John P. Kee and Kim Person are the top nominees for the 41st annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, each receiving seven nominations. Gospel superstar Kirk Franklin will host the show, which will be taped live from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday, August 15.
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«"I am honored to once again host the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards," Franklin said in a statement. "I am thrilled to join the Charlotte gospel music family to celebrate another historic year of excellence, innovation, and service through song.".
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, JJ Hairston, and Youthful Praise trailed closely behind Key and Person with six nominations each. Other artists with four or more nominations include Lisa Knowles Smith and The Brown Singers, Jekalyn Carr, Vincent Bohanan, and SOV, with five nominations each; and Jonathan McReynolds, Asaun Bynum, Adia, and Darrell Walls, with four nominations each.
Don Jackson, founder of the Stellar Awards and chairman of Central City Productions, Inc., commented, «As we celebrate the 41st annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, we are reminded that gospel music continues to be one of the most powerful forces to inspire, heal, and bring hope to our communities.».
Tickets are available now on the Stellar Awards website or on Ticketmaster.
This year, the Stellar Awards ceremony is part of the Stellar Plus Experience, which will run for three days (August 12-15). Stellar Plus will feature masterclasses, acoustic performances, a songwriters' symposium, a fitness zone, a comedy show, and a merchandise fair. For more information about Stellar Plus events, visit the website.
The Stellar Awards pre-show and Gospel Radio Awards will feature a non-televised evening of performances and awards presentations on Friday, August 14, at the Carolina Theatre in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tickets will be available to the general public.
The 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards is executive produced by Jennifer J. Jackson, who also serves as producer and executive director of production; Michael A. Johnson is producer and director; Erin Johnson is talent producer; and Daniel Moore is music director.
Main awards
Artist of the Year
Darrell Walls; Heart of Mine ; Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios
Jekalyn Carr; Jekalyn X The Legends ; Waynorth Music
Kim Person; Reflections ; Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise
Tasha Cobbs Leonard; TASHA ; Motown Gospel. TeeLee Records.
Ty Tribbett; Only on the Road (Live) ; Motown Gospel, Freligious Music
Song of the Year
“"Able" ft. Kim Burrell ~ Paul Sylvester Morton Jr. ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios
«"Come, Jesus, Come" ~ Stephen McWhirter, Tara McWhirter, Hank Bentley, and Brian Fowler ~ Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
"On the Way" Remix featuring Erica Campbell ~ Adia Andrews, Carl Powell, Michael McClure Jr., Jeremy James, Jaco Rafael Lawrence, Israel Allen & Erica Campbell ~ Rock City Media Group
“Promises (Live)” ~ Alecia Knowles-Smith ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
«"Your Love" ~ Kim Person ~ Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise
Male Performer of the Year
Asaun Baynum ~ True to yourself ~ Blockbuster Records/LRAE Entertainment
Darrell Walls ~ Heart of Mine ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios
John P. Key ~ Memories: An Evening with John P. Kee. Part I ~Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
Jonathan McReynolds ~ Still (Live) ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Records
Ty Tribbett ~ Only on the road (Live) ~ Motown Gospel, Religious Music
Albertina Walker - Female Performer of the Year.
