It seems as though Gospel Music will be playing an enormous part in this year’s 41^st NAACP Image Awards. Gospel princess’ Mary Mary is the only Gospel song up for an award in the category of “Outstanding Song of the Year” The Awards program celebrates outstanding achievements and performances ranging from music to movies.

Last year Hezekiah Walker, Marvin Sapp, Mary Mary, Regina Belle and Take 6 were nominated for “Outstanding Album of the Year” This year, Shirley Caesar, Vickie Winans, Fred Hammond, BeBe & CeCe Winans and Donnie McClurkin are the nominees in the category.

This year’s celebration will be held in Los Angeles, California in the Shrine Auditorium on February 26, 2010. It will air live On FOX at 8.pm. The OC congratulates our gospel favorites!

♫OC MUSIC SAMPLER:  ‘The Brown Sisters Live in Chicago’ ♫

The Brown Sisters have most definitely acquired the right to be very proud of what God has done through the release of their debut CD “The Brown Sisters Live in Chicago” this past year. It has earned them Chicago Music Awards (CMA) for Best Gospel Album of the Year and Best Gospel Entertainer of the Year, as well as top spots on the music charts.

(Vanessa, Phyllis, Lavette, Adrienne and Andrea ,The Brown Sisters)

These sisters have been making appearances on the gospel stage since the early 1990s, performing all over Europe for a decade, and appearing at the Montreux Jazz and New Orleans Jazz Festivals. They have been blessed to grace the stage with such artist as Aretha Franklin, Bobby McFerrin, Marvin Sapp and Shirley Caesar.

Vanessa, Phyllis, Lavette, Adrienne and Andrea are greatly deserving of their accomplishments; they have overcome many trials and tribulations, the hardest being the lost of their brother Zachary who was their MD (Lead Music Director) throughout most of their career. The group of five has made and is continuing to make their marks in the gospel entertainment world, and in doing so the OC wishes them much more success.

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(Karen Clark Sheard)

Byron Cage, Karen Clark Sheard, Donald Lawrence and Marvin Sapp were just a few of the gospel sensations at Chicago’s Hope for Haiti concert. The concert took place on February 8, 2010 in the 10,000 seat venue of The House of Hope in Chicago. The benefit was organized by Illinois Senator Rev. James Meeks who is also pastor of Salem Baptist Church and Chicago pastor Rev. Charles Jenkins, pastor of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.

(Byron Cage)

Not one seat in the House of Hope was left empty as Cage, Sheard and Sapp along with several others used the gift God gave them to help raise money for victims and urge viewers to call in to donate. The benefit concert aired live on WJYS-TV. The show was also broadcast via radio by WGRB 1390 AM on air personalities Pastor John Hannah and Angela Martin.

(Donald Lawrence)

The proceeds of the concert will go directly to Yele Haiti, Samaritan’s Purse and International Childcare which is supported by Senator Kwame Raoul of Haiti. For more information on these organizations visit www.samaritanspurse.org or www.yele.org or internationalchildcare.org

(New Cover Art For “Krazy Praise” the first solo project  from April Nevels)

So we’ve all gotten word of little April taking the big girl role and going solo from her big sisters, but this doesn’t come as any surprise to The OC! April who began singing at the young age of five has always been one of the strongest singers in the quartet; though she is the baby of five siblings, we all know she never had the baby voice! April has released the first single from her solo album “Krazy Praise.” The album will hit stores spring of this year.

April has been through it all, divorce, depression and even suicidal moments but with God’s grace and mercy of course she managed to persevere and it seems like she’s better than ever! The contemporary and joyful sound of “Krazy Praise” is a must hear. Her angelic voice still sends chills through your body… this woman is a warrior!

(New Single “Krazy Praise”)

April is also on Kirk Franklin’s song “ Are You Listening: A Love Song for Haiti” along with several other of gospel legends. April was the last to join her sisters in forming the group but she eventually become the main leader singing lead vocals on “Clap Your Hands,” the 2009 Top 30 Billboard single.

April does her own thing now but still manages to record with her sisters. They are currently in the studio working on a project that will be available this summer. I’m sure they will present us with more inspirational sounds! Good Job April! 

Want to know about a true warrior? Well Rev. Lowery is it! The Religious Icon, spiritual leader, and member of the Top 15 preachers around the world named by Ebony was hospitalized for a blood clot in the lung, according to a statement issued by hospital officials on January 31, 2010.

(Rev. Joseph Lowery)

Lowery is co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and served as its president from 1977 to 1997. He delivered the benediction at the inauguration of President Barack Obama and was also presented the “Medal of Freedom” which is the Presidents’s Highest Award.

(Rev. Lowey receiving “The Medal of Freedom”)

The civil rights icon was still in stable condition at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday, February 3,2010 after being admitted there Saturday, January 30 and spending time in the intensive care unit.

(Rev. Joseph Lowery)

Dr. Kenneth Leeper, the hospital’s director of pulmonary and critical care medicine reported to the Atlanta Journal of Constitution that Lowery “continues to rest comfortably in stable condition,” the statement said. Friends said over the weekend that Lowery’s condition was not serious and should soon be released.

( Rev Joseph Lowery and President Barack Obama)

Lowery, who last summer received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor, was scheduled to attend an African-American achievement award ceremony the same day he was admitted. No Matter what, Lowery still remains active in the civil rights movement and advocates for racial justice, human rights, and world peace and of course praising the Lord! The OC will continue to keep the 88 year old in our prayers and of course you can check in with us to get updates on Reverend Lowery’s condition!