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In Photo: (L-R): Angel of Trin-i-tee 5:7, CCP Chairman Don Jackson, Y’Anna Crawley, Brian Courtney Wilson, CCP President/COO Erma Gray Davis, Akintunde, Chanelle of Trin-i-tee 5:7. (Photo  by: Rick Diamond)

TBR — Nashville, TN — The nominees for the 27th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, gospel music’s biggest night of the year, were revealed last night in a special one-hour live telecast from Nashville’s NorthStar Studios, “The Stellar Awards Nomination Concert and Announcements” on Atlanta-based GMC Network.   The Stellar Gospel Music Awards is the first and only annual nationally-televised awards show honoring African American gospel music artists.

With nominations revealed in twenty-nine categories, emerging gospel star Vashawn Mitchell led this year’s nominees, earning an impressive ten nods for his work on his 2011 release Triumphant, including “Artist of the Year” and “Male Vocalist of the Year.” Veteran superstars Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin tied with six nods for their respective projects Something Big and Hello Fear. Groundbreaking artist Deitrick Haddon’s latest CD, Church on the Moon, earned five nominations.

In addition to the individual nominations of the top artists, their team members also scored nominations for the projects: Director Christian Heuer received a nomination for Mary Mary’s music video, Walking, and Warryn Campbell received a nomination for Producer of the Year for Mary Mary’s album Something Big; Songwriter Darius Paulk received a nomination for Nobody Greater, sung by Vashawn Mitchell; and Denise Trotman and Greg Gilligan received a nomination for the recorded music packaging on Kirk Franklin’s Hello Fear.

The live announcement show was led by the evening’s hosts, Christian comic Akintunde and Stellar Award-winning Gospel artists Trin-i-tee 5:7. They were joined by Isaac Carree, William McDowell, Y’anna Crawley and Brian Courtney Wilson, who delivered stirring performances. Additionally, Stellar Award-winning artist James Fortune made a surprise guest appearance. 

The show’s producers, Central City Productions Founder/Chairman Don Jackson stated, “Last year marked our first live nominee announcement on the GMC television network and today’s show was another huge success! It is very appropriate and fitting to celebrate the nominees of Gospel’s biggest night through praise and worship because everyone is a winner here today.”

The 27th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Show will be hosted this year by gospel legends Dorinda Clark Cole and Marvin Sapp and taped before a live audience on Saturday, January 14, 2012.  The telecast is scheduled to air in national syndication from January 21, 2012 to February 26, 2012 on the GMC and local markets around the country.

The show will feature star-studded performances by James Fortune, Kirk Franklin, Jessica Reedy, Earnest Pugh, Richard Smallwood and Vision, Martha Munizzi, LeAndria Johnson, Lecrae, Canton Jones, Kim Burrell, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Fred Hammond and Ricky Dillard among others.

In addition to recognizing the year’s most outstanding contributions in the genre, The Stellar Awards also bestow special honors upon individuals whose names are synonymous with greatness throughout distinguished careers in the gospel arena. During this year’s ceremony, Vy Higginsen, founder of Gospel for Teens will be recognized with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award; Dorothy Norwood will receive the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award; and John P. Kee will receive the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award for his historical contributions to the industry. Other special categories were also revealed, highlighting the top radio stations serving urban Gospel music audiences.

Public Voting for the Gospel Announcer of the Year and Internet Radio Station of the Year will be available online from October 29, 2011 through November 15, 2011 by visiting http://www.thestellarawards.com. Viewers can also log on to Facebook.com/stellarawards and follow Twitter.com/@TheStellars for show updates.

The live taping at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN is open to the public and tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster (http://www.ticketmaster.com/). Ticket prices range from $55 – $200. In addition, balcony seats are available for students for $35. For additional details, visit the Stellar Awards website (http://www.thestellarawards.com/).

