My aunt calls me a chicken and I call her insane because we have such differing views on black Friday! She's usually out the door by 4am and shops until she drops. Me, I'm more of a "spend Friday recovering from eating too much" kind of black Friday person. It's not that I'm a chicken, I just can't think of anything short of free plus them paying me to get me up at 3am!

This year, Amazon.com is making it easy for me to keep up with my aunt and still sleep in. Their $5 deals will be around all day long and won't require me to watch the sunrise from a parking lot!

Best Urban Gospel/R&B Deals

• Kiki's Mixtape - Kierra "KiKi" Sheard (2009) - KiKi pulled from her past releases to deliver a delightfully fun album. New songs add to the mix and show us that this lady is truly a Clark daughter! (Purchase/Download)
• The Law Of Confession: Part I - Donald Lawrence & Company (2009) - Donald Lawrence will bring some church up in your house, car or favorite walking trail! This upbeat praise is contagious and anyone who gets within hearing distance will be on their feet with you. (Purchase/Download)
• 'The Sound - Mary Mary (2008) - There are plenty of great reasons that The Sound has won the Campbell sisters a Dove, a Soul Train Award and an AMA this year and four nominations for the 2010 Stellar Awards. In fact, there are 12 of them and you can get all 12 for $5! (Purchase/Download)
• We All Are One (Live In Detroit) - Donnie McClurkin (2009) - We've waited five years for Donnie to record a new album and it was worth the wait! The musical talents of CeCe Winans, Karen Clark-Sheard, Mary Mary and Yolanda Adams add to the already magical moments. (Purchase/Download)

_{Mary Mary courtesy of: Columbia/Sony. Used by permission.}

This year, our local stores had Halloween decorations on one side of the aisle and Christmas goodies on the other back in early October! While that seemed a bit of a stretch for me, I was pleased to see some great new Christmas albums on those shelves from Christian artists that we all know and love.

_{Image courtesy of: INO. Used by permission.}

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my U.S. readers. If you're looking to get a head start on tomorrow's sales, then I have found something that you just might like (and you don't even have to leave the turkey sandwich!)

Amazon.com is already offering some great $5 deals on their site. If you like digital downloads and you love great music, then this is for you.

Christian Pop Contemporary Deals

• Into The Light - Phil Stacey (2009) - After American Idol, Phil followed the judge's advice and went country, but that just wasn't where this music minister's heart was. Their loss was our gain and his joy in his faithful decision shines through every song. (Purchase/Download)
• More Beautiful You - Jonny Diaz (2009) - Jonny Diaz's INO label debut gave us a hit in the title track (which could be the 11th most popular song of 2009 - not that I would spill the beans or anything!). (Purchase/Download)
• The Lost Get Found - Britt Nicole (2009) - Britt's sophomore album is as catchy as it is fun. Imagine if Katy Perry hadn't moved away from Christian music to "kiss a girl and like it" -- this is probably about where she would be in her musical evolution. Britt's talent is strong enough that she will never have to result to gimmicky tricks to get listeners. (Purchase/Download)
• These Simple Truths - Sidewalk Prophets (2009) - The band's Fervent Records debut is honest and humble and it's gaining them fans of all ages. Their universal appeal will make youth take note and parents smile and be thankful that the message is all the way there. (Purchase/Download)

Modern Worship Deals

• Alive Again - Matt Maher (2009) - I've been a fan of Matt's since Welcome to Life and he never disappoints. This is a man who can transition from quiet and personal worship to flat out praise in a blink without missing a beat. (Purchase/Download)
• Heaven & Earth - Phil Wickham (2009) - Though this album has only been out for a little over a week, it is already helping Phil get plenty of new fans. His blend of vertical worship with a pop sounding flair is out of the box and it helps show that this young artist is in it for the long haul. (Purchase/Download)
• Hope Rising - Fee (2009) - Full of beautiful songs that lift you up and encourage you, Hope Rising has enough catchy hooks that you will find yourself singing under your breath long after the last track has faded away. (Purchase/Download)
• It Is Well - Kutless (2009) - The first time I met Kutless was during the "Strong Tower" tour and I was so impressed with how well they did "worship" music (being a rock band and all). It Is Well goes above and beyond Strong Tower as they take well-known worship songs and truly make them their own. (Purchase/Download)
• Life Light Up - Christy Nockels (2009) - Christy's first solo album shows off her power in ways we could only imagine after hearing her sing with the Passion movement. This lady can hold her own - and then some! (Purchase/Download)

_{Kutless courtesy of: BEC. Used by permission.}

Today Amy Grant turns 49! For the past 32 of those 49 years we, Christian music fans, have shared her life and her passion ... singing for the Lord. Happy Birthday to one of the most gracious women I've ever spoken with.

More Amy Grant

• Amy Grant - Christmas Music
• Greatest Hits 1986 - 2004 CD Review
• Rock of Ages, Hymns & Faith CD Review
• Top 10 Classic Christmas Songs by Christian and Gospel Artists
• Top 10 Traditional Christian Christmas Songs

_{Image courtesy of: Sparrow Records. Used by permission.}