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Rebecca St. James wins rock gospel album Grammy

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Rebecca St. James won her first Grammy Award for best rock gospel album Feb. 23 for her 1999 release, “Pray.”

St. James won the Grammy over fellow nominees Audio Adrenaline, Big Tent Revival, Gospel Gangstaz and Third Day.

St. James, a member of the First Baptist Church, Franklin, Tenn., was previously nominated for a Grammy in 1997 in the same category. She garnered Dove Award nominations for female vocalist of the year in 1997 and 1998.

Many of the songs on Pray were written by St. James and her producer, Tedd T. Other writers include Michael Quinland and her brother, Daniel. The album was released by ForeFront Records.

Born in Sydney, Australia, St. James got her first taste of Christian music early on from her father who was a Christian concert promoter. After moving to Nashville, St. James began recording with ForeFront at the age of 16.

Her first Christian pop release earned her the distinction of being the youngest artist ever to be nominated for a Dove Award as new artist of the year.

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In other Grammy news, The CenturyMen, a group of Southern Baptist music ministers had been nominated in the category of Classical Crossover Album but the Chestnut Brass Co. ended up winning the Grammy.

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir won an award for the gospel choir album with their performance on “High and Lifted Up.”

Steven Curtis Chapman won a Grammy for pop/contemporary gospel album with his project, “Speechless.”

In Southern, Country, or Bluegrass gospel album, Bill and Gloria Gaither and their Homecoming Friends won a Grammy for the “Kennedy Center Homecoming.”

Yolanda Adams won in the contemporary soul gospel album, while Shirley Caesar took home honors in the traditional soul gospel album category.