Continuing with their successful string of accolades, The Clark Sisters swept the three categories for which they were nominated at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, celebrated last night from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The group upset CCM favorite Casting Crowns in the Best Gospel Performance and Best Gospel Song categories with their hit "Blessed & Highly Favored," while also taking the Best Traditional Gospel Album statuette for their comeback disc Live—One Last Time.

In other gospel-related Grammy news, Israel & New Breed took their second consecutive award, this time in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category for A Deeper Level. Meanwhile, Ashley Cleveland won her third Best Rock Gospel Grammy for 2006's Before the Daylight's Shot, beating out rock mainstays Skillet and Pillar. Lastly, contemporary gospel heavyweight Fred Hammond took home his first-ever Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for Free to Worship. For a full list of this year's Grammy winners, click here.

It's official: P.O.D. is set to return April 8 with When Angels and Serpents Dance, the group first album for INO/Columbia. To build momentum, the band has made available a free download of the album's title song and its accompanying music video over at its official website. And at the same site until March 16, fans can be included in a special thank-you booklet to be included with the final edition of the album by preordering the disc. When Angels and Serpents Dance also marks the return of the band's original guitarist Marcos Curiel, who left in 2003 over creative differences.

Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee Phil Keaggy is taking his renowned 1978 album The Master and the Musician on the road for a 19-date concert tour this spring. The eponymous trek is made up of a first half comprised of vocal favorites from the virtuoso guitarist's extensive repertoire, and a second half consisting of a live replication of the celebrated 30-year-old album in its entirety. The tour kicked off February 8 in Cincinnati, Ohio. For additional dates, click here.

On January 15, Sony-BMG rolled out Platinum MusicPass, a new line of digital cards that allow music fans to download full albums in MP3 format and special content. Geared toward gift-card buyers and people who are just transitioning into digital download, the new format features 37 titles in its first run in genres such as rock, pop, R&B, and country. Casting Crowns' The Altar and the Door is the only Christian-music title available in the series so far, with more planned for future release.

Third Day spent mid-January with servicemen stationed in Iraq and Kuwait, performing for and with them at a number of bases in both Middle Easter countries. "Looks like David Carr will be looking for another line of work," said bandleader Mac Powell, referring to Sgt. Chad E. "Sticks" Cooke, who played alongside the band for the hit song "Consuming Fire." In other news, guitarist Brad Avery sang his song "Thank You" during the America Supports You Summit, a Department of Defense event that offers morale-boosting support to the armed forces.

Best-selling modern-worship group Hillsong United will issue its ninth album, The I Heart Revolution, on April 1 via Integrity Music. The two-disc project was recorded on location at a number of venues across the United States, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia, and features 28 of the most familiar songs from the popular youth band. A separate double DVD featuring a documentary and highlights from the group's world tour is expected in May. To watch The I Heart Revolution trailer, click here.

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

				Try an Issue of Today's Christian Woman Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Today's Christian Woman coming, honor your invoice for just $17.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Today's Christian Woman as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up now for the Christian Music Today weekly newsletter:    RSS Feed   RSS Help