Zach Williams And Elevation Worship Each Receive Three Nominations, Tauren Wells Grabs Two;Nominee Matthew West Returns As Host; CAIN, Casting Crowns, Kirk Franklin, Leanna Crawford Also Nominated

19 May 2021 – Nashville, Tenn – Provident Entertainment announces they have garnered 13 K-LOVE Fan Award nominations. Announced via the official K-LOVE Fan Awards website, the Provident family celebrates three nominations for Zach Williams and Elevation Worship,Tauren Wells receives two nods, and CAIN, CastingCrowns, Kirk Franklin, Leanna Crawford, and Matthew West each receive one nomination. Additionally, West will return as the evening’s host.

Now in its eighth year, the K-LOVE Fan Awards is the only fan-voted awards show in Christian entertainment, bringing together the biggest names in Christian music, films, sports, books, and more. The awards will be held in Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday, May 30 at the Grand Ole Opry then broadcast on Friday, June 4th at 8pm ET/7pm CT on TBN. 

The 8th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards nominees from Provident Entertainment are:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Elevation Worship
Zach Williams

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MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Tauren Wells
Matthew West
Zach Williams

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FEMALE ARTIST:
Leanna Crawford

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GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR:
Casting Crowns
Elevation Worship

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SONG OF THE YEAR:
“Graves Into Gardens” by Elevation Worship feat. Brandon Lake
“Together (feat. Tori Kelly & Kirk Franklin)” by for King & Country
“There Was Jesus” by Zach Williams & Dolly Parton

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WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR:
“Famous For (I Believe)” by Tauren Wells feat. Jenn Johnson

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BREAKOUT SINGLE OF THE YEAR:
“Rise Up (Lazarus)” – CAIN

Nominees Include Kierra Sheard, Mali Music, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin, All Nations Music, Travis Greene, Le’Andria Johnson, Koryn Hawthorne, Melvin Crispell, III, and KB

Nashville, TN (May 19, 2021) – Provident Entertainment celebrates 23 nominations for the 36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, with 10 artists nominated in 17 categories, including the major categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year, Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, New Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year. 

Releases from Kierra Sheard, Mali Music, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin, All Nations Music, Travis Greene, Le’Andria Johnson, Koryn Hawthorne, Melvin Crispell, III, and KB all garnered nominations for the upcoming awards, covering the range of Contemporary and Traditional Gospel, as well as Urban/Inspirational, and Rap Hip Hop categories. 

With a dominating eight nominations for her hit album KIERRA, chart-topper Kierra Sheard celebrates nominations in the major categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for the hit single “Something Has to Break (Live) ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard,” Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year, along with four other categories. 

Also honored with multiple nominations are Mali Music, a co-performer and writer for the Song of the Year-nominated Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music duet “Movin’ On” (RCA Inspiration/eOne) and his latest album THE BOOK OF MALI, Marvin Sapp’s latest acclaimed album CHOSEN VESSEL, Donnie McClurkin’s album A DIFFERENT SONG, and the hit debut album COME ALIVE from the group All Nations Music.    

Le’Andria Johnson, who’s nominated for “Hold On,” has two nominations for Traditional Female Artist of the Year. Separately, she received the second nomination for Traditional Female Artist of the Year, for her appearance on PJ Morton’s album. 

Phil Thornton, SVP and General Manager of RCA Inspiration/Provident Entertainment says,“Congratulations to all of the artists for the amazing creativity and powerful inspiration that they share with the world in their music, to impact others and bring a message of hope, love, healing and strength that remains much needed in these difficult times. Thank you to the Stellars for the recognition and continuing to honor gospel music!” 

The 36th Annual Stellar Awards will be July 10, 2021 in Nashville, TN.