In related news, the Gospel Music Channel renewed its agreement to broadcast the Stellar Awards through 2014 as part of a long-term deal announced Friday between the two parties. GMC has telecast the Stellars since 2009. Additionally, the network will also air the live Stellar nominations in 2012 and 2013.

Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. (CCP) has produced The Stellar Gospel Music Awards for 26 years. The first show was taped at the Arie Crown Theatre in Chicago and The Stellar Awards has since evolved into a premier Gospel event recognizing and honoring African American artists. An original awards show, it has propelled and showcased top Gospel artists and countless television and film stars. The ever-expanding roster of celebrity appearances on the Stellar Awards has included such notable personalities as Lou Gossett, Jr., Oprah Winfrey, The Winans, Clifton Davis, Yolanda Adams, Vicki Winans, Tyler Perry, Aretha Franklin, Idris Alba, Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker and countless others.

“Once again we have an amazing lineup for the 27th Annual Stellar Awards,” said Stellar Awards Producer Barbara Wilson. “As Producer of this show for over 25 years, I am constantly inspired by the wealth of talent out there.  My mission is to continue to produce a show that not only entertains our viewers, but touches their souls in a way that only gospel music can do.”  

The 2012 Stellar Awards Nominees are:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

–        EARNEST PUGH, EARNESTLY YOURS, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE

–        KIRK FRANKLIN, HELLO FEAR, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

–        MARY MARY, SOMETHING BIG, COLUMBIA RECORDS/MY BLOCK RECORDS

–        VASHAWN MITCHELL, TRIUMPHANT, EMI GOSPEL

 

SONG OF THE YEAR

–        DARIUS PAULK, NOBODY GREATER – TRIUMPHANT, EMI GOSPEL

–        DEITRICK HADDON, WELL DONE – CHURCH ON THE MOON, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

–        KIRK FRANKLIN, I SMILE – HELLO FEAR, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

–        WESS MORGAN, I CHOOSE TO WORSHIP – UNDER AN OPEN HEAVEN, BOWTIE WORLD MUSIC

 

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

–        EARNEST PUGH, EARNESTLY YOURS, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE

–        ISRAEL HOUGHTON, LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE, INTEGRITY MUSIC

–        SMOKIE NORFUL, HOW I GOT OVER: SONGS THAT CARRIED US, TREMYLES MUSIC/EMI GOSPEL

–        VASHAWN MITCHELL, TRIUMPHANT, EMI GOSPEL

 

ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR* (*renamed in 2011)

–        BEVERLY CRAWFORD, LIVE FROM LOS ANGELES – VOL. 2, JDI RECORDS

–        KIM BURRELL, THE LOVE ALBUM, SHANACHIE ENTERTAINMENT

–        MARTHA MUNIZZI, MAKE IT LOUD!, EPIC MUSIC

–        YOLANDA ADAMS, BECOMING, N-HOUSE MUSIC GROUP

 

GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR

–        JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, I BELIEVE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE

–        MARY MARY, SOMETHING BIG, COLUMBIA RECORDS/MY BLOCK RECORDS

–        THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP, THE LIVE EXPERIENCE II, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

–        TRIN-I-TEE 5:7, ANGEL & CHANELLE, MUSIC WORLD GOSPEL/MUSIC WORLD

 

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

–        GREATER MOUNT CALVARY RECORDING CHOIR, GREATER MOUNT CALVARY LIVE: AS TOLD BY THE MUSIC MINISTRY,    

         CALVARY  RECORDS

–        PREASHEA HILLIARD, LIVE OUT LOUD, SOUNDEFX MEDIA/BLACKSMOKE

–        TODD DULANEY, PULLIN ME THROUGH, GOLDSTREET GOSPEL MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

–        Y’ANNA CRAWLEY, THE PROMISE, ID MUSIC GROUP/UNIVERSAL/FONTANA DISTRIBUTION

 

CD OF THE YEAR

–        JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, I BELIEVE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE

–        KIRK FRANKLIN, HELLO FEAR, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

–        MARY MARY, SOMETHING BIG, COLUMBIA RECORDS/MY BLOCK RECORDS

–        VASHAWN MITCHELL, TRIUMPHANT, EMI GOSPEL

 

CHOIR OF THE YEAR

–        CHICAGO MASS CHOIR, XV LIVE, NEW HAVEN RECORDS

–        MISSISSIPPI MASS CHOIR, …THEN SINGS MY SOUL, MALACO

–        RICKY DILLARD & NEW G, KEEP LIVING, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE

–        SHEKINAH GLORY MINISTRY, REFRESHED BY FIRE, KINGDOM RECORDS, INC.

