The Gospel Music Association announced the nominees for the 55th Annual Dove Awards, with the ceremony to be held October 1, 2024, at the Allen Arena in Nashville ..read more

Reba Rambo Dreamin’ Sony Legacy (original release date: 1980; re-release date: May 31, 2024) By Robert M. Marovich Reba Rambo was CCM before CCM was cool. She paved the way for artists from Amy Grant to Lauren Daigle by pressing through the criticism she received from conservative churchgoers who initially felt threatened by her ultramodern approach to gospel music. But it was what young Black gospel music artists had been doing for decades: setting Biblical stories and beliefs to a street-smart sound that met people where they were. Or, in Francis Bacon’s words, “If the mountain won’t come ..read more

“All Eyes on King Jesus” Harry Thomas Warrell Independent (release date: January 19, 2024) By Robert M. Marovich The incessant and magisterial beat of the CCM-style hymn “All Eyes on King Jesus” by Harry Thomas Warrell commands the listener’s attention like a military tattoo. The song’s simple message of worship and anticipation on is assisted ably by Warrell’s confident, no-frills vocal delivery and superb recording production. Warrell, a singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, is worship and creative pastor at Telford Minster in Telford, UK. “All Eyes on King Jesus” is the first single fro ..read more

Various Artists Blue Collar Gospel: From the Pen of Rick Lang Billy Blue Records (release date: May 17, 2024) By Robert M. Marovich On Blue Collar Gospel, a quartet of skilled bluegrass players support a passel of gospel vocalists delivering eleven songs co-written by Rick Lang. A Grammy-nominated songwriter from New Hampshire, Lang has a talent for crafting unpretentious and heartfelt southern gospel songs that bring wooden-church spirituality to contemporary life. For example, the title track, which features lead work by album producer Jerry Salley and the rich harmonies of the Oak Ridge B ..read more

NASHVILLE, TENN. (May 13, 2024) – The 11th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards have announced the nominees for this year’s award ceremony. Exclusively announced by Billboard, fans can participate by visiting klovefanawards.com to vote for their favorite artist beginning at 6p CT May 13 through 6pm CT May 24th. With four nominations, Brandon Lake leads, followed by Anne Wilson, Elevation Worship, Matthew West, Phil Wickham and TobyMac, all of whom garnered three nominations each. Housefires featuring JWLKRS and Ryan Ellis as well as Stephen McWhirter earned their first-time nomination for Song of The Year ..read more

“Prayer Room” Sarah Betshabaz Independent (release date: February 19, 2024) By Robert M. Marovich Sarah Betshabaz, a young singer-songwriter from Latvia, accompanies herself on piano on the title track of her new album. “Prayer Room” is a ballad as intimate and quietly passionate as its subject, that special space where petitions are given air and lifted like balloons toward the Maker. Whether as a musician, songwriter, or singer—her soprano voice is tender and vulnerable—Sarah Betshabaz is captivating. Sarah Betshabaz ..read more

“Grace and Mercy” Jennifer Lynn From the album Bluebird (album release date: July 21, 2023) By Robert M. Marovich Christian singer-songwriter Jennifer Lynn’s “Grace and Mercy” sparkles with tenderness and authenticity. It is an autobiographical ode of gratitude to God for always being there in her life, through the good times and the bad. Accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, Jennifer, from Ontario, Canada, delivers the message in a resolute but lovely voice. The song blends the earthy twang of contemporary country with the melodic fluidity of CCM. Jennifer Lynn Music ..read more

“That’s My King” CeCe Winans From the forthcoming PureSprings Gospel / FairTrade Services CD More Than This (single release date: February 2, 2024) By Robert M. Marovich Veteran singer CeCe Winans has the training, the talent, the experience, and the chops to put any song over. Her new single, “That’s My King,” is no exception. Her celebration of the King of Kings overflows with energy. It’s buoyed by a thumping rhythm section and rapid-fire lyric reading. Like other CeCe singles, “That’s My King” deftly straddles the CCM and gospel lanes. Kyle Lee produced this fresh and vibrant single. CeC ..read more

“All Mighty God” Andy E. McGuire Moravera Music (release date: May 13, 2023) By Robert M. Marovich After listening to Andy McGuire’s “All Mighty God,” anyone who has lost loved ones to Alzheimer’s disease—I can empathize, having lost my mother, grandmother, and several aunts to the affliction—will need to have tissue handy. McGuire, a country and gospel singer-songwriter from Georgia, penned the song to pay tribute to his mother who had a hard life but never lost her faith, even while battling the debilitating disease. The heartbreaking lyrics capture McGuire’s sorrow and his own faith walk ..read more

“Jesus” Sydnee Danielle Revival Music Co. (release date: August 18, 2023) By Robert M. Marovich Sydnee Danielle’s debut single (and testimony) “Jesus” is as fine a Pick of the Week as any this year. It’s a breezy, melodic, and heartfelt paean to the Lord from a singer whose vocals couldn’t be more ideally suited to this sweet song. Given that “Jesus” has one foot in CCM and one foot in gospel, it’s likely to be a crossover hit and inspire cover versions aplenty. The song, which Sydnee told syndicated columnist Dr. Eunice Moseley came to her in a dream, was produced by Terrance Howell and Jes ..read more