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One of Gospel recording’s hottest stars, Dr. Norman Hutchins has landed on the Billboard Charts’ Top 10 with "Nobody But You" and "Battlefield."

A Grammy and Stellar Award nominee, Hutchins grew up in Delaware and began preaching at age 8. He continued preaching through high school and received a masters degree in biblical counseling and a doctorate in church administration.

By the early 1990s, Hutchins was focusing on his music ministry, in addition to preaching. A highlight of his musical career was conducting a 1,000-voice multi-cultural choir singing one of his arrangements at the Olympic Festival at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Hutchins has appeared as a guest on TBN, BET and The Word Channel. He served as executive minister of music for the West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles. He also served as the church’s director of social services, ministering to more than 18,000 members.

Well known for "Emmanuel," released in 2001 on the "JDI Christmas" CD, Hutchins returned to Delaware in 2001. He and his wife Karen live in Dover, Del., where Hutchins is chief executive officer of "Frontline Ministries, Inc." and TGM Records (The Home of Traditional Gospel Music). He is also president and founder of the Eastern Shore Mass Choir. More information about Hutchins is available on-line at www.jdirecords.com.

An institution in upstate New York salsa venues, Orquesta Antonetti performs a variety of salsas, merengues, balladas, cumbias, cha chas and bachatas.

The orchestra has opened for artists such as Tito Nieves, Cano Estremera, Rafael De Jesus, Johnny Rivera, Hector Trioche, Rey Sepulveda and the late Tito Puente.

Founded 33 years ago in Rochester by Victor Antonetti Sr., the family tradition continues with Victor Antonetti Jr. serving as the groups pianist, musical arranger and composer. When the orchestra performs as a smaller group, it is known as "En Clave."

Pangaia plays calypso and soca in the modern tradition of the big steel bands of Trinidad and Tobago, we well as music from the Caribbean, Spain and the United States.

Since beginning in 1995 with eight musicians, the Pangaia Steel Band has grown to 15 members. Native Trinidadians developed the steel drum percussion instrument in the early 20th Century, using it to provide rhythm and melody.

"Welcome to our pan (steel drum) world," the band’s biography says. "We invite you to listen to this joyful sound, to hear the music in your heart, to feel the rhythm in your body, to see the beauty around you and to come dance with us upon this Earth."

One of the nation’s up and coming hip-hop bands, Gym Class Heroes has opened for acts such as RUN DMC, Jurassic 5, Blackalicious, Fat Joe, Mobb Deep, Cam’ron and Naughty by Nature. In 2002, MTV Networks aired a clip of a Gym Class Heroes performance for promotional use during "Direct Effect" with host DJ Clue.

Lead rapper, free-stylist Travis McCoy of Geneva, receives acclaim from reviewers, as does the band. Paul Gangadeen of ChartAttack.com " a Canadian music newsletter, called Gym Class Heroes "five exceptionally talented teen-agers combining free style hop-hop, jazz, funk and rock … lots of passion … musically, they had it down, endless groove and attitude. Well done."

More reviews and information about Gym Class Heroes can be found on its web site, www.gymclassheroes.com

Marlowe Smith is a gospel singer and preacher for New England’s largest congregation -- The First Cathedral in Bloomfield, CT, with over 8,000 members. He is the "minister of music" for a choir of 150 adults and 200 kids.

In 1988, just three years after he lost his father to diabetes, Marlowe was diagnosed with the disease, which also afflicts his mother and five of his six brothers. At the time of his diagnosis, Marlowe weighed over 400 lbs. He was depressed and suicidal -- frustrated with his obesity but feeling powerless to do anything about it. He had stopped going to the doctor altogether because he got tired of hearing that he was "too big."

Marlowe’s wake-up call came in 1995, when he faced the amputation of his leg because of a diabetes-related infection. That scare, along with a strong dose of reality offered by his doctor, who told Marlowe to measure himself for a casket, prompted him to take his health seriously for the first time in his life. Fortunately, surgery saved his leg, and this gave Marlowe an opportunity to turn his life around.

He began a low-fat, low-calorie diet, and slowly began to lose weight, eventually losing over 200 lbs. Through a strict regimen of healthy eating and exercising at least five times a week, Marlowe has been able maintain his current weight of 240 lbs. since 1997. His blood sugar, which at one point had spiked to over 400, is now within the normal range, and he makes sure to test this several times a day to make sure there are no major fluctuations.

Marlowe has regained control of his life, but he readily admits that keeping himself healthy is a daily struggle. He credits his profound faith, as well as the support of the members of his congregation, to providing him with the strength, encouragement and discipline needed to manage his diabetes and live his life to the fullest.

Jazz artist Michael Hashim has shared bandstands with some of the biggest names in music: Cab Calloway, Doc Cheatham, Muddy Waters Nancy Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Jo Jones, Sonny Greer, Roy Eldridge, Skitch Henderson, the New York Pops, Dick Wellstood, Bob Wilbert, Panama Francis and Benny Carter.

Hashim grew up in Geneva, N.Y., and began his career in Boston. He recorded six albums with the Widespread Depression Jazz Orchestra. After moving to Manhattan in 1979, he began working with pianist Jimmy Rowles, who served as a mentor to the young saxophonist.

Recipient of a prestigious National Endowment for the Arts grant, Hashim tours annually in Europe. Hashim’s work extends to film, television and the stage. His solo saxophone is heard throughout the film "I’m not Rappaport," starring Walter Mathau. He was part of the long-running Broadway show "Song of Singapore" and recorded the original music for the PBS American Playhouse production of "Rocket to the Moon."