The 1st Annual Stellar Awards is moving all the way from the West Coast to the East Coast this year. Held for the past several year in Las Vegas, gospel music's biggest night will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 14. The home of gospel legends Shriley Caesar and John P. Kee, the Tar Hill Sate is a natural fit to honor the genre. This year's theme is "It Feels Like Home."
Central City Productions announced this year's nominees in June with hometown favorite John P. Kee being among the most nominated. The top nominees for the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards (honoring the year's best in gospel music) also include Kim Person, followed by Tasha Cobbs Leonard and JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise. The awards are set to be hosted by Kirk Franklin on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC.
Key Nominees
- Artist of the Year: Darrel Walls, Jekalyn Carr, Kim Person, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Tye Tribbett.
- Song of the Year: "Able" (Kim Burrell), "Come Jesus Come" (Stephen McWhirter, Tara McWhirter, Hank Bentley, Bryan Fowler), "On the Way" Remix (Adia Andrews et al.), "Promises" (Alescia Knowles-Smith), and "Your Love" (Kim Person).
- Male Artist of the Year: Asaun Bynum, Darrel Walls, John P. Kee, Jonathan McReynolds, and Tye Tribbett.
- Female Artist of the Year: Adia, Jekalyn Carr, Kim Person, Lisa Knowles Smith, Maranda Curtis, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard.
- Choir of the Year: B. Chase Williams & Shabach, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, John P. Kee & New Life, and Vincent Bohanan & SOV.
- New Artist of the Year: Ablaze, Asaun Bynum, Bishop Charles Ellis & Greater Grace Worship Choir, and United Music & Arts Conference Choir.
Category #1 - Artist of the Year
- Darrel 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
- Tye Tribbett; Only On The Road (Live); Motown Gospel, Freligious Music
- Able ft. Kim Burrell ~ Paul Sylvester Morton Jr. ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios
- Come Jesus Come ~ Stephen McWhirter, Tara McWhirter, Hank Bentley, and Bryan Fowler ~ Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
- On The Way Remix ft. Erica Campbell ~ Adia Andrews, Karl Powell, Michael McClure Jr., Jeremy James, Jaicko Raphael Lawrence, Israel Allen, & Erica Campbell ~ Rock City Media Group
- Promises (Live) ~ Alescia Knowles-Smith ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
- Your Love ~ Kim Person ~ Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise
- Asaun Bynum ~ True To Him ~ Blockbuster Records/LRAE Entertainment
- Darrel Walls ~ Heart of Mine ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios
- John P. Kee ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
- Jonathan McReynolds ~ Still (Live) ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Label
- Tye Tribbett ~ Only On The Road (Live) ~ Motown Gospel, Freligious Music
- Adia ~ On The Way EP ~ Rock City Media Group
- Jekalyn Carr ~ Jekalyn X The Legends ~ Waynorth Music
- Kim Person ~ Reflections ~ Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise
- Lisa Knowles Smith ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
- Maranda Curtis ~ Worship Restored ~ ButterflyWorks/Red Alliance Media
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard ~ TASHA ~ Motown Gospel, TeeLee Records
- Asaun Bynum ft. LeekGoHard ~ Jesus I Love You ~ Blockbuster Records/LRAE Entertainment
- CeCe Winans & Pastor Shirley Caesar ~ Come Jesus Come ~ Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
- Jason Clayborn 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 & The Brown Singers ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
- Ablaze ~ Ablaze ~ Independent
- Asaun Bynum ~ True To Him ~ Blockbuster Records/LRAE Entertainment
- Bishop Charles Ellis & Greater Grace Worship Choir ~ Bishop Charles Ellis & Greater Grace Worship Choir ~ Graceful Records
- United Music & Arts Conference Choir ~ Clap Your Hands ft. Beverly Crawford & Craig Hayes ~ High C
- Heart of Mine ~ Darrel Walls ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios
- Live in New York ~ Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Independent
- Reflections ~ Kim Person ~ Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise
- TASHA ~ Tasha Cobbs Leonard ~ Motown Gospel, TeeLee Records
- B. Chase Williams & Shabach ~ Secret Place ~ Millie's Boy Muzik
- JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music
- John P. Kee & New Life ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
- Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Live in New York ~ Independent
- Alescia Knowles-Smith & Frederick Perry ~ Revival: Live in Dallas (Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers) ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
- Donald Lawrence & Cedric Thompson ~ Global Love Alive (London) ~ Platoon
- Kim Person & Phillip Bryant ~ Reflections ~ Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise
- PJ Morton ~ Heart of Mine (Darrel Walls) ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios
- Deitrick Haddon & Voices of Unity ~ Chain Breaker 2.5 ~ ManHaddon Ministries/Tyscot Records
- Jason Clayborn 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. The 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
- Brandon Camphor & One Way ~ In Christ Alone ~ TOMii Entertainment
- Darrel Petties & Take 2 ~ Word ~ Independent
- Lucinda Moore featuring Bishop Paul S. Morton ~ Someone Who Cares (The Lala Song) ~ Nalah Music Group/New Day Christian Distributor
