The Stellar Awards, dubbed the biggest night in Gospel music will make a triumphant return to Las Vegas Nevada in the Orleans Arena on February 20th. Also making a return for hosting duties are comedian Rickey Smiley and actress/daytime talk show host Sherri Shepherd. The Stellar Awards will make its broadcast premiere on TV One during the week of March 6, before entering syndication reaching 150 stations in 125 markets between March and April.
“I am pleased that God has blessed us with celebrating 31 years as the most respected awards brand in gospel music and in the faith-based community,” says Don Jackson, founder and executive producer of the Stellar Awards. “We will honor those who have contributed to the growth and success of gospel music as a genre, as well as demonstrate why this art form remains critical to the legacy of American music.”
In this year’s special honors categories, commendations will be given by Stellar Awards founder and Central City Productions CEO Don Jackson to Yolanda Adams and comedian Jonathan Slocumb, the late O’landa Draper will receive the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award and the Ambassador Bobby Jones Legends Award will be presented to the Mighty Clouds of Joy front man, the inimitable Joe Ligon.
Performers for this year include Kirk Franklin, Anthony Brown & Group therAPy, Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, Tasha Cobbs, Travis Greene and Best New Artist nominee Casey J.
Summary of 2016 Stellar Awards Top Nominees:
Anthony Brown & Group Therapy — 10 Total Nominations
Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago — 8 Total Nominations
Erica Campbell — 8 Total Nominations
Tasha Cobbs — 6 Total Nominations
Richard Smallwood — 5 Total Nominations
Israel & New Breed — 4 Total Nominations
Jonathan McReynolds — 4 Total Nominations
Casey J — 3 Total Nominations
Tina Campbell — 3 Total Nominations
Dorinda Clark Cole — 3 Nominations
The Rance Allen Group — 3 Nominations