ISRAEL HOUGHTON JOINS 2026 GRAMMY PREMIERE CEREMONY OPENING NUMBER
ISRAEL & NEW BREED HAVE HISTORIC NOMINATION: FIRST SPANISH-LANGUAGE ALBUM EVER RECOGNIZED IN THE BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN ALBUM CATEGORY
2026/01/28.IsraelHoughtontoPerformatthe2026GRAMMYPremiereCeremonyOpeningNumber.asp NEWS SOURCE: Merge PR January 28, 2026
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (JANUARY 28, 2026) Kicking off music’s biggest day, seven-time GRAMMY Award-winning Israel Houghton will be part of the 2026 GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony®, live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 1. The ceremony’s opening number will feature performances by current nominees Houghton, Grace Potter, Lila Iké, Maggie Rose, and Trombone Shorty.
Houghton is nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Coritos Vol. 1 (with Israel & New Breed). A Spanish-language worship project, the album brings together artists from seven countries, including Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Miel San Marcos, Marcos Witt, and Evan Craft. The nomination marks a milestone as the first Spanish-language album ever recognized in this category, celebrating unity, faith, and Latin heritage.
Coritos Vol. 1 is Houghton’s first-ever live Spanish album, filmed and recorded primarily at Christian Church John 3:16 in the Bronx, New York City, capturing the energy, authenticity, and cross-cultural spirit of the Latin worship movement.
Israel Houghton is a GRAMMY Award-winning artist, worship leader, and songwriter whose genre-blending sound, spanning gospel, jazz, rock, and Latin music, has reshaped contemporary worship for more than two decades.
The 2026 Grammy Awards will broadcast live following the Premiere Ceremony on CBS Television Network and stream live and on demand on Paramount+ at 8-11:30 p.m. ET/5-8:30 p.m. PT. See here for the full list of 2026 Grammy Awards nominees. Learn more about how to watch the 2026 Grammy Awards
ABOUT ISRAEL HOUGHTON: Seven-time Grammy Award-winning gospel artist, worship leader, and songwriter, Israel Houghton, has been a key influence in contemporary Christian music for over two decades. As the visionary behind Israel & New Breed, he has redefined gospel worship with a dynamic blend of gospel, jazz, rock, and Latin rhythms, breaking barriers and bringing diverse audiences together through the power of faith and music. Formed in 1995, Israel & New Breed emerged as a trailblazing collective known for their electrifying live performances and innovative sound. With seven Grammy Awards, multiple Dove Awards, and Stellar Awards, two RIAA Gold-Certified albums (Alive In South Africa and Live From Another Level), Israel & New Breed have become one of the most influential references in churches and on modern gospel music playlists around the globe. Their projects showcase their ability to create an atmosphere of worship that transcends cultures and denominations. Beyond music, Israel Houghton has been a mentor and leader in the global worship movement, producing and collaborating with artists across genres. His heart for worship and excellence continues to inspire worshippers worldwide. In 2025, Israel & New Breed released Coritos Vol. 1 and Coritos Vol. 2, two powerful live albums featuring special guests and celebrating Latin-infused worship, further solidifying their impact on the international gospel scene. Coritos Vol. 1 received a Latin GRAMMY nomination in addition to a 2026 GRAMMY nod.
ABOUT INTEGRITY MUSIC: Integrity Music is part of the Cook Media Global family, a nonprofit global resource provider serving the Church with life-transforming materials. With offices in both the US and the UK, Integrity Music, based in Franklin, Tenn., and Brighton, East Sussex, is committed to bringing songs that magnify the name of Jesus to the Church and its leaders worldwide.
This Friday, July 24
ALBUMS Leanna Crawford Thank God [Provident] Charles Wesley Godwin Christian Name [Big Loud] eddieM UnReleased - EP [Syntax] Ezra Worship Initiative Great and Glorious God EP [NCS] The Inspirations Songs For Our American Culture [Horizon] Madison Street Worship Who Is Like The Lord [Pure Mosaic] Josh Snodgrass Acoustic Worship (independent) Tyraels Ascension Grave Seeker [Rottweiler] Jean Watson When I Was Fearless (independent)
SINGLES ANTHNY Prepare Me - Single [SONY/Provident] Bill B. Here & Home (ft. Davion Morye) - Single [Syntax] Joe L Barnes Road Less Traveled (feat. Seph Schlueter) - Single [SONY/Provident] Beach Chapel Give You The World - Single (independent) LamonTT Blackshire WORLD CUP - Single [Syntax] CalledOut Music What A Life - Single [Integrity] Chris Caro BRICK! - Single [Syntax] Franni Cash The Real Thing - Single [Capitol CMG] dex the nerd who loves Jesus Dance Like David (ft. Drea LP) - Single [Syntax] DOE High Praise - Single [SONY/Provident] Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Ellie Holcomb, NEEDTOBREATHE Promised Land - Single [Magnolia] Noah Paul Harrison The Lifter Of My Head (Live) [feat. Aubree Archibeck] - Single [Bethel] Koryn Hawthorne His Favorite - Single [Motown Gospel] Mat Kearney Fall On Me - Single (independent) The Kingdom Heirs Jesus Never Met A Sinner (That He Couldn't Save) - Single [Sonlite] Elle Limebear Give Me Joy - Single [Decca] Autumn Nelon I'll Find You - Single [Gaither] Lloyd Nicks Paper-Maché - Single [Wings] Andy Riemersma Holding Me Down - Single [Dream] Troy Patterson The Nikes (ft. Mont Pringle) - Single [Syntax] Troy Patterson Blood & Crypt (ft. Semaj Spitz) - Single [Syntax] Sabyn Worthy (feat. Callie Twisselman) - Single [Owepar] Sam's The Hero In the Absence of Applause - Single [Small Step] Sleeping At Last Echo - Single (independent) Mackenna Swann Surrender - Single [Rixon] Tru-Serva and OneStepMoore Don't Knock It (feat. De La Cruz & Xay Hill) - Single (independent) Colton Vance Feeling Okay - Single (independent) Joel Vaughn Like God Does - Single (independent) Tauren Wells What A Miracle Feels Like (Live) [feat. Naomi Raine] - Single [Capitol CMG] Phil Wickham Everyday Hallelujah - Single [Fair Trade]
Next Friday, July 31
ALBUMS Pat Barrett, Worship Together Burn in Us [Capitol CMG] Joseph Habedank The Worship Album [Gaither] Sower Contrast (independent) Starflyer 59 Disappointed EP [Velvet Blue]
SINGLES Hillside Recording Come Back Home - Single (independent) KNGDM REVIVAL OPEN MY EYES - Single [Dream] We Are Messengers Room For You - Single [Wings]
Switchfoot Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut, feat. Surprise Duet With Lainey Wilson
RSS
Leanna Crawford Thank God [Provident]
