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 Coming out on top. Kirk Franklin won two trophies Feb. 8 during the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles. Franklin was honored in the Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album category for The Fight of My Life (Gospocentric/Fo Yo Soul Entertainment/Provident-Integrity Distribution) and “Help Me Believe” in the Best Gospel Song category. TobyMac garnered a trophy for the Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album for Alive and Transported (Forefront Records/EMI CMG Distribution). The sister duo Mary Mary won the Best Gospel Performance for “Get Up,” while CeCe Winans was honored in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category for Thy Kingdom Come (PureSprings Gospel/EMI Gospel).
 GRAMMY-winning band Casting Crowns performed Feb. 5 during the National Prayer Breakfast—which featured President Barack Obama and dignitaries from more than 180 nations, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Casting Crowns sang “Voice of Truth” and “Who Am I” during the 57th annual event, held at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.
Jill Austin, a veteran prophetic minister and founder of Master Potter Ministries, died Jan. 9 after complications involving two emergency surgeries. A leader in the prophetic movement for nearly three decades, Austin authored books such as Dancing With Destiny (Chosen/Baker Publishing Group) and Master Potter & the Mountain of Fire (Destiny Image Publishers). She was also an award-winning potter. A funeral service was held Jan. 12 in Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Harvest House Publishers author and conference speaker Jennifer Rothschild was chosen to receive the annual Hope and Spirit Award by the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB). Rothschild, whose books include Fresh Grounded Faith and Self Talk, Soul Talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself, was presented with the award during an FFB celebration and fundraiser in Washington, D.C., Feb. 11. |
Starfield took home six trophies during the 30th Annual Covenant Awards in Canada, winning every category that garnered a nomination for the Sparrow Records (EMI CMG Distribution) band. Held Oct. 24 at First Alliance Church in Calgary, Alberta, the awards were the pinnacle event of the Gospel Music Association Canada Week, which featured a conference, artist showcases, talent search competition and an awards banquet. Starfield—which has 13 Covenant Awards in the band’s career—won Group of the Year, Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for I Will Go, Praise & Worship Song of the Year for “Reign in Us,” Modern Worship Album of the Year for I Will Go and Recorded Song of the Year for “Hosanna.” Starfield won its third consecutive Group of the Year award as well as second consecutive wins in the categories of Recorded Song of the Year and Album of the Year.
Music fans had their day. Third Day won the Contemporary Inspirational Favorite Artist category of the American Music Awards, held Nov. 23 in Los Angeles. Third Day—which was unable to attend due to the band’s touring schedule—was recognized over MercyMe and Casting Crowns, who won the category in 2007. Pop sensations Jonas Brothers, all committed Christians, won the Breakthrough Artist Award category. The group’s name comes from the three sons of Kevin Jonas, a former Assemblies of God pastor who is one of their managers. Winners were determined by online voting.
Speaking of top-sellers, more than 4 million units of products tied to 3:16: The Numbers of Hope by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson)—including a million copies of the book—have been sold since the title was released in September 2007. Nelson and a group of licensed partners distributed a variety of 3:16 products, including greeting cards and wearable items.