 

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

–        AARON LINDSEY, TOMMY SIMS, & ISRAEL HOUGHTON, LOVE GOD,LOVE PEOPLE,  INTEGRITY MUSIC

–        KIRK FRANKLIN, HELLO FEAR, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

–        VASHAWN MITCHELL, DANIEL WEATHERSPOON & RICK ROBINSON, TRIUMPHANT, EMI GOSPEL

–        WARRYN CAMPBELL/ MARY MARY, SOMETHING BIG, COLUMBIA RECORDS/MY BLOCK RECORDS

 

CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR

–        JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, I BELIEVE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC

–        MARY MARY, SOMETHING BIG, COLUMBIA RECORDS/MY BLOCK RECORDS

–        TRIN-I-TEE 5:7, ANGEL & CHANELLE, MUSIC WORLD GOSPEL/MUSIC WORLD

 

TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR

–        KEITH “WONDERBOY” JOHNSON & THE SPIRITUAL VOICES, BACK 2 BASICS, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE

–        THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP, THE LIVE EXPERIENCE II, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

–        THE SOUL SEAKERS, SOUL SEEKERS II, MY BLOCK RECORDS/MALACO MUSIC GROUP

 

CONTEMPORARY MALE OF THE YEAR

–        DEITRICK HADDON, CHURCH ON THE MOON, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

–        EARNEST PUGH, EARNESTLY YOURS, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE

–        ISRAEL HOUGTON, LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE, INTEGRITY MUSIC

–        VASHAWN MITCHELL, TRIUMPHANT, EMI GOSPEL

 

TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

–        KEITH “WONDERBOY” JOHNSON, BACK 2 BASICS, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE

–        JOHN P. KEE, THE LEGACY PROJECT, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

–        RANCE ALLEN, THE LIVE EXPERIENCE II, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

–        SMOKIE NORFUL, HOW I GOT OVER: SONGS THAT CARRIED US, TREMYLES MUSIC/EMI GOSPEL

 

CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

–        KIM BURRELL, THE LOVE ALBUM, SHANACHIE ENTERTAINMENT

–        PREASHEA HILLIARD, LIVE OUT LOUD, SOUNDEFX MEDIA/BLACKSMOKE

–        Y’ANNA CRAWLEY, THE PROMISE, ID MUSIC GROUP/UNIVERSAL/FONTANA DISTRIBUTION

–        YOLANDA ADAMS, BECOMING, N-HOUSE MUSIC GROUP

 

TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

–        BEVERLY CRAWFORD, LIVE FROM LOS ANGELES – VOL.2, JDI RECORDS

–        EVELYN TURRENTINE-AGEE, THERE’S GONNA BE A MEETING, SHANACHIE ENTERTAINMENT

–        LASHUN PACE, REBORN, SHANACHIE ENTERTAINMENT

–        TWINKIE CLARK, WITH HUMILITY, ARROWHEAD GOSPEL

 

CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR

–        DEITRICK HADDON, CHURCH ON THE MOON, VERITY MUSIC GROUP

–        KIRK FRANKLIN, HELLO FEAR, VERITY MUSIC GROUP

–        MARY MARY, SOMETHING BIG, COLUMBIA RECORDS/MY BLOCK RECORDS

–        VASHAWN MITCHELL, TRIUMPHANT, EMI GOSPEL

 

TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR

–        JOHN P. KEE, THE LEGACY PROJECT, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

