"The Hook" Opens!

Hey everyone. I am very excited about this blog because I have so much to share with you guys. How I am feeling, about life and the goals I am trying my hardest to achieve. This blog is a closer look into my journey into becoming a Christian/Gospel Songwriter. This has been a huge dream of mine for years. Im getting closer and I thought it would be nice to share this journey with you guys. Also, I will be just posting news on Christian/Gospel artist, music news, and news that I think you all should know. So its not ALL about me. Just wanted to say I love you all, and this is going to be a great experience so Stay tuned.. I know the Blog today, but I have been posting News on here for a week or so, beyond the first page. Make sure you check out the Archives on the side at the bottom and look at all the previous News as well.

Also, if you have any Gospel News, that I might have looked over, just let me know and I will post it, this will benefit everyone. My email is on the side. Thanks again and GOD BLESS!

Brandon "GOD Given" Colar

Gospel Charts

Christmas still dominate this week’s top 5 albums on the Billboard Gospel Charts. Leading the way is WOW Gospel Christmas at the top spot. Yolanda Adams' What A Wonderful Time comes in at #2. Thirsty from Marvin Sapp holds strong at #3. The compilation Love's Holiday: A Gospel Christmas takes the #4 spot with Shekinah Glory Ministry's Jesus rounding out the week’s top 5.


In the land of radio, Marvin Sapp's "Never Would Have Made It" continues its march towards history, celebrating 17 consecutive weeks at the top of the charts. It is just 2 weeks shy of breaking the all-time record of 18 weeks held by "The Blessing of Abraham" from Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers. Maurette Brown Clark continues to hold on to the #2 position with "One God". J. Moss' "Praise On The Inside" comes in at #3. Jumping to #4 is "You Must Come In At The Door" from Rev. Timothy Wright and the New York Fellowship Choir. Bruce Parham's "Call Jesus" closes out the week’s top 5. (Dec 6, 2007)

Donnie McClurkin recieves Award. Marvin Celebrats First Release

The Recording Academy Honors, in New York gave Donnie a special Award for his contribution to Gospel Music. He was the only Gospel artist getting an award this time around. While others where, Alicia Keys and Bon Jovi. A great honor for him. Congrats dude, YOU DESERVE IT!



Meanwhile Marvin Winans was in Atlanta having a celebration for his First solo project "Alone but not Alone" This release has been a decade over due, but when you hear the CD, its definitely worth the wait. Alot of the Gospel Greats were in attendance, Byron Cage among others. If you havent picked up his new CD, make sure you go get one on your way home from work lol.

Bebe Winans Joins "The Color Purple" in 2008!

Grammy Award winners Chaka Khan and gospel singer BeBe Winans along with 2007 “American Idol” finalist LaKisha Jones will make their Broadway debuts in the Color Purple starting Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at the Broadway Theatre.

Grammy Nominations for Gospel Artist!

The 50th Grammy Award show is just around the corner, and here are the nominations in all Gospel Categories..I musy admit, I didnt know there were that many Categories for Gospel/Christian Music..

Best Gospel Performance
(For solo, duo, group as collaborative performances. Singles or tracks with vocal containing Gospel lyrics. All genres of Gospel music are eligible.)

* East To West
Casting Crowns
Track from: The Altar And The Door
[Beach Street Records/Reunion Records]

* Blessed & Highly Favored
The Clark Sisters
Track from: Live - One Last Time
[EMI Gospel]

* Never Gonna Break My Faith
Aretha Franklin & Mary J. Blige (Featuring The Harlem Boys Choir)
Track from: Bobby: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
[Island Def Jam]

* With Long Life
Israel And New Breed Featuring T-Bone
Track from: A Deeper Level
[Integrity Music]

* He Set My Life To Music
CeCe Winans
Track from: She Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool - A Tribute To Barbara Mandrell
[BNA Records]

Best Gospel Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

* Blessed & Highly Favored
Karen Clark-Sheard, songwriter (The Clark Sisters)
Track from: Live - One Last Time
[EMI Gospel; Publisher: K. Sheard's Melody]

