'Bible Experience' Nominated for NAACP Image Award

A new US-based audio Bible featuring some of Hollywood's biggest names was recently chosen as a nominee for "Outstanding Gospel Artist - Traditional or Contemporary" in the 38th NAACP Image Awards.

The announcement was made last week during a press conference at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Released by Zondervan, Inspired By... The Bible Experience: New Testament Audio CD is a dramatised reading of the entire New Testament. It includes voices from over 200 prominent actors, including Blair Underwood (Jesus), Samuel L. Jackson (God), Angela Bassett (Esther), Denzel Washington (Solomon), Cuba Gooding Jr. (Judas). It was this cast that led to the recent nomination from the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), the oldest and largest civil rights organisation in the United States.

"Listeners will be engaged by this new audio Bible because it takes the passion and spirit of the New Testament and gives it the production and quality of a major motion picture," noted Paul Caminiti, vice president and publisher of Bibles for Zondervan, in a statement.

The audio rendition has already been a great success, rising to the number one spot in the "Bible & Other Sacred Texts" category at Amazon.com. It has also received numerous positive reviews by top Christian and even secular media companies.

Other contenders in the gospel category include award-winning artists Kirk Franklin (Imagine Me), Patti LaBelle (The Gospel According to Patti), Fred Hammond (Free to Worship), and Andraé Crouch (Mighty Wind).

The goal of the NAACP Awards is to honour projects and individuals that promote diversity in the arts in television, recording, literature and motion pictures. The theme for this year's awards will be "Youth Create Change".

The ceremony will be broadcasted by FOX, 8-10 pm EST on March 8, when each of the winners will be announced.