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Gospel artist Christopher Page was nominated for a 2010 Stellar Award for "Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year" for his release, A Page From My Heart, recorded with his group, The Dream Keeper's Ensemble. The album includes the popular song, "Sanctified Slide."

But instead of resting on his laurels, Page is using his platform to promote organ donation by joining forces with the National Office of Transplantation and Donate Life America to encourage more African Americans and Christians to commit to becoming organ donors.

The "Giving Life through Gospel Music" campaign started on November 13, 2009 during National Donor Sabbath Weekend and ends on August 1, 2010 on National Minority Donor Awareness Day.

The Second Annual Verizon Wireless "How Sweet The Sound" church choir competition ended this weekend with the Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir, Atlanta, GA, taking home the title of "The Best Church Choir in America." The competition is an opportunity to celebrate the unique ways that music connects people within communities.

During the grand finale, held on Nov. 7 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir walked away with not only the title, but a cash prize of $30,000. Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir also won the V CAST People's Choice Award and a $5,000 cash prize when, during the grand finale, audience members were asked to text their votes for their favorite choir.

The Remnant Concert Choir from Mt. Ararat Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., was named runner-up and received a cash prize of $15,000.

Gospel artists Marvin Sapp, Dorinda Clark Cole and Byron Cage helped judge the choirs. Songwriter, producer, arranger and music director Donald Lawrence served as emcee, and singer, songwriter, producer and actress Lisa Kimmey-Winans served as co-host. The evening also featured special performances by the legendary Clark Sisters, Brother Hahz, Kurt Carr and special guest James Fortune.

According to a press release, Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir plans to use the prize money to record a live CD in 2010. This will be their first recording. Brandon Frazier, music director for Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir said in the release, "How Sweet the Sound does everything first class. It's been a once-in-a-lifetime experience participating and to win -- I'm still taking it in. It's an amazing feeling and has already opened so many doors for our choir."

For more information about the Verizon Wireless "How Sweet The Sound" choir competition, visit the competition website.

(photo caption: Verizon Wireless' How Sweet the Sound co-hosts Donald Lawrence and Lisa Kimmey-Winans announce "The Best Church Choir in America" for 2009, Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir, and the runner up, The Remnant Concert Choir. (PRNewsFoto/Verizon Wireless)

RELATED POST:
Verizon's "How Sweet The Sound" Competition Searches For Best Church Choir in America

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Hip hop artist Da' T.R.U.T.H. announced on his website that he is taking a sabbatical from ministry after a "moral indescrtion" in his personal life.

In the statement, Emanuel L. Lambert, Jr, - aka Da' T.R.U.T.H. - said that he has apologized to his wife and family and is working towards reconciliation with the help of his church, pastor and restoration team.

In May, hip hop artist The Ambassador was released from his label after a "moral failure in his marriage."

And currently in the news, BeBe Winans arrest in February on domestic assault charges against his ex-wife Debbie.

The first thought that came to my mind: perhaps these are the issues that the Gospel Music Association might consider helping artists address - how to be in the spotlight and hold a marriage together, maybe offer a place for artists to go for confidential counseling and support, facilitate support groups, offer marriage retreats?

Christian music artists - regarldess of genre - aren't immune to sin. They struggle with pressure and failure and falling, just like everyone else. The pressure of being held up by music fans as somehow holier than the rest of the Christian community simply because they're in the public eye can often lead artists to struggle silently with problems. There is a bit of a "stick your head in the sand and ignore the problem" mentality in Christian music.

I don't share these stories to be exploitive; I hope that you'll pray for Christians who have been called to share the gospel or encourage believers through music, as well as hold them as accountable as you would the folks sitting in church with you. Not to condemn, but to uphold in brotherly love and accountablity.

Got a gospel or Christian music news tip? Send me an email!

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I've been following the internet chatter all week about BeBe Winans' recent appearance on Oprah and the comments made by BeBe's wife Debbie, questioning Oprah's double standard about domestic abuse.

BeBe Winans was arrested last February on domestic abuse charges when he allegedly assaulted his ex-wife Debbie by shoving her to the ground during an argument. Winans will appear in court again in January to face the charges.

Oprah has been outspoken against domestic abuse in the Rihanna/Chris Brown assault case, and yet recently had BeBe Winans on her show with sister CeCe in support of their new album, Still. BeBe was scheduled to also appear on Oprah as a judge in her Karaoke Challenge.

The arrest is old news. The chatter all week has been about a comment from Debbie Winans, who called Oprah out as a moral hypocrite for having her ex-husband on the show while also condemning domestic abuse in the Rhianna/Chris Brown story.

Oprah apparently agreed, and has banned BeBe Winans from her show. A spokesperson frm her show told the website TMZ, "BeBe will not be appearing on the 'Oprah' show until his legal matters are resolved in court."

It's been suggested more than once this week that I cover the story, but I've held back. I'm not a fan of just writing a post to garner page views; it's more important that I have something to actually say about it, and I've been thinking about what it is that I want to say.

And now I know:

The nominations for the 25th Annual Stellar Awards were announced last week. The show will take place at Nashville's famed Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, January 16, 2010. Hosts for this year's ceremony are Kirk Franklin, Vickie Winans and Donnie McClurkin.

The Stellar Awards are the premiere Gospel event recognizing the best African American artists.

The nominees for the 2010 Stellar Awards are: