TobyMac Wins First Solo Grammy

Rocker/rapper TobyMac finally won his first solo Grammy Award after four previous nominations, taking home the top prize Sunday night for Rock or Rap Gospel Album with Alive and Transported.

TobyMac had previously been nominated for Momentum (2003), Welcome to Diverse City (2005), Portable Sounds (2008) and the song "Made to Love" (2005). He had won four Grammys with his band dcTalk.

"It's an honor to win my first Grammy as a solo artist," TobyMac commented from the WinterJam tour. "I still can't believe it, truly humbling. My band and I worked hard on this project, and it really is the culmination of diverse people collaborating."

Kirk Franklin added two more Grammys to his collection—he now has six for his career—one for Contemporary R&B Gospel Album, The Fight of My Life, and one for Gospel Song, "Help Me Believe," from the same album.

CeCe Winans won for Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album (Thy Kingdom Come), the Gaither Vocal Band for Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel Album (Lovin' Life), The Blind Boys of Alabama for Traditional Gospel Album (Down in New Orleans), and Mary Mary for Best Gospel Performance ("Get Up," the hit single from their Grammy nominated album,The Sound).

The night's emotional highlight came when Jennifer Hudson—who won her first Grammy for best R&B album—performed "You Pulled Me Through," clearly thinking of God's sustaining power in the wake of the October killings of her mother, brother and nephew.

"I first would like to thank God who has brought me through," Hudson said when accepting the award. Later, while performing the song, she cried while singing the lyric: "When I was drowning, when I was so confused, you, you pulled me through."

Earlier, the Grammy for best motion picture song went to "Down To Earth" from the Disney/Pixar film Wall-E, recently named 2008's Most Redeeming Film by Christianity Today. Thomas Newman, who co-wrote the song with singer Peter Gabriel, accepted the award. The song is also nominated for an Oscar.

In a pre-Grammy event honoring Neil Diamond as MusiCares Person of the Year, the Jonas Brothers were among the performers covering the legend's songs. The Jonases sang "Forever in Blue Jeans." MusiCares helps musicians who have fallen on hard times.

Christian Music News Source