Provident Entertainment’s 2021 Stellar Awards Nominations (listed by artist):

Kierra Sheard (Karew Entertainment/RCA Inspiration)

Artist of the Year

Song of the Year (“Something Has to Break (Live) ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard”)

Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year

Album of the Year (KIERRA)

Contemporary Female Artist of the Year

Contemporary Album of the Year (KIERRA)

Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year (“It Keeps Happening (Live)”)

Music Video of the Year (“Something Has to Break (Live)”)

Mali Music (K Approved Enterprises/RCA Inspiration)

Song of the Year (“Movin’ On ft. Mali Music”)

Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year (“Movin’ On ft. Mali Music”)

Rap Hip Hop Gospel Album of the Year (THE BOOK OF MALI)

Marvin Sapp (Verity Records)

Male Artist of the Year (CHOSEN VESSEL)

Contemporary Male Artist of the Year

Donnie McClurkin (CamDon Music/RCA Inspiration)

Traditional Male Artist of the Year

Traditional Album of the Year (A DIFFERENT SONG)

All Nations Music (All Nations/RCA Inspiration)  

Duo/Chorus Group of the Year (COME ALIVE)

Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year

Music Video of the Year (“Bless Your Name”)

Travis Greene (RCA Inspiration)  

Contemporary Male Artist of the Year (BROKEN RECORD)

Le’Andria Johnson (RCA Inspiration)

Traditional Female Artist of the Year (“Hold On”)

Traditional Female Artist of the Year (Gospel According to PJ-*not a Provident release)  

Koryn Hawthorne (RCA Inspiration)

Contemporary Female Artist of the Year (I AM)

Melvin Crispell, III (BET/RCA Inspiration)

New Artist of the Year (I’VE GOT A TESTIMONY)

KB (HGA Music/Essential Sound)

Rap Hip Hop Gospel Album of the Year (HIS GLORY ALONE)

PARTNERING WITH VIBRANT EMOTIONAL HEALTH TO BRING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WITH 11 ARTISTS ACROSS THE LABEL FAMILY

NASHVILLE, TENN. (May 17, 2021) Each year, millions of Americans deal with the reality of mental illness and this year with the ongoing pandemic, focusing on mental health is needed now more than ever. Provident Entertainment is leaning into Mental Health Awareness Month by partnering with Vibrant Emotional Health for a “Band Together” special virtual event to raise awareness around the struggles of mental health and the help that is available for everyone. The online concert will premiere on May 20th at 7:30 PM Central on YouTube, simultaneously streaming across the artists and label channels. Artists involved in “Band Together” include Provident Entertainment’s CAIN, Casting Crowns, DOE, I AM THEY, Koryn Hawthorne, Lydia Laird, Matt Maher, Matthew West and Zach Williams, as well as Adarga Entertainment Group artist Twice Música and RECORDS artist Lathan Warlick.

“During a ‘normal year’ mental health awareness is a critical need. Not surprisingly, over the past year, with our world experiencing sickness and isolation this need has been eminently more important and, in many ways impacts us all. We are honored as a company to join forces with our artists, writers and Vibrant Emotional Health to raise awareness and support for this issue during Mental Health Awareness Month,” shares Terry Hemmings, Provident Entertainment’s CEO/President. “The program our team has put together will be an inspiring evening to band together in a time when togetherness is so vital.”

“In the challenging times everyone has faced during this health crisis, bringing attention to mental health and sharing resources are important to help support each other,” says Phil Thornton, SVP and General Manager of RCA Inspiration/Provident Entertainment. “I’m glad our artists are uniting on this event to bring inspiration and highlight this vital component of self-care, and the services that are out there to provide hope and help for anyone who’s struggling.”

The “Band Together” event will feature original artist performances, special segments from Vibrant Emotional Health, and messages of encouragement to “Band Together” in support of necessary resources for everyone to reach emotional well-being.

“I’m so excited such a diverse group of artists are coming together to engage in a topic that has such diversity – mental health,” states Brian Dishon, SVP of Provident Entertainment. “It is important that all of us are open about our mental health and trust there are people and organizations here to help us each day.”

Vibrant Emotional Health offers confidential, emotional support through crisis services like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Disaster Distress Helpline. The collective group encourages donations made to Vibrant Emotional Health and to learn more about their efforts at Vibrant.org or follow them on social media (@VibrantforAll). If you or someone you know may need support, please take advantage of these free services available 24/7.

