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Central City Productions announced today the nominees in 26 categories for the 2017 Stellar Awards. Hailed as an “epic night in gospel music,” this year’s Stellar Awards will return to the Las Vegas Orleans Arena on Saturday, March 25, 2017. The telecast will premiere on TV One Sunday, April 9 at 7 p.m. ET with encores at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET. In addition, the Stellar Awards will air in national broadcast syndication on 170 stations in over 150 markets around the country from April 14 – May 7, 2017.
Praise and worship breakthrough artist Travis Greene, and chart-topping soloist, Tamela Mann lead the nominations with nine each. Greene is having an amazing year, in the running for both Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year, for his work on The Hill (RCA Inspiration). This inspirational psalmist is also nominated for CD of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, and Praise and Worship CD of the Year.
Gospel superstar Tamela Mann joins Greene on the Stellar Awards nominee leader board, nominated this year for Artist of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year and Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year, and she is also competing for CD of the Year, Producer of the Year, Song of the Year, and Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year.?
With seven and six nominations respectively, veterans Hezekiah Walker and Kirk Franklin demonstrate their staying power in gospel music, recognized for Male Vocalist of the Year, Choir of the Year, Contemporary Choir of the Year and Contemporary Male of the Year for their projects Azusa The Next Generation 2: Better (Walker/EOne Music) and Losing My Religion (Franklin/RCA Records). Franklin also receives a nod for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, CD of the Year, Producer of the Year and Contemporary CD of the Year.
Jekalyn Carr, nominated for Artist of the Year, and Todd Dulaney are in contention for Male Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year and Contemporary CD of the Year. Other artists earning multiple nominations include newcomers, Bri (Brianna Babineaux), Livre’, Enon Tabernacle and living legend Shirley Caesar.
Multiple Stellar Awards and Grammy Award-winning solo artist, nationally-syndicated radio host and television personality Erica Campbell joins multiple Stellar Award winner, songwriter and arranger Anthony Brown to co-host the 32nd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards.
Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions, Inc. commented, “Our 2017 nominees represent the strongest group of Gospel artists and songs in our 32-year history of the Stellar Awards. This year’s large number of artists who are first-time nominees is a positive testament to the new and upcoming artists in Gospel Music, as well as, a reflection of the tremendous growth of the Gospel Music Genre.”
Mr. Jackson further stated, “The announcement of the 2017 nominees corresponds with the launch of www.stellartv.com, the first phase of the Stellar TV Cable Television Network, which will be officially introduced during the taping at the 32nd Annual Stellar Awards on March 25, 2017″.
The Stellar Awards show taping is open to the public, with ticket prices ranging from $50 – $200 at www.ticketmaster.com.
The Stellar Gospel Music Awards Pre-Show is scheduled for Friday, March 24 to showcase non-televised awards winners. Also, the Stellar Gospel Radio Awards & Showcase will be held on Saturday, March 25, honoring top radio stations and announcers serving urban gospel music audiences.