Adia ~ On the Way EP ~ Rock City Media Group
Jekalyn Carr ~ Jekalyn X Legends ~ Waynorth Music
Kim Person ~ Reflections ~ Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise
Lisa Knowles Smith ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
Maranda Curtis ~ Restoration of worship ~ ButterflyWorks/Red Alliance Media
Tasha Cobbs Leonard ~ TASHA ~Motown Gospel. TeeLee Records
Duet/Choral Group of the Year
Asaun Bynum ft. LeekGoHard ~ Jesus I Love You ~ Blockbuster Records/LRAE Entertainment
CeCe Winans and Pastor Shirley Caesar ~ Come, Jesus, come ~ Gospel and Fair Trade Services in Pure Springs
Jason Clayborne x Melvin Crispell III ~ Whatever It Is ~ Jay Clay Music/Tyscot
Jonathan McReynolds ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Still (Live) ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Label
Lisa Knowles Smith and The Brown Singers ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
New Artist of the Year
On Fire~ On Fire ~ Independent
Asaun Baynum ~ True to yourself ~ Blockbuster Records/LRAE Entertainment
Bishop Charles Ellis and the Greater Grace Worship Choir ~ Graceful Records
Choir of the United Musical and Artistic Conference ~ Clap your hands ~ Beverly Crawford and Craig Hayes ~ High C
Album of the Year
Heart of Mine ~ Darrel Walls ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios
They live in New York ~ Vincent Bohanan and SOV ~ Independent Label
Reflections ~ Kim Person ~ Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise
TASHA ~ Tasha Cobbs Leonard ~ Motown Gospel. TeeLee Records
Choir of the Year
B. Chase Williams and Shabah ~ Secret Place ~ Millie's Boy Music
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music
John P. Key and New Life ~ Memories: An Evening with John P. Kee. Part I ~Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
Vincent Bohanan and SOV ~ Concert in New York ~ Independent project
Quartet of the Year
Lisa Knowles Smith and The Brown ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
The Flying Clouds of South Carolina ~ Don't Leave Me ~ Blockbuster Records
Gospel Legends ~ Jesus is a man ~ 4Winds/Malaco Records
Tim White ~ Helping you live comfortably in Chicago ~ Independent
Producer of the Year
Alecia Knowles-Smith and Frederick Perry ~ Revival: Live in Dallas (Lisa Knowles and The Brown Singers) ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
Donald Lawrence and Cedric Thompson ~ Global Love Alive (London) ~ Platoon
Kim Person and Philip Bryant ~ Reflections ~ Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise
PJ Morton ~ Heart of Mine (Darrell Walls) ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios
Music Video of the Year
«"I'm Happy" ~ Allen Carr and Jekalyn Carr ~ Waynorth Music
«Find Jesus ~ Deitrick Haddon ~ ManHaddon Ministries/Tyscot Records
«"You Matter" ~ Maurice Griffin ~ Entertainment That Changes the World
«"On the Way Remix" (Adia ft. Erica Campbell) ~ Will Thomas ~ Rock City Media
Specialized categories
Contemporary Duo/Choir of the Year
Deitrick Haddon & Voices of Unity ~ Chain Breaker 2.5 ~ ManHaddon Ministries/Tyscot Records
Jason Clayborne x Melvin Crispell III ~ Whatever It Is ~ Jay Clay Music/Tyscot
Jonathan McReynolds ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Still (Live) ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Label
Mariah Carey (feat. Clark Sisters ~ Jesus I Do ~ MARIAH/gamma.
Red Hands ~ Red Hands ~Black Suit Music/Anderson Music Group/TAMLA Records
Tasha Cobbs Leonard ft. John Legend ~ Church ~ Motown Gospel. TeeLee Records
The Group Fire ~ I Can Count on You ~ Jet Records North/East
Traditional Duo/Choir of the Year
Brandon Camphor and One Way ~ Only in Christ ~ TOMii Entertainment
Darrell Pettis and Take 2~ Word ~ Independent
Lucinda Moore with Bishop Paul S. Morton ~ Someone who cares (the lala song) ~ Nalah Music Group/New Day Christian Distributor
Ron Carter and Ricky Dillard ~ Sweet, Sweet Spirit ~ Motown Gospel, Blue Note Records
Contemporary Male Artist of the Year
Darrell Walls ~ Heart of Mine ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studio
Jonathan McReynolds ~ Still (Live) ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Records
Thomas Ware ~ Book of Thomas ~ Blockbuster Records/CHMG Music Group
Zacardi Cortez ~ Ibhar: The Journey (Chapter 2) ~ Blacksmoke Music
Traditional Performer of the Year (Male)
E. Dewey Smith ~ Songs that dad sang ~ Pebble Street Records
Ernest Pugh ~ We Wanna See You, Vol 1 Live ~ Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
JJ Hairston ~ Live Reunion: Washington, D.C. ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music
John P. Key ~ Memories: An Evening with John P. Kee. Part I ~Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
Contemporary Artist of the Year
Adia ~ On the Way EP ~ Rock City Media Group
Crystal Aikin ~ Lord, I need your help. ~Godshand Management Services LLC/Mixed Bag Entertainment
Erica Campbell ~ Trust and Obey – London ~ My Block Records Inc.
