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Andraé Crouch

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Andraé Crouch Dies

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GRAMMY-winning gospel artist dies at 72
Crystal Larsen
GRAMMYs
Jan 12, 2015 - 2:45 pm

GRAMMY-winning gospel artist Andraé Crouch died Jan. 8 after suffering a heart attack. He was 72. California native Crouch was noted for combining classic gospel music elements with pop songwriting techniques and production. In the '60s he formed his first gospel group, Andrae Crouch & The Disciples, with whom he released albums such as This Is Another Day, which earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Gospel Performance for 1976. Crouch earned seven GRAMMYs throughout his career, including Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for 1994's Mercy. His songs have been recorded by artists such as Elvis Presley and Paul Simon, and he served as the vocal arranger for recording sessions with Michael Jackson, Elton John, Quincy Jones, Madonna, Diana Ross, and Ringo Starr, among others. In 2005 Crouch was among the honorees at The Recording Academy's inaugural GRAMMY Salute To Gospel Music. His most recent studio album, The Journey, was released in 2011 and peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Gospel Albums chart.

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Exploring The Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Field Nominees

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Go inside the nominations in the gospel and contemporary Christian music categories for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm

(For a complete list of 54th GRAMMY Awards nominees, click here.)

You've seen the list of nominees, now take a closer look at the artists nominated in the Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Field for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

With gospel/contemporary Christian music primarily defined by its lyrical content not its musical style, this is a rare non-General Field to reflect genre diversity. This year's nominees skew decidedly pop, with many artists looking to score their first taste of GRAMMY gold. The field also includes some veterans, including five-time GRAMMY winner Steven Curtis Chapman, who won his first GRAMMY in 1991, and seven-time winner Andraé Crouch, a gospel legend who won his first GRAMMY in 1975.

Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance

Steven Curtis Chapman received his 16th career GRAMMY nomination for the feel-good, up-tempo "Do Everything." He won his most recent GRAMMY in 2004 for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for All Things New. Natalie Grant's performance of "Alive (Mary Magdalene)," a track from the multi-artist project Music Inspired By The Story, earned the pop vocalist her first GRAMMY nomination. It's made all the sweeter because the song was co-written and co-produced by her husband, Bernie Herms. Brandon Heath hit a trifecta this year in scoring three nominations. He's represented here for his performance on "Your Love" from Leaving Eden. Le'Andria Johnson, winner of season three of BET's singing competition show, "Sunday Best," received her first career GRAMMY nomination for "Jesus." "I Lift My Hands" rounds out the category, marking modern worship leader Chris Tomlin's fifth career GRAMMY nomination.

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Steven Curtis Chapman - Do Everything

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Natalie Grant on The Story

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Brandon Heath - The Leaving Eden Sessions: Your Love

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Chris Tomlin - I Lift My Hands

Best Gospel Song

This songwriter-based category features some of the genre's most decorated artists. Known for blending gospel and contemporary flavors, Kirk Franklin has seven GRAMMY Awards already to his name. This nomination comes for the title track of his 2011 studio album Hello Fear. Sisters Erica and Tina Campbell, who perform as the pop/gospel duo Mary Mary, won in this category in 2009 for "God In Me." This year they are nominated with co-writers Gerald and Tammi Haddon for "Sitting With Me," a song from Something Big. Veteran producer/songwriter/performer Donald Lawrence won a Best Traditional Gospel Album GRAMMY in 2007 as the producer for the Clark Sisters' Live — One Last Time. This year he's nominated as a songwriter for "Spiritual" from his release YRM: Your Righteous Mind. Gospel legend Richard Smallwood received his first GRAMMY nomination in 1988. This year's nod for "Trust Me," from Richard Smallwood & Vision's Promises, marks his eighth career nomination. Canton Jones is the lone hip-hop artist nominated in this category. "Window," a song from his 2011 double-album Dominionaire, represents his first career GRAMMY nomination.
 

