2015 Stellar Awards hosts and nominees announced; President Obama and Bishop Paul Morton to be honored

buzzz worthy. . .


Erica Campbell and Ricky Dillard Top List of Nominees with Ten Nods Each; Kirk Franklin's The Walls Group Earns Eight, Including Artist of the Year; Deitrick Haddon's LXW, Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir, Smokie Norful, Michelle Williams, and newcomer Tasha Page-Lockhart Also Score Multiple Noms

 
The Stellar Awards Telecast Taping Moves to the Las Vegas Orleans Arena 
on Saturday, March 28

 
CHICAGO, IL (January 13, 2015) - Central City Productions today announced that stand-up comedian turned television personality, David Mann, multiple Stellar Award winner, Tamela Mann, and syndicated radio personality Rickey Smiley (Dish Nation) will  collaborate to co-host the 30th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The annual salute to Gospel music, The Stellar Awards will be held at its new location, the Las Vegas Orleans Arena on Saturday, March 28, 2015. The Awards and Pre-show will both be held in the Orleans Showroom. The show will air in broadcast syndication on 150 stations in over 125 markets around the country from April 12 through May 3, 2015 and on the TV One network on Easter Sunday, April 5. 

The nominees in 27 categories were unveiled today, with gospel superstar and WEtv personality Erica Campbell and Ricky Dillard and New G sharing the top spot as the most nominated artists with ten nominations each.  In her first solo project effort, Mary Mary's Campbell earns ten nominations for "Help," including "Artist of the Year," "Song of the Year," "Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year," "CD of the Year," "Contemporary Female vocalist of the Year," "Contemporary CD of the Year," and "Urban /Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year."  The project also received nominations in the categories of "Producer of the Year," "Music Video of the Year," and "Recorded Music Packaging of the Year."  Ricky Dillard and New G's "Amazing" tied "Help" for the most recognition with nominations for "Artist of the Year," "Song of the Year," "Male Vocalist of the Year," "CD of the Year," "Producer of the Year," "Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year," "Traditional CD of the Year," "Choir of the Year," "Traditional Choir of the Year," and "Recorded Music Packaging of the Year."

Another artist to receive multiple nominations is The Walls Group with eight nominations.  Gospel music luminary Kirk Franklin goes head-to-head against himself in the "Producer of the Year" category for the projects of both his protégés, Tasha Page-Lockhart and The Walls Group. Gospel chart-topper and reality television star/producer  Deitrick Haddon earns seven nominations for his project Deitrick Haddon's LXW including "Male Vocalist of the Year," "Choir of the Year," "Contemporary CD of the Year," and "Urban /Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year."  Other artists earning multiple nominations include Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir, Smokie Norful and Michelle Williams.

Hailed as "gospel music's biggest night," this year's Stellar Gospel Music Awards features live performances by The Walls Group, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Mali Music, Deitrick Haddon's LXW, and Beverly Crawford among others

The Stellar Awards will also present five special categories highlighting the top radio stations serving urban Gospel music audiences nationwide. The awards honor terrestrial radio and internet programs that broadcast Gospel music, including the top Gospel Announcer of the Year.

"I am pleased that God has blessed us with the staying power of the Stellar Awards brand, and we are celebrating our 30-year anniversary as the most respected name in Gospel music and in the faith-based community today," says Don Jackson, founder & Executive Producer of the Stellar Awards. "Our 2015, 30th anniversary 'Stellars' will give thanks to those who have contributed to the success of the Stellar Awards in tribute and in song, bringing back some of the greatest names in the genre as well as featuring many of the nominated artists of 2015. I am also grateful that Central City Productions, the producers of the Stellar Awards will be celebrating 45 years in business as one of the leading television production companies in the media industry."

In addition to recognizing the year's most outstanding contributions in gospel music, The Stellar Awards will also bestow special honors upon President Barack Obama with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award and Bishop Paul Morton with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award.  Andrae Crouch and Al "The Bishop" Hobbs will be celebrated posthumously for their significant contributions to the industry with the Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award.

The taping at The Orleans Arena is open to the public, and tickets are on sale now through (www.orleansarena.com). Ticket prices range from $50 - $200. Special student pricing for balcony seating is available for $35.  In addition to the awards ceremony, there are a number of ancillary activities that celebrate and recognize outstanding achievement in the genre which are open to the public:  the Stellar Awards Pre-Show is held on Friday, March 27 at 7 pm and the Stellar Gospel Radio Awards and Showcase on Saturday, March 28 at 11 am; both events require the purchase of a $30 ticket.

For additional details, visit the Stellar Awards website at http://www.thestellarawards.com.

