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Review: The Sanctuary with Ms. Anita Wilson, Featuring Special Guest Avery*Sunshine

anita wilson the sanctuary

Ms. Anita Wilson: Live & Uplifting

I caught the pre-show excitement bug without even knowing it. Sitting in the audience of the soul music experience, The Sanctuary: Ms. Anita Wilson featuring special guest Avery*Sunshine, felt like the initial runway taxi before takeoff. I’d never seen Ms. Wilson perform live before, but with a beautiful, packed Oasis Buckhead church filled with supporters from near and far, I knew the final destination was about to knock my socks off.

There were no instructions to buckle our seatbelts, but there was one request that Ms. Wilson so poignantly announced before take-off:

“Check all troubles and negativity at the door; this place is for positive vibes only.”

Take Off with a Testimony

What better way to start the evening than with a testimony in song, “That’s What He’s Done for Me”, from Ms. Wilson’s sophomore album and latest release, Vintage Worship. Before long, those positive vibes were flowing freely from the stage to the audience, from heart to heart. Clearly this Grammy®, Stellar, and Dove-award nominated singer is a worshiper at heart, and the words it’s “All About You” are more than mere lyrics – they’re the artist’s lifestyle.

Good News Music is God’s Music

While some may prefer that gospel music walk the straight and narrow of mentioning Jesus, God, or a scriptural reference in every verse, hook, or vamp, the truth is there is good news and good times to be had by all in the simplest words of encouragement.

Ms. Wilson’s detour to the land of Stevie Wonder and his “Higher Ground” did just that – encourage and moved the crowd to their feet for a funky good time. And for an intimate moment with God, when simple words aren’t nearly enough, when we can’t find the words to describe God or how in awe we are of Him, Ms. Wilson’s “Speechless” / “Everything” medley took us to the throne.

It’s All in the Family

Such a powerfully positive stage is meant to be shared with like-minded artists with dope vibes, and that’s exactly what Ms. Wilson did. In true “Auntie of the Year” fashion, Ms. Wilson’s niece, Jaz McClendon, mounted the stage clad with acoustic guitar, stylish ripped jeans, and endearing nervous energy. But the gifted 15-year-old quickly lost herself in Tori Kelly’s “Confetti”, and impressed the crowd with her smooth, honest vocals and skills with the strum. With continued grooming by her talented aunt, and more gigs under her belt, Jaz is sure to be a rising star and one to watch behind the mic.

A Sister from Another Mother: Avery*Sunshine

Cut from the same musical tapestry as Ms. Wilson, with mean keyboard chops and a fierce, sneak-up-on-you vocal range, Avery*Sunshine was a great complement to the night from the moment she took the stage. Comical and real, Avery*Sunshine lifted us even higher with “See You When I Get There” and the Urban/UAC chart-topper “Call My Name” from her latest release, The Sun Room. We were quickly transported to Sunday morning with her rendition of “Safe In His Arms” and “He Keeps On Doing Great Things for Me.”

Flashing the bling on her left hand, Avery*Sunshine declared her love to musical partner, Dana Johnson (on guitar), and made us realize the importance and excitement of celebrating love – God is love!

Mission Accomplished

The night couldn’t end without Ms. Wilson’s acclaimed “Jesus Will”, and undoubtedly sent the masses home with a little more faith for the journey. If the intent of the evening was to encourage hearts, uplift spirits, and share God’s love, I’d have to say mission accomplished! All of us in the audience were no longer strangers or random attendees, but fellow participants in an evening where positivity triumphed, and negativity was defeated.

With it being the BMI Trailblazers 2016 weekend in Atlanta, it’s always awesome to see artists come out and support one another, as “Team Jesus” does! Shout out to Ledisi (who took the mic for a hot moment), Willie Moore, Jr. (and his awesome testimony), Kelly Price, James Hall, Chuck Harmony, Zebulon Ellis, and many others in the house.

If you’re ever looking for a place to check your troubles at the door and feel the freedom of soulful worship, catch Ms. Anita Wilson in concert near you. “Jesus will” definitely keep blessing this inspirational artist with good success.

