Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers leaders the list of Stellar Award nominees in 9 categories, followed by Kirk Franklin with 8 and Tasha Cobbs tied with 8 and JJ Hairston with 7. Bishop Paul S. Morton and the Full Gospel Choir and Kurt Carr go head to head in the best choir category with Central City Productions has announced the top nominees in traditional, contemporary and Christian Hip Hop genres on Tuesday . The ceremony takes place once again in Las Vegas on March 27, 2020. Jonathan McReynolds and Koryn Hawthorne, both past multi-Stellar Award winners will co-host the show.
In addition to celebrating the year’s best album releases, Central City CEO Don Jackson will bestow special honors upon Gospel greats who have elevated the genre. This year’s James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award will honor none other than the iconic Clark Sisters - Karen Clark Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Twinkie Clark and Jacky Clark Chisholm -- who hold a collective fifteen Stellar Awards, in addition to the Thomas Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award (2007). Additional special honorees will be named at a later date.
SUMMARY OF 2020 STELLAR AWARDS TOP NOMINEES
Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers – 9 Nominations
Kirk Franklin – 8 Nominations
Tasha Cobbs Leonard – 8 Nominations
JJ Hairston – 7 Nominations
Bishop Paul S. Morton- 6 Nominations
John P. Kee- 5 Nominations
Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers– 4 Nominations
William Murphy– 4 Nominations
Pastor Mike, Jr. – 4 Nominations
Maranda Curtis – 3 Nominations
Fresh Start Worship – 3 Nominations
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers; Goshen; RCA Inspiration
- JJ Hairston; Miracle Worker; JamesTown Music / Entertainment One
- Kirk Franklin; Long Live Love; Fo Yo Soul/ RCA/ RCA Inspiration
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Heart. Passion. Pursuit. (Live at Passion City Church); Motown Gospel
SONG OF THE YEAR
- Big; Michael McClure, Curtiss Glenn & Rodeny Turner; Black Smoke Worldwide
- Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus); Donald Lawrence, William Stokes, Marshon Lewis, Robert Woolridge & Desmond Davis; RCA Inspiration
- Love Theory; Kirk Franklin; Fo Yo Soul/ RCA/ RCA Inspiration
- This Is A Move (Live); Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tony Brown, Brandon Lake, & Nate Moore; Motown Gospel
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- JJ Hairston; Miracle Worker; JamesTown Music / Entertainment One
- Kirk Franklin; Long Live Love; Fo Yo Soul/ RCA/ RCA Inspiration
- Todd Dulaney; To Africa With Love; Entertainment One
- William Murphy; Settle Here; RCA Inspiration
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Jekalyn Carr, I See Miracles, Lunjeal Music Group
- Le'Andria Johnson; Goshen; RCA Inspiration
- Maranda Curtis, I'm All In, Red Alliance Media/Fair Trade
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Heart. Passion. Pursuit. (Live at Passion City Church); Motown Gospel
DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Fresh Start Worship; Have it All; Fresh Start Worship / Marquis Boone Enterprises
- Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers; Bless Somebody Else; Kurt Carr Gospel / RCA Inspiration
- The Group Fire; Again; Jet Records North/East
- The Walls Group, Friend in Me, Wall2Wall Entertainment/My Block Records
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Fresh Start Worship; Have it All; Fresh Start Worship / Marquis Boone Enterprises
- Jerard & Jovaun; What A Beautiful Name; Motown Gospel
- Kim Person; The Journey; KLP Enterprises, LLC
- Pastor Mike Jr.; Live Free; Black Smoke Worldwide
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- Goshen; Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers; RCA Inspiration
- Miracle Worker; JJ Hairston; JamesTown Music / Entertainment One
- Long Live Love; Kirk Franklin; Fo Yo Soul/ RCA/ RCA Inspiration
- Heart. Passion. Pursuit. (Live at Passion City Church); Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Motown Gospel
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- Bishop Paul S. Morton & The Full Gospel Ministry of Worship; A Month of Sundays; Tehillah/Integrity Music/Tyscot
- Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers; Goshen; RCA Inspiration
- JJ Hairston; Miracle Worker; JamesTown Music / Entertainment One
- John P. Kee; I Made It Out; Entertainment One
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
- Donald Lawrence, Phil Thornton, Sir the Baptist, Troy Taylor for Songbook, & Greg Peterca; Goshen; RCA Inspiration
- John P. Kee; I Made It Out; Entertainment One
- Kirk Franklin, Ronald Hill & Phil Thornton; Long Live Love; Fo Yo Soul/ RCA/ RCA Inspiration
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Kenneth Leonard, William Murphy & Phil Thornton; Settle Here; RCA Inspiration
CONTEMPORARY DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Fresh Start Worship; Have it All; Fresh Start Worship / Marquis Boone Enterprises
- Jerard & Jovaun; What A Beautiful Name; Motown Gospel
- The Group Fire; Again; Jet Records North/East
- The Walls Group, Friend in Me, Wall2Wall Entertainment/My Block Records
TRADITIONAL DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
- D. Morton and Gifted; Declaration; Band Geek Music Group
- Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers; Bless Somebody Else; Kurt Carr Gospel / RCA Inspiration
- Renee Spearman ft. Hezekiah Walker & Dr. Holly Carter; I Love Him; JDI Entertainment
- The True Believers; Back to The Roots; 4Winds/Malaco
CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Donald Lawrence; Goshen; RCA Inspiration
- Kirk Franklin; Long Live Love; Fo Yo Soul/ RCA/ RCA Inspiration
- Todd Dulaney, To Africa With Love, Entertainment One
- William Murphy; Settle Here; RCA Inspiration
2019 - 2020
35th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Nominees
TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Bishop Paul S. Morton; A Month of Sundays; Tehillah / Integrity Music / Tyscot
- Earl Bynum; This Song is For You; LRAE / HBK / Tyscot
- John P. Kee; I Made It Out; Entertainment One
- Kurt Carr; Bless Somebody Else; Kurt Carr Gospel / RCA Inspiration
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Casey J; The Gathering; Label ~ Tyscot/Integrity/Casey J LLC
- Kierra Sheard; Don't Judge Me; Karew/ RCA Inspiration
- Kim Person; The Journey; KLP Enterprises, LLC
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Heart. Passion. Pursuit. (Live at Passion City Church); Motown Gospel
TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Christina Bell; For Your Glory; Malaco Records
- Jekalyn Carr; I See Miracles; Lunjeal Music Group
- Le'Andria Johnson; Goshen; RCA Inspiration
- Maranda Curtis; I'm All In; Red Alliance Media / Fair Trade Artist
CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- Goshen; Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers; RCA Inspiration
- Miracle Worker; JJ Hairston; JamesTown Music / Entertainment One
- Long Live Love; Kirk Franklin; Fo Yo Soul/ RCA/ RCA Inspiration
- Heart. Passion. Pursuit. (Live at Passion City Church); Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Motown Gospel
TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- A Month of Sundays; Bishop Paul S. Morton & The Full Gospel Ministry of WorshipTehillah/Integrity Music/Tyscot
- I Made It Out; John P. Kee; Entertainment One
- Bless Somebody Else; Kurt Carr; Kurt Carr Gospel / RCA Inspiration
- The Tommies Reunion; The Tommies Reunion; 7 Legend Group/JMG Entertainment/Tyscot
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
- Blessings on Blessings; Anthony Brown & group therAPy; Key of A / Tyscot / Fair Trade
- Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus); Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers; RCA Inspiration
- Love Theory; Kirk Franklin; Fo Yo Soul/ RCA/ RCA Inspiration
- Big; Pastor Mike Jr.; Black Smoke Worldwide
2019 - 2020
35th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Nominees
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Big; Johny Zotic; Black Smoke Worldwide
- I See Miracles; Kauwaune Burton; Lunjeal Music Group
- Love Theory; Matt DeLisi; Fo Yo Soul/ RCA/ RCA Inspiration
- Miracle Worker feat. Rich Tolbert Jr.; Gary Saunders; JamesTown Music / Entertainment One
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- Bishop Paul S. Morton & The Full Gospel Ministry of Worship; A Month of Sundays; Tehillah/Integrity Music/Tyscot