“You may feel like you’re walking through a valley right now, but you do not have to walk through that valley alone, and there is hope at the end of it,” explains artist Lydia Laird. “I hope you’re encouraged by these messages.”

Collaborative Project Breaks Worldwide Record On Apple Music With Most First-Day Album Streams For Christian/Gospel Genre, And Most Album Streams In A Day  In The U.S. From A Christian Group With Spotify

Tops Billboard Christian And Gospel Album Charts, Ranks No. 31 On Billboard Top 20

11 May 2021 – Nashville, TN – Old Church Basement, the collaborative album from GRAMMY®-nominated and Billboard No. 1 worship groups Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music has made history, setting a new worldwide record for the most first-day streams for a Christian and Gospel album on Apple Music. Additionally, on Spotify, the 13-song project broke the U.S. record for the most streams in a day for an album by a Christian group and was No. 4 out of all U.S. albums its first weekend of release. It also tops both Billboard’s Christian and Gospel Album charts and ranks at No. 31 on its Top 200 Overall chart.

Old Church Basement, released April 30, is a powerful collection that aims to bring listeners back to a pure place of worship and features vocals from Chandler Moore, Brandon Lake, Naomi Raine, Chris Brown, Dante Bowe, Tiffany Hudson, Joe L Barnes, and Amanda Lindsey Cook. Listen to the new album here. Leading up to its release, the album’s first single, “Jireh” dropped March 26, followed by “Talking to Jesus” on April 9 and “Wait On You” out on April 23.

“Before any lights and a stage, for a lot of us, it was just a few chords on an acoustic guitar or piano in a youth room with a few of our friends,” says Chris Brown from Elevation Worship. “But that’s where we fell in love with God’s presence. Our hope is that this collection of songs makes it easy for you to return to that pure-hearted place of worship within you.”

Naomi Raine of Maverick City Music adds, “Old Church Basement is a reminder that God is still good and the church is still God’s idea. It’s an invitation to come back to a community that is solely after His heart, that just wants the simplicity of the Good News that Jesus brought and the genuine love and fellowship that we can have because of Him.”

Old Church Basement Tracklist:

1. Old Church Basement (feat. Dante Bowe)
2. Jireh (feat. Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine)
3. Talking To Jesus (feat. Brandon Lake)
4. Wait On You (feat. Dante Bowe & Chandler Moore)
5. Wait On You (Reprise) [feat. Dante Bowe & Chandler Moore]
6. Million Little Miracles (feat. Joe L Barnes) 
7. Shall Not Want (feat. Chandler Moore)
8. Come Again (feat. Brandon Lake & Chandler Moore)
9. Used To This (feat. Naomi Raine & Brandon Lake)
10. Names (feat. Tiffany Hudson)
11. Mercy (feat. Chris Brown)
12. Before and After (feat. Amanda Lindsey Cook)
13. Build Your Church (feat. Naomi Raine & Chris Brown)

About Elevation Worship: Elevation Worship is the worship ministry of Elevation Church, a multisite church based in Charlotte, N.C. led by Pastor Steven Furtick. Elevation Worship has produced twelve albums that include the 2018 GRAMMY® nomination for “Best Contemporary Christian Music Album” titled Hallelujah Here Below. Other albums have included the Christian radio no. 1 song “Graves Into Gardens,” the RIAA Gold®-certified song “The Blessing,” RIAA Platinum®- certified, and Christian radio Top 5 song “O Come to The Altar,” which has more than 126 million streams on Spotify and more than 61 million YouTube views, and the RIAA Platinum Certified song “Do It Again.” The group currently has ten songs in the CCLI Top 100 list. The group has more than 3.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, 2.91 million subscribers on YouTube, and 1.5 million+ U.S. album sales. They have toured nationwide on bills with multiple GRAMMY® winners Lauren Daigle, Hillsong Worship, Bethel Music, Casting Crowns, and others. This ministry is passionate about producing songs for the local church that connect others to God. Their main priority is to create an atmosphere of worship so people can encounter Jesus in a real and personal way. Elevation Worship’s newest album, Old Church Basement, a live album collaboration with Maverick City, released April 30, 2021.

