Central City Productions today announced that comedian, syndicated radio and TV personality Rickey Smiley (Dish Nation, Rickey Smiley For Real) and actress and TV personality Sherri Shepherd (Ride Along 2, The View) will return as co-hosts of the 31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, having hosted together in 2014. View Nominees below.
Hailed as the “biggest night in gospel music,” this year’s Stellar Awards will be held at the Las Vegas Orleans Arena on Saturday, February 20, 2016. The telecast will premiere on TV One during the week of March 6, as well as in broadcast syndication on 150 stations in over 125 markets around the country from March 12 – April 10.
The 2016 Stellar Awards nominees in 28 categories were revealed today with gospel heavyweight Anthony Brown, a contender for both Male Vocalist of the Year and Producer of the Year, topping the list with ten nominations. The prolific songwriter and his bandmates Group therAPy are also nominated for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Group/Duo of the Year, CD of the Year, Choir of the Year, Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, and Recorded Music Packaging of the Year.
Also returning to the show with a slate of nominations this year, chart-topping act Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago receives eight nods, the second highest number overall. Jenkins is nominated for Producer of the Year and Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, and his critically acclaimed group is competing for Song of the Year, CD of the Year, Choir of the Year, Traditional CD of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Traditional Choir of the Year.
With eight and six nominations respectively, Erica Campbell and Tasha Cobbs demonstrate the powerful impact of women in gospel music, recognized for Artist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year, Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year and Contemporary CD of the Year. Campbell also receives a nod for Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year while Cobb garners one for Praise and Worship CD of the Year.
Richard Smallwood, nominated for Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, and his group Vision are in contention for Traditional Choir of the Year, Special Event CD of the Year and Praise and Worship CD of the Year. Other artists earning multiple nominations include Israel & New Breed, Jonathan McReynolds, Tina Campbell, The Rance Allen Group, newcomer Casey J and living legend Dorinda Clark Cole.
“I am pleased that God has blessed us with celebrating 31 years as the most respected awards brand in gospel music and in the faith-based community,” says Don Jackson, founder and executive producer of the Stellar Awards. “We will honor those who have contributed to the growth and success of gospel music as a genre, as well as demonstrate why this art form remains critical to the legacy of American music.”
In addition to celebrating the year’s best album releases, awards will be presented for the best gospel radio stations for urban audiences nationwide. Terrestrial and online radio programs that broadcast gospel music will be highlighted, along with the top Gospel Announcer of the Year. Nominees for Announcer of the Year are Carmina Barnett from KHVN/Dallas, Tracy Bethea Bodie from WHAL/Memphis, Lee Michaels from WCAO/Baltimore, and Billy St. James from KPZK/Little Rock.
The Stellar Awards Founder Don Jackson will bestow special honors upon superstar Yolanda Adams and Faith-based comedian Jonathan Slocumb, while O’landa Draper will receive the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award and the Ambassador Bobby Jones Legends Award will be presented to Joe Ligon.
A signature of the Stellar Awards are the rousing, spirit-filled performances and this year is no exception — confirmed performers include Kirk Franklin, Anthony Brown & Group therAPy, Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, Tasha Cobbs, Travis Greene and Best New Artist nominee Casey J. Additional performers and presenters will also be announced.
The Stellar Awards show taping is open to the public, with ticket prices ranging from $50 – $200 at www.orleansarena.com. Hotel and Ticket packages are also available through the Orleans Arena.
The Stellar Gospel Music Awards Pre-Show is scheduled for Friday, February 19 to showcase non-televised awards winners. Also, the Stellar Gospel Radio Awards & Showcase will be held on Saturday, February 20, honoring top radio stations and announcers serving urban gospel music audiences. Tickets for each event are $35.