* East To West
Mark Hall & Bernie Herms, songwriters (Casting Crowns)
Track from: The Altar And The Door
[Beach Street Records/Reunion Records; Publishers: Club Zoo Music, Sparrow Song, Swecs Music, Banahama Tunes/Word Music]

* Encourage Yourself
Donald Lawrence, songwriter (Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers)
Track from: The Grand Finale: Encourage Yourself
[EMI Gospel; Publishers: QW Songs/Zomba Publishing]

* Made To Love
Cary Barlowe, Toby McKeehan, Jamie Moore & Aaron Rice, songwriters (TobyMac)
Track from: Portable Sounds
[ForeFront Records; Publishers: Achtober Songs/Emack Music/Lowe Bar Music/Jammu Music/Rizzle Music]

* Praise On The Inside
James L. Moss, songwriter (J. Moss)

Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

* Before The Daylight's Shot
Ashley Cleveland
[204 Records]

* HIStory: Our Place In His Story
The Cross Movement
[Cross Movement Records]

* Open Book
Da' T.R.U.T.H.
[Cross Movement Records]

* The Reckoning
Pillar
[Flicker Records]

* Comatose
Skillet
[Atlantic/Lava/Ardent/INO]


Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

* The Altar And The Door
Casting Crowns
[Beach Street Records/Reunion Records]

* A Deeper Level
Israel And New Breed
[Integrity Music]

* True Beauty
Mandisa
[Sparrow Records]

* Stand
Michael W. Smith
[Reunion Records]

* Portable Sounds
TobyMac
[ForeFront Records]

Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

* Amazing Grace
Bill & Gloria Gaither And The Homecoming Friends
[Gaither Music Group]

* Journey Of Joy
Karen Peck And New River
[Daywind Records]

* Everybody's Brother
Billy Joe Shaver
[Compadre Records]

* Salt Of The Earth
Ricky Skaggs & The Whites
[Skaggs Family Records]

* Tell Someone
Kenny & Amanda Smith Band
[Rebel Records]

* I'll Fly Away: Country Hymns & Songs Of Faith
Various Artists
Ed Cash, producer
[Sparrow Records]

Best Traditional Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

* Live - One Last Time
The Clark Sisters
[EMI Gospel]

* The Grand Finale': Encourage Yourself
Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers
[EMI Gospel]

* Life Changing
Smokie Norful
[EMI Gospel]

* Thirsty
Marvin Sapp
[Verity]

* Cherch
Bebe Winans
[Koch Records]


Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

* Grateful
Coko
[Light Records]

* Free To Worship
Fred Hammond
[Verity]

* V2…
J. Moss
[Gospo Centric/Zomba Gospel]

* T57
Trin-I-Tee 5:7
[Spirit Rising Music/Music World Entertainment]

* Alone But Not Alone
Marvin Winans
[Pure Springs Gospel]

And the Winner is...

Crystal Aikin. BET's Sundays Best, hosted by Kirk Franklin, wrapped up its Season Finale with picking the winner of the Gospel Talent Competition on Dec 5th. The Competition brought in 1.5 Million voted for this show. Crystal Aikin, is 33 and from Tacoma, Washington. She was a crowd favorite for her personality and beautiful voice. Crystal wins a Recording Contract with Zomba, and a 2008 Toyota Camry. Hmm maybe I should try out next year lol.

“This journey has been busy, exhausting, fun, and anticipatory,” said Aikin. “It's a blessed and privileged opportunity to be the SUNDAY BEST winner and to God be all the glory.”

Congratulations to you Crystal, I am very happy for you. GOD BLESS YOU and I pray that your career takes you where you wanna go. Its great to see people getting where they wanna go in the Gospel Industry.

Mary Mary Christmas Live!

Gospel Duo Mary Mary are having a Concert at the Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham Alabama on December 16th. Its a Special unplugged version of there Christmas album released last year. This is one stop on the Mary Mary Christmas Unplugged Tour. If your planning on attending the Alabama show make sure your on time because the first 3000 in attendance is eligable for the 1000 give-a-way. Wish I lived in Birmingham, lol! Also make sure you pick up a copy of their Christmas LP. Its a great listen, GO COP DAT!