Artist Of The Year
JEKALYN CARR – The Life Project
KIRK FRANKLIN – LOSING MY RELIGION
TAMELA MANN- ONE WAY
WILLIAM MCDOWELL – SOUNDS OF REVIVAL
Song of the Year
YOU’RE BIGGER – ALLUNDRIA CARR & ALLEN CARR (THE LIFE) PROJECT (JEKALYN CARR)
GOD PROVIDES – KIRK FRANKLIN
ONE WAY – (TAMELA MANN)
MADE A WAY – TRAVIS GREENE THE HILL
YOU DESERVE IT – SINGLE JJ HAIRSTON & YOUTHFUL PRAISE
Male Vocalist of the Year
TODD DULANEY – A WORSHIPPER’S HEART
TRAVIS GREENE – THE HILL
DONNIE MCCLURKIN – THE JOURNEY (LIVE)
HEZEKIAH WALKER – AZUSA THE NEXT GENERATION 2: BETTER
Female Vocalist in the Year
BRI (BRIANA BABINEAUX) – KEYS TO MY HEART
SHIRLEY CAESAR – FILL THIS HOUSE
JEKALYN CARR – THE LIFE PROJECT
TAMELA MANN – ONE WAY
Group/Duo of the Year
MYRON BUTLER & LEVI – ON PURPOSE
LIVRE’ – TRIBE OF JOSHUA
VIRTUE – FEARLESS
BRYAN ANDREW WILSON RODERICK GILES & GRACE – OVERFLOW
New Artist of the Year
BRI (BRIANA BABINEAUX) – KEYS TO MY HEART
ENON TABERNACLE – ALYN E. WALLER PRESENTS ENON TABERNACLE
THE EXPERIENCE – LIVRE’
TRIBE OF JOSHUA – DEBORAH JOY WINANS (GREENLEAF SOUNDTRACK)
CD OF THE YEAR
A WORSHIPPER’S HEART – TODD DULANEY
LOSING MY RELIGION – KIRK FRANKLIN
THE HILL – TRAVIS GREENE
ONE WAY – TAMELA MANN
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
CHARLES BUTLER & TRINITY – MAKE IT
CHICAGO MASS CHOIR – WE GIVE YOU PRAISE
ENON TABERNACLE – THE EXPERIENCE
HEZEKIAH WALKER – AZUSA THE NEXT GENERATION 2: BETTER
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
KIRK FRANKLIN,RON HILL, MONICA COATES, SHAUN MARTIN & MAX STARK – LOSING MY RELIGION (KIRK FRANKLIN)
GEO BIVINS, TRAVIS GREENE & VICTOR NAVEJAR – THE HILL (TRAVIS GREENE)
MYRON BUTLER, TAMELA MANN, KIRK FRANKLIN, TIMBERLAND, ERIC DAWKINS, KING LOGAN, SHAUN MARTIN & DAVID MANN – ONE WAY (TAMELA MANN)
DONALD LAWRENCE FOR QUIET WATER ENTERTAINMENT & HEZEKIAH WALKER FOR HEZHOUSE ENTERTAINMENT – AZUSA THE NEXT GENERATION 2: BETTER (HEZEKIAH WALKER)
CONTEMPORY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
MYRON BUTLER & LEVI – ON PURPOSE
GI – PRAY AND DON’T WORRY EP
LIVRE’ – TRIBE OF JOSHUA
VIRTUE – FEARLESS
CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
TRAVIS GREENE – THE HILL
CHARLES JENKINS – THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS
JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS – SESSIONS
HEZEKIAH WALKER – AZUSA THE NEXT GENERATION 2: BETTER
TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
TRAVIS GREENE – THE HILL
CHARLES JENKINS – THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS
JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS – SESSIONS
HEZEKIAH WALKER – AZUSA THE NEXT GENERATION 2: BETTER
CONTEMPORY FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
BRI (BRIANA BABINEAUX) – KEYS TO MY HEART
LARTICE CRAWFORD – DAIRY OF A CHURCH GIRL
JANICE GAINES – GREATEST LIFE EVER
TIFF JOY – TIFF JOY
TRADITIONAL FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
LEMMIE BATTLES – WE GIVE YOU PRAISE
SHIRLEY CEASER – FILL THIS HOUSE
JERCALYN CARR – THE LIFE PROJECT
TAMELA MANN – ONE WAY
CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR
A WORSHIPPER’S HEART – TODD DULANEY
LOSING MY RELIGION – KIRK FRANKLIN
THE HILL – TRAVIS GREENE
MASTER PIECE – DIETRICK HADDON
TREADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
FILL THIS HOUSE – SHIRLEY CEASER
WE GIVE YOU PRAISE – CHICAGO MASS CHOIR
WORSHIP JOURNAL LIVE – FRED HAMMOND
ONE WAY – TAMELA MANN
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE or PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
THE ANTHEM – THE WORSHIPPER’S HEART (TODD DULANEY)