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Kirk Franklin - Hello Fear

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Mary Mary - Sitting With Me

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Donald Lawrence - Spiritual

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CANTON JONES- WINDOW [OFFICIAL music video]

Best Contemporary Christian Music Song

As a songwriter, Laura Story was best known for writing hits for artists such as fellow nominee Tomlin. She broke through on her own in 2011 with her first GRAMMY nomination for "Blessings," her first  Billboard Hot Christian Songs No. 1 hit. Jamie Grace also notched her first GRAMMY nomination for the effervescent "Hold Me." She co-wrote the song with Toby McKeehan (aka Tobymac), who has won four Best Rock Gospel Album GRAMMYs as a member of dc Talk, and mixer/engineer/producer Christopher Stevens. Tomlin serves as worship leader at Louie Giglio's Passion City Church in Atlanta. Tomlin, Giglio and fellow worship leader/songwriter Matt Maher are nominated for "I Lift My Hands," which appeared on Tomlin's 2010 album And If Our God Is For Us... . Matthew West received his first GRAMMY nomination for Best Gospel Song in 2009 for "The Motions." This year he's nominated for "Strong Enough," a song inspired by the real-life story of a young woman's near-fatal car accident. Songwriting partners Heath and Jason Ingram were previously nominated for Best Gospel Song in 2008 for "Give Me Your Eyes." Their songwriting success continues this year with "Your Love," Heath's No. 1 hit from Leaving Eden.

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Laura Story - "Blessings" Story Behind The Song

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Jamie Grace - Hold Me featuring tobyMac (Official Music Video)

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Chris Tomlin - I Lift My Hands

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Matthew West - Strong Enough

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Brandon Heath - The Leaving Eden Sessions: Your Love

Best Gospel Album

After suffering a heart attack in 2009, Kim Burrell returned to the scene 100 pounds lighter and with a new appreciation for life. Her GRAMMY-nominated The Love Album explores love in all its forms. The legendary Andraé Crouch is nominated for The Journey, his first album in six years. The album includes collaborations with Chaka Khan, Sheila E., fellow nominee Burrell, and Take 6. Kirk Franklin's 1993 debut Kirk Franklin & The Family became the first debut gospel album to attain platinum status. Hello Fear is his first album since 2007's The Fight Of My Life, and his first since 2002's The Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin to debut in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. Sister duo Mary Mary have three GRAMMY Awards to their credit, including the Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album award for their 2000 debut album, Thankful. The sisters are nominated this year for Something Big, their fifth studio album. R&B girl group Trin-I-Tee 5:7 morphed from a trio to a duo this year before releasing their seventh studio album, Angel & Chanelle. This is their second career nomination, following a nod for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for T57 in 2008.
 

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Kim Burrell-Sweeter (music video)

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Andraé Crouch - "The Promise"

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Kirk Franklin - I Am

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Mary Mary - Survive

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Trin-i-tee 5:7 - Over & Over

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

Officially billed as a "musical collective," Gungor are comprised primarily of husband-and-wife duo Michael and Lisa Gungor. Gungor received their third career GRAMMY nomination for Ghosts Upon The Earth, counting nods last year for Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album and the pair's nomination for Best Gospel Song. Leaving Eden, Heath's third album, saw the acoustic-oriented singer/songwriter head in a more polished pop direction. His nod in this category rounds out his three total GRAMMY nominations this year. Leeland, named for lead singer/guitarist Leeland Mooring, received their fourth career GRAMMY nomination for The Great Awakening. The band was previously nominated for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album in three of the last five years. Mandisa, a season five contestant on "American Idol," received nominations for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album in 2007 and 2009. Her third career GRAMMY nomination comes in the form of 2011's What If We Were Real. Newcomers Royal Tailor garnered their first career GRAMMY nomination for their debut, Black & White. The pop quartet draws on influences such as Maroon 5 and Jay Sean for a contemporary pop/hip-hop hybrid. Rounding out the category, Tomlin is nominated for And If Our God Is For Us..., which topped Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart.

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GUNGOR "When Death Dies" Acoustic Performance Video

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Leeland: The Live Sessions - "The Great Awakening"

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Mandisa - Stronger (Live In The Studio)

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ROYAL TAILOR - HOLD ME TOGETHER

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Chris Tomlin - I Will Follow

Who will take home the awards in the Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Field? Tune in to the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 12, taking place at Staples Center in Los Angeles and airing live on CBS from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

Follow GRAMMY.com for our inside look at GRAMMY news, blogs, photos, videos, and of course nominees. Stay up to the minute with GRAMMY Live. Check out the GRAMMY legacy with GRAMMY Rewind. Explore this year's GRAMMY Fields. Or check out the collaborations at Re:Generation, presented by Hyundai Veloster. And join the conversation at Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

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The Gospel Countdown

Hilton
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THE GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 3:22 pm

(For a complete list of 54th GRAMMY Awards nominees, click here.)

The countdown to Music's Biggest Night is the time for which most musicians live. That period when things start to happen — increased record and concert ticket sales and more media presence — all because of two words that are affixed to that artist's project: GRAMMY nominee.