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40,000 Christian College Students Flood 3 Arenas to Worship Jesus Christ at Passion Conference 2016

passion

God’s Not Dead

2016 Passion Conference. Photo credit Brook Bennett.
Passion Conference 2016. Credit Brook Bennett

If you have any doubts as to whether God is alive and still relevant to today’s young adult generation, allow Passion Conference 2016 to enlighten you with a resounding YES!

Taking place January 2-4 in the Philips Arena and the Infinite Energy Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, 40,000+ college students from across the nation gathered in droves to worship Jesus Christ, donate to issues of social injustice, and be uplifted in their faith.

Founded in 1995 and led by Pastor Louie Giglio of Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia, the Passion movement roots its faith in Isaiah 26:8 and exists to “glorify God by uniting students in worship, prayer and justice for spiritual awakening in this generation.

The Christian event was not just about top ranked music artist or guest speakers – but the 18-25 year old attendees, who are typically referred to as “broke college students”, raised more than $785,000! The philanthropic spirit of the event will reach all the way to war-torn Syria to build a hospital for at-risk mothers and children, and provide socks and towels to homeless shelters throughout the local metropolitan area.

This, Team, is how you make the name of Jesus GREAT!

Want to experience Passion Conference 2017 for yourself? Pre-registration is going on now through January 15th. Don’t miss it!

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31st Annual Stellar Awards Nominees Announced

stellar awards

Another Amazing Year of Gospel Music in the U.S.

Good news is at the heart of Gospel Music, from contemporary to traditional, inspirational to Hip Hop. And there’s no shortage of good news for the 2015-2016 Stellar Award nominees announced for the 31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Team Jesus Events salute you all!

No matter where you are in the world, you’ve likely been touched or inspired by some of the amazing artists to grace this year’s list of Stellar Award nominees. As a medium that transcends racial boundaries and country borders, the gift of Gospel Music presented by these African-American artists expresses the love of Jesus Christ, the personal struggles as sons and daughters of the Most High, and the daily victories God gives to those who love him and are called to His purpose.

Join us in the celebration

It’s going to be a stellar evening of music, inspiration, and laughter! The Stellar Awards will take place February 19th-20th in Las Vegas, NV at the Orleans Hotel/Arena. Tickets are on sale now at www.orleansarena.com.

 

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Category #1
ARTIST OF THE YEAR

ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT

ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP 2.0, MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC

JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS, LIFE MUSIC: STAGE TWO, TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC

TASHA COBBS, ONE PLACE LIVE, MOTOWN GOSPEL

 

Category #2
SONG OF THE YEAR

ANTHONY BROWN, WORTH – EVERYDAY JESUS (ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY), KEY OF A/TYSCOT

DORINDA CLARK COLE, SHANIKA DESHUN BEREAL, RODRICK CLICHÉ, SAAED RENAUD, & FIELD BLANCHARD, BLESS THIS HOUSE – LIVING IT (DORINDA CLARK COLE), LIGHT RECORDS/EONE MUSIC

CHARLES JENKINS, #WAR – ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (CHARLES JENKINS & FELLOWSHIP CHICAGO), INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL

WILL REAGAN, FILL ME UP – THE TRUTH (CASEY J.), MARQUIS BOONE/TYSCOT

 

Category #3
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

ANTHONY BROWN, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT

TRAVIS GREENE, INTENTIONAL (SINGLE), RCA INSPIRATION

FRED HAMMOND, I WILL TRUST, RCA INSPIRATION

JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS, LIFE MUSIC: STAGE TWO, TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC

 

CATEGORY #4
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP 2.0, MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC

TINA CAMPBELL, IT’S PERSONAL, GEE TREE CREATIVE

TASHA COBBS, ONE PLACE LIVE, MOTOWN GOSPEL

DORINDA CLARK COLE, LIVING IT, LIGHT RECORDS/EONE MUSIC

 

CATEGORY #5
GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR

THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP, CELEBRATE, TYSCOT

3 WINANS BROTHERS, FOREIGN LAND, ENTERTAINMENT ONE MUSIC

ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT

ISRAEL & NEW BREED, COVERED ALIVE IN ASIA, RGM/NEW BREED/RCA INSPIRATION

 

