NAACP Image Awards Celebrates Gospel Musicians
Erica Campbell is leading gospel artists in the 46th annual NAACP Image Award nominations.
The NAACP Image Awards celebrates multi-cultural achievements and performances in television, recording, literature, motion picture, writing and directing along with people promoting social justice in creative ways. This year, gospel music artists are standing out with nominations in more than just the Outstanding Gospel Album Category.
Both Campbell and gospel music supergroup 3 Winans Brothers were nominated in the "Outstanding New Artist" category alongside mainstream singers like Aloe Blacc, Jhene Aiko and Liv Warfield. Campbell has been a member of the gospel singing duo Mary Mary with her sister Tina Campbell for years, but she debuted her solo album "Help" earlier this year.
While the 3 Winans Brothers consists of Marvin, Bebe and Carvin, who have individually been in the music industry for decades, this year marked the first time the trio came together as one for their debut album "Foreign Land." With 17 Grammy Awards among them, the Winans took to Facebook to express their gratitude for the honor.
"We are honored to be nominated for the upcoming NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding New Artist," the group's social media message reads. "Congratulations to ALL of the very talented and outstanding nominees in each category! #3WinansBrothers TV One."
The category for Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary) features Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Erica Campbell, Fred Hammond, Gladys Knight and Michelle Williams. Williams took to her social media after her nomination was announced.
"Thanking @naacpimageaward for nominating me/my album Journey To Freedom for Outstanding Gospel Album," she wrote on Twitter. "Thank you all so much!"
Earlier this year, Hammond spoke to The Christian Post about remaining grateful for the opportunity he has been given to sing music for the Lord which has earned him an award for his album "I Will Trust."
"I really believe it's a calling and that's not just something to say that sounds great. I believe I was born for this, to tell people about the Lord," Hammond told CP. "I just wanted to find the best way that I could do it and music, God graced me to be able to do it, and that was the way that I chose to be effective and tell people that the Lord loves them. It's something inside of me that's more than a contract that I have, which I'm grateful for."
The 46th annual NAACP Image Awards will take place on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, airing live on TV One.
