Top line: The tops in gospel and Southern soul and hip-hop collect awards in two separate galas Sunday and Monday that celebrate pioneers and newcomers.
The 31st Mississippi Gospel Music Awards are July 5. Highlights include honorees Dorothy Norwood, Jackson Southernaires and The Pilgrim Jubilees, who've contributed significantly to the gospel music industry for years.
"The other highlight is going to be that we're bringing a lot of new gospel talent in that people just haven't heard before, that they're hearing on the radio a lot," says awards founder Jesse Thompson.
Brian Courtney Wilson, who has the No. 2 song on the Billboard charts now, All I Need, will perform; the song was written and produced by local producer Stan Jones. The Brown Boyz, behind the hit Love Like That, is another newer group that's part of the show.
Also, seven groups that participated in two major showcases this year (including the top three winners from each) will be featured, starting at 5 p.m.
A capacity crowd of about 1,000, or near that, is expected for each night.
Soul stirring: July 6 at 6 p.m., the 35th annual Jackson Music Awards honors the Best of Southern Soul & Hip-Hop.
Bobby Rush is among those featured, as well as a host of new artists.
"We're trying to feed new life into the industry and let people know who's doing what," Thompson says.
"There are some younger guys who have picked up on this Southern soul thing," including Lebrado, Omar Cunningham and Karen Wolfe.
Three national honorees are: Rogers Redding, a strong supporter of blues and Southern soul with one of the largest booking agencies in the country; music promoter Lee Parker, originally from Jackson; and songwriter/producer/performer Zac Harmon.
