“EMI CMG congratulates all of our GRAMMY ® nominees and we are honored and humbled to be working with such talented artists and writers,” comments EMI Christian Music Group President and CEO Bill Hearn. “Their music continues to change lives and impact culture. We are thrilled to partner with each of them to reach a broader audience.”

Sparrow Records’ Steven Curtis Chapman garnered his 15th GRAMMY ® nomination for Beauty Will Rise in the “Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album” while Sanctus Real was also recognized in the category for their album Pieces of a Real Heart. “Better Than A Hallelujah” (as recorded by EMI artist and six-time GRAMMY ® winner Amy Grant), written by Chapin Hartford and EMI CMG writer Sarah Hart, received a nod in the “Best Gospel Song” category.

sixstepsrecords garnered two GRAMMY ® nominations Wed. evening. “Our God” from the Passion: Awakening album, recorded and co-written by Chris Tomlin, was recognized in the “Best Gospel Song” category while David Crowder*Band’s critically acclaimed Church Music received a nod in the “Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album” division. This marks the first GRAMMY ® nominations for both the David Crowder*Band and Passion, and the fourth GRAMMY ® nomination for Chris Tomlin.

ForeFront Records’ TobyMac’s Tonight earned him his seventh GRAMMY ® nomination for “Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.”

Credential Recordings’ raked in two nominations with Switchfoot’s Hello Hurricane being recognized in the “Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album” category and Patty Griffin’s Downtown Church being named in the “Best Traditional Gospel Album” division.

EMI Gospel received seven nominations total. Forever Jones’ received nods for “Best Gospel Performance” for “He Wants It All” and “Best Contemporary Gospel Album” for Get Ready. VaShawn Mitchell also took home two nominations for “Nobody Greater” for “Best Gospel Performance” and “Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album,” for his album Triumphant. Vanessa Bell Armstrong’s The Experience was nominated for “Best Traditional Gospel Album.” Karen Clark Sheard was also nominated in the same category for All In One. Aaron Sledge’s Aaron Sledge took home a nod for “Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album.”

About EMI CMG Label Group:
Brentwood, Tennessee-based EMI CMG Label Group is comprised of Sparrow Records, Forefront Records, and Credential Recordings, in addition to providing A&R and marketing support for sixstepsrecords via a joint venture and licensing partnership. Balancing freedom, discipline, creativity, profitability and ministry, EMI CMG Label Group strives for excellence in artist development. The Label Group is a division of EMI Christian Music Group. For further information, please visit www.emicmg.com.