Kim Person ~ Reflections ~ Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise
Nia Allen ~ Lord, I love you ~ Lewis-Cortez Group
Tasha Cobbs Leonard ~ TASHA ~Motown Gospel. TeeLee Records
Traditional Performer of the Year
Blanche McAllister-Dykes ~ Words (Donald Lawrence) ~ Platoon
Bobby Lane ~ He Never Failed Me ft. Paul Porter ~ Taylor Music Group
K. Jeanette ~ Jesus Is My Friend ft. Shawn Bigby ~ Devine Records
Lucinda Moore ~ Someone who cares (the lala song) ft Bishop Paul S. Morton ~ Nalah Music Group/New Day Christian Distributor
Contemporary Album of the Year
Fred Hammond presents Sensere: The Soul of the Future of Worship, Vol. II ~ Sensere ~ Wrightsound M&E
They live in New York ~ Vincent Bohanan and SOV ~ Independent Label
TASHA ~ Tasha Cobbs Leonard ~ Motown Gospel. TeeLee Records
Book of Thomas ~ Thomas Ware ~ Blockbuster Records/CHMG Music Group
Traditional Album of the Year
Jekalyn X Legends ~ Jekalyn Carr ~ Waynorth Music
Sweet, Sweet Spirit ~ Ron Carter and Ricky Dillard ~ Motown Gospel, Blue Note Records
Concert Encounter: Washington, D.C. ~ JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music
Memories: An Evening with John P. Kee. Part I ; ~ John P. Kee and the New Life ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
Urban Single or Performance of the Year
“Church Parking Lot” ft. Tasha Page-Lockhart ~ Otis Kemp ~ Revive 5.0 Entertainment
«"Do It Again" ~ Kirk Franklin ~ Fo Yo Soul Recordings/Tribl Records
“Jesus I Love You” ~ Asaun Bynum ft. LeekGoHard ~ Blockbuster Records/LRAE Entertainment
«"Make Way" ~ Vashawn Mitchell ~ VMan Entertainment/Fair Trade Services
"On the Way" Remix featuring Erica Campbell ~ Adia ~ Rock City Media Group
«"Light" ~ Jor'Dan Armstrong ~ Jor'Dan Armstrong Lewis-Cortez Music/Band
Traditional Choir of the Year
B. Chase Williams and Shabah ~ Secret Place ~ Millie's Boy Music
Bishop Brian D. Moore and the Life Center Choir ~ Always Come Through ~ Independent project
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ Live Reunion: Washington, D.C. ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music
John P. Key and New Life ~ Memories: An Evening with John P. Kee. Part I ~Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
Contemporary Choir of the Year
On Fire~ On Fire ~ Independent
Johnny Thunders featuring Faith on Full ~ Song ~ Just 1 Global Productions/Johnny Sanders Presents LLC
Sounds of Blackness Feat Jamecia Bennett, NUNNABOVE, Atlanta Drum Academy ~ We're Unstoppable ~Sounds of Blackness/AtomicK Records
Vincent Bohanan and SOV ~ Concert in New York ~ Independent project
Voices of Fire ~ Ophanim ~ EZ FLO Innovations LLC/PW Music/Warner Records
Traditional Artist of the Year
E. Dewey Smith ~ Songs that dad sang ~ Pebble Street Records
Jekalyn Carr ~ Jekalyn X Legends ~ Waynorth Music
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music
John P. Key and New Life ~ Memories: An Evening with John P. Kee. Part I ~Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
Special Album of the Year
Bishop SY Younger presents: Almost Home – A Ramp Record with Friends ~ Bishop SY Younger ~ Ramp Records, under exclusive license to MNRK Records LP
They live in New York ~ Vincent Bohanan and SOV ~ Independent Label
Sweet, Sweet Spirit ~ Ron Carter and Ricky Dillard ~ Motown Gospel, Blue Note Records
