“Jesus” shines at Grammy Awards

The prestigious 54th Annual Grammy Awards were held at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles on Sunday, February 12 to recognise outstanding musical talent in all genres. The awards rose to the profound task of honouring music icon Whitney Houston just hours after her tragic passing. Just days before she had sung her last song,”Yes, Jesus Loves Me.”

And “Jesus shone when the winner in the Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) category was announced. The winner: “Jesus” – Le’Andria Johnson – Song from the debut album, The Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson.

In a press release on the Grammy Awards, South African Christian entertainment distributor Christian Art Media,says: “Congratulations to the strong contenders that were nominated, and of course to the winners that Christian Art Media represents: Kirk Franklin, Le’Andria Johnson and Laura Story, who excelled in the Gospel/Christian Contemporary category.”

Kirk Franklin garnered two Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Song for the title song off his latest delivery, “Hello Fear” as well as Best Gospel Album for “Hello Fear”. After collecting his awards, Kirk Franklin posted on his Facebook Page saying: “Thank you to everyone who said “Hello Fear” with me this season. I celebrate the amazing artists that were nominated with me tonight…I’m gonna work hard to keep God first, family second, and THEN music. Thank you. I mean it.”

The full list of winners and nominees in the Gospel and Contemporary Christian music categories are as follows:

Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance

WINNER – “Jesus” – Le’Andria Johnson – Song from: The Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson

• “Do Everything” – Steven Curtis Chapman – Song from: re:Creation
• “Alive (Mary Magdalene)” – Natalie Grant – Song from: Music Inspired By The Story
• “Your Love” – Brandon Heath – Song from: Leaving Eden “I Lift My Hands” – Chris Tomlin – Song from: And If Our God Is For Us…

Best Gospel Song

WINNER – “Hello Fear” – Kirk Franklin (songwriter). Performed by Kirk Franklin – Song from: Hello Fear

• “Sitting With Me” – Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Gerald Haddon & Tammi Haddon, (songwriters). Performed by Mary Mary . Song from: Something g
•  “Spiritual” – Donald Lawrence (songwriter). Performed by Donald Lawrence & Co. Featuring Blanche McAllister-Dykes – Song from: YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
• “Trust Me” – Richard Smallwood (songwriter). Performed by Richard Smallwood & Vision – Song from: Promises
• “Window” – Canton Jones, (songwriter). Performed by Canton Jones – Song from: Dominionaire

Best Contemporary Christian Music Song

WINNER – “Blessings” – Laura Story, songwriterPerformed by Laura Story – Song from:Blessings

• “Hold Me” – Jamie Grace Harper, Toby McKeehan & Christopher Stevens (songwriters). Performed by Jamie Grace featuring tobyMac – song from “One Song At A Time”
• “I Lift My Hands” – Louie Giglio, Matt Maher & Chris Tomlin (songwriters). Performed by Chris Tomlin – Song from: And If Our God Is For Us…
• “Strong Enough” – Matthew West (songwriter). Performed by Matthew West – Song from: The Story Of Your Life
• “Your Love” – Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram (songwriters). Performed by Brandon Heath – Song from: Leaving Eden

Best Gospel Album

WINNER – Hello Fear – Kirk Franklin

• The Love Album – Kim Burrell
• The Journey – Andraé Crouch
• Something Big – Mary Mary
• Angel & Chanelle Deluxe Edition – Trin-I-Tee 5:7

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

WINNER – And If Our God Is For Us… – Chris Tomlin

• Ghosts Upon The Earth – Gungor
• Leaving Eden – Brandon Heath
• The Great Awakening – Leeland
• What If We Were Real – Mandisa
• Black & White – Royal Tailor

Laura Story’s latest Facebook/Twitter posts referring to the awards were as follows:

“A quick thanks to all for the outpouring of encouragement! With martin decked out in his tux, feels like high school prom again!”

“Quick tip for doing Grammies on a budget: subway sandwiches in the parking garage” – Laura Story

Referring to her official red carpet picture, she said, “Here’s a fun pic of Martin and I on the red carpet – even though I am not that far along, it was still quite a task to find a tent like dress to cover my baby bump!”.