YOU DESERVE IT (SINGLE) – JJ HAIRSTON & YOUTHFUL PRAISE
GOD PROVIDE’S – TAMELA MANN
BETTER – AZUSA THE NEXT GENERATION (HEZEKIAH WALKER)
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
ROCK JACOBS – WANNA BE HAPPY – LOSING MY RELIGION (KIRK FRANKLIN)
WILL THOMAS OF SPACE CHERRY FILMS – INTENTIONAL THE HILL (TRAVIS GREENE)
DEREK BLANKS – THE WAY THAT YOU LOVE ME SESSIONS (JONAHAN MCREYNOLDS)
MARK CLEMENTS – AZUSA THE NEXT GENERATION (HEZEKIAH WALKER)
TRADITONAL CHIOR OF THE YEAR
LUTHER BARNES & THE RESTORATION WORSHIP CENTER CHIOR – THE FAVOR OF GOD
CHICAGO MASS CHOIR – WE GIVE YOU PRAISE
ENON TERBENACLE – ALYN E. WALLER PRESENTS ENON TERBANACLE THE – EXPERIENCE
HOWARD GOSPEL CHOIR OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY – GLORIOUS GOD
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
CHARLES BUTLER & TRINITY – MAKE IT
BISHOP ANDREW MERRITT & STARLIGHT GATE MASS CHOIR – SATURATE US
SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS FEATURING HSRA – ROYALTY
HEZEKIAH WALKER – AZUSA THE NEXT GENERATION 2: BETTER
SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
GLORIOUS GOD – HOWARD GOSPEL CHOIR OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY
ROYALTY – SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS FEATURING HSRA
GREENLEAF SOUNDTRACK – VARIOUS ARTISTS
WOW GOSPEL 2016 – VARIOUS ARTISTS
RAP HIP – HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR
SURRENDER – BIZZLE
IT’S COMPLICATED – DA’ TRUTH
THE GLORY ALBUM – CHRISTON GRAY
I AM JUSTICE – CANTON JONES
YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
CHOIRBOI CAM- THE DESTINY PROJECT
JOSHUA’S TROOP – IT’S MY TIME
KINGDOM KIDS WORLDWIDE – AFTERSCHOOL PARTY REMIX
PURE-N-HEART – ALPHAEUS ANDERSON PRESENTS PURE-N-HEART YOUTH PSALMS HYMNS & SPIRITUAL SONGS
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
DA CHOZEN BROTHAZ – THE BLUEPRINT OF D.C.B.
KEITH “WONDERBOY” JOHNSON – TIMELESS MUSIC MOVEMENT
VOLUME 1
SHAWN JONES AND THE BELIEVERS – VICTORY
LIL’ JAY AND THE SPIRITUAL BOYS – RATED R*
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
JEFF GILLIGAN – LOSING MY RELIGION (KIRK FRANKLIN)
PAUL GROSSO – FILL THIS HOUSE (SHIRLEY CAESAR)
D LACEY MAYSON MINOR & KESTON MCKINNON – ONE WAY (TAMELA MANN)
ANNIE STOLL – THE HILL (TRAVIS GREENE)
PRAISE & WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR
THE LIFE PROJECT – JEKALYN CARR
A WORSHIPPER’S HEART – TODD DULANEY
THE HILL – TRAVIS GREENE
SOUNDS OF REVIVAL – WILLIAM MCDOWELL
SUMMARY OF 2017 STELLAR AWARDS TOP NOMINEES
Tamela Mann — 9 Total Nominations
Travis Greene — 9 Total Nominations
Hezekiah Walker — 7 Total Nominations
Jekalyn Carr — 5 Total Nominations
Todd Dulaney — 5 Total Nominations
Shirley Caesar — 4 Total Nominations
Bri (Brianna Babineaux) — 3 Total Nominations
Livre’ — 3 Total Nominations
Enon Tabernacle — 3 Total Nominations
About Central City Productions (CCP)
The Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson, with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Executive in Charge of Production. Michael Johnson will direct this year’s award show. Erma Gray Davis is the President and Chief Operations Officer of Central City Productions. Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. is a distributor of original targeted programming to television and cable networks. CCP’s award- winning television programs include the Black Music Honors, Stellar Tribute to the Holidays and Tribute to Mother’s Day, The Black College Quiz Show Series, Hispanic College Quiz, among many others.