VIEW NOMINEES:
Category #1
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT
ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP 2.0, MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC
JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS, LIFE MUSIC: STAGE TWO, TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC
TASHA COBBS, ONE PLACE LIVE, MOTOWN GOSPEL
Category #2
SONG OF THE YEAR
ANTHONY BROWN, WORTH – EVERYDAY JESUS (ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY), KEY OF A/TYSCOT
DORINDA CLARK COLE, SHANIKA DESHUN BEREAL, RODRICK CLICHÉ, SAAED RENAUD, & FIELD BLANCHARD, BLESS THIS HOUSE – LIVING IT (DORINDA CLARK COLE), LIGHT RECORDS/EONE MUSIC
CHARLES JENKINS, #WAR – ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (CHARLES JENKINS & FELLOWSHIP CHICAGO), INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL
WILL REAGAN, FILL ME UP – THE TRUTH (CASEY J.), MARQUIS BOONE/TYSCOT
Category #3
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
ANTHONY BROWN, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT
TRAVIS GREENE, INTENTIONAL (SINGLE), RCA INSPIRATION
FRED HAMMOND, I WILL TRUST, RCA INSPIRATION
JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS, LIFE MUSIC: STAGE TWO, TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC
CATEGORY #4
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP 2.0, MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC
TINA CAMPBELL, IT’S PERSONAL, GEE TREE CREATIVE
TASHA COBBS, ONE PLACE LIVE, MOTOWN GOSPEL
DORINDA CLARK COLE, LIVING IT, LIGHT RECORDS/EONE MUSIC
CATEGORY #5
GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP, CELEBRATE, TYSCOT
3 WINANS BROTHERS, FOREIGN LAND, ENTERTAINMENT ONE MUSIC
ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT
ISRAEL & NEW BREED, COVERED ALIVE IN ASIA, RGM/NEW BREED/RCA INSPIRATION
CATEGORY #6
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
GEOFFREY GOLDEN, KINGDOM…LIVE!, FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA RECORDS
GERALD & TAMMI HADDON, #US, PEMBROKE RECORDS
CASEY J., THE TRUTH, MARQUIS BOONE/TYSCOT
PASTOR MARLON LOCK, GOOD SEED PROJECT, OGHBYRG PRODUCTIONS
CATEGORY #7
CD OF THE YEAR
ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT
ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP 2.0, MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC
TASHA COBBS, ONE PLACE LIVE, MOTOWN GOSPEL
CHARLES JENKINS & FELLOWSHIP CHICAGO, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL
CATEGORY #8
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
FULL GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH FELLOWSHIP SUPER MASS CHOIR, THE KINGDOM SOUND, TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC
J.J. HAIRSTON & YOUTHFUL PRAISE, I SEE VICTORY, LIGHT RECORDS/EONE MUSIC
CHARLES JENKINS & FELLOWSHIP CHICAGO, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL
RICHARD SMALLWOOD WITH VISION, ANTHOLOGY LIVE, RCA INSPIRATION
CATEGORY #9
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
ANTHONY BROWN & JUSTIN SAVAGE, EVERYDAY JESUS (ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY), KEY OF A/TYSCOT
WARRYN CAMPBELL FOR MY BLOCK, INC., TEDDY CAMPBELL FOR GEE TREE CREATIVE, JASON WHITE FOR WHITE THRONE PRODUCTIONS, DAMON THOMAS & HARVEY MASON, JR. THE UNDERDOGS, EDWARD “EDDIE” BROWN, AARON LINDSEY FOR ARDENT MEDIA, IT’S PERSONAL (TINA CAMPBELL), GEE TREE CREATIVE
CHARLES JENKINS & RODNEY EAST, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (CHARLES JENKINS & FELLOWSHIP CHICAGO), INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL
DONALD LAWRENCE FOR QUIET WATER ENTERTAINMENT, DANIEL WEATHERSPOON FOR LONGLIFE ENTERTAINMENT & J. DREW SHEARD II FOR JDS PRODUCTIONS, DESTINED TO WIN (KAREN CLARK SHEARD), KAREW RECORDS
CATEGORY #10
CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
3 WINANS BROTHERS, FOREIGN LAND, ENTERTAINMENT ONE MUSIC
ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT
GERALD & TAMMI HADDON, #US, PEMBROKE RECORDS
ISRAEL & NEW BREED, COVERED ALIVE IN ASIA, RGM/NEW BREED/RCA INSPIRATION
CATEGORY #11
TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP, CELEBRATE, TYSCOT
LARRY D. REID, ONE MUSICK, LDR ENTERPRISES
THE SHOWERS, THE SHOWERS, A&P RECORDS
CATEGORY #12
CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
ANTHONY BROWN, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT
TRAVIS GREENE, INTENTIONAL (SINGLE), RCA INSPIRATION
FRED HAMMOND, I WILL TRUST, RCA INSPIRATION
JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS, LIFE MUSIC: STAGE TWO, TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC
CATEGORY #13
TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
CHARLES JENKINS, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL
JOHN P. KEE, LEVEL NEXT, MOTOWN GOSPEL
WILLIAM MCDOWELL, SEND THE RAIN (SINGLE), DELIVERY ROOM MUSIC/EONE MUSIC
RICHARD SMALLWOOD, ANTHOLOGY LIVE, RCA INSPIRATION
CATEGORY #14
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP 2.0, MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC
TASHA COBBS, ONE PLACE LIVE, MOTOWN GOSPEL
CASEY J., THE TRUTH, MARQUIS BOONE/TYSCOT
KAREN CLARK SHEARD, DESTINED TO WIN, KAREW RECORDS
CATEGORY #15
TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
JEKALYN CARR, IT’S GONNA HAPPEN, LUNJEAL MUSIC GROUP/MALACO
TINA CAMPBELL, IT’S PERSONAL, GEE TREE CREATIVE
DORINDA CLARK COLE, LIVING IT, LIGHT RECORDS/EONE MUSIC
DOROTHY NORWOOD, AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY, DOROTHY NORWOOD MUSIC GROUP
CATEGORY #16
CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR
ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT
ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP 2.0, MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC
TASHA COBBS, ONE PLACE LIVE, MOTOWN GOSPEL
ALEXIS SPIGHT, DEAR DIARY, UNCLE G RECORDS/EONE MUSIC
CATEGORY #17
TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
JEKALYN CARR, IT’S GONNA HAPPEN, LUNJEAL MUSIC GROUP/MALACO
TINA CAMPBELL, IT’S PERSONAL, GEE TREE CREATIVE
CHARLES JENKINS & FELLOWSHIP CHICAGO, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL
PASTOR MARLON LOCK, GOOD SEED PROJECT, OGHBYRG PRODUCTIONS
CATEGORY #18
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
ERICA CAMPBELL, I LUH GOD – HELP 2.0, MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC
KIRK FRANKLIN, WANNA BE HAPPY? (SINGLE), FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA RECORDS
CASEY J., FILL ME UP – THE TRUTH, MARQUIS BOONE/TYSCOT
JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS, GOTTA HAVE YOU – LIFE MUSIC: STAGE TWO, TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC
CATEGORY #19
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
DEREK BLANKS, GOTTA HAVE YOU – LIFE MUSIC: STAGE TWO (JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS), TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC
CHARLES JENKINS & THE SPIN SINGERS, #WAR – ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (CHARLES JENKINS & FELLOWSHIP CHICAGO), INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL
ADREAN MANGIARDI, A LIL’ LOUDER (CLAP YOUR HANDS)– CELEBRATE (THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP), TYSCOT
DALE “RAGE” RESTEGHINI, I LUH GOD – HELP 2.0 (ERICA CAMPBELL), MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC
CATEGORY #20
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
FULL GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH FELLOWSHIP SUPER MASS CHOIR, THE KINGDOM SOUND, TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC
LONNIE HUNTER FEATURING STRUCTURE, #GETITDONE, TYSCOT
CHARLES JENKINS & FELLOWSHIP CHICAGO, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, INSPIRED PEOPLE LLC/MOTOWN GOSPEL
RICHARD SMALLWOOD WITH VISION, ANTHOLOGY LIVE, RCA INSPIRATION
CATEGORY #21
