“Five years ago, I was just trying to get a seat…” – Brian Courtney Wilson
There was not a dry eye in the room as Brian Courtney Wilson gave his emotional and inspirational speech at this year’s annual ASCAP Morning Glory Breakfast presented by ASCAP and Motown Gospel on February 20 at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. With tears in his eyes he humbly accepted the award stating that five years ago he was just trying to get someone to notice him and now here he stood, Stellar Award nominee and “Power in Praise” award winner. He encouraged fellow artists, media and other attendees to never give up on the purpose that God has for their lives, for in due season you shall reap the harvest.
Brian Courtney Wilson along with label mate Tasha Cobbs both received the first ever “Power in Praise” award this year. Ken Pennell, President of Gospel Labels, Capitol Music Group, along with Larry Blackwell, VP/GM of Motown Gospel, presented both Mr. Wilson and Ms.Cobbs with surprise plaques to acknowledge their accomplishments over the past year. When presenting the plaque to Ms. Cobbs, an emotional Mr. Pennell stated “We’ve seen you win, but we’ve seen you win people to Jesus.”
During her acceptance speech, Ms. Cobbs expressed “its kind of hard to receive glory when all I want to do is give it to Him (God).” Although she was not on program to sing, she brought the room to tears again when she shared her testimony concerning the passing of her father and began singing “Yes, Lord, Yes” as a declaration that she would never cease to fulfill God’s calling upon her life. As she approached the last phrase of the song “and my answer will be yes, Lord, yes,” she encouraged all who were in attendance to join in as a testimony to God. As the room was filled with harmonized voices, you could feel the presence of God and we all broke into worship.
The event was hosted by singer and radio personality of Atlanta’s Praise 102.5 WPZE, Darlene McCoy, and seemed more like a church service than a breakfast after Myron Butler’s performance of his new single “Best Praise” and Brian Courtney Wilson’s performance of his latest single “I’ll Just Say Yes.” You could truly feel the glory of God in the place as people stood to give their best praise and to just say, “Yes” to God.
Other performances were from newcomers and contemporary gospel artists Janice Gaines, who performed her captivating single “Wait on You” and Royce Levette, who performed the catchy tune “Write it on the Wall.”
Other honorees and notable attendees included Melvin Williams of the Williams Brothers, Alexis Spight, Jonathan McReynolds, J.J. Hairston, Anthony Brown and Group therAPy, Gerald and Tammi Haddon, Stellar Award Winner for New Artist, Casey j, Kenny Lewis, Pastor Marlon Lock, Pure-N-Heart, Jason Nelson, The Showers, William McDowell, The Hi-Lite Juniors, Jason White, Shanika Deshun Bereal, Jekalyn Carr, Daniel Weatherspoon, famous photographer, Derek Blanks, Alycia Lewis-Moore and gospel rapper Flame.
-Alisha J
*Photography by Leon Bennett