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Gospel supergroup Israel & New Breed were the top nominees in the gospel categories for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards, recorded music's biggest night. The group scored nominations in the Best Gospel Performance, Best Gospel Song, Best Traditional Gospel Album, and Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album categories. "We are humbled, honored and appreciative of these highly esteemed nominations," said group leader Israel Houghton in a statement.

In other categories, the Best Rock or Gospel Album list was dominated by newcomers and underdogs, with blues wunderkind Jonny Lang, West Coast rapper T-Bone, and up-and-coming rockers DecembeRadio and Red all receiving nominations. The Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category had more familiar names, with Third Day, MercyMe, and Chris Tomlin all receiving nods, alongside Grammy novices Ayiesha Woods and Leeland

The fiercest competition will be waged in the Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album slot, as Kirk Franklin, Israel & New Breed, Kierra KiKi Sheard, Tye Tribbett & G.A., and Myron Butler & Levi will all go toe to toe. Meanwhile, Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers, Byron Cage, The Caravans, The Dixie Hummingbirds, and Houghton will duke it out in the Best Traditional Gospel Album field.

Finally, three greats will confront each other in the Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album turf, as Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, and Gaither Vocal Band are all vying for the coveted trophy.

In lesser categories, Tooth & Nail Records scored a nomination in the Best Recording Package category for the artwork on The Best Worst-Case Scenario by newcomers Fair, as well as one for Best Short Form Music Video for "Writing on the Walls" by breakthrough act Underoath.

In other non-gospel categories, U2 snagged mentions for two collaboration, one with Green Day on "The Saints Are Coming," and the other with Mary J. Blige in an R&B recreation of their hit "One." In the meantime, newcomers The Fray also received nominations in separate categories for their hit singles "Over My Head (Cable Car)" and "How to Save a Life."

In other music news:

According to The Hollywood Reporter, gospel megastar Kirk Franklin will play himself in the autobiographical film Church Boy, currently in development. Franklin is producing the Lionsgate feature, which chronicles the rise of the entertainer from an abandoned child to his direction of a church choir at 11, his addiction to sex and drugs, and his eventual redemption. Franklin is also working on a soundtrack to accompany the film, whose theatrical release is expected in 2008.

Alternative worship outfit David Crowder Band is in the running for Artist of the Year over at music portal MSN Music. The band is up against Prince, INXS, Christina Aguilera and Kenny Chesney in the online contest, in which fans can vote through the end of December.

Last week, BEC Recordings released Live from Portland, a DVD/CD bundle from popular pop/grunge act Kutless. Recorded at the band's hometown in Oregon, the package includes live renditions of all of the band's radio hits, including "Sea of Faces," "Strong Tower," and "Run," among others. The video portion also includes interviews and behind-the-scenes footage with the band.

© Andree Farias, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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