good person. Since his father (Isaiah Washington) left, Randy takes care of his emotionally disturbed mother (Mo'Nique), sings lead in the church choir and is the kind of friend all of his classmates can depend on. As strong as he seems on the outside, Randy is hiding a secret inner struggle - a denial of his true self. It is not until he opens himself up to love that he discovers that becoming a man means accepting who you really are.

 

"I am truly proud to bring this amazing film to the big screen," said Oscar-winning actress Mo'Nique who is an executive producer for the film. "BLACKBIRD is about a young man in Mississippi coming to terms with his sexuality. It's an incredibly inspiring story that beautifully tells the journey of life, love, family and finding one's truth through a myriad of personal triumphs, strength and acceptance. After first reading the script, I knew this was a story that we had to tell. It's a story that will resonate profoundly in the hearts of many, and a story that I knew, if told correctly would create a movement and bring about change to the lives of so many people, especially within the African American and LGBT communities," she concluded.

 

"It was important to bring this film to theaters and I was honored to produce and work with Mo'Nique, Julian Walker and Kevin Allesse on this film," said Isaiah Washington. "Duplechan first introduced his novel BLACKBIRD nearly thirty years ago, yet the story remains just as timely today as it was when first told. BLACKBIRD is a glorious film, a personal journey and a story that deserves to be shared."

 

The film is executive produced by Sidney Hicks and Mo'Nique Hicks and produced by Keith Brown, Patrik-Ian Polk, Carol Ann Shine and Isaiah Washington.  The deal was negotiated by Mark Ward on behalf of RLJ Entertainment and attorneys Ricky Anderson and Nathan Hale Williams on behalf of the filmmakers.

 

In February 2014, 'Blackbird' began its very successful film festival run as the closing night gala screening for Los Angeles' Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) where it won the Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature Film. Other notable festival appearances include Newfest at Lincoln Center in New York City, Out On Film in Atlanta, Reeling in Chicago, Outfest Fusion in Los Angeles, The Seattle LGBT Film Festival, ReelQ in Pittsburgh, Outflix in Memphis, Long Beach QFilms, New York's American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and The Tampa International LGBT Film Festival.  'Blackbird' also sold out the twelve-hundred-seat historic Castro Theatre in San Francisco at Frameline Film Festival, the country's oldest LGBT film fest. 

 

Internationally, 'Blackbird' had successful screenings at festivals in Barcelona, Melbourne, Copenhagen and Amsterdam with forthcoming appearances in Canada, England and Italy.  Multiple festival juries and audiences have rewarded 'Blackbird' with 'Best Feature' honors: Outflix Memphis, Atlanta's Out On Film, Reeling in Chicago and the Crossroads Film Festival in Polk's native Mississippi. Additionally, the film received honors for Best Ensemble Cast, Best Director & Best Actor (Julian Walker) at Atlanta's Out On Film and the Diversity Award at the Barcelona LGTIB Film Festival.

 

UMC - Urban Movie Channel (), RLJE's proprietary digital channel features urban-themed movies as an alternative to conventional subscription-based channels by showcasing the best drama, documentaries, comedies, horror, and stage plays. 

 

Among the titles available now are live stand-up performances featuring Kevin Hart, Jamie Foxx, and Charlie Murphy; documentaries Dark Girls and I Ain't Scared of You: A Tribute to Bernie Mac; the feature films All Things Fall Apart starring 50 Cent, Mario Van Peebles, and Ray Liotta; and The Suspect starring Mekhi Phifer. Bestsellers include the stage play production of David E. Talbert's What My Husband Doesn't Know. UMC can be found at:  www.urbanmoviechannel.com. 

ISRAEL & NEW BREED RELEASES  

FIRST LIVE RECORDING IN 5 YEARS

JESUS AT THE CENTER IN STORES AUGUST 14

All New 2-Disc Album & DVD From Multiple GRAMMY, Stellar, Dove Award Winners

Recorded Live At Lakewood Church Features Special Guest Vocalists: James Fortune, Jason Nelson, Michael Gungor, T-Bone, Bishop Michael Pitts, And More

Following two back-to-back Billboard Top 200-selling, GRAMMY Award-winning solo studio albums, Israel Houghton returns with New Breed for their first live recording in five years, JESUS AT THE CENTER, releasing Aug. 14 on Integrity Music. Recorded live with thousands of worshipers at Houston's Lakewood Church, this double-CD, 17 song album with three additional studio singles features Israel & New Breed returning to their roots, delivering new anthems for the modern day church. The recording follows the group's critically acclaimed, GRAMMY Award-winning, A Deeper Level (2007).

