By Margaret Mansfield

New Music: Stellar Award winner Jonathan Nelson is gearing up for his sophomore Integrity Music CD, “Better Days,” slated to release September 14. The 10-song CD of divinely-inspired affirmations was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Aaron Lindsey (Israel and New Breed, Martha Munizzi, and Marvin Sapp).

Nelson has quickly emerged as one of the leading voices on today’s praise and worship music scene. Over the last half a dozen years, he’s put his stamp on urban praise music as the composer of now classic tunes such as Donald Lawrence’s “Healed,” Youth for Christ’s #1 smash “The Struggle Is Over,” and Bishop T.D. Jake’s “My Praise Is My Weapon.”

Then, in 2008, Nelson stepped from the shadows to reveal himself as a charismatic worship leader with his Top 10 smash “My Name Is Victory,” which spent an astounding 65 weeks on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart. That song and his debut album, “Right Now Praise”, earned Nelson three Stellar Awards, an astounding total of eight Stellar nominations and a coveted Dove Award nomination as Best New Artist of the Year. Recorded live at Nelson’s home church, The Faith Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the album features Nelson’s top-notch backing ensemble Purpose and delivers a powerful, much-needed message for today.

“The world needs to hear these proclamations,” says Nelson. “‘My Name is Victory’ was a great start but this new album is centered on the Word to help change the world.” Referencing the title which was suggested by Purpose member James Johnson, Nelson adds, “When he brought it to me, it just spoke to me about what the project is about… We are living in a time of recession, earthquakes and oil spills. People need to hear a message of encouragement that better days are here.”

Cast Your Vote: Music fans from Washington, D.C. can cast their votes for their favorite church choir from the Washington, D.C. area to advance to the 2010 regional Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound™ competition. By voting online at www.HowSweetTheSound.com their voices can be heard in America’s premiere gospel singing competition. Up to eight choirs from the Washington, D.C. area who receive the most online votes will perform at the regional event, which will take place at Wachovia Center on Saturday, September 18, and will compete in front of gospel legends and judges for the title of best church choir in Washington, D.C. and up to $16,000 in cash and prizes. The winning choir from the regional competition will also have an opportunity to represent Philadelphia in Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound grand finale event. Online voting for all 14 cities is open for two weeks until 11:59 p.m. ET on August 1.

Briefly: Grammy and Stellar award winner PJ Morton has joined super group Maroon 5 as part of their pending world tour. Morton joins the tour playing keys and adding background vocals to the popular band. Morton released his latest album “Walk Alone” in April 2010 to rave reviews while touring nationwide in support of that effort. Morton ended the Walk Alone tour in New Orleans as part of the Essence Music Festival. Maroon 5 begins touring on July 30 in Saratoga Springs, NY, wrapping up on October 29 in Mahnomen, MN.

Finally: Ricky Dillard & New G has inked a record deal with Light Records.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”- Hebrews 11:1