Gospel Round Up: Oct. 26, 2022

Fans of the Grammy and Stellar nominated group Commissioned didn’t receive the long-awaited news of another Commissioned Reunion Tour that many hoped for when Fred Hammond was interviewed recently during an IG Live. Since the 2002 release of the “Commissioned Reunion Live” project and the subsequent tour, fans have been in a perpetual “will they or won’t they” holding pattern of postponed tours. When asked about the plans for the group, Hammond responded in what he said was a moment of transparency and said the Lord showed him his time with Commissioned came to a total end. He wished blessings upon the remaining members and hinted about unknowns happening behind the scenes and finally said, “I tried.” He said a house divided is what ended them in the first place. 

The 53rd Annual GMA Dove Awards were full of firsts, but none more notable than CeCe Winans, who made history as the first Black woman to ever receive the coveted honor of Best Artist, a title held in previous two consecutive years by Australian-born brothers for KING & COUNTRY, who were also nominated. In her usual graceful manner, CeCe took to the platform to receive the honor with the song “To God Be the Glory.” Winans also took home the award for Song of Year for “Believe for It.” Another notable first for the evening was Ricky Dillard, who won his first Dove award for Traditional Gospel Album of the Year. This year’s co-host, Chris Tomlin, won his 28th career Dove Award.

The 2022 BET Soul Train Music Awards will be returning to Las Vegas on Nov. 13, 2022, to celebrate the best in R&B, hip hop, soul, and of course gospel music. This year’s show, which will be hosted by comedian Deon Cole, is said to be “filled with surprises and soulful moments that you don’t want to miss,” according to Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music and the show’s overseer. This year’s contenders for the Best Gospel/Inspiration Award include CeCe Winans, Erica Campbell, Fred Hammond, MAJOR., Marvin Sapp, Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin, Tamela Mann, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard.

Beloved TV star Leslie Jordan, 67, was involved in a fatal car accident on Monday morning in Hollywood and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a LA County coroner. A medical emergency is said to be the likely cause of the accident. Jordan was a fan favorite for his recurring role on “Will & Grace” as Karen’s friend, Beverley Leslie. At the start of the pandemic, Jordan won over a totally new audience with online skits and jokes he would perform to entertain over six million followers. The day before his passing, Jordan posted a video of himself singing a hymn while songwriter Danny Myrick played guitar. His final post read, “Danny helped me with a new original song that should be comin’ out real soon. Love. Light. Leslie.”

A 31-year-old woman now identified as Amber Espigh was taken into custody in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Sunday after entering a church and threatening the congregation with a gun. Espigh, who was seemingly unknown by the church members at the Bethel Assembly of God Church in South Middletown Township, was wearing some form of body armor and began making threats to the congregants when the incident was first reported to Troopers around 10 a.m. Troopers later say that the congregants kept Espigh talking until officials arrived. No fatalities or injuries were reported. However, there is an ongoing investigation into an earlier burglary that took place in nearby York County that Espigh is suspected of committing.