- Ron Carter & Ricky Dillard ~ Sweet, Sweet Spirit ~ Motown Gospel, Blue Note Records
- Darrel Walls ~ Heart of Mine ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios
- Jonathan McReynolds ~ Still (Live) ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Label
- Thomas Ware ~ The Book of Thomas ~ Blockbuster Records/CHMG Music Group
- Zacardi Cortez ~ Ibhar: The Journey (Chapter 2) ~ Blacksmoke Music
- E. Dewey Smith ~ Songs Daddy Used To Sing ~ Pebble Street Records
- Earnest Pugh ~ We Wanna See You, Vol 1 Live ~ Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
- JJ Hairston ~ The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music
- John P. Kee ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
- 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-Kortez Group
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard ~ TASHA ~ Motown Gospel, TeeLee Records
- Blanche McAllister-Dykes ~ Words (Donald Lawrence) ~ Platoon
- Bobbi 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
- Fred Hammond Presents Sensere: The Soul Of Future Worship Vol. II ~ Sensere ~ Wrightsound M&E
- Live in New York ~ Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Independent
- TASHA ~ Tasha Cobbs Leonard ~ Motown Gospel, TeeLee Records
- The Book of Thomas ~ Thomas Ware ~ Blockbuster Records/CHMG Music Group
- Jekalyn X The Legends ~ Jekalyn Carr ~ Waynorth Music
- Sweet, Sweet Spirit ~ Ron Carter & Ricky Dillard ~ Motown Gospel, Blue Note Records
- The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music
- Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ John P. Kee & New Life ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
- 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 A Way ~ VaShawn Mitchell ~ VMan Entertainment/Fair Trade Services
- On The Way Remix ft. Erica Campbell ~ Adia ~ Rock City Media Group
- The Light ~ Jor'Dan Armstrong ~ Jor'Dan Armstrong Music/Lewis-Kortez Group
- I Am Happy ~ Allen Carr & Jekalyn Carr ~ Waynorth Music
- Find Jesus ~ Deitrick Haddon ~ ManHaddon Ministries/Tyscot Records
- You Matter ~ Maurice Griffin ~ World Changing Entertainment
- On The Way Remix (Adia ft. Erica Campbell) ~ Will Thomas ~ Rock City Media
- B. Chase Williams & Shabach ~ Secret Place ~ Millie's Boy Muzik
- Bishop Brian D. Moore & The Life Center Choir ~ Always Come Through ~ Independent
- JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music
- John P. Kee & New Life ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
- Ablaze ~ Ablaze ~ Independent
- Johnny Sanders Featuring Faith On Full ~ A 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 & SOV ~ Live in New York ~ Independent
- Voices of Fire ~ Ophanim ~ EZ FLO Innovations LLC/PW Music/Warner Records
- E. Dewey Smith ~ Songs Daddy Used To Sing ~ Pebble Street Records
- Jekalyn Carr ~ Jekalyn X The Legends ~ Waynorth Music
- JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music
- John P. Kee & New Life ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
- Bishop S.Y. Younger Presents: Almost Home - A Ramp Record with Friends ~ Bishop S.Y. Younger ~ Ramp Records, Under Exclusive License to MNRK Records LP
- Live in New York ~ Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Independent
- Sweet, Sweet Spirit ~ Ron Carter & Ricky Dillard ~ Motown Gospel, Blue Note Records
- Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ John P. Kee & New Life ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
- All We Like Sheep ~ Childlike CiCi ~ Capitol Christian Music Group, TAMLA
- Party in Heaven ~ Mike Teezy ~ MTEntertainment, LLC
- Reconstruction ~ Lecrae ~ Reach Records
- Walking with Purpose ~ DFG SUL ~ Independent
- 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 Celebrate Jesus 20yrs ~ Music2ChangeU
- Lisa Knowles Smith & The Brown ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
- The Flying Clouds of South Carolina ~ Don't Leave Me ~ Blockbuster Records
- The Gospel Legends ~ Jesus Is The Man ~ 4Winds/Malaco Records
- Tim White ~ Help Live In Chicago ~ Independent
- Brianna Dowd & JJ Hairston - The 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 (Darrel Walls) - Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios
- 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
- Worship Restored ~ Maranda Curtis ~ ButterflyWorks/Red Alliance Media
- Be Glad ~ Naomi Raine ~ Tribl Records
- 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
- 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
- Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University ft. Damien Sneed & The Levites and Kierra Sheard Kelly
- Morgan State University Choir
- NCA&T Fellowship Gospel Choir
- Southern University Gospel Choir ft. Cameron Blain
- The Fort Valley State University Choir ft. Loren Michelle & Tiffany Boone
Top 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, DC
- 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
- WWDA FM 101.9 ~ Clarksville
- WRNP 94.1 FM ~ Ft. Wayne
- WEHA 88.7FM 100.3 ~ Atlantic City
- WKTT 97.5 FM ~ Salisbury
- Black Gospel Radio ~ https://BlackGospelRadio.net
- Hands Up Radio ~ https://handsupradio.org
- WTRC Praise 98.3 ~ https://live365.com/station/a33136
- WVTC Detroit ~ https://wvtcdetroit.com
- Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell ~ Erica Campbell with Arlen "Griff" Griffin & Cheryl Jackson
- The Bobby Parker Show ~ Bobby Parker
- The Tracy Morgan Show ~ Tracy Morgan
- Willie Moore Jr. ~ Willie Moore Jr.
- Anna Johnson ~ WFLT 1420 AM, Flint, MI
- Neiko Flowers ~ WPZE 102.5, Atlanta, GA
- Pam Dixon ~ WEAM 100.7, Columbus, GA
- Trey Nickelson ~ WBZF-FM - Glory 98.5, Florence, SC