 
Summary of 2015 Stellar Awards Top Nominees:

 
Erica Campbell -- 10 Total Nominations
Ricky Dillard -- 10 Total Nominations
The Walls Group -- 8 Total Nominations
Deitrick Haddon's LXW -- 7 Total Nominations
Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir -- 6 Total Nominations
Smokie Norful -- 4 Total Nominations
Michelle Williams-- 4 Total Nominations
Tasha Page-Lockhart -- 4 Total Nominations

2015 STELLAR WARD NOMINES
FULL LIST

 CATEGORY #1 ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP, MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC
– RICKY DILLARD & NEW G, AMAZING, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– SMOKIE NORFUL, FOREVER YOURS, TREMYLES/MOTOWN GOSPEL
– THE WALLS GROUP, FAST FORWARD, FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA
 

CATEGORY #2 SONG OF THE YEAR
– MICHAEL MCDOWELL & JAMES JOHNSON, YOU ALONE – YOU ALONE (ARKANSAS GOSPEL MASS CHOIR), EMTRO GOSPEL
– W. CAMPBELL, L. MOORE, H. LILLY, A. SLEDGE, H. JONES & E. CAMPBELL, HELP FT. LECRAE – HELP (ERICA CAMPBELL), MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC
– HARMONY SAMUELS, MICHELLE WILLIAMS, H. “CARMEN REECE” CULVER & AL SHERROD LAMBERT, SAY YES FT. BEYONCE & KELLY ROWLAND – JOURNEY TO FREEDOM (MICHELLE WILLIAMS), ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– TIFFANY JOY MCGHEE, AMAZING – AMAZING (RICKY DILLARD & NEW G), LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
 

CATEGORY #3 MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– DEITRICK HADDON, DEITRICK HADDON’S LXW, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
– MALI MUSIC, MALI IS…, BY STORM ENTERTAINMENT/RCA RECORDS
– RICKY DILLARD, AMAZING, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– SMOKIE NORFUL, FOREVER YOURS, TREMYLES/MOTOWN GOSPEL
 

CATEGORY #4 ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– ANITA WILSON, VINTAGE WORSHIP, MOTOWN GOSPEL
– ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP, MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC
– MICHELLE WILLIAMS, JOURNEY TO FREEDOM, ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– TASHA PAGE-LOCKHART, HERE RIGHT NOW, FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA


CATEGORY #5 GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
– DONALD LAWRENCE, BEST FOR LAST, QUIETWATER/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, LIVE THROUGH IT, FIYA WORLD/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– THE WALLS GROUP, FAST FORWARD, FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA
– THE WILLIAMS BROTHERS, SONGS OF WORSHIP, PRAISE & DELIVERANCE, BLACKBERRY RECORDS
2014 – 2015


CATEGORY #6 NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– RUTH LA’ONTRA, SO GOOD, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
– TASHA PAGE-LOCKHART, HERE RIGHT NOW, FO YO SOUL RECORDSINGS/RCA
– TEMPLE OF DELIVERANCE WOMEN’S CHOIR, IN THE SANCTUARY, HABBAKUK MUSIC
– UNCLE REECE, BOLD, OBED MUSIC GROUP
CATEGORY #7 CD OF THE YEAR
– ARKANSAS GOSPEL MASS CHOIR, YOU ALONE, EMTRO GOSPEL
– ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP, MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC
– RICKY DILLARD & NEW G, AMAZING, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– THE WALLS GROUP, FAST FORWARD, FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA
 

CATEGORY #8 CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– ARKANSAS GOSPEL MASS CHOIR, YOU ALONE, EMTRO GOSPEL
– DEITRICK HADDON’S LXW, DEITRICK HADDON’S LXW, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
– RICKY DILLARD & NEW G, AMAZING,LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– THE MISSISSIPPI MASS CHOIR, DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE, MALACO RECORDS
 

CATEGORY #9 PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
– WARRYN CAMPBELL, HELP (ERICA CAMPBELL), MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC
– RICKY DILLARD, WILL BOGLE & RICK ROBINSON, AMAZING, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– KIRK FRANKLIN, HERE RIGHT NOW (TASHA PAGE-LOCKHART), FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA
– KIRK FRANKLIN, FAST FORWARD (THE WALLS GROUP), FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA
 

CATEGORY #10 CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
– DONALD LAWRENCE, BEST FOR LAST, QUIETWATER/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, LIVE THROUGH IT, FIYA WORLD/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– THE WALLS GROUP, FAST FORWARD, FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA
– ZIE’L, PRONOUNCED ZY-EL, DREAM GOSPEL


CATEGORY #11 TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
– LISA KNOWLES & THE BROWN SINGERS, THE EVOLUTION CONTINUES, ONE VOICE MEDIA
– THE CANTON SPIRITUALS, KEEP KNOCKING, MALACO RECORDS
– THE WILLIAMS BROTHERS, SONGS OF WORSHIP, PRAISE & DELIVERANCE, BLACKBERRY RECORDS
– TIM WOODSON & THE HEIRS OF HARMONY, MILLIONAIRE, MARXAN/CENTRAL SOUTH
 