Memories: An Evening with John P. Kee. Part I ~ John P. Kee and the New Life ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel Album of the Year
All We Like Sheep ~ Childlike CiCi ~ Capitol Christian Music Group, TAMLA
Party in Heaven ~ Mike Tisi ~ MTEntertainment, LLC
Reconstruction ~ Lecrae ~ Rich Records
Go with purpose ~ DFG SUL ~ Independent
Youth Project of the Year
AMG Kidz x Wilson World; Boombox ; Anderson Music Group/TAMLA Records
Janessa Smith; Lift Him ; Inspired Recording
Pure N Heart; Alphaeus Anderson Presents Pure N Heart: Celebrating 20 Years of Jesus ; Music2ChangeU
Best Album Art of the Year
Brianna Dowd and JJ Hairston – Live reunion – Motown Gospel/Jamestown Music
Kim Person & JP Designs Art – Reflections – Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise
Octavius Holmes - Jekalyn Carr x The Legends – Waynorth Music
PJ Morton - Heart of Mine (Darrell Walls) – Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios
Praise and Worship Album of the Year
Coritos Vol. 1 ; Israel & New Breed; Integrity Music/District 11
Jesus Over Everything (Live in Las Vegas) ; Naomi Raine; Tribl Records
Promises ; Todd Dulaney; DulaneyLand Music, FairTrade Services
«"Divine services have been restored"» ; Maranda Curtis; ButterflyWorks/Red Alliance Media
Praise and Worship Song of the Year.
«"Be Glad" ~ Naomi Rain ~ Tribl Records
«"God Bless Your Name" ~ Maranda Curtis ~ ButterflyWorks/Red Alliance Media
«"Proverbs 3" ~ Todd Dulaney ~ DulaneyLand Music, FairTrade Services
«"Your Name" ~ Jovonta Patton ~ Newton Street Entertainment/Integrity
Rap/Hip-Hop Song of the Year
«"Headphones" ~ Lecrae ft. TI & Killer Mike ~ Reach Records
«"Move It!" ~ 1K Phew Ft. Forrest Frank & 1K Pson ~ Reach Records
“Movin” ~ JustCordell ~ Rock City Media Group
“10X My Blessings” ~ Jevon Dewand & The Trap Starz ft. Isaac Carree, Jazze Pha, Gaz Money & Blanco Brown ~ Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Choir of the Year
The Howard University Gospel Choir featuring Damien Sneed and The Levites, and Kierra Sheard Kelly.
Morgan State University Choir
NCA&T Fellowship Gospel Choir
The Southern University Gospel Choir featuring Cameron Blaine
Fort Valley State University Choir, directed by Lauren Michelle and Tiffany Boone.
Nominees for the Gospel Radio of the Year Award«
Best Market of the Year
WPZE Praise 102.5 ~ Atlanta
WPZS 102.5 and 610AM ~ Charlotte
WFTB 104.1 ~ Nashville
WPRS Praise 92.7/95.9 ~ Washington, D.C.
Average market of the year
WDEK Columbia's Praise 95.7|1170 AM ~ Columbia
WFMV 96.1FM 620AM ~ Columbia
WXHL 89.1 FM Reach Gospel Radio ~ Wilmington
KFFH 93.7 FM ~ North Little Rock
Small Market of the Year
WWDA FM 101.9 ~ Clarksville
WRNP 94.1 FM ~ Fort Wayne
WEHA 88.7FM 100.3 ~ Atlantic City
WKTT 97.5 FM ~ Salisbury
Internet Station of the Year
Black Gospel Radio,
Hands Up Radio,
WTRC Praise 98.3, https://live365.com/station/a33136
WVTC Detroit,
Nationally syndicated gospel radio show of the year.
Get Up! Morning with Erica Campbell ; Erica Campbell with Arlen "Griff" Griffin and Cheryl Jackson
The Bobby Parker Show ; Bobby Parker
The Tracy Morgan Show ; Tracy Morgan
Willie Moore Jr. ; Willie Moore Jr.
Evangelical Preacher of the Year
Anna Johnson; WFLT 1420 AM, Flint, Michigan
Neiko Flowers; WPZE 102.5, Atlanta, Georgia
Pam Dixon; WEAM 100.7, Columbus, Georgia
Trey Nickelson; WBZF-FM – Glory 98.5, Florence, South Carolina
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