It's no secret that garnering a nomination can change lives, sometimes from gold to platinum. It's rarefied air, and surely something no artist takes for granted — having their name announced alongside a group of their peers and hoping to be selected among the elite in their genre.

And most artists wouldn't have it any other way.

This year the Gospel Field includes nominations in the following categories: Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance, Best Gospel Song, Best Contemporary Christian Music Song, Best Gospel Album, and Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.

This year will feature some incredible races in each category, starting with Best Gospel Song where GRAMMY winners Kirk Franklin ("Hello Fear"), Mary Mary ("Sitting With Me") and Donald Lawrence ("Spiritual"), along with Richard Smallwood ("Trust Me") and Canton Jones ("Window") will go head-to-head in one of two songwriting categories.

The other song category, which houses Best Contemporary Christian Music Song, features Laura Story ("Blessings"), Jamie Grace with Tobymac ("Hold Me"), Chris Tomlin ("I Lift My Hands"), Matthew West ("Strong Enough"), and Brandon Heath ("Your Love").

Tomlin and Heath are also nominated for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance, along with Natalie Grant for "Alive (Mary Magdalene)," Le'Andria Johnson for "Jesus" and Steven Curtis Chapman for "Do Everything."

The nominees for Best Gospel Album include Kim Burrell (The Love Album), Andraé Crouch (The Journey), Franklin (Hello Fear), Mary Mary (Something Big), and Trin-I-Tee 5:7 (Angel & Chanelle Deluxe Edition), while the Best Contemporary Christian Music Album category is intense, featuring multiple nominees Tomlin and Heath, alongside Leeland, Mandisa, Gungor, and Royal Tailor.

With still a few weeks to go before the GRAMMYs take place on Feb. 12, 2012, two months to go, it's safe to say the races are close. They will all come down to the wire, making for an incredibly exciting GRAMMY night.

Who are some of your favorites to win? Were there any surprises regarding the nominees? Let us know your thoughts below.

Natalie Grant headshot

Natalie Grant

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Positive Vibes Only: Watch Natalie Grant Heartily Perform Devotional Track "Face To Face"

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Nine-time GRAMMY nominee Natalie Grant delivers a fierce performance of her 2020 track, "Face To Face," in the latest episode of Positive Vibes Only
Taj Mayfield
GRAMMYs
Jan 23, 2022 - 2:41 pm

From her self-titled debut in 1999 to her GRAMMY-nominated 2020 album, Natalie Grant has always kept her faith at the forefront of her career — this week's edition of Positive Vibes Only is no different.

Watch below to see the five-time Gospel Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year put her voice on full display with a powerful performance of her 2020 track, "Face To Face."

Watch Natalie Grant Perform "Face To Face"

With hardy lyrics about breaking bondage, losing strength, and exiting darkness, "Face To Face" fittingly served as the intro track on Grant's latest full-length project, No Stranger. The 2020 album earned Grant a GRAMMY nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at the upcoming 2022 GRAMMYs Awards show, marking her third nomination in the category and her ninth GRAMMY nomination overall.

Check down below for more episodes of Positive Vibes Only.

Keb' Mo' On Purchasing His Childhood Home, Honing A Continuum Of Feeling And His Companionable New Album, Good To Be

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Photo of the Las Vegas skyline and the Strip at dusk

Las Vegas skyline and the Strip at dusk

Photo: Stuart Dee

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New Air Date & Location For 2022 GRAMMYs Show Announced: April 3 In Las Vegas

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The 2022 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 64th GRAMMY Awards, have been rescheduled and will now be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3
GRAMMYs
Jan 18, 2022 - 12:15 pm

The following is a statement from Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr.: 

I'm so pleased to let you know that the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards have been rescheduled and will now be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3 (8:00-11:30 PM, live ET/5:00-8:30 PM, live PT) on the CBS Television Network and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+. Trevor Noah, the Emmy Award-winning host of "The Daily Show," will return as master of ceremonies for Music's Biggest Night. 

Additional details about the dates and locations of other official GRAMMY Week events, including the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony, MusiCares' Person of the Year, and the Pre-GRAMMY Gala, will be announced soon. 

We are excited to take the GRAMMYs to Las Vegas for the very first time, and to put on a world-class show. From the moment we announced the postponement of the original show date, we have been inundated with heartfelt messages of support and solidarity from the artist community. We are humbled by their generosity and grateful for their unwavering commitment to the GRAMMY Awards and the Academy's mission. We appreciate the leadership CBS and our production partners at Fulwell 73 have shown during these challenging weeks and the flexibility of everyone who worked toward this solution. 

Onward, 
Harvey 

2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List