26th Annual Stellar Awards Nominees Announced: James Fortune & FIYA, BeBe & CeCe, Sapp and Hammond Multi-Nominated

-- James Fortune Leads with Ten Nominations, Followed by Bebe & Cece Winans, Fred Hammond and Marvin Sapp tied with Seven Nominations --

-- Special Honorees Kirk Franklin, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Donald Lawrence also Announced --


For the first time, nominees for the 26th Annual Stellar Awards were announced in a live telecast from Nashville, TN on October 23 and a fresh voice leads the list.


It's a fortunate time for James Fortune and FIYA, the youngest and newest artist among the top Stellar contenders.  Representing an independent label, Black Smoke Music, they received a phenomenal 10 Stellar Award nominations in association with their sophomore album "Encore," the follow-up to the debut CD "Transformation" that yielded the popular "I'll Trust You."


Multi-nominated veterans  BeBe and CeCe Winans ("Still"), Fred Hammond ("Love Unstoppable") and Marvin Sapp ("Here I Am"), tied with 7 nominations.  

BeBe and CeCe Winans got nods for the well-received comeback recording "Still" after a 13 year hiatus. The sibling duo also accrued three nominations separately.

Former Commissioned members Fred Hammond and Marvin Sapp will face off for the Male Vocalist of the Year trophy.

All of these leading artists are competing for the Artist of the Year title.  


Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones announced several special honors including Kirk Franklin, who will be recognized with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award; Vanessa Bell Armstrong who is receiving the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award; and Donald Lawrence, who will receive the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award, for their historical contributions to the industry. 

It  was also announced that the "Female Vocalist of the Year" award is being renamed in honor of the recently departed "Queen of Gospel" Albertina Walker who recently passed on. 

Awards will be handed out in twenty-seven categories.  

Central City founder/Chairman Don Jackson stated, "I was extremely pleased with the successful outcome of our first-ever live nominee announcement on the GMC television network. The live 1-hour special with performances from some of the top upcoming gospel music stars contributed greatly to the energy of the nominations program. And Pastor Donnie McClurkin was a spectacular host." 
 
Produced by Central City Productions of Chicago, and hosted by multiple Grammy and Stellar award winner Donnie McClurkin, who led the live announcement show, The 26th Annual Stellar Awards will be recorded live from the Grand Ole Opry on January 15 and is scheduled to air in syndication from January 22, 2011 to March 13, 2011. The show will also broadcast on Saturday, March 6 at 8 p.m. EST on the Gospel Music Channel (GMC). 
 
The telecast is open to the public and tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com). Ticket prices range from $35 - $200. For additional details, visit the Stellar Awards website (www.thestellarawards.com). 
 
And the 2011 Stellar Awards Nominees are:




SONG OF THE YEAR
- BEBE WINANS, CLOSE TO YOU – STILL, B&C/MALACO
- FRED HAMMOND, CALVIN RODGERS, PHILLIP FEASTER, ERICKA WARREN, MICHAEL BETHANY, & DYNNA WELLS, THEY THAT WAIT - LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- JAMES FORTUNE, C. FORTUNE, & T. VAUGHN, ENCORE – ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
- MARVIN SAPP, THE BEST IN ME - HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP 
 


MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- BYRON CAGE, FAITHFUL TO BELIEVE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- FRED HAMMOND, LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- J MOSS, JUST JAMES, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- MARVIN SAPP, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP 
 
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR* (*renamed in 2011)
- CECE WINANS, STILL, B&C/MALACO
- KAREN CLARK SHEARD, ALL IN ONE, KAREW RECORDS
- LUCINDA MOORE, BLESSED, BROKEN & GIVEN, TYSCOT RECORDS/JOYFULA RECORDS
- TAMELA MANN, THE MASTER PLAN, TILLYMANN MUSIC 
 
GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, STILL, B&C/MALACO
- FOREVER JONES, GET READY, EMI GOSPEL
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
- THE ANOINTED PACE SISTERS, ACCESS GRANTED, TYSCOT RECORDS 
 
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- FOREVER JONES, GET READY, EMI GOSPEL
- KRISTINA HALLOWAY, FREE, SERUM/PSALMS GROUP UNIVERSAL MUSIC CHRISTIAN GROUP
- TRAVIS GREENE, STRETCHING OUT, PENDULUM RECORDS, LLC
- VICTORY CATHEDRAL CHOIR, SMOKIE NORFUL PRESENTS VICTORY CATHEDRAL CHOIR, TREMYLES MUSIC/EMI GOSPEL 
 