CATEGORY #12 CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– DONALD LAWRENCE, BEST FOR LAST, QUIETWATER/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– DEITRICK HADDON, DEITRICK HADDON’S LXW, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
– MALI MUSIC, MALI IS…, BY STORM ENTERTAINMENT/RCA RECORDS
– SMOKIE NORFUL, FOREVER YOURS, TREMYLES/MOTOWN GOSPEL
 

CATEGORY #13 TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– DONNIE MCCLURKIN, DUETS, RCA INSPIRATION
– EARNEST PUGH, THE W.I.N. (WORSHIP IN NASSAU) EXPERIENCE, P-MAN MUSIC
– RICKY DILLARD, AMAZING, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– WILLIAM MCDOWELL, WITHHOLDING NOTHING, DELIVERY ROOM MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
 

CATEGORY #14 CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– ANITA WILSON, VINTAGE WORSHIP, MOTOWN GOSPEL
– ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP, MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC
– KIERRA SHEARD, GRACELAND, INDEPENDENT
– TASHA PAGE-LOCKHART, HERE RIGHT NOW, FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA
 

CATEGORY #15 TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– BEVERLY CRAWFORD, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE, ECHO PARK/JDI
– LISA KNOWLES, THE EVOLUTION CONTINUES, ONE VOICE MEDIA
– RUTH LA’ONTRA, SO GOOD, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
– SHERI JONES-MOFFETT, POWER & AUTHORITY: LIVE IN MEMPHIS, MOTOWN GOSPEL


CATEGORY #16 CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR
– DEITRICK HADDON’S LXW, DEITRICK HADDON’S LXW, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
– ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP, MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC
– SMOKIE NORFUL, FOREVER YOURS, TREMYLES/MOTOWN GOSPEL
– THE WALLS GROUP, FAST FORWARD, FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA


CATEGORY #17 TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
– ARKANSAS GOSPEL MASS CHOIR, YOU ALONE, EMTRO GOSPEL
– DONNIE MCCLURKIN, DUETS, RCA INSPIRATION
– RICKY DILLARD & NEW G, AMAZING, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– WILLIAM MCDOWELL, WITHHOLDING NOTHING, DELIVERY ROOM MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
 

CATEGORY #18 URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
– DEITRICK HADDON’S LXW, GREAT GOD, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
– ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP FT. LECRAE, MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC
– JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, LIVE THROUGH IT, FIYA WORLD/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– MICHELLE WILLIAMS, SAY YES FT. BEYONCE & KELLY ROWLAND, ENTERTAINMENT ONE
 

CATEGORY #19 MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
– FLORIAN SCHNEIDER, GREAT GOD – DEITRICK HADDON’S LXW, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
– BILLIE WOODRUFF, HELP FT. LECRAE – HELP (ERICA CAMPBELL), MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC
– MR. BOOMTOWN, LOVE ON THE RADIO – FAST FORWARD (THE WALLS GROUP), FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA
– MATTHEW CHERRY, SAY YES FT. BEYONCE & KELLY ROWLAND – JOURNEY TO FREEDOM (MICHELLE WILLIAMS), ENTERTAINMENT ONE
 

CATEGORY #20 TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– ARKANSAS GOSPEL MASS CHOIR, YOU ALONE, EMTRO GOSPEL
– BISHOP LARRY D. TROTTER & SHS COMBINED CHOIR, PRAISE REVISITED, UTOPIA
– RICKY DILLARD & NEW G, AMAZING, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– THE MISSISSIPPI MASS CHOIR, DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE, MALACO RECORDS


CATEGORY #21 CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– CHARLES BUTLER & TRINITY, BETTER, EPM MUSIC GROUP
– DEITRICK HADDON’S LXW, DEITRICK HADDON’S LXW, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
– LAMAR CAMPBELL & SPIRIT OF PRAISE, OPEN THE SKY, 360 MUSIC WORX/MOTOWN
– DARNELL DAVIS AND THE REMNANT, MOVING FORWARD, RCA INSPIRATION
CATEGORY #23 SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
– DONNIE MCLURKIN, DUETS, RCA INSPIRATION
– VARIOUS ARTISTS, WOW GOSPEL 2014, RCA INSPIRATION
– VARIOUS ARTISTS, EARNEST PUGH PROUDLY PRESENTS GOSPEL’S RISING STARS, EPM MUSIC GROUP
– TAMELA MANN, BEST DAYS DELUXE EDITION, TILLYMANN MUSIC
 

