Brooklyn, NY (DREAM RELATIONS) - Brooklyn songwriter and producer Joeworn 'JSWIRV'
Martin earned two GRAMMY nominations for his song 'Lift Him Up' for the 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards. 'Lift Him Up' has been nominated in the categories of 'Best Gospel Song' and 'Best Gospel Performance'.
"Lift Him Up" is competing against songs by gospel music powerhouses Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, and Donnie McClurkin in the category of "Best Gospel Performance".
"Best Gospel Song" is a new category for the 48th GRAMMY Awards and features nominees Joeworn Martin for "Lift Him Up" (performed by Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir) Israel Houghton & Aaron Lindsey for "Again I say rejoice" (performed by Israel and New Breed), Yolanda Adams, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis & James Q. Wright for "Be Blessed" (performed by Yolanda Adams), Erica, Joi, Trecina and Warryn Campbell for "Heaven" (performed by Mary Mary) and James Moss for "We must Pray" (performed by J. Moss).
'Lift Him Up', the lead song and 'Hold Out' also written by Martin on Hezekiah Walker's 20th anniversary album 20/85: The Experience (Verity 2005) has fueled a GRAMMY nomination for Walker and LFCC in the category of 'Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album.'
When asked by his friends, family and the media 'Are you excited about the nominations?' Martin humbly speaks 'It's the favor of God for me to receive recognition from the industry for my work, especailly in the new category of "Best Gospel Song". It's a highlight moment in my life for sure."
'Lift Him Up' has received an overwhelming response from mainstream radio play and has landed a slot in the morning rotation on 98.7 KISS F.M., New York's noted radio station for Old School and R&B music. In addition to mainstream radio play 'Lift Him Up' is one of the top downloaded gospel songs on Itunes.
Although he's been under the radar Martin is no stranger to the GRAMMY accolades. In 1999 under his musical direction The Love Fellowship Tabernacle Choir received 'Best New Group' nomination for the project 'Hezekiah Walker presents The Love Fellowship Tabernacle'(Verity 1999).
In 2004 Martin and the Love Fellowship Mass Choir would defy the myths of the sophomore slump and walk away with a GRAMMY in the category of 'Best Gospel Choir' for the album 'Love is Live at Love Fellowship' (Verity 2003), again under Martin's musical direction.
A talented producer and songwriter Joeworn 'JSWIRV' Martin has also written for Pastor Timothy Wright, New Direction, JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise among others in the genre of gospel. He is the founding Minister of Music for the Love Fellowhship Tabernacle under the pastorialship of Pastor Hezekiah Walker.
The 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). www.GRAMMY.com
