Gospel music’s sweetheart, Jekalyn Carr, was front and center this past weekend, during the Super Bowl LI festivities, held in Houston, TX. She, along with other Gospel luminaries CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, LeCrae, David & Tamela Mann, and Natalie Grant, as well as R & B superstars Anthony Hamilton, Lalah Hathaway, and BJ The Chicago Kid, made a joyful noise at Lakewood Church at the 18th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration to kick off Super Bowl weekend. Carr sang her #1 hit single, “You’re Bigger,” and left the crowd inspired and in amazement with her performance, which was a highlight of the nationally televised event. She also closed the show, accompanied by the NFL Players Choir, which is comprised of current and retired NFL players blessed with the gift of song.
While in Houston, Carr also performed at the first annual “Power of Influence Awards” brunch, which was held in conjunction with the 25th Anniversary of Music World Entertainment. The exclusive affair was created to celebrate achievements in music and philanthropy, and honor those who use their celebrity and influence to impact the world. The event honored Jordin Sparks, T.I., Bryan Michael Cox, and others. Carr’s appearance at the invitation-only event was at the request of the event’s host, Music World Entertainment founder and fellow inaugural honoree, Mathew Knowles. Once again, Carr dazzled the crowd with her signature soul-stirring performance and delivery.
On the heels of her exciting weekend in Houston, Carr’s next stop will be Los Angeles, CA, where she will attend the 59th Annual Grammy Awards as a first-time nominee in the category of Best Gospel Performance/Song. At 19, Carr joins an elite club of entertainers who have received a Grammy nomination at such a young age. The esteemed list of nominees under the age of 20, in the history of the illustrious award, includes Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Leann Rimes, and Avril Lavigne, and other internationally renowned megastars.
“You’re Bigger,” the song for which Carr is nominated, has now spent thirty-four weeks in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Songs chart, including four weeks in the coveted #1 spot, and currently residing at #4. The song, a proclamation of faith and hope, has been a mainstay on the charts, and on the radio, since its release last year, garnering Carr her first #1 single, fueling her first #1 album, and now adding another first to the list, in Carr’s Grammy nomination.
