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Nominations are announced and the stage is set for the 35th Stellar Gospel Music Awards

1/30/2020

35TH ANNIVERSARY STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED:
DONALD LAWRENCE PRESENTS THE TRI-CITY SINGERS TOPS THE LIST WITH NINE, FOLLOWED BY KIRK FRANKLIN, TASHA COBBS LEONARD AND JJ HAIRSTON WITH MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS

TOP NOMINEES THIS YEAR ALSO INCLUDE
BISHOP PAUL S. MORTON, JOHN P. KEE, KURT CARR & THE KURT CARR SINGERS, WILLIAM MURPHY, PASTOR MIKE JR.,
MARANDA CURTIS, AND FRESH START WORSHIP
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONORS TO BE BESTOWED UPON ICONIC CLARK SISTERS

Rising Gospel Superstars Koryn Hawthorne and
Jonathan McReynolds Pair to Host the Milestone 35th Annual Salute to Gospel Music Taping on Friday, March 27th
in Las Vegas.

KORYN HAWTHORNE AND JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS
PAIR TO HOST THE MILESTONE
35TH ANNUAL STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS

We're excited to return to Las Vegas for the Stellar Gospel Music Awards. We were not in attendance last year, but we can't wait to get back to the biggest weekend in gospel music! -Fred W., SP Radio

he Stellar Award nominees in 28 categories were announced by Central City Productions for the milestone 35th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards taping on Friday, March 27 at the Las Vegas Orleans Arena. The Stellar Awards recognizes the year's best performances in the genre, honors Gospel music icons and acknowledges the accomplishments of individuals instrumental in advocating for the industry. Gospel music’s most epic celebration is co-hosted for the first time by rising Gospel superstars and Stellar Award winners, Koryn Hawthorne and Jonathan McReynolds.

Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions, Inc. commented, “I am elated to celebrate this landmark 35th year of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Our flagship show is now one of the longest-running nationally televised African-American award programs in history. We are proud to honor Gospel music artists and industry professionals for their priceless contributions to Gospel music. We look forward to another spectacular weekend of family-friendly entertainment in Las Vegas."

In addition to celebrating the year’s best album releases, 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.

Veteran Gospel collective, Donald Lawrence Presents The Tri-City Singers leads the field of nominees this year with nine nominations. The powerhouse choir and its leader earned recognition this year for its work on the album “Goshen” (RCA Inspiration) in the key categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Choir of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year, and Contemporary Choir of the Year.

With eight nominations, Gospel icon and Stellar Awards Host emeritus, Kirk Franklin is being recognized by the voting body for excellence in the categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, and Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year for his work on “Long Live Love” (Fo Yo Soul/RCA/RCA Inspiration).

Tasha Cobbs Leonard continues to bless audiences with her gift and is rewarded this year with eight nominations for her work on “Heart. Passion. Pursuit. Live at Passion City Church” (Motown Gospel), including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, and Praise and Worship Album of the Year. She is also nominated for Producer of the Year for her work on William Murphy's "Settle Here" (RCA Inspiration) project.

Receiving seven nominations this year, JJ Hairston continues the praise party with his project “Miracle Worker” (JamesTown Music/Entertainment One), recognized in the categories of Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Choir of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Contemporary Choir of the Year and Praise and Worship Album of the Year.

Choirs continue to inspire Gospel audiences and raise the roof with songs of praise, and this year, Bishop Paul S. Morton & The Full Gospel Ministry of Worship (“A Month of Sundays”; Tehillah/Integrity Music/Tyscot) and John P. Kee (“I Made It Out”; Entertainment One) receive six and five nominations respectively, going head-to-head in the categories of Choir of the Year, Traditional Choir of the Year, Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year and Traditional Album of the Year.

Representing traditional, contemporary and urban music genres on the Gospel spectrum, Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, William Murphy and Pastor Mike Jr. are blessed with four nominations each. Carr’s recognition comes from his work on “Bless Somebody Else” (RCA Inspiration), which earned nods for Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, Traditional Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year and Traditional Album of the Year. Murphy’s “Settle Here” (RCA Inspiration) generated praise in the categories of Male Vocalist of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year and Praise and Worship Album of the Year. Bringing hip hop flavor to the Gospel space, Pastor Mike Jr.’s debut album “Live Free” (Black Smoke Worldwide) received nominations for Song of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year and Rap/Hip Hop Gospel Album of the Year.

Other artists earning multiple Stellar nominations include: The Walls Group, Todd Dulaney, Maranda Curtis, Fresh Start Worship, Le’Andria Johnson, Jekalyn Carr and Jerard & Jovaun.

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A note to indie artists...

1/22/2020

1 Comment

I get tons of music and for the most part, I like what I listen to. Indie artists, I know you may have a hard time getting airplay, and even interviews/features but KEEP CREATING!!!

There's a reason you are gifted with what you have! Want to know something? Occasionally, I'll get a song from an indie artist (many times, the original artist or writer) and the song sounds GREAT. Then I'll get the same song from another artist (mainstream, even) and it doesn't sound nor feel the same. I can name at least five songs in the last two years or so that have come in from mainstream artists that indies did better (congrats on the placement, though- that matters, too [you got the publishing, right?])!

Do you. BE You! There's a reason your graced with that gift of expression and as long as I can, I'll be playing your great music on SoulProsper Radio.

It's a brand new year and I've decided to share much more of the great music playing here on the station! We've always been first to share great gospel music on the station but I slowed down on sharing reviews and reactions because they were unappreciated at large. I never stopped adding GREAT music and I never stopped loving meeting new artists and music. I focused much more on writing for The SMG Report.

Well, it's a new year and I'm going to commit to doing much better here on the radio site to talk much more about great gospel music around the world!

Listen to hear great gospel music 24/7

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Adriann Lewis-Freeman is a vocal powerhouse!

1/21/2020

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It's a brand new year and I've decided to share much more of the great music playing here on the station! We've always been first to share great gospel music on the station but I slowed down on sharing reviews and reactions because they were unappreciated at large. I never stopped adding GREAT music and I never stopped loving meeting new artists and music. I focused much more on writing for The SMG Report.

Well, it's a new year and I'm going to commit to doing much better here on the radio site to talk much more about great gospel music around the world! To kick off a new year and a new goal, I want to re-introduce to you Mrs. Adriann Lewis-Freeman, former lead singer of the gospel supergirl group, RiZen.

The last few songs I've gotten from Adriann Lewis Freeman have been instant favorites. She's got some pipes! There;s something about the energy that goes into gospel music, that's not present in other genres...gospel singers are some of the hardest singing people I know, it's like a whole body workout and I feel it all when I'm listening to her music.

I also heard RiZen may be dropping some new music, too. I'm ready!!! In the meantime, check out Adriann's new music and turn the radio UP!!!!

Prayer Changes Things
Joybells
You Been So Good

Adriann Lewis-Freeman sings "prayer Changes Things" on the Dorinda Clark- Cole show

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Nominations are announced and the stage is set for the 35th Stellar Gospel Music Awards

A note to indie artists...

Listen to hear great gospel music 24/7

Adriann Lewis-Freeman is a vocal powerhouse!

Adriann Lewis-Freeman sings "prayer Changes Things" on the Dorinda Clark- Cole show

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