Last Thursday, the nominees for the 50th Annual GRAMMY® Awards and the artists in the categories expressed their gratitude.

Nominated in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category, Michael W. Smith was in Texas last Thursday, where he shared this statement from the bleachers of the University of Texas at El Paso Stadium, “I’m grateful and really want to thank everyone who contributed to making this record.I never could have done this by myself.From Amy Grant, Leeland and Matt Bronlewee, to all the players; this nomination represents a great team effort.” That evening, Smith was to deliver the commencement speech for the El Paso Community College and will also surprise long-time faculty member, Lucy Scarborough, with a Presidential Volunteer Service Award in recognition of her years of volunteerism. In addition, a scholarship in Smith’s name will be awarded to a deserving student.On Friday night, Smith performed on his It’s A Wonderful Christmas tour with Melinda Doolittle, The Katinas and the El Paso Symphony Orchestra.

Norman Miller, music industry veteran and manager of triple nominee Casting Crowns manager said, “In all my 44 years in various aspects of the music business, I have not seen an artist impact sales, radio and touring on the tremendous level that Casting Crowns has, or as quickly. This artist truly has become the face of Inspirational/Gospel music, and I congratulate them on the GRAMMY® nominations today.”

“I turned 50 this year,” comments Ashley Cleveland on her latest GRAMMY® Award nomination for Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album, “and this is an incredible birthday present and a great shot in the arm in an industry that thrives on youth!”

“2007 marks the end of The Cross Movement’s 10+ years of service in Christian hip-hop ministry, making this nomination a great farewell present,” says The Cross Movement member John Wells (a.k.a. The Tonic) of their nomination in the same category. “While we don’t look to award shows to see if we’re hitting the mark in ministry, we appreciate The Recording Academy for this acknowledgement.”

“I’m truly honoured to be nominated alongside gospel hip-hop pioneers and my mentors, The Cross Movement, for my album, Open Book, in the Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album category, a category established just last year, for the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards,” says Da’ T.R.U.T.H. of his GRAMMY® nomination. “It’s exciting to see how far gospel rap has progressed with this recognition, and I’m hopeful that it will play a continued role in showing the world that this is truly a movement, ministry and genre.”

“I’m still riding high from our GRAMMY® win earlier this year, so to receive an additional two nominations is beyond exciting. What a way to end the year!” remarked Israel Houghton.

GRAMMY® ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on December 12th to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They are due back to the accounting firm of Deloitte by January 9th, 2008, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the telecast.

The 50th Annual GRAMMY® Awards will be held on February 10th, 2008, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS (Global Television Network in Canada) from 8:00-11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).