CATEGORY #6
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

GEOFFREY GOLDEN, KINGDOM…LIVE!, FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA RECORDS

GERALD & TAMMI HADDON, #US, PEMBROKE RECORDS

CASEY J., THE TRUTH, MARQUIS BOONE/TYSCOT

PASTOR MARLON LOCK, GOOD SEED PROJECT, OGHBYRG PRODUCTIONS

 

CATEGORY #7
CD OF THE YEAR

ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT

ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP 2.0, MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC

TASHA COBBS, ONE PLACE LIVE, MOTOWN GOSPEL

CHARLES JENKINS & FELLOWSHIP CHICAGO, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL

 

CATEGORY #8
CHOIR OF THE YEAR

FULL GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH FELLOWSHIP SUPER MASS CHOIR, THE KINGDOM SOUND, TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC

J.J. HAIRSTON & YOUTHFUL PRAISE, I SEE VICTORY, LIGHT RECORDS/EONE MUSIC

CHARLES JENKINS & FELLOWSHIP CHICAGO, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL

RICHARD SMALLWOOD WITH VISION, ANTHOLOGY LIVE, RCA INSPIRATION

 

CATEGORY #9
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

ANTHONY BROWN & JUSTIN SAVAGE, EVERYDAY JESUS (ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY), KEY OF A/TYSCOT

WARRYN CAMPBELL FOR MY BLOCK, INC., TEDDY CAMPBELL FOR GEE TREE CREATIVE, JASON WHITE FOR WHITE THRONE PRODUCTIONS, DAMON THOMAS & HARVEY MASON, JR. THE UNDERDOGS, EDWARD “EDDIE” BROWN, AARON LINDSEY FOR ARDENT MEDIA, IT’S PERSONAL (TINA CAMPBELL), GEE TREE CREATIVE

CHARLES JENKINS & RODNEY EAST, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (CHARLES JENKINS & FELLOWSHIP CHICAGO), INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL

DONALD LAWRENCE FOR QUIET WATER ENTERTAINMENT, DANIEL WEATHERSPOON FOR LONGLIFE ENTERTAINMENT & J. DREW SHEARD II FOR JDS PRODUCTIONS, DESTINED TO WIN (KAREN CLARK SHEARD), KAREW RECORDS

 

CATEGORY #10
CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR

3 WINANS BROTHERS, FOREIGN LAND, ENTERTAINMENT ONE MUSIC

ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT

GERALD & TAMMI HADDON, #US, PEMBROKE RECORDS

ISRAEL & NEW BREED, COVERED ALIVE IN ASIA, RGM/NEW BREED/RCA INSPIRATION


 CATEGORY #11
TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR

THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP, CELEBRATE, TYSCOT

LARRY D. REID, ONE MUSICK, LDR ENTERPRISES

THE SHOWERS, THE SHOWERS, A&P RECORDS

 

CATEGORY #12
CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

ANTHONY BROWN, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT

TRAVIS GREENE, INTENTIONAL (SINGLE), RCA INSPIRATION

FRED HAMMOND, I WILL TRUST, RCA INSPIRATION

JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS, LIFE MUSIC: STAGE TWO, TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC

 

CATEGORY #13
TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

CHARLES JENKINS, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL

JOHN P. KEE, LEVEL NEXT, MOTOWN GOSPEL

WILLIAM MCDOWELL, SEND THE RAIN (SINGLE), DELIVERY ROOM MUSIC/EONE MUSIC

RICHARD SMALLWOOD, ANTHOLOGY LIVE, RCA INSPIRATION
CATEGORY #14
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP 2.0, MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC

TASHA COBBS, ONE PLACE LIVE, MOTOWN GOSPEL

CASEY J., THE TRUTH, MARQUIS BOONE/TYSCOT

KAREN CLARK SHEARD, DESTINED TO WIN, KAREW RECORDS
CATEGORY #15
TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

JEKALYN CARR, IT’S GONNA HAPPEN, LUNJEAL MUSIC GROUP/MALACO

TINA CAMPBELL, IT’S PERSONAL, GEE TREE CREATIVE

DORINDA CLARK COLE, LIVING IT, LIGHT RECORDS/EONE MUSIC

DOROTHY NORWOOD, AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY, DOROTHY NORWOOD MUSIC GROUP
CATEGORY #16
CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR

ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT

ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP 2.0, MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC

TASHA COBBS, ONE PLACE LIVE, MOTOWN GOSPEL

ALEXIS SPIGHT, DEAR DIARY, UNCLE G RECORDS/EONE MUSIC

 

CATEGORY #17
TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR

JEKALYN CARR, IT’S GONNA HAPPEN, LUNJEAL MUSIC GROUP/MALACO

TINA CAMPBELL, IT’S PERSONAL, GEE TREE CREATIVE

CHARLES JENKINS & FELLOWSHIP CHICAGO, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL

PASTOR MARLON LOCK, GOOD SEED PROJECT, OGHBYRG PRODUCTIONS

 

CATEGORY #18
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

ERICA CAMPBELL, I LUH GOD – HELP 2.0, MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC

KIRK FRANKLIN, WANNA BE HAPPY? (SINGLE), FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA RECORDS

CASEY J., FILL ME UP – THE TRUTH, MARQUIS BOONE/TYSCOT

JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS, GOTTA HAVE YOU – LIFE MUSIC: STAGE TWO, TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC

 

CATEGORY #19
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

DEREK BLANKS, GOTTA HAVE YOU – LIFE MUSIC: STAGE TWO (JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS), TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC

CHARLES JENKINS & THE SPIN SINGERS, #WAR – ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (CHARLES JENKINS & FELLOWSHIP CHICAGO), INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL

ADREAN MANGIARDI, A LIL’ LOUDER (CLAP YOUR HANDS)– CELEBRATE (THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP), TYSCOT

DALE “RAGE” RESTEGHINI, I LUH GOD – HELP 2.0 (ERICA CAMPBELL), MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC

 

CATEGORY #20
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR

FULL GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH FELLOWSHIP SUPER MASS CHOIR, THE KINGDOM SOUND, TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC

LONNIE HUNTER FEATURING STRUCTURE, #GETITDONE, TYSCOT

CHARLES JENKINS & FELLOWSHIP CHICAGO, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL

RICHARD SMALLWOOD WITH VISION, ANTHOLOGY LIVE, RCA INSPIRATION

 

CATEGORY #21
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR

DR. F. JAMES CLARK & THE SHALOM CHURCH (CITY OF PEACE) MASS CHOIR, SIMPLY AMAZING, CITY OF PEACE RECORDS

J.J. HAIRSTON & YOUTHFUL PRAISE, I SEE VICTORY, LIGHT RECORDS/EONE MUSIC

KENNY LEWIS & ONE VOICE, THE WAY OF ESCAPE, PURESOUND MUSIC GROUP

 

CATEGORY #22
INSTRUMENTAL CD OF THE YEAR

CRAIG CRAWFORD PLAYERS, I LOVE YOU, LIFE JAM ENTERTAINMENT

MEL HOLDER, BACK 2 BASICS: MUSIC BOOK VOL. II, PSALMIST MUSIC GROUP

BEN TANKARD, FULL TANK 2.0, BENJAMIN UNIVERSAL MUSIC

 

CATEGORY #23
SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR

ISRAEL & NEW BREED, COVERED ALIVE IN ASIA, RGM/NEW BREED/RCA INSPIRATION

RICHARD SMALLWOOD WITH VISION, ANTHOLOGY LIVE, RCA INSPIRATION

THE LEGENDS OF QUARTET, AN EVENING WITH THE LEGENDS OF QUARTET, 4WINDS/MALACO

VARIOUS ARTISTS, WOW GOSPEL 2015, RCA INSPIRATION

 

CATEGORY #24
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR

DEE-1, 3’S UP, RCA INSPIRATION

FLAME, FORWARD, CLEAR SIGHT MUSIC

TRIP LEE, RISE, REACH RECORDS

DEREK MINOR, EMPIRE, REFLECTION MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC

 

