Events

The Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, the most highly anticipated event in Gospel music, will celebrate its 38th edition on Saturday, July 15, 2023. The prestigious award ceremony will be taped live at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, promising an unforgettable evening of soul-stirring performances and well-deserved accolades. Hosted by Jonathan McReynolds and Tasha Cobbs-Leonard, the Stellar Awards will pay tribute to three remarkable individuals who have made significant contributions to the Gospel music industry.

CeCe Winans, an iconic figure in the genre, will be honored with the esteemed Aretha Franklin Icon Award, recognizing her exceptional talent and enduring impact. Additionally, Rev. Dr. Milton Biggham will receive the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his lifetime dedication to spreading the uplifting message of Gospel music. Dr. Bobby Jones, a true legend in Gospel music, will be honored with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, acknowledging his outstanding contributions and influential career.

The lineup of performers at the 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will feature powerhouse performances by Kierra Sheard-Kelly, Naomi Raine, Pastor Mike, Jr., Maranda Curtis, Tim Bowman, Jr. & Faith City Music, DOE, Dorothy Norwood and Zacardi Cortez. The emerging voices stage will showcase the incredible talents of HLE and Lena Byrd Miles, providing a platform for these rising stars. Additional performers and presenters will also be announced.

The Stellar Awards Red Carpet Special pre-show will be televised on the newly launched Stellar TV Network on Sunday, July 30 at 5pm ET, followed by The 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards telecast at 6pm ET. The Stellar Network can be found on Charter Spectrum and Verizon Fios. Viewers may check with their local provider for availability in their area. Both shows will be available on-demand via Xumo Play at a later date. The ceremony will also air in national broadcast syndication from August 7 through September 10, 2023.

Tickets for the Stellar pre-show and main awards ceremony are now available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com.

In addition to the main awards ceremony, the Stellar Gospel Music Awards is excited to introduce the Stellar+ Experience (Stellar+EXP). This ultimate fan experience will provide attendees and participants with a completely personalized experience, featuring concerts, discussions, master classes, and much more. As a multi-generational family weekend event, the addition of Stellar+EXP will heighten the festivities and create a unique atmosphere of faith, fellowship, music, and fun. Now, fans can enjoy three full days of brand-new interactive activities, offering engagement opportunities with their favorite artists and immersion into the world of Gospel music.

The Stellar+ Experience events will take place at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, from Wednesday, July 12, to Friday, July 14, 2023. Limited edition passes are now available for purchase, ranging from $60 to $250, at www.eventbrite.com. For the full event schedule and more information, visit stellarplusexperience.com.

The 38th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson, with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Executive in Charge of Production and Producer. Michael A. Johnson will produce and direct this year’s award show.

For more information about the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, please visit www.stellarawards.com. Some of the biggest names in Gospel will be appearing as participants in this year’s show – stay tuned for future announcements and follow @thestellars on Instagram and Twitter, or Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Facebook for the latest news and updates about the Greatest Night in Gospel Music.

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Central City Productions today announced the nominees in 25 categories for the 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards taping on Saturday, July 15, returning to the Las Vegas Orleans Arena. The 38th edition of the Stellar Awards will premiere on the newly-launched Stellar TV between Monday, July 24 and August 6, 2023, as well as air in national broadcast syndication from August 7 through September 10, 2023.  Gospel music’s most epic celebration is co-hosted this year by Gospel superstars and multiple Stellar Award winners Tasha Cobbs-Leonard and Jonathan McReynolds, who returns to share co-hosting duties for the 2nd year.

Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions, Inc. commented, “I am elated to celebrate this landmark 38th year of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards and its premiere on our very own newly-launched Stellar TV network. Our flagship show is one of the longest-running nationally televised African American awards programs in history – we couldn’t be more proud to bring this new inspirational network to viewers, while honoring the work of Gospel music artists and industry professionals who use their gifts to lift the spirits of many during troubling times. We look forward to another spectacular weekend of family-friendly entertainment in Las Vegas.”

Eleven-time Stellar Award winner Pastor Mike, Jr. leads the field of nominees this year with ten nominations. The trailblazing Gospel artist earned recognition this year for his work on the album “Winning” (Blacksmoke Music Worldwide), in the key categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Male Artist of the Year, Urban Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year, Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year.

With nine nominations, groundbreaking Gospel artist Tye Tribbett is being recognized by the voting body for excellence in the categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year for his work on “All Things New” (Motown Gospel). In addition, the project received a nomination for Recorded Music Packaging of the Year, developed by Justin Foster.