Joining Israel & New Breed to produce the studio version of the soon to be released Christian AC single from Jesus At The Center, "Your Presence Is Heaven," is hit maker Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Britt Nicole), while acclaimed vocalists Jason Nelson and James Fortune are featured on the studio version of "It's Not Over (When God Is In It)." Other guest vocalists featured on the live recordings are Aaron W. Lindsey,Michael Gungor,T-Bone, Bishop Michael Pitts, Jeremiah Woods, Daniel Johnson, Charlin Moore, Adam Ranney, Tina Baker, Onaje Jefferson, Krystle Harper and Israel's daughter, Mariah Houghton.

"The overarching story of the album is that sometimes we can be so 'churched' that we can lose sight of the 'who, what, why' of worship," says Houghton. "This project simply places Jesus where he is supposed to be. We intentionally removed the metaphors and simply focused on his name."

Co-writing all the songs, except the Bob Dylan cover, "To Make You Feel My Love," and"You Have Me," by Michael and Lisa Gungor, Israel said that it was time to do another live album with New Breed. "We've always been known for what we do live and we felt like we had songs that could serve as a resource to the church worldwide."

"The concept started with the title track, 'Jesus At The Center.' We felt strongly that it was necessary to make sure that these were all Christ-centered songs that would, for the most part, find a place of effectiveness in the worship experience of any church. 'Rez Power,' 'Your Presence Is Heaven,' 'Speechless,' 'Jesus The Same' - these songs accomplish that and resource worship teams and listeners alike," notes Israel.

   

In addition to the JESUS AT THE CENTER two-disc album, a companion DVD was recorded live in high-definition and features all 17 songs along with behind the scenes footage, story behind the song vignettes and other bonus material. Israel & New Breedwill also simultaneously release an exclusive iTunes® LP. The LP follows Houghton'sLove God. Love People LP that became the first-ever Christian artist iTunes LP and first LP, mainstream or Christian, which included various interactive capabilities. The JESUS AT THE CENTER LP will include the new music, but also video Work Tapes, a Photo Montage and the "Jesus At The Center" video tutorial.

In 1995, Israel and Meleasa Houghton founded New Breed Ministries, an organization they continue to run and that is comprised of noted musicians and singers who serve within their respective churches and together serve the Church at large. Since then, Israel & New Breed has amassed a legion of followers that crosses generational lines with popularity across African American, Latin and Caucasian listener lines. While blasting down barriers, Israel has been fittingly graced with 2 Gold-selling albums, 3 GRAMMY Awards, 12 Dove Awards, 2 Stellar Awards and a Soul Train Award.

Active as worship leader in his local church, Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church, Houston, Israel has served as worship leader at Hillsong conferences and Franklin Graham crusades. He has written or co-written 11 CCLI Top 500 favorites, been featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, performed on BET's Celebration of Gospel and Bobby Jones Gospel; accompanied Alicia Keys at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards for a performance of George Michael's "Freedom '90," and performed at the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards. He uses his own multi-cultural upbringing as a reference point with a desire to draw people of all races, ages and cultures together. More information on Israel & New Breed is available at www.newbreedmusic.com.

About Integrity Music:

Kingsway and Integrity Music compose the music division of David C Cook, a nonprofit global resource provider serving the Church with life-transforming materials. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Kingsway and Integrity Music's resources are distributed in more than 160 countries and sold worldwide. Additional information can be found at http://kingswayworship.com and www.integritymusic.com.