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
DR. F. JAMES CLARK & THE SHALOM CHURCH (CITY OF PEACE) MASS CHOIR, SIMPLY AMAZING, CITY OF PEACE RECORDS
J.J. HAIRSTON & YOUTHFUL PRAISE, I SEE VICTORY, LIGHT RECORDS/EONE MUSIC
KENNY LEWIS & ONE VOICE, THE WAY OF ESCAPE, PURESOUND MUSIC GROUP
CATEGORY #22
INSTRUMENTAL CD OF THE YEAR
CRAIG CRAWFORD PLAYERS, I LOVE YOU, LIFE JAM ENTERTAINMENT
MEL HOLDER, BACK 2 BASICS: MUSIC BOOK VOL. II, PSALMIST MUSIC GROUP
BEN TANKARD, FULL TANK 2.0, BENJAMIN UNIVERSAL MUSIC
CATEGORY #23
SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
ISRAEL & NEW BREED, COVERED ALIVE IN ASIA, RGM/NEW BREED/RCA INSPIRATION
RICHARD SMALLWOOD WITH VISION, ANTHOLOGY LIVE, RCA INSPIRATION
THE LEGENDS OF QUARTET, AN EVENING WITH THE LEGENDS OF QUARTET, 4WINDS/MALACO
VARIOUS ARTISTS, WOW GOSPEL 2015, RCA INSPIRATION
CATEGORY #24
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR
DEE-1, 3’S UP, RCA INSPIRATION
FLAME, FORWARD, CLEAR SIGHT MUSIC
TRIP LEE, RISE, REACH RECORDS
DEREK MINOR, EMPIRE, REFLECTION MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC
CATEGORY #25
YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
GOD’S GIFT AND SOLDIERS YOUTH CHOIR, THROUGH THE FIRE AND FLOOD, DIR/MOTOR CITY PRAISE RECORDS
PURE-N-HEART, REVOLUTION: SAVING OUR YOUTH, MUSIC2CHANGEU
JADA REDMOND, “BROTHER”, 4RED MUSIC/MUSIC2CHANGEU
ROBYN, HE’S B4 ME, OAK TREE
CATEGORY #26
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP, CELEBRATE, TYSCOT
THE HIGHWAY QC’S FEATURING SPENCER TAYLOR, THE GODFATHER, OPHIR GOSPEL/TBT MUSIC GROUP
THE HI-LITE JUNIORS, A NEW BEGINNING, DYNASTY PRODUCTION
THE NEW CHRISTIANAIRES, REMEMBER ME, CARTER CLASSIC RECORDS
CATEGORY #27
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
DEREK BLANKS, WORTH FIGHTING FOR (BRIAN COURTNEY WILSON), MOTOWN GOSPEL
DEREK BLANKS, HELP 2.0 (ERICA CAMPBELL), MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC
ANNETTE REISCHL, UNSTOPPABLE (VASHAWN MITCHELL), MOTOWN GOSPEL
DENISE TROTMAN & CONNI TREANTEFELES, EVERYDAY JESUS (ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY), KEY OF A/TYSCOT
CATEGORY #28
PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR
TASHA COBBS, ONE PLACE LIVE, MOTOWN GOSPEL
ISRAEL & NEW BREED, COVERED ALIVE IN ASIA, RGM/NEW BREED/RCA INSPIRATION
JASON NELSON, JESUS REVEALED, RCA INSPIRATION
RICHARD SMALLWOOD WITH VISION, ANTHOLOGY LIVE, RCA INSPIRATION
GOSPEL RADIO OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
MAJOR MARKET OF THE YEAR
HEAVEN 97 – KHVN, DALLAS/FT. WORTH, CARMINA BARNETT
PRAISE 104.1 WPRS, WASHINGTON, DC, RON THOMPSON
WIGO AM 1570, ATLANTA, LARRY YOUNG
WPZE 102.5 FM, ATLANTA, LORI FLOWERS & DEREK HARPER
LARGE MARKET OF THE YEAR
95.7 HALLELUJAH FM – WHAL-FM, MEMPHIS, TRACY BETHEA
HEAVEN 600 – WCAO – AM, BALTIMORE, LEE MICHAELS
WFMI 100.9 FM, NORFOLK-VIRGINIA BEACH, MIKE CHANDLER
WPZR-FM PRAISE 102.7, DETROIT, NATE BELL & RANDI MYLES
MEDIUM MARKET OF THE YEAR
PRAISE 104.7 FM WPZZ 104.7, RICHMOND, REGINALD BAKER
THE LIGHT WNNL 103.9 FM, RALEIGH – DURHAM, JERRY SMITH
WAAW, AUGUSTA, BJ MURPHY
WXOK HEAVEN 1460 AM, BATON ROUGE, J’MICHAEL FRANCOIS
SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR
1300 AM KSYB, SHREVEPORT, RHONDA PHILLIPS-SANDERS
KRGN 98.5, KILLEEN-HARKER HEIGHTS, TX, RON GRACE
WFMV FM 95.3, COLUMBIA, SC, TONY “GEE” GREEN
WIMG 1300 AM, TRENTON, NJ, ED LONG
INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR
ALL NATIONS RADIO, ALLNATIONSRADIO.NET, BISHOP SAMUEL MCGILL III
BONNERFIDE RADIO, WWW.BONNERFIDERADIO.COM, GERARD BONNER
GOSPEL CENTRAL RADIO, WWW.THEGOSPELCENTRAL.COM, MICHAEL STEWART
I AM RADIO, WWW.I-AM-RADIO.COM, BEATRICE “SISTAH PEACHES” HAYWOOD
GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR
CARMINA BARNETT, KHVN – DALLAS, TX
TRACY BETHEA BODIE, WHAL – MEMPHIS, TN
LEE MICHAELS, WCAO – BALTIMORE, MD
BILLY ST. JAMES, KPZK – LITTLE ROCK, AR
[…] View the full list of nominees here. […]