–        MISSISSIPPI MASS CHOIR, …THEN SINGS MY SOUL, MALACO

–        RICKY DILLARD & NEW G, KEEP LIVING, LIGHT RECORDS/ ENTERTAINMENT ONE

–        SMOKIE NORFUL, HOW I GOT OVER: SONGS THAT CARRIED US, TREMYLES MUSIC/ EMI GOSPEL

 

URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

–       DEITRICK HADDON, WELL DONE – CHURCH ON THE MOON, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

–       KIRK FRANKLIN, I SMILE – HELLO FEAR, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

–        MARY MARY, WALKING – SOMETHING BIG, COLUMBIA RECORDS/ MY BLOCK RECORDS

–        VASHAWN MITCHELL, NOBODY GREATER – TRIUMPHANT,  EMI GOSPEL

 

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR – SHORT FORMAT

–        CANTON JONES, GOD – DOMINIONAIRE, CAJO RECORDS

–        CHRISTIAN HEUER, WALKING -SOMETHING BIG, COLUMBIA RECORDS/MY BLOCK RECORDS

–        MARTHA MUNIZZI, EXCELLENT – MAKE IT LOUD!, EPIC MUSIC

–        VASHAWN MITCHELL, NOBODY GREATER – TRIUMPHANT, EMI GOSPEL

 

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR – LONG FORMAT

–        DEITRICK HADDON, CHURCH ON THE MOON: PART ONE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

–        JERRY PARRIES, BISHOP MORTON CELEBRATES 25 YEARS IN MUSIC, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE,

–        MISSISSIPPI MASS CHOIR, ….THEN SINGS MY SOUL, MALACO

–        RICKY DILLARD, KEEP LIVING, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE

 

TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR

–        CHICAGO MASS CHOIR, XV LIVE, NEW HAVEN RECORDS

–        GREATER MOUNT CALVARY RECORDING CHOIR,  GREATER MOUNT CALVARY LIVE: AS TOLD BY THE MUSIC MINISTRY,   

         CALVARY RECORDS

–        MISSISSIPPI MASS CHOIR, ….THEN SINGS MY SOUL, MALACO

–        RICKY DILLARD & NEW G, KEEP LIVING, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE

 

CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR

–        LONNIE HUNTER & STRUCTURE, I’M BACK, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE

–        SHEKINAH GLORY MINISTRY, REFRESHED BY FIRE, KINGDOM RECORDS, INC.

 

INSTRUMENTAL GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR

–        HAROLD RAYFORD, I AM THE INSTRUMENT, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

–        MOSES TYSON, JR., MUSIC REMASTERED & SACRED ORGAN, TYMO RECORDS

–        TODD LEDBETTER, MEDITATIONS: HYMNS IN THE KEY OF JAZZ, DAMALJAH

–        WINSTON STEWART, SEASON, JOYFUL RECORDS

 

SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR

–        BISHOP PAUL S. MORTON, BISHOP MORTON CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF MUSIC, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE

–        JOHN P. KEE, THE LEGACY PROJECT, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

–        SHEKINAH GLORY MINISTRY, REFRESHED BY FIRE, KINGDOM RECORDS, INC.

–        VASHAWN MITCHELL, MY SONGBOOK, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

 

RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR

–        FLAME, CAPTURED, CLEAR SIGHT MUSIC

–        LECRAE, REHAB, REACH RECORDS

–        LECRAE, REHAB: THE OVERDOSE, REACH RECORDS

–        VIKTORY, BIRTH OF A LEGACY: VOL. 1, VIKTORIUS MUSIC GROUP

 

CHILDRENS PROJECT OF THE YEAR

–        PURE N HEART, TEEN PURE IN HEART LIVE, MUSIC2CHANGEU RECORDS

–        SANTIAGO & CLAUDE DEUCE, MY DESTINY PLACE – MY IMAGINATION, OPEN RIVERS PICTURES/EAESIS/WORD DISTRIBUTION

–        THE VELAZQUEZ FAMILY SINGERS, TEN, Z.A.V.E. RECORDS

–        T-REP THE YOUNG PRAYZR, LET’S GO, YUNGSTA GRIND ENTERTAINMENT

 

QUARTET OF THE YEAR

–        KEITH “WONDERBOY” JOHNSON & THE SPIRITUAL VOICES, BACK 2 BASICS, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE

–        THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP, THE LIVE EXPERIENCE II, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

–        THE SOUL SEEKERS, SOUL SEEKERS II, MY BLOCK RECORDS/ MALACO MUSIC GROUP

 

RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR

–        CHRISTINA JONES, DOMINIONAIRE, CAJO RECORDS

–        DENISE TROTMAN & GREG GILLIGAN, HELLO FEAR, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

–        MARTHA MUNIZZI, MAKE IT LOUD!, EPIC MUSIC

–        TANNER GARY, TRIUMPHANT, EMI GOSPEL

 

PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR

–        EARNEST PUGH, EARNESTLY YOURS, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE

–        ISRAEL HOUGHTON, LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE, INTEGRITY MUSIC

–        SHEKINAH GLORY MINISTRY, REFRESHED BY FIRE, KINGDOM RECORDS, INC.

–        VASHAWN MITCHELL, TRIUMPHANT, EMI GOSPEL

 

SPOKEN WORLD CD RECORDING OF THE YEAR

–        MARCO THE POET, MARCO THE POET EP, INDEPENDENT

–        MICHAEL DIALLO MCLENDON, THE DIALLO EXPERIENCE, SEEDWORKS RECORDS

–        SELAH, LOOK AT YOU LOVING ME, PAUSE AND THINK MINISTRIES

–        TRUPOETRY, TRUPOETRY, TRUPOETRY

  

SPECIAL AWARDS — HONOREES/NOMINEES  

 

Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award HONOREE

VY HIGGINSEN

 

Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award HONOREE

DOROTHY NORWOOD 

 

James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award HONOREE

JOHN P. KEE

  

SMALL MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR

–        WDJL 1000 AM                        Huntsville, AL

–        WJNI 106.3 FM                        Charleston, SC

–        KOKA 980 AM                          Shreveport, LA

–        WIMG 1300 AM                        Trenton, NJ

 

MEDIUM MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR

–        WLOU 1350 AM                      Louisville, KY

–        WPRF 94.9 FM                        New Orleans, LA

–        WENO 760 AM                        Nashville, TN

–        KPZK 102.5 FM                       Little Rock, AR

  

LARGE MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR

–        WHAL 95.7FM/1460 AM           Memphis, TN

–        WFMI 100.9                              Va-Norfolk-Newpt, VA

–        WCAO 600 AM                         Baltimore, MD

–        WMBM 1490 AM                      Miami, FL

 

MAJOR MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR

–        WPZE 102.5                             Atlanta, GA

–        WPRS 104.1                            Washington, DC

–        KJLH 102.3 FM                        Los Angeles, CA

–        WGRB 1390 AM                      Chicago, IL

ABOUT CENTRAL CITY PRODUCTIONS (CCP)

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson and Produced by Barbara Wilson for Central City Productions. Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, Chicago-based Central City Productions is a distributor of original targeted programming to television and cable networks. For more information, please visit http://www.ccptv.com.     

ABOUT GMC

GMC (www.watchGMCtv.com) is America’s favorite television channel for uplifting music and family entertainment. The Parents Television Council™ recently awarded its Entertainment Seal of Approval™ to GMC for being “an authentic family-friendly cable network.” GMC was the only television network to receive the highly coveted honor in 2010. GMC can be seen in more than 51 million homes on various cable systems around the country, including DISH Network on channel 188, on DIRECTV on channel 338 and on Verizon FiOS on channel 224. Follow GMC TV on Facebook and Twitter at http://facebook.com/gmctv and http://twitter.com/gmctv.