CATEGORY #24 RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR
– ANDY MINEO, NEVERLAND, REACH RECORDS
– DA’ T.R.U.T.H., HEARTBEAT, MIXED BAG
– LECRAE, ANOMALY, REACH RECORDS
– UNCLE REECE, BOLD, OBED MUSIC GROUP
 

CATEGORY #25 YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
– KENDRA SMITH, SOMETHING NEW, DIVINE RECORDS
– NYASIA, SHOOTING STAR, INSPIRING DREAMS ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
– PURE-N-HEART, ALPHAEUS ANDERSON PRESENTS PURE-N-HEART KIDS, TEENS MOVEMENT “SING THE WORD”, MUSIC2CHANGEU RECORDS
– STL3, ALL THINGS NEW, PGK MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
 

CATEGORY #26 QUARTET OF THE YEAR
– LISA KNOWLES & THE BROWN SINGERS, THE EVOLUTION CONTINUES, ONE VOICE MEDIA
– THE CANTON SPIRITUALS, KEEP KNOCKING, MALACO RECORDS
– THE WILLIAMS BROTHERS, SONGS OF WORSHIP, PRAISE AND DELIVERANCE, BLACKBERRY RECORDS
– TIM WOODSON & THE HEIRS OF HARMONY, MILLIONAIRE, MARXAN/CENTRAL SOUTH


CATEGORY #27 RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
– DEREK BLANKS, VINTAGE WORSHIP (ANITA WILSON), MOTOWN GOSPEL
– DEREK BLANKS, HELP (ERICA CAMPBELL), MY BLOCK/EONE MUSIC
– DEREK BLANKS, AMAZING (RICKY DILLARD & NEW G), LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
– JEFF GILLIGAN, FAST FORWARD (THE WALLS GROUP), FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA
 

CATEGORY #28 PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR
– ARKANSAS GOSPEL MASS CHOIR, YOU ALONE, EMTRO GOSPEL
– EARNEST PUGH, JUST WORSHIP (EP), P-MAN MUSIC
– MICAH STAMPLEY, LOVE NEVER FAILS, MOTOWN GOSPEL
– WILLIAM MCDOWELL, WITHHOLDING NOTHING, DELIVERY ROOM MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT ONE


GOSPEL RADIO OF THE YEAR NOMINEES MAJOR MARKET OF THE YEAR
– HEAVEN 97 – KHVN 970 AM, DALLAS/FT. WORTH, CARMINA BARNETT
– WGRB – INSPIRATION 1390 AM, CHICAGO, SONYA BLAKEY
– WPZE 102.5/102.9, ATLANTA, DEREK HARPER
– WPPZ – PRAISE 103.9, PHILADELPHIA, KYLE GLOVER
 

LARGE MARKET OF THE YEAR
– 95.7 FM HALLELUJAH – WHAL, MEMPHIS, TRACY BETHEA
– HEAVEN 600 – WCAO 600 AM, BALTIMORE, LEE MICHAELS
– 1480 WBBP, MEMPHIS, TRACY MORGAN
– WCCD 1000 AM, CLEVELAND, DRS. DARRELL & BELINDA SCOTT
 

MEDIUM MARKET OF THE YEAR
– WENO 760 AM, NASHVILLE, LADY SHAUNTE GARRETT
– KMVP GOSPEL 860 AM, PHOENIX, LOUIS BLAND
– THE LIGHT 103.9 – WNNL, DURHAM, JERRY SMITH
– WXOK-AM- HEAVEN 1460 AM, BATON ROUGE, J’MICHAEL FRANCOIS
 

SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR
– KSYB 1300 AM, SHREVEPORT, RHONDA PHILLIPS-SANDERS
– REIGN RADIO LIVE, EDMOND, R.A. MCCULLOUGH
– WEHA, ATLANTIC CITY, ELAINE M. HAWKES
– WGOK – GOSPEL 900, MOBILE, FELICIA ALLBRITTON
INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR
– I AM RADIO, WWW.I-AM-RADIO.COM, BEATRICE “SISTAH PEACHES” HAYWOOD
– ALL NATIONS RADIO, ALLNATIONSRADIO.NET, BISHOP SAMUEL MCGILL III
– URBAN PRAISE, WWW.MOODYRADIO.ORG/URBANPRAISE, EFFIE ROLFE
– YES LORD RADIO, YESLORDRADIO.COM, ELDER HOWARD C. YOUNG III & RODRICK J. WARREN
GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR
– RICK JOYNER, SHERIDAN GOSPEL NETWORK – ATLANTA, GA
– ANGELA MARTIN, WGRB – CHICAGO, IL
– MELANIE PRATT, WPZS – CHARLOTTE, NC
– REGINALD GAY, WPJM – ATLANTA, GA

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