Stellar Award Winners!
Can we talk about it?! The 34th annual Stellar Awards was nothing but spectacular as it always is. Hosted by Kirk Franklin, the show was filmed March 29th, 2019 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas and will air on BET Easter Sunday April 21st at 7pm EST. And it’s definitely something you don’t want to miss. From Jonathan McReynolds to Erica Campbell to Koryn Hawthorne, to Kelly Price, God was glorified.
The show opened with an oldie but goodie artist who has made his mark in Gospel music, Bishop Hezekiah Walker singing a medley of hits from “Clean Inside”, “God Favored Me”, “Better”, “Every Praise”, and a few others. As soon as Bishop stepped on the stage, the crowd stood up singing every word. The room was instantly filled with love and memories as he took us back. Following performances by upcoming singer DOE performing a new single “Reach”, Koryn Hawthorne singing “You Still Love Me” from her debut album Unstoppable and Jonathan McReynolds singings hits “Cycles”, “Not Lucky, I’m Loved”, and “Make Room” from his album Make Room. While Jonathan McReynolds serenaded us with his voice, he also hook the night with not one, not two, but eight Stellar Awards! Taking home awards for Male Vocalist of the Year, Artist of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, and a few others.
Jekalyn Carr took home three awards including Traditional CD of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, and Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year. The crowd couldn’t be happier for her but Mama Shirley Caesar made sure to show it with a huge hug as she walked to accept the Albertina Walker award. Her speech was nothing but giving God the praise, thanking him for all he’s doing in her life.
One of the nights highlights and big talkers of the show was the Aretha Franklin tribute performance and award. Vocal powerhouses Regina Bell, Kelly Price signing “Precious Memories”, Erica Campbell singing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, and all the ladies finishing with “How I Got Over”. To accept the Aretha Franklin Icon Award was her son Kecalt, grandson and cousin Brenda. They spoke on the love they have received since their mother and cousins passing and how excited they are for the Amazing Grace film, set to release April 5th in theaters.
Among the other host of winners and performances, I would say the Steller’s were a hit. None other than Jekalyn Carr closed the show out with “It’s Yours” which got everyone on their feet and excited before we closed the night out. It felt like a big church reunion and praise party the entire night. You too can experience this April 21st on BET. Check out the full list of winners below and as always we look forward to next year!
34TH Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Winners
Category #1
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Jonathan McReynolds, Make Room, Entertainment One
Category #2
SONG OF THE YEAR
- Not Lucky, I’m Loved, Jonathan McReynolds, Terrell Demetrius Wilson & Anna B. Warner, Entertainment One
Category #3
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Jonathan McReynolds, Make Room, Entertainment One
CATEGORY #4
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Jekalyn Carr, One Nation Under God, Lunjeal Music Group
CATEGORY #5
DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
- The Walls Group, The Other Side, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings
CATEGORY #6
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Jabari Johnson, Day of Redemption, Entertainment One
CATEGORY #7
CD OF THE YEAR
- Make Room, Jonathan McReynolds, Entertainment One
CATEGORY #8
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- Bishop Noel Jones & City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir, Run to the Altar, JH/Tyscot
CATEGORY #9
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
- Jonathan McReynolds & Darryl “Lil Man” Howell, Make Room, Entertainment One
CATEGORY #10
CONTEMPORARY DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
- The Walls Group, The Other Side, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings
CATEGORY #11
TRADITIONAL DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, Keep Pushin, Wonder Spirit/SRT/Shanachie
CATEGORY #12
CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Jonathan McReynolds, Make Room, Entertainment One
CATEGORY #13
TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- VaShawn Mitchell, Cross Music, Tyscot
CATEGORY #14
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Tasha Page-Lockhart, The Beautiful Project, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings
CATEGORY #15
TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Jekalyn Carr, One Nation Under God, Lunjeal Music Group
CATEGORY #16
CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR
- Make Room, Jonathan McReynolds, Entertainment One
CATEGORY #17
TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
- One Nation Under God, Jekalyn Carr, Lunjeal Music Group
CATEGORY #18
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
- Not Lucky, I’m Loved, Jonathan McReynolds, Entertainment One
CATEGORY #19
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Won’t He Do It, Casey Cross, RCA Inspiration
CATEGORY #20
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- Bishop Noel Jones & City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir, Run to the Altar, JH/Tyscot
CATEGORY #21
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- New Direction, When All God’s Children Get Together, New Haven Records
CATEGORY #22
INSTRUMENTAL CD OF THE YEAR
- CATEGORY OMITTED
CATEGORY #23
SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
- The Best of Fred Hammond, Fred Hammond, Verity/Sony Music
CATEGORY #24
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR
- God Knows, Flame, Clear Sight Music
CATEGORY #25
YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
- Pure N Heart, “Be You” 15 Years Unplugged, Music2ChangeU
CATEGORY #26
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
- Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, Keep Pushin, Wonder Spirit / SRT/Shanachie
CATEGORY #27
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
- Israel Houghton, Road to DeMaskUs, RCA Inspiration
CATEGORY #28
PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR
- Your Great Name, Todd Dulaney, Entertainment One
THOMAS A. DORSEY MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
- The Sensational Nightingales
DR. BOBBY JONES LEGENDS AWARD
- Dolores Washington Green
ARETHA FRANKLIN ICON AWARD
- Aretha Franklin (posthumously)
STELLAR HONORS HALL OF FAME
- Jackie Patillo
- Phil Thornton
- James D. Robinson, Jr.
GOSPEL RADIO OF THE YEAR WINNERS
MAJOR MARKET OF THE YEAR
- WPZE Praise 102.5, Atlanta
LARGE MARKET OF THE YEAR
- WFMI-FM 100.9 FM, Virginia Beach
MEDIUM MARKET OF THE YEAR
- WCGL AM 1360/FM 94.7, Jacksonville
SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR
- WIMG 1300AM, Ewing
INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR
- uGospel Radio, http://uGospel.com
GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR
- Dwight Stone, WPZE Praise 102.5, Atlanta, GA