CATEGORY #25
YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR

GOD’S GIFT AND SOLDIERS YOUTH CHOIR, THROUGH THE FIRE AND FLOOD, DIR/MOTOR CITY PRAISE RECORDS

PURE-N-HEART, REVOLUTION: SAVING OUR YOUTH, MUSIC2CHANGEU

JADA REDMOND, “BROTHER”, 4RED MUSIC/MUSIC2CHANGEU

ROBYN, HE’S B4 ME, OAK TREE

 

CATEGORY #26
QUARTET OF THE YEAR

THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP, CELEBRATE, TYSCOT

THE HIGHWAY QC’S FEATURING SPENCER TAYLOR, THE GODFATHER, OPHIR GOSPEL/TBT MUSIC GROUP

THE HI-LITE JUNIORS, A NEW BEGINNING, DYNASTY PRODUCTION

THE NEW CHRISTIANAIRES, REMEMBER ME, CARTER CLASSIC RECORDS

 

CATEGORY #27
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR

DEREK BLANKS, WORTH FIGHTING FOR (BRIAN COURTNEY WILSON), MOTOWN GOSPEL

DEREK BLANKS, HELP 2.0 (ERICA CAMPBELL), MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC

ANNETTE REISCHL, UNSTOPPABLE (VASHAWN MITCHELL), MOTOWN GOSPEL

DENISE TROTMAN & CONNI TREANTEFELES, EVERYDAY JESUS (ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY), KEY OF A/TYSCOT

 

CATEGORY #28
PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR

TASHA COBBS, ONE PLACE LIVE, MOTOWN GOSPEL

ISRAEL & NEW BREED, COVERED ALIVE IN ASIA, RGM/NEW BREED/RCA INSPIRATION

JASON NELSON, JESUS REVEALED, RCA INSPIRATION

RICHARD SMALLWOOD WITH VISION, ANTHOLOGY LIVE, RCA INSPIRATION

GOSPEL RADIO OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

 

MAJOR MARKET OF THE YEAR

HEAVEN 97 – KHVN, DALLAS/FT. WORTH, CARMINA BARNETT

PRAISE 104.1 WPRS, WASHINGTON, DC, RON THOMPSON

WIGO AM 1570, ATLANTA, LARRY YOUNG

WPZE 102.5 FM, ATLANTA, LORI FLOWERS & DEREK HARPER

 

LARGE MARKET OF THE YEAR

95.7 HALLELUJAH FM – WHAL-FM, MEMPHIS, TRACY BETHEA

HEAVEN 600 – WCAO – AM, BALTIMORE, LEE MICHAELS

WFMI 100.9 FM, NORFOLK-VIRGINIA BEACH, MIKE CHANDLER

WPZR-FM PRAISE 102.7, DETROIT, NATE BELL & RANDI MYLES

 

MEDIUM MARKET OF THE YEAR

PRAISE 104.7 FM WPZZ 104.7, RICHMOND, REGINALD BAKER

THE LIGHT WNNL 103.9 FM, RALEIGH – DURHAM, JERRY SMITH

WAAW, AUGUSTA, BJ MURPHY

WXOK HEAVEN 1460 AM, BATON ROUGE, J’MICHAEL FRANCOIS

 

SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR

1300 AM KSYB, SHREVEPORT, RHONDA PHILLIPS-SANDERS

KRGN 98.5, KILLEEN-HARKER HEIGHTS, TX, RON GRACE

WFMV FM 95.3, COLUMBIA, SC, TONY “GEE” GREEN

WIMG 1300 AM, TRENTON, NJ, ED LONG

 

INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR

ALL NATIONS RADIO, ALLNATIONSRADIO.NET, BISHOP SAMUEL MCGILL III

BONNERFIDE RADIO, WWW.BONNERFIDERADIO.COM, GERARD BONNER

GOSPEL CENTRAL RADIO, WWW.THEGOSPELCENTRAL.COM, MICHAEL STEWART

I AM RADIO, WWW.I-AM-RADIO.COM, BEATRICE “SISTAH PEACHES” HAYWOOD

 

GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR

CARMINA BARNETT, KHVN – DALLAS, TX

TRACY BETHEA BODIE, WHAL – MEMPHIS, TN

LEE MICHAELS, WCAO – BALTIMORE, MD

BILLY ST. JAMES, KPZK – LITTLE ROCK, AR

 

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