|PIC1|Legendary gospel artist Kirk Franklin recently took home a Soul Train Music Award for the Best Gospel Album category for Songs for the Storm, Volume 1.

Other Soul Train Music Award winners included Beyonce and Mary J. Blige.

In addition, Franklin soared with two trophies at the GRAMMY Awards last month in the gospel categories.

Urban gospel music will further be highlighted at the annual GMA (Gospel Music Association) Music Week 2007, as it will offer programming specifically for artists and industry professionals with black gospel and urban music affiliations.

"I would like to see GMA Music Week attendance mirror the diversity reflected in the Billboard Top Christian and Gospel Albums charts and that means artists and professionals in the black gospel and urban music community are an important audience for GMA," John W. Styll, president and CEO of the GMA, said.

He added, "GMA Music Week is a time for the entire Christian/Gospel music industry to gather together to listen to new music; to learn new ways of doing business; to renew the passion for our music; and to connect with more than 3,000 fellow industry peers. We hope that the targeted opportunities we have provided will give an added incentive for increased participation from the black gospel and urban community."