About Maverick City: Founded in 2018 by Tony Brown and Jonathan Jay, Maverick City formed as a result of the founders hosting seventeen songwriting camps, which brought together over one hundred Christian artists and songwriters creating hundreds of songs. Since its inception, Maverick City has garnered GRAMMY® and DOVE Award nominations; multiple Billboard No. 1 albums and singles, 250M+ streams, and over a million YouTube subscribers.

Current Single “Yes He Can” Continues To Jump Up The Charts

Performing On K-LOVE On Demand’s Mainstage, Live At The Ryman, May 14

CAIN Included In FENDER NEXT 2021 Class

7 May 2021 – Franklin, Tenn – CAIN, the sibling trio behind the multi-week No. 1 single “Rise Up (Lazarus)”  officially release their first full-length album today, Rise Up (Provident Label Group/Sony Music). Their current single, “Yes He Can,” is already No. 15 on the Billboard Audience Chart, jumping quickly after hitting radio just two weeks ago. The ten-song project is the follow-up to their 2020 self-titled EP. 

To celebrate the release of Rise Up, CAIN – which is comprised of Madison Cain Johnson, Taylor Cain Matz, and Logan Cain – will appear Friday, May 14 on Mainstage: K-LOVE Presents CAIN Live at The Ryman. Exclusively viewed on K-LOVE On-Demand, the show begins at 7pm CT. They will share songs from the new album, including the aforementioned “Rise Up (Lazarus),” “Yes He Can,” and many more. Click here for more details on this not-to-be-missed concert event!Additionally, the group was recognized by Fender Guitars by being included in the FENDER NEXT 2021 Class. FENDER NEXT is Fender’s artist development program, designed to support emerging artists that are moving guitar forward in music and culture. 25 artists, all from diverse genres, were chosen for the program from a pool of thousands of submissions. Over the course of the year, Fender provides CAIN and the other artists with gear and support to showcase their work, amplify their voice and introduce their music to new fans. Find out more here.

CAIN continues to share their songs live on the road this spring with Zach Williams’  Drive-In Theater Tour. Hitting 50 cities around the U.S., along with additional summer shows, the trio will again join Williams’ rescheduled Rescue Story Tour this fall. Be sure to keep up to date with their touring schedule.  

ABOUT CAIN: The music of CAIN quickly became a mainstay at radio since their debut single “Rise Up (Lazarus)” released in early 2020. They’ve also released additional versions of the song: a duet with labelmate Zach Williams, a version with Will Franklin of Colony House, as well as an acoustic version recorded with Essential Worship for its Song Session Series. They also dropped an acoustic cover of “Egypt,” which was originally released by Bethel Music and Cory Asbury. CAIN has also covered several other worship songs with Essential Worship, along with a stunning rendition of Williams’ and Dolly Parton’s duet “There Was Jesus.” Additionally, last Christmas they released the top 10 hit “Celebrate Me Home,” which became one of the highest-charting radio singles during the 2020 holiday season. 

Raised in Hartselle, Alabama as pastor’s kids and now residing in Nashville, TN, CAIN got their first break opening for Dave Barnes and Andrew Ripp at a show in 2012. A decade later they are hitting No. 1 at radio and releasing their first full-length album. It has been said that you spend five minutes with the members of CAIN and you’ll feel like you’ve spent the afternoon in the sunshine. Their joy spills over onto each person they meet, their bright smiles as contagious as their stunning harmonies. Pouring their joy into their debut album Rise Up, CAIN has discovered what it’s like to live their calling while doing their favorite thing – singing about Jesus. Find out more by checking out their bio below and by visiting CainTheBand.com. 

