c. 1996 Religion News Service

(RNS)-More than two dozen gospel and New Age artists were among the Grammy award nominees announced Thursday by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

The winners in 88 categories of music will be announced Feb. 28 at a ceremony in Los Angeles that will be broadcast on CBS.

The gospel music names include a wide range of Christian artists, from some new to the scene to those prominent for more than a decade, said Lindy Warren, spokeswoman for the Gospel Music Association in Nashville, Tenn.”It was just a good field,”she said.”Something fresh and new, but yet not forsaking those that have been so true to the industry and to Christian music.” The nominations are:

Best Rock Gospel Album:”Big Tent Revival,”by Big Tent Revival;”Lesson of Love,”by Ashley Cleveland;”Jars of Clay,”by Jars of Clay;”Home Run!”by Geoff Moore & The Distance;”No Doubt,”by Petra.

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album:”The Music of Christmas,”by Steven Curtis Chapman;”Unbelievable Love,”by Larnelle Harris;”Find It on the Wings,”by Sandi Patty;”I’ll Lead You Home,”by Michael W. Smith;”My Utmost for His Highest,”by various artists.

Best Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album:”One Summer Evening Live,”by Bruce Carroll;”Someday,”by Crystal Gayle;”A Gospel Gathering,”by Ralph Stanley & Joe Isaacs;”At the Feet of God,”by Jerry & Tammy Sullivan;”Amazing Grace-A Country Salute to Gospel,”by various artists.

Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album:”No Ways Tired,”by Fontella Bass;”I Brought Him With Me,”by The Blind Boys of Alabama;”Shirley Caesar LiveâÂ?¦He Will Come,”by Shirley Caesar;”Power,”by The Mighty Clouds of Joy;”Live at Jackson State University,”by the Rev. James Moore with the Mississippi Mass Choir.

Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album:”More Than a Melody,”by Yolanda Adams;”The Call,”by Anointed;”Motown Comes Home,”by various artists;”Heartsongs,”by Doug Williams;”Alone in His Presence,”by CeCe Winans;”Not in My House,”by Daniel Winans.

Best Gospel Album By a Choir or Chorus:”Bible Stories,”by Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers;”Live in New York By Any MeansâÂ?¦”by Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir;”Praise HimâÂ?¦Live!”by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir;”Shout,”by the Rev. Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Singers;”Show Up!”by The New Life Community Choir featuring John P. Kee.

Best New Age Album:”Dream Suite,”by Suzanne Ciani;”An Enchanted Evening,”by Kitaro;”Trust,”by Patrick O’Hearn;”Tyranny of Beauty,”by Tangerine Dream;”Forest,”by George Winston.

MJP END