2015 has been a record-setting year for Dallas, from start-up and entrepreneurial endeavors to many fashion and beauty industry firsts. Nationally acclaimed for its budding arts scene, the Big D boasts many creative greats, spanning eclectic perspectives in the visual arts circuit, and deep into the throes of the competitive music industry.
While impressions have been made, the music industry is one that’s made its stamp internationally – letting listeners know worldwide, that the DFW metroplex is on the map, and not for the prototypical country music drawls.
The GRAMMY’s. One of the largest nights in music and one of the more highly watched award shows on television will officially air live on CBS on February 15, 2016. Building buzz for the forthcoming show, The Recording Academy announced nominations for the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards on December 7, with many DFW musicians deservingly receiving the nod.
“The diversity in the creative community is what makes music a universal language, and it’s gratifying to see the vibrancy of today’s artistic landscape reflected in this year’s nominations – a testament to The Academy’s voting members,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy.
“Artists are pushing boundaries in exciting ways, making it an exceptionally strong year for music.”
While considerable coverage cites Kendrick Lamar’s 11 Grammy nominations, followed by Taylor Swift’s and The Weeknd’s seven nominations, and Drake’s five, we wish to highlight our local nominees who surpassed the 21,000 submissions by talented music makers, in order to vie at the chance for one of the most prestigious awards in the industry.
Best R&B Album: Leon Bridges “Coming Home”
Hailing from DFW, we first fell in love with the retro-soul melodic sounds of Leon Bridges at an outdoor Fort Worth concert in the summer of 2014. A musical guest of local musician Larry g(EE), we were blown away by the soulful crooning of the then 25 year-old, anticipating much ahead for his bright future.
Fast forward to today, and with a whirlwind thrust into the musical spotlight, Bridges’ “Coming Home” record settles on repeat for Inspire N Style, and graces the Instagram pages of celebrity fans like that of noted Southern girl, Reese Witherspoon. Top his success with a sold out tour around the globe, marked by appearances on Saturday Night Live and the AMA’s, and we are hands down rooting for our Hometown Hero.
Best Gospel Performance / Song: Kirk Franklin “Wanna Be Happy?”
Another DFW artist, but this time in the contemporary gospel circuit, Kirk Franklin continues to grace the Grammy nominations platform with his new hit single “Wanna Be Happy?” Fresh off of his newly released and controversially titled album “Losing My Religion,” the multi-faceted musician is already a veteran to the Grammy Award-Winning game, now competing with other gospel greats from Israel Houghton to Travis Greene for the categorical win.
Best Pop Vocal Album: Kelly Clarkson “Piece by Piece”
Repping one for the girls is DFW’s own Kelly Clarkson with her pop album “Piece by Piece.” A no-brainer nomination (in our opinion), it seems like just yesterday we were rooting for the Burleson singer to take it all, on the 2002 first installment of American Idol.
Fast forward many years, albums, and multiple Grammy’s later, the award-winning artist is back again to compete for the win against the likes of Taylor Swift and Mark Ronson for Best Pop Vocal Album of the year. A tough category but nonetheless deserved, let’s hear it for the girl!
Best Gospel Album: Israel & Newbreed “Covered: Alive in Asia”
Let’s face it. Here in the South, gospel is what we do and we do it well, ya’ll. While not technically from the DFW metroplex, nationally acclaimed and award-winning gospel artist Israel Houghton featured many area songwriters on his Grammy nominated album, much deserving of honorary recognition.
A frequent traveler from his home base of Houston to the DFW metroplex, Houghton’s “Covered: Alive in Asia” album is up for a Grammy this year, featuring several tracks such as “Risen” and “I am Loved,” co-written by Covenant Church’s leading worship artists, David and Nicole Binion, and Joshua Dufrene based locally in DFW, more specifically Carrollton.
For a complete list of the Grammy nominations, visit GRAMMY.com. Tune in live to CBS, February 15, 2016 from 7 – 10:30 p.m. CST to catch the awards show. Be sure to follow us @inspirenstyle on social media for live coverage.