Zach Williams, Koryn Hawthorne, And Elevation Worship Each Receive Three Nods

The 2021 BBMA’s Will Air Live Sunday, May 23 At 8pm ET/5pm PT On NBC

30 April 2021 – Nashville, Tenn – Provident Entertainment is proud to announce they have garnered 15 2021 Billboard Music Award (BBMA) nominations. The BBMA’s, which honor the year’s most successful artists in 51 categories across all genres of music, were announced yesterday by dick clark productions and NBC. Koryn Hawthorne,Zach Williams, and Elevation Worship each received three nominations, while Kirk Franklin, Casting Crowns, Kierra Sheard, Tauren Wells, Mali Music, and Marvin Sapp each received one nomination. 

“We are so proud of our artists who were nominated for a Billboard Music Award and for being recognized for such an outstanding year,” shares Terry Hemmings, CEO/President of Provident Entertainment/Sony Music. “We congratulate all of our Provident Entertainment artists and songwriters as well as their fellow nominees.”

This year’s awards are based on the chart period of March 21, 2020 through April 3, 2021. “Billboard Music Awards” finalists and winners are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, and social engagement, tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including MRC Data. Fan-voted categories include Top Social Artist and Top Collaboration. The BBMAs will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 23 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on NBC.

For more than 30 years, the BBMAs has celebrated music’s greatest achievements, honoring the hottest names in music today. Unique among music awards shows, finalists are determined by performance on the Billboard Charts. Since 1940, the Billboard Charts have been the go-to guide for ranking the popularity of artists, songs and albums, and are the ultimate measure of success in music.

The 2021 Billboard Music Awards nominees from Provident Entertainment are:
TOP CHRISTIAN ARTISTS:
Casting Crowns
Elevation Worship
Zach Williams

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TOP GOSPEL ARTISTS:
Kirk Franklin
Koryn Hawthorne

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TOP CHRISTIAN ALBUMS:
Grave Into Gardens by Elevation Worship
Rescue Story by Zach Williams

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TOP GOSPEL ALBUMS:
I AM by Koryn Hawthorne
Kierra by Kierra Sheard

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TOP CHRISTIAN SONGS:
“Grave Into Gardens” by Elevation Worship feat. Brandon Lake
“Famous For (I Believe)” by Tauren Wells feat. Jenn Johnson
“There Was Jesus” by Zach Williams & Dolly Parton

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TOP GOSPEL SONGS:
“Speak To Me” by Koryn Hawthorne
“Movin’ On” by Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music
“Thank You For It All” by Marvin Sapp

Nashville, TN (April 30, 2021) – Today, acclaimed artists H.E.R. and Tauren Wells premiered the video for their popular new duet, “Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)”. The video was directed by director / artist, child. 

In March, the two artists released the “Hope Mix” of “Hold Us Together,” originally recorded by H.E.R. for the soundtrack of the Disney+ film Safety. Written by H.E.R. and Josiah Bassey, the song shares a timely message of hope and encourages listeners to hold on through difficult times. 

Both H.E.R. and Tauren Wells have firmly established themselves as dynamic and trailblazing artists who are helping to change today’s music landscape. H.E.R. is fresh off of two GRAMMY^® wins for Song of the Year (“I Can’t Breathe”) and Best R&B Song (Robert Glasper’s “Better Than I Imagined” featuring H.E.R. and Meshell Ndegeocello) and earning an OSCAR^® for Best Original Song (“Fight For You” from the award-winning film Judas and the Black Messiah).

Beloved for his platinum and gold-certified Contemporary Christian Music hits “Hills and Valleys” and “Known,” Wells released his second studio album, Citizen of Heaven, in 2020. An eight-time GRAMMY^®  Award nominee, he received two nods at the 63rd annual awards for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for “Famous For (I Believe)” featuring Jenn Johnson and Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Citizen of Heaven. Wells just received a 2021 Billboard Music Award nomination in the Top Christian Song category for his multi-week No. 1 single “Famous For” (I Believe) with Jenn Johnson.

