Melinda Watts “People Get Ready”

Rising Urban Singer/Songwriter Lives Out Her Gospel Dream
Deciding dreams were not only for others to pursue, Melinda Watts, a former schoolteacher, auditioned for “Gospel Dream,” the Gospel Music Channel’s reality vocal competition a la “American Idol.” She eventually won the 2008 title and set the stage for her national music debut seemingly overnight. Soulfully combining [...]

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Robin Mark “Year of Grace”

Irish Worship Leader Brings Celtic Praise Stateside
Robin Mark could easily get a little heady over his successful 15-year music career. After all, as one of the world’s foremost worship leaders, his bragging rights include Gospel Music Association’s 2004 International Award, millions of records sold from a 13-album discography and a catalog sung by congregations around [...]

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Papa San “Higher Heights”

Style: Reggae/rap/dancehall; compare to Lecrae, Stitchie and Christafari
Top tracks: “Fasure” (feat. tobyMac), “Stand” (feat. Seanote), “Prayer” (feat. Marvin Winans, Jr.)
In a nutshell: Proving DJs are more than record players, Papa San earned his international star over twenty years ago by infusing rapid-fire rap and reggae rhythms with hit samples and infectious influences derived from his [...]

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Travis Cottrell

Redirecting the Spotlight
With quick wit and a gracious spirit, Travis Cottrell possesses the posture of someone who rarely meets a stranger. As the staple worship leader for Beth Moore’s seismic Living Proof Bible study events, it’s his friendly demeanor and impeccably crafted church music that attracts a rapidly growing number of spiritual seekers each year. [...]

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Hillsong United “Across the Earth: Tear Down the Walls”

More Of What We Love From Our Favorite Aussie Worship Band
For the past decade, the United band has extended a youthful arm to the enormous Hillsong congregation and millions of Hillsong listeners worldwide. An amplification of the Australian church’s youth ministry of the same name, the band successfully reaches a younger generation that may remain [...]

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Jade Harrell “Class Reject”

Shining Dance Debut From Multi-Genre New Artist
I think Mary Mary just put the smack down on Family Force 5. Or was that Jill Scott singing Reggae? Wait. That has got to be a Motown cover. Forget trying to classify the sounds on Jade Harrell’s debut record, Class Reject. It’s all original and all new. With [...]

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Yellow Cavalier

Introducing . . . Yellow Cavalier
Citing dc Talk as their inspiration, new vocal foursome Yellow Cavalier—Chad Graham, Caleb Grimm, Kyle Kupecky, and Alan Powel—tell us about the making of a band. Read on . . .

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Travis Cottrell “Jesus Saves LIVE”

Style: Epic live worship; compare to Paul Baloche, Tommy Walker, and Michael W. Smith
Top tracks: “Our God Saves,” “Jesus Saves,” “In Christ Alone”
In a nutshell: For the last couple of years, worship leader Travis Cottrell has been dabbling with artist-driven solo projects, a justified tangent considering his impressive singing voice and imposing stage presence. But [...]

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MIKESCHAIR “MIKESCHAIR”

Belmont Alum Yield Out Of The Box Success On National Debut
Born out of an impromptu jam session in a Belmont University dorm room, MIKESCHAIR has been cranking out tunes since its freshman formation six years ago. From the band’s first Christian music showcase at the Nashville university to signing with Curb Records in 2007 to [...]

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B. David “Life Journal”

Style: Smooth gospel pop; compare to Smokie Norful, Heather Headley and George Rowe
Top tracks: “Hope,” “Believe”
In a nutshell: B. David has been priming his music career since singing in churches as a teen. Now, as the worship leader for 6,000-member Destiny Metropolitan Worship Church in Marietta, Georgia, performing member of the nationally distributed group Destiny [...]

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