Grammy Award nominations announced
The Grammy nominations are in for Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel album. Nominees include albums by Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, the Del McCoury Band, the Gaither Vocal Band…and Kenny Bishop’s self-titled solo debut.
What on earth were they thinking?
Despite the fact that Bishop had publicly announced his comeback, and had started regularly performing concerts, he wasn’t even named in the top 10 soloists in this year’s Singing News Fan Awards. (The top 10 were Mark Bishop, Mike Bowling, Michael Combs, Tony Gore, John Lanier, Cricket Lee, Randy Miller, Ivan Parker, Dottie Rambo, and Garry Sheppard.)
Kentucky.com has a story on Bishop’s reaction to the nomination. Bishop was completely shocked, and I don’t blame him.
He started his solo career with instant name recognition, but thus far that has not translated into any major successes in radio airplay, album sales (to my knowledge), or choice concert venues. He has kept his day job and just sings on weekends.
Does anyone know how this could translate into a Grammy nomination for one of the two Southern Gospel slots this year?
Clarification: Just in case I have any readers who are big Kenny Bishop fans, I am not saying that the album did not deserve the nomination. I haven’t heard it yet. I’m just completely puzzled as to how it got this nomination.
I was speaking of it highly...
Comment by David Bruce Murray (December 7, 2006, 9:01 pm)
The Grammy nominations are notoriously out of touch with reality when it comes to the SG/Bluegrass/Country Gospel category. Who even knows where they got their hands on Bishop’s project for consideration? If Daywind was pushing a particular title, you’d think it would have been one of their more popular artists.
It looks like Kenny Bishop has displaced the persistently nominated Art Greenhaw and the Light Crust Doughboys in the SG/Bluegrass/Country category this year, though, and that’s a VERY GOOD THING!
Comment by Diana (December 8, 2006, 7:53 am)
I’ve got the album and I think it’s good. His “The Prodigal’s Dad” has done well on the charts and he really has a great message that he presents at his concerts. But I’m very surprised at this kind of nomination so quickly after his come-back. Seems to me that there are others that would have been chosen before Kenny.
Comment by GospelMusicFan (December 8, 2006, 8:15 am)
David Bruce Murray hit the nail right on the head.
I might not agree with him all the time but that’s waht makes reading his blog very interesting
Comment by Seaton (December 8, 2006, 8:46 am)
I think we need to look at it another way. I think we, as Southern Gospel Fans, should be glad the grammy’s still consider Southern Gospel. I am surprised by the nom, but I am sure that Alan Jackson or the Del McCoury Band will win.
Comment by Chris Unthank (December 9, 2006, 2:36 pm)
It’s called block voting. Happens every year.
Comment by Cathy (December 11, 2006, 4:34 pm)
Country artists know that this category is an easy one to get a Grammy with, because their “big name” gets them in. I’m glad for Kenny, tho. Southern Gospel needs its own separate category. David Bruce Murray (above) is right on target when he said the Grammy’s are out of touch.