Always appreciating a great musical collaboration, Stellar Awards voters recognized Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin with six nominations for keeping the praise party elevated on their project “Kingdom Book One” (Tribl Records/Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA Inspiration), nominated in the categories of Artist of the Year, Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, Song of the Year, Producer of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year.

Stellar Awards 2023 co-host and fifteen-time winner Tasha Cobbs-Leonard continues to bless audiences with her gift and is rewarded this year with five nominations for her work on “Hymns” (TeeLee Records/Motown Gospel), including Artist of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year, Contemporary Female Artist of the Year, Praise and Worship Song of the Year, and Praise and Worship Album of the Year.   Also earning five nominations each are Zacardi Cortez for his work on “Imprint” (Blacksmoke Music Worldwide), and DOE, nominated for the first time as a solo artist for her work on the album “Clarity” (Life Room Label/RCA Inspiration).  DOE is going head-to-head with Cobbs-Leonard, Maranda Curtis, and legends CeCe Winans and Tamela Mann in the prestigious Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year category.  Mann, a sixteen-time Stellar Award winner, is nominated this year in four total categories for her project “Overcomer Deluxe” (Tillymann Music Group), including Album of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year and Contemporary Female Artist of the Year.

Other artists earning multiple Stellar nominations include:  Travis Greene & Forward City, JJ Hairston, Maranda Curtis, Bishop S.Y. Younger feat. Sounds of the Ramp, and Brent Jones.

An important tradition at the Stellar Awards, Founder Don Jackson will bestow special recognition upon Gospel greats who have elevated the genre. This year’s James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award will honor Reverend Milton Biggham, Pastor of the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Newark, NJ and founder of several mass choirs – The Miami Mass Choir, The Mississippi Mass Choir, the Dallas Fort Worth Mass Choir, and the Georgia Mass Choir.

The Stellar Awards also announced nominees for the Gospel Radio of the Year Awards in six categories, including Gospel Announcer of the Year.   Those nominees include multiple Stellar Award winner Erica Campbell, host of the nationally-syndicated morning show, Get Up! Mornings With Erica Campbell; Darlene McCoy Jackson, host of The Nightly Spirit With Darlene on WPZE Praise 102.5FM in Atlanta, GA;  Charles Johnson, from KOKA 980 AM in Shreveport, LA; and Melanie Pratt, host of Melanie In The Midday on WPZS Praise in Charlotte, NC.

The Stellar Awards show taping will return to The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 15, 2023 and is open to the public. Ticket prices range from $59 – $229, and are available now at  www.ticketmaster.com.  Additional announcements regarding ancillary events will follow.  As previously noted, The Stellar Awards will premiere on the newly-launched Stellar Network between July 24 and August 6, 2023, which can be found on Charter Spectrum, Verizon Fios and Xumo Play. Viewers may check with their local provider for availability in their area.

Some of the biggest names in Gospel will be appearing as participants in this year’s show – stay tuned for future announcements and follow @thestellars on Instagram and Twitter, or Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Facebook for the latest news and updates about the Greatest Night in Gospel Music.

The 38th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson, with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Executive in Charge of Production and Producer. Michael A. Johnson will produce and direct this year’s award show.

SUMMARY OF 2023 STELLAR AWARDS TOP NOMINEES

Pastor Mike, Jr.  – 10 Nominations

Tye Tribbett – 9 Nominations

Maverick City  Music x Kirk Franklin – 6 Nominations

Tasha Cobbs Leonard – 5 Nominations

Zacardi Cortez – 5 Nominations

DOE* – 5 Nominations

Tamela Mann – 4 Nominations

Maranda Curtis – 3 Nominations

Travis Greene & Forward City* – 3 Nominations

JJ Hairston – 3 Nominations

Brent Jones*  – 3 Nominations

Bishop S.Y. Younger feat. Sounds of the Ramp* – 3 Nominations

To view the complete list of nominees CLICK HERE

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This summer, gospel music competition How Sweet The Sound will showcase breakthrough performers in music, dance, and spoken word that are ready to reshape the gospel music industry. The live event takes place June 3, 2023, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA. How Sweet The Sound will enable emerging artists to vie for cash prizes … [Read More]

Marking its 24th year, the groundbreaking music and inspiration extravaganza “Super Bowl Soulful Celebration: An Evening of Inspiration and Culture,” (formerly Super Bowl Gospel Celebration) returns during Super Bowl LVII week with a live taping on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mesa Arts Center. Following the theme “Unstoppable,” the highly-anticipated night of music, comedy, NFL … [Read More]