CD OF THE YEAR
- FRED HAMMOND, LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- J MOSS, JUST JAMES, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA,ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
- MARVIN SAPP, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP 
 
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- BROOKLYN TABERNACLE CHOIR, DECLARE YOUR NAME, INTERGRITY/COLUMBIA
- JAMES HALL & VOICES OF CITADEL, WON'T IT BE WONDERFUL, MUSIC BLEND
- VICTORY CATHEDRAL CHOIR, SMOKIE NORFUL PRESENTS VICTORY CATHEDRAL CHOIR, TREMYLES MUSIC/EMI GOSPEL
- WILMINGTON CHESTER MASS CHOIR, HE'S BEEN GOOD, EMTRO GOSPEL 
 
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
- AARON LINDSEY, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- DONALD LAWRENCE, THE EXPERIENCE, EMI GOSPEL
- FRED HAMMOND, LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- JAMES FORTUNE, TERRANCE VAUGHN & AYRON LEWIS, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE



CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, STILL, B&C/MALACO
- FOREVER JONES, GET READY, EMI GOSPEL
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
- TRIN-I-TEE 5:7, LOVE, PEACE, JOY AT CHRISTMAS, MUSIC WORLD GOSPEL

TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
- JAMES GREER & COMPANY, DON'T WASTE ANOTHER DAY, HABBAKUK MUSIC
- THE ANOINTED PACE SISTERS, ACCESS GRANTED, TYSCOT RECORDS
- THE CHRISTIAN ANGELS, BRING IT TO THE ALTAR, 4 WINDS/MALACO
- THE MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY, AT THE REVIVAL, EMI GOSPEL 
 
CONTEMPORARY MALE OF THE YEAR
- BYRON CAGE, FAITHFUL TO BELIEVE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- FRED HAMMOND, LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- J MOSS, JUST JAMES, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- JAMES FORTUNE, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE 
 
TRADITIONAL MALE OF THE YEAR
- ALVIN DARLING, YOU CAN MAKE IT, EMTRO GOSPEL
- DARRELL HINES, DARRELL HINES LIVE, WHITE CANVAS RECORDS
- MARVIN SAPP, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- MARVIN WINANS, TRIBUTE TO BISHOP G.E. PATTERSON, WORLD CLASS GOSPEL 
 
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE OF THE YEAR
- CECE WINANS, STILL, B&C/MALACO
- KAREN CLARK SHEARD, ALL IN ONE, KAREW RECORDS
- LISA PAGE BROOKS, STRONG, HABBAKUK MUSIC
- TAMELA MANN, THE MASTER PLAN, TILLYMANN MUSIC 
 
TRADITIONAL FEMALE OF THE YEAR
- FREDERICKA FAISON, BRING IT TO THE ALTAR, 4 WINDS/MALACO
- LUCINDA MOORE, BLESSED, BROKEN & GIVEN, TYSCOT RECORDS/JOYFULA RECORDS
- SHIRLEY CAESAR, A CITY CALLED HEAVEN, SHUBEL/LIGHT RECORDS
- VANESSA BELL ARMSTRONG, THE EXPERIENCE, EMI GOSPEL 
 
CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, STILL, B&C/MALACO
- FRED HAMMOND, LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- J MOSS, JUST JAMES, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE 
 
TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
- JAMES HALL & VOICES OF CITADEL, WON'T IT BE WONDERFUL, MUSIC BLEND
- MARVIN SAPP, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- SHIRLEY CAESAR, A CITY CALLED HEAVEN, SHUBEL/LIGHT RECORDS
- VANESSA BELL ARMSTRONG, THE EXPERIENCE, EMI GOSPEL 
 
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, CLOSE TO YOU - STILL, B&C/MALACO
- FOREVER JONES, HE WANTS IT ALL - GET READY, EMI GOSPEL
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, ENCORE - ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
- MARVIN SAPP, THE BEST IN ME - HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP 
 
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, CLOSE TO YOU - STILL, B&C/MALACO
- KIRK WHALUM FEATURING KEVIN WHALUM & LALAH HATHAWAY, MAKE ME A BELIEVER - THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JAZZ CHAPTER III, TOP DRAWER/RENDEZVOUS
- SHIRLEY CAESAR, PLAYGROUND IN HEAVEN - A CITY CALLED HEAVEN, SHUBEL/LIGHT RECORDS
- THE ANOINTED PACE SISTERS, IF I BE LIFTED UP - ACCESS GRANTED, TYSCOT RECORDS 
 