- Dr. Alyn E. Waller Presents Zak Williams and 1/Akord; The Next Chapter; Enon Music Group
- John P. Kee; I Made It Out; Entertainment One
- The Tommies Reunion; The Tommies Reunion; 7 Legend Group/JMG Entertainment/Tyscot
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers; Goshen; RCA Inspiration
- JJ Hairston; Miracle Worker; JamesTown Music / Entertainment One
- Joshua's Troop; Another Chance; New Haven Records
- Vincent Bohanan & The Sound of Victory Fellowship Choir, Road to 5 - We Win EP, Independent
INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- My Inspiration Vol. 2; Marcus Anderson; Anderson Music
- Music Book Volume III - Magnificent; Mel Holder; Psalmist Music Group/Megawave
- Rise!; Ben Tankard; BEN-Jamin' Universal Music
SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- A Month of Sundays; Bishop Paul S. Morton & The Full Gospel Ministry of Worship; Tehillah/Integrity Music/Tyscot
- A Motown Gospel Christmas; Various Artists; Motown Gospel
- Greenleaf: Season 3 (Music from The Original TV Series); Various Artists; Lionsgate Entertainment
- Maranda Presents A Holy Christmas; Maranda Curtis; Red Alliance Media / Fair Trade
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- Ghost; Canton Jones; Cajo Records
- Live Free; Pastor Mike Jr.; Black Smoke Worldwide
- Love Letter One; Reggie Rocc; Rocc Bottom
- Nothings Too Hard; Lawrence Hancock; LV Productions
2019 - 2020
35th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Nominees
YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
- Dy'Jah; Save Me; C-Shop Entertainment
- Gospel Kids; Gospel Kids Present... Christian Soldiers; Tyscot Records
- Jada Redmond; My Season; 4Redmusic Production and Entertainment
- New York Fellowship Children's Choir; God is the Greatest; Godfather Records
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
- D. Morton and Gifted; Declaration; Band Geek Music Group
- Keith Wonderboy Johnson & Josh Myles; Inspirational Project; Timeless Music
- Pastor Rodney Mills and The Virginia Aires; Drugs (Are a Trick of The Enemy); Dove Records Inc.
- The William Singers; Giants; Band Geek Music Group
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
- Bless Somebody Else; Derek Blanks; Kurt Carr Gospel / RCA Inspiration
- Maranda Presents A Holy Christmas; Tyair Long, Rodney Greene, Jonathan Anderson & Maalik Miles; Red Alliance Media / Fair Trade
- Miracle Worker; Lerico Britton; JamesTown Music / Entertainment One
- To Africa With Love; Jaiyde Simone; Entertainment
PRAISE AND WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- A Month of Sundays; Bishop Paul S. Morton & The Full Gospel Ministry of Worship; Tehillah/Integrity Music/Tyscot
- Miracle Worker; JJ Hairston; JamesTown Music / Entertainment One
- Heart. Passion. Pursuit. (Live at Passion City Church); Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Motown Gospel
- Settle Here; William Murphy; RCA Inspiration
2019 - 2020
35th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Nominees
GOSPEL RADIO OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
MAJOR MARKET OF THE YEAR
- WGRB 1390AM, Chicago
- WNAP 1110 AM, Philadelphia
- WPRS Praise 104.1, Washington, DC
- WPZE Praise 97.5, Atlanta
LARGE MARKET OF THE YEAR
- WFMI Rejoice 100.9, Virginia Beach
- WHAL-FM/95.7 Hallelujah FM, Memphis
- WPZS Praise 100.9 FM, Charlotte
- WNNL – The Light 103.9, Raleigh
MEDIUM MARKET OF THE YEAR
- WGOK 900 AM, Mobile
- WPZZ Praise 104.7 FM, Richmond
- WXHL 89.1, Wilmington
- WXOK Heaven 1460 AM, Baton Rouge
SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR
- KSYB 1300 AM, Shreveport
- WEHA 88.7 FM, Atlantic City
- WIMG 1300AM, Trenton
- WJAY 98.3 FM & 1280 AM, Mullins
INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR
- GH3 Radio - "God's House of Hip Hop," http://www.gh3radio.com
- Power of Worship Radio, http://powerofworship.net
- rSPIRIT.online, http://www.rspirit.online
- U Gospel, http://uGospel.com
GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR
- Debra Rhodes-Norris Thompson, WYCA/WGBR, Chicago
- Erica Campbell, Radio-One/Reach Media, Houston - Syndication
- J'Michael Francois WXOK, Baton Rouge
- Meta Washington, SiriusXM, Satellite Radio