Hammond and Sapp nominated for Grammy Awards
From the Chicago Crusader
Verity Gospel Music Group landed a total of four nominations for the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. Fred Hammond’s catchy single I Feel Good was nominated for Best Gospel Song, and Hammond was also nominated for Best Gospel Song (along with co-writers James Fortune & FIYA and Monica)– for Hold On.
Marvin Sapp’s I WIN was nominated for Best Gospel Album, and his heartfelt single My Testimony was nominated for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance and Best Gospel Song. Hammond’s God, Love & Romance debuted number one on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart and number one on the Billboard Top-200. It was his seventh consecutive number one Gospel album debut, and his highest debut ever in the Top-200. The debut single I Feel Good peaked at number one at Gospel radio. Hammond has been a Gospel music arbiter for three amazing decades and has consistently pushed the genre into new melodic territory.
The Detroit native ascended from bass-playing sideman for The Winans; to founding member of the trendsetting sextet Commissioned; to creating the further renowned ensemble Radical for Christ, to becoming a highly influential solo artist and producer in his own right.
Sapp’s I WIN also debuted number one on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart. The CD debuted number nine on the Billboard Top-200 and its accompanying live recording DVD debuted at number two on the Christian Music Video chart. A multiple Stellar and Dove Award winner, Sapp is senior pastor and founder of Light-house Full Life Center in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich. He is also a former member of the group Commissioned; he was recruited by Hammond to join the ensemble before launching his solo career.
The 55th Annual Grammy Awards will air live on CBS from the Staples Center on Feb. 10, 2013.