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- BROOKLYN TABERNACLE CHOIR, DECLARE YOUR NAME, INTERGRITY/COLUMBIA
- JAMES HALL & VOICES OF CITADEL, WON'T IT BE WONDERFUL, MUSIC BLEND
- VICTORY CATHEDRAL CHOIR, SMOKIE NORFUL PRESENTS VICTORY CATHEDRAL CHOIR, TREMYLES MUSIC/EMI GOSPEL
- WILMINGTON CHESTER MASS CHOIR, HE'S BEEN GOOD, EMTRO GOSPEL 
 
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- GOD'S LITTLE SOLDIERS INTERNATIONAL, SOLDIER STORY, MOTOR CITY PRAISE/DETROIT INTERNATIONAL RECORDS
- MYRON BUTLER & LEVI, REVEALED LIVE IN DALLAS, EMI GOSPEL
- YOUTH FOR CHRIST, THANKS IN ADVANCE, EMTRO GOSPEL
- YOUTHFUL PRAISE FEATURING JJ HAIRSTON, RESTING ON HIS PROMISE, EVIDENCE GOSPEL/LIGHT RECORDS 
 
SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, STILL, B&C/MALACO
- KIRK FRANKLIN, ARE YOU LISTENING, GOSPOCENTRIC/VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- VARIOUS ARTISTS, COCO BROTHER LIVE PRESENTS STAND 2010, TYSCOT RECORDS
- VARIOUS ARTISTS, WOW GOSPEL 2010, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP 
 


 CHILDRENS PROJECT OF THE YEAR
- GOD'S LITTLE SOLDIERS INTERNATIONAL, SOLDIER STORY, MOTOR CITY PRAISE/DETROIT INTERNATIONAL RECORDS
- KINGDOM KIDS WORLDWIDE, KINGDOM KIDS WORLDWIDE VOLUME 1, HEADSTRATE ENTERTAINMENT
- THE VELASQUEZ FAMILY SINGERS, WHILE WE STILL HAVE TIME, Z.A.V.E. RECORDS
- YOUTH FOR CHRIST, THANKS IN ADVANCE, EMTRO GOSPEL 
 


QUARTET OF THE YEAR
- REV. F.C. BARNES & COMPANY, THE OLD TIME WAY, AIR GOSPEL/MALACO
- THE CHRISTIAN ANGELS, BRING IT TO THE ALTAR, 4 WINDS/MALACO
- THE GOLDEN WINGS QUARTET, KEEP BLESSING ME, 4 WINDS/MALACO
- THE MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY, AT THE REVIVAL, EMI GOSPEL 
 
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
- CAMERON HILSON & MARK NEUBAUER, FOREVER JONES - GET READY, EMI GOSPEL
- DENISE TROTMAN & MARVIN SAPP - HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- DEREK BLANKS & KEN BARBOZA, BEBE & CECE WINANS – STILL, B&C/MALACO
- JEFF GILLIGAN, FRED HAMMOND - LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP 
 
PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR
- DARWIN HOBBS, DARWIN HOBBS LIVE: CHAMPION, IMAGO DEI
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
- PHIL TARVER, PLACE OF WORSHIP, KINGDOM RECORDS, INC.
- THE ANOINTED PACE SISTERS, ACCESS GRANTED, TYSCOT RECORDS 
 
SPECIAL AWARDS -- HONOREES/NOMINEES
THOMAS A. DORSEY MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREE
KIRK FRANKLIN
AMBASSADOR DR. BOBBY JONES LEGEND AWARD HONOREE
VANESSA BELL ARMSTRONG
JAMES CLEVELAND LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREE
DONALD LAWRENCE
SMALL MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
- WHLW-FM 104.3, Montgomery, AL
- WFMV-FM 95.3, Columbia, SC
- KOKA-AM 980, Shreveport, LA
- WSOK-AM 1230, Savannah, GA
MEDIUM MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
- KPZK-FM 102.5, Little Rock, AR
- WJYD-FM 106.3, Columbus, OH
- WCGL-AM 1360, Jacksonville, FL
- WRJD-AM 1410, Durham, NC
LARGE MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
- WFMI-FM 100.9, Virginia Beach, VI
- WBBP-AM 1480, Memphis, TN
- WJMO-AM 1300, Cleveland, OH
- WCAO-AM 600, Baltimore, MD
MAJOR MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
- WPPZ PRAISE 103.9, Philadelphia, PA
- WGRB-AM 1390, Chicago, IL
- WEXL-AM 1340, Detroit, MI
- KHVN-AM 970, Dallas, TX