Watch the “Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)” [RCA/Provident Entertainment] Video at: https://HERandTaurenWells.lnk.to/HoldUsTogetherHopeMixOfficialVideo!W&W

15 March 2021 – NASHVILLE, Tenn – Provident Entertainment’s family of artists, labels, songwriters, and publishers are pleased to share they received three GRAMMYs at the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards® held yesterday, Sunday, March 14, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA. They went into the awards with 18 nominations. For a full list of winners, visit grammy.com.

Zach Williams (Provident Label Group) won for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for “There Was Jesus,” his duet with Dolly Parton, which he also co-wrote. Williams won his first GRAMMY in 2018 for his album Chain Breaker.

Essential Music Publishing writer Jonathan Smith received his second GRAMMY as co-writer of “There Was Jesus.” He won his first GRAMMY in 2018 as producer for Chain Breaker.
Mali Music (RCA Inspiration) won for Best Gospel Performance/Song with “Movin’ On” with Jonathan McReynolds. This is Mali Music’s first GRAMMY win with four career nominations.

“Our congratulations to Zach Williams, Jonathan Smith and Mali Music on their GRAMMY wins,” shares Terry Hemmings, Provident Entertainment’s CEO/President. “We would also like to congratulate all of our nominees in the Provident Entertainment Family. Their hard work and pursuit of excellence in their craft is to be applauded and rewarded.”

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About Provident Entertainment: Provident Entertainment, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, is home to Provident Label Group, RCA Inspiration, Essential Worship, and Essential Music Publishing, along with Provident Films. The label group is home to an artist roster including Casting Crowns, Zach Williams, Koryn Hawthorne, Kirk Franklin, Travis Greene, Matt Maher, Matthew West, Marvin Sapp, Tauren Wells, and more. Provident Entertainment operates under the umbrella of Sony Music Nashville. Find out more at ProvidentEntertainment.com.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (March 05, 2021) – Five-time GRAMMY® nominated singer/songwriter Matthew West and chart-topping CMA Awards® winner and three-time ACM® Awards nominee Carly Pearce partner for a duet version of his No. 1 radio single, “Truth Be Told” that is available everywhere today. Spending four weeks at the top of the radio charts, the single was originally from West’s 2020 album, Brand New, and touches the important topic of authenticity, honesty and vulnerability.
“I’m honored to have Carly join me on this new version of ‘Truth Be Told,’ shares Matthew West. “Since her first single, ‘Every Little Thing,’ I’ve been a huge fan. There’s an honesty in her voice that convinces you she’s not just singing, she’s feeling every word she’s singing. It was a special thing to hear that same honest vocal delivery brought to this song about being honest. I’m so excited for the world to hear this duet.”
In addition to the single, the in-studio video of the recording debuts today (below). And fans can get an extra glimpse into West and Pearce as he interviews her on next week’s podcast episode on The Matthew West Podcast.
“My faith is such a huge part of my life,” Carly Pearce says. “I’ve been praying for the right opportunity to show more of my heart, and ‘Truth Be Told’ felt meant to be. Not only am I such a fan of Matthew’s, this lyric has been the anthem of my life over the last year. Being transparent and vulnerable is how we connect with others. I’m so excited to be a part of this collaboration!”

