Israel & New Breed Win Grammy Award

Los Angeles - It's been a long time coming, but Israel and New Breed was not forgotten. After being nominated for Grammy Awards three years in a row, a total of seven times, the New Breed family can, officially, be tagged with a “Grammy Winners” title. Congratulations are in order for the Integrity Music/ Sony artists for walking away with Best Traditional Gospel Album for their Alive in South Africa recording.

Although the win is for the group as a whole, one cannot over look the gifted songwriting team, Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsay. It’s songs like, “Friend of God” and “Rejoice” that led the way; all the while developing a following that grew over the years. The fact that the songs penned by Houghton and Lindsay are being sung in churches throughout the U.S. and across the globe, gave the group’s popularity a huge boost. One would be hard pressed to attend a church where congregations are not singing, at least, one of their songs. Up until now, the men behind the music were in the shadows, but now it's their time to shine. “This is such a surreal moment, I’m still trying to grasp the reality that we actually won”, says Houghton.

What stands out most about this group, is their ability to break down the barriers which can block the unity that gospel music encourages. The appearance of Israel & New Breed is young and contemporary, the sound is fresh and innovative, and their style is vibrant and free. There are no limits with this group and increase is definitely all around them. With nominations being announced for the 38th Annual GMA Music Awards on February 20th, chances are Israel Houghton & New Breed will not be forgotten there, either. The winners will be announced on April 25th, when artists and music executives gather from all over, at the Grand Ole Opry House in Tennessee.