Grammy Gospel Nominees

The nominees for the 50th annual Grammy Awards have been released and artists with multiple nominations in the gospel categories include Casting Crowns and Israel and New Breed. Veteran Christian artist Michael W. Smith has received his 13th career Grammy nomination. Here's the list of nominees in the gospel categories:


Best Gospel Performance

East To West by Casting Crowns
Blessed & Highly Favored by The Clark Sisters
Never Gonna Break My Faith by Aretha Franklin & Mary J. Blige
With Long Life by Israel And New Breed Featuring T-Bone
He Set My Life To Music by CeCe Winans

Best Gospel Song (Artist names appear in parentheses.)

Blessed & Highly Favored; Karen Clark-Sheard, songwriter (The Clark Sisters)
East To West; Mark Hall & Bernie Herms, songwriters (Casting Crowns)
Encourage Yourself; Donald Lawrence, songwriter (Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers)
Made To Love; Cary Barlowe, Toby McKeehan, Jamie Moore & Aaron Rice, songwriters (TobyMac)
Praise On The Inside; James L. Moss, songwriter (J. Moss)


Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album

Before The Daylight's Shot by Ashley Cleveland
HIStory: Our Place In His Story by The Cross Movement
Open Book by Da' T.R.U.T.H.
The Reckoning by Pillar
Comatose by Skillet

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

The Altar And The Door by Casting Crowns
A Deeper Level by Israel And New Breed
True Beauty by Mandisa
Stand by Michael W. Smith
Portable Sounds by TobyMac


Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album

Amazing Grace by Bill & Gloria Gaither And The Homecoming Friends
Journey Of Joy by Karen Peck And New River
Everybody's Brother by Billy Joe Shaver
Salt Of The Earth by Ricky Skaggs & The Whites
Tell Someone by Kenny & Amanda Smith Band
I'll Fly Away: Country Hymns & Songs Of Faith by Various Artists


Best Traditional Gospel Album

Live - One Last Time by The Clark Sisters
The Grand Finale': Encourage Yourself by Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers
Life Changing by Smokie Norful
Thirsty by Marvin Sapp
Cherch by Bebe Winans

Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album

Grateful by Coko
Free To Worship by Fred Hammond
V2… by J. Moss
T57 by Trin-I-Tee 5:7
Alone But Not Alone by Marvin Winans