Artist's Profiles: Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers

He had been dubbed among the best-kept secrets in gospel, but Kurt Carr's "sleeper" status was awakened last year, as the artist surpassed gospel's biggest names to top the list of nominees for the 17th Annual Stellar Awards with his "Awesome Wonder" CD. To date, GospoCentric is reporting sales of more than 300,000 units. Carr, whose bookings have skyrocketed since the record's release, also came out on top at the 20th Annual Gospel Music Excellence Awards, earning top "Male Vocalist" (Urban contemporary), and pocketing contemporary "Album", "Producer" and "Group" awards. Since 1989, Kurt Carr has been offering up an eclectic brand of gospel music with his winning six-member vocal ensemble, the Kurt Carr Singers. The Hartford, Ct. native, who first came to light in 1986 when he was handpicked by James Cleveland to serve as pianist and musical, has four albums to his credit and has been steadily ascending up the gospel charts with sales upwards of 100,000 units. Offstage, he serves as Creative Director for the Los-Angeles based, West Angeles Church of God in Christ. Current CD/Biggest Seller to date: "Awesome Wonder."