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Restructuring of Categories Across All Genres Brings Total Number of Categories to be Recognized at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards in 2012 to 78; All Fields Remain Intact

Minimum Number of Entries Per Category Will Now Be 40, Up from 25

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 06, 2011) — In an effort to continuously evolve its GRAMMY^® Awards process, The Recording Academy^® (www.grammy.com) announced today that it has restructured the GRAMMY Categories across all genres and Fields, bringing the total number of Categories to be recognized at the 54th GRAMMY Awards in 2012, to 78 (from 109). All Fields remain the same. The announcement was made this morning at The Academy's headquarters by President/CEO Neil Portnow, Academy Board Chair Emeritus and five-time GRAMMY winner Jimmy Jam, and Vice President of Awards Bill Freimuth. Additionally, a minimum of 40 distinct artist entries will be required in each Category (up from 25). Detailed information on these and other recent changes may be found at www.grammy.com/announcement. For updates and breaking news, please visit The Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys.

"Every year, we diligently examine our Awards structure to develop an overall guiding vision and ensure that it remains a balanced and viable process," said Portnow. "After careful and extensive review and analysis of all Categories and Fields, it was objectively determined that our GRAMMY Categories be restructured to the continued competition and prestige of the highest and only peer-recognized award in music. Our Board of Trustees continues to demonstrate its dedication to keeping The Recording Academy a pertinent and responsive organization in our dynamic music community."

For 53 years, The Recording Academy has recognized musical excellence with the GRAMMY Awards — the most prestigious and only peer-recognized award in music — and the awards have grown from 28 Categories in 1959, to awards in 109 Categories for the most recent 53rd GRAMMYs. This growth springs from a tradition of honoring specific genres and/or subgenres within a Field, and it has basically been approached one Category at a time without a current overall guiding vision and without consistency across the various genre Fields. In 2009, The Academy initiated a first-ever comprehensive evaluation of its Awards process, which led to a desire for change. A transformation of the entire Awards structure would ensure that all Fields would be treated with parity. Diligent research, careful analysis, and thoughtful discussion of all Fields resulted in an overarching framework and a restructuring of Categories to 78, and ensures that every submission continues to have a home.

In addition to the restructuring of Categories, two rule changes have been established and four Fields have been renamed. It is now expected that each Category shall have at least 40 distinct artist entries, up from 25. If a Category receives between 25 – 39 entries, only three recordings would receive nominations that year. Should there be fewer than 25 entries in a Category, that Category would immediately go on hiatus for the current year — no award given — and entries would be screened into the next most logical Category. If a Category receives fewer than 25 entries for three consecutive years, the Category would be discontinued, and submissions would be entered in the next most appropriate Category.

The second rule change is regarding voting. Previously, voting members were allowed to vote in up to nine genre Fields plus the General Field on the first ballot and eight genre Fields plus the General Field on the second ballot, including every category within each chosen Field. Now, on each ballot, voters may vote in up to 20 Categories in the genre Fields plus the four Categories of the General Field — which includes Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best New Artist.

Additionally, there are name changes to four Fields: Musical Show is now Musical Theater; the Film/ Television/Other Visual Media Field is now called Music For Visual Media; the Gospel Field has been renamed the Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Field; and the Dance Field has been renamed the Dance/Electronica Field.

The Awards restructuring proposal was presented by The Recording Academy's Awards & Nominations (A&N) Committee — comprised of elected Academy leaders from across the country representing various genres of the music community — and was voted on and passed by The Academy's Board of Trustees — made up of musicians, producers, engineers, songwriters, and other music professionals. The A&N Committee spent more than a year reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating the GRAMMY Awards process and Categories with great objectivity and fair-mindedness, before presenting its recommendations to the Board of Trustees for ratification. While at times incredibly challenging for each member of the committee to restructure Categories in their own respective genres, the greater purpose of promoting unity within the music community and ensuring that all Fields be treated with parity outweighed natural inclinations to resist change.
Please visit www.grammy.com/announcement for the following resources and detailed information:

• A Category Comparison Chart (comparing Categories from the 53rd GRAMMYs to the upcoming 54th GRAMMYs)
• An Explanation of Category Restructuring across all genres
• A Category Mapper (an interactive feature that will show where to enter submissions under the new structure)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Upcoming dates and deadlines for the 54th GRAMMY Awards online entry period

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and a YouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.