ABOUT MATTHEW WEST: Matthew West is a five-time GRAMMY nominee, a multiple ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner, and a 2018 Dove Award Songwriter of the Year (Artist) recipient and has two RIAA Gold certified and a RIAA Platinum-certified singles. He has received an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, a K-LOVE Fan Award, and named Billboard’s Hot Christian Songwriter of the Year. West also received a Primetime Emmy® Award nomination for Original Music & Lyrics for the title track for the feature film “The Heart of Christmas.” In addition to his own recording career, he has more than 130 songwriting credits to his name, including cuts by Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Mandisa, Danny Gokey, and others, along with back-to-back No. 1 songs by Casting Crowns including their single, “Nobody,” which features West. He was also nominated for a GRAMMY Award in 2019 for Casting Crowns’ song, “Only Jesus,” as a songwriter. West also co-wrote Jeremy Camp’s multi-week No. 1 song, “Keep Me In The Moment.” In February 2020, he released his new studio album, Brand New, which produced the multiple-week No. 1 single, “The God Who Stays,” and his most recent No. 1 single, “Truth Be Told.” In August 2020 he launched his official podcast, “The Matthew West Podcast,” on the Annie Downs’ That Sounds Fun Network.
Adding author to his list of accolades, West has written five books to date: Give This Christmas Away, The Story Of Your Life, Forgiveness, Today Is Day One and Hello, My Name Is. He is also passionate about providing hope and healing through the power of prayer and story. Along with his father, Pastor Joe West, they founded POPWE, a non-profit ministry helping others to craft, share, and live a more meaningful life. Please visit popwe.org for more information and MatthewWest.com

ABOUT CARLY PEARCE: Fiercely rooted in the classics, the girl who left her Kentucky home and high school at 16 to take a job at Dollywood has grown into a woman who embraces the genre’s forward progression and is confident in what she wants to say. Lighting a fire with her debut album EVERY LITTLE THING and the PLATINUM-certified history making title track, Carly has since become “Country’s ‘it’ girl” (ABC Radio), touring alongside Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts and Luke Bryan. With the most CMA Awards nods for any new artist in 2020, she won Musical Event of the Year. In a year of uncertainty, Carly turned to the comfort of records she’s drawn inspiration from since her childhood dream started to take hold – Dolly, The Chicks, Trisha, Reba, Patty Loveless. Like those before, she leaned on her own intuitions with Top 30-and-rising single “Next Girl,” and a clever new video. Carly explores more of a pivotal time with a seven-song collection called 29 (available now via Big Machine Records), finding creative simpatico with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne following the unexpected death of her mentor and former producer busbee. With her catalogue already boasting over 1 billion streams, she opens up even more in CarlyPearce’s 29 – The Interview. As Carly marks a new chapter coming of age, she earns three ACM Awards nominations for Female Artist, Single and Music Event of the Year with her PLATINUM-certified, No. 1 duet with Lee Brice “I Hope You’re Happy Now.” For the latest information and more, visit CarlyPearce.com.

Kirk Franklin, set up with his band and choir in a corner of Uncle Jessie’s Kitchen, makes a declaration. “I know you’re at home right now, in your draws, listening to some Jesus music. It’s ok. Jesus loves you in your draws!” The Arlington, Texas studio, named after a long time close friend, features a large photo of the iconic “I AM A MAN” protest signs from the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Strike on the wall. The jubilant energy that Franklin and company emit, juxtaposed with a visual reminder of the strife that Black people have endured is illustrative of the importance of gospel music in the Black community.

For nearly 30 years, Franklin has been widely regarded for revolutionizing gospel. He incorporated secular music, particularly hip-hop, while preserving the message and integrity of traditional gospel. Here, he and his powerhouse choir pace through a decades-long, sixteen Grammy award winning discography of faith, praise and encouragement while cracking plenty of jokes. I cannot recall a more moving Tiny Desk home performance.

All month long, we’ve presented artists that speak to the diversity and complexity of Black music–where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going. For the final show, we take it back to the spiritual roots and there’s no one more fitting to cap things off than Mr. Kirk Franklin.

SET LIST
Love Theory
Silver and Gold
Melodies From Heaven
I Smile

MUSICIANS
Kirk Franklin: vocals, keys
Melodie Pace: vocals
Darian Elliot: vocals
Michael Bethany: vocals
Eboni Ellerson: vocals
Deon Yancey: vocals
Tia Rudd: vocals
Shaun Martin: keyboard
Matthew Ramsey: bass
Terry Baker: drums, percussion

CREDITS
Video: Clear Scope Media
Audio: Michael Havens Reese Brooks

TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Bobby Carter
Video Producer: Morgan Noelle Smith
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Art Director: CJ Riculan
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Kara Frame, Maia Stern
Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann