According to Billboard, Marvin Sapp’s new single “Best In Me” has already matched the 2008 peak of his seminal “Never Would Have Made It.” The song - which has people talking and tweeting around the globe - jumps from #78 to #14 on the Hot R&B/Hot Songs Chart, which Billboard says is the largest position jump by a gospel track since the chart began using Nielsen SoundScan data 18 years ago and is also the largest jump in four years among all genres.
Additionally, “Best In Me” is the #1 Gospel song at iTunes and the #1 Christian/Gospel song at Amazon.com. At radio, “Best In Me” made an impressive 6-position jump to #3 with a bullet and continues to get adds at both Gospel and Urban AC stations. Coming off of a standout performance on BET’s Celebration of Gospel - which made him a #1 trending topic on Google and Twitter – Marvin Sapp is also a featured performer on The Stellar Awards, which is currently in syndication and airs nationally February 21 at 5 p.m. EST on WGN and February 28 at 8 p.m. on Gospel Music Channel. “Best In Me” is the debut single from Sapp’s March 16 release HERE I AM; the CD is now available for pre-order at iTune. The 12-track disc was recorded live and is a shining example of the gift of music that resides in Marvin Sapp.
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) officially announced its initial hosts, appearances and plans for its 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards. The event will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at Nashville’s famed Grand Ole Opry House and televised nationwide on Gospel Music Channel (GMC) television network, Saturday, April 24th.
The GMA Dove Awards is Christian/Gospel music’s biggest night of the year, where top artists from every style of gospel music come together for a night of music and celebration as the GMA bestows the industry’s highest honor -- the Dove Award.
Final nominees will be announced on February 18, 2010. The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards will be hosted by 2009’s Female Vocalist of the Year, Natalie Grant, and multiple Dove Award-winning group MercyMe’s frontman Bart Millard. While the awards will be a highlight of the show, music performances will take center stage at this year’s GMA Dove Awards, showcasing some of gospel music’s top-selling and most diverse artists. Artists scheduled to appear include Casting Crowns, TobyMac, Natalie Grant, Donald Lawrence, Jason Crabb, MercyMe, and many more to be announced soon. Those appearing include GRAMMY® and American Music Award® winning-artists who top the charts in sales, touring, and radio airplay - in their respective formats.
“The GMA Dove Awards is our opportunity to come together as a community to worship God and support each other as we celebrate the Gospel through music,” said Ed Leonard, chairman of the GMA’s board of directors.
“Along with this summer’s Immerse conference, it is a cornerstone of what we are doing in 2010 as an association. Coming together like this makes us stronger as a community, plus it’s a lot of fun!”
GMA Dove Week 2010 will kick off Monday, April 19 with the ASCAP Christian Music Awards. The week will additionally include an Artist Summit and the BMI Christian Music Awards as its key events.
Similar to GRAMMY® Week or CMA Week, GMA Dove Week will also feature media events, showcases and professional networking opportunities, most driven independently. The GMA will help to coordinate and promote such events along with other activities taking place during the week.
For tickets to the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards log onto www.opry.com
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