The highly anticipated gospel event of the year, the 36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, is set to return to television this Sunday, August 1st, at 8 pm ET / PT, only on BET. Hosted by recording artists Jekalyn Carr and Tye Tribbett, this year’s celebration is set to wow audiences worldwide with an eclectic mix of performances by industry legends and chart-topping millennial artists who are spreading the gospel in new ways.
The Stellar Awards, which taped live on July 10th at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN, will feature several soul-stirring segments in celebration of the genre. Among them, Yolanda Adams, Tamela Mann, and Avery*Sunshine will join together to deliver a powerful tribute to Lady Tramaine Hawkins, who will be honored with the Aretha Franklin Icon Award presented by Toyota. The Clark Sisters, who will receive the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award presented by AT&T, will also perform a rendition of “Is My Living In Vain,” “Blessed & Highly Favored,” “You Brought The Sunshine,” and “His Love.” The legendary group also received three nominations for this year’s Stellar Awards.
Additionally, Pastor Mike Jr., nominated for multiple Stellar Awards this year, will perform “Big,” and host Jekalyn Carr will perform her songs, “Change Your Story” and “Jehovah Jireh.” Maverick City Music will treat audiences to the harmonious sound of “Jireh,” and Kierra Sheard will give a spirited offering of “Something Has To Break.” Leading nominee Jonathan McReynolds will lift his voice to the sounds of “Grace” and “Movin’ On,” joined by Mali Music, and CeCe Winans will grace the Stellar Awards stage to perform “Never Lost” and “Believe For It.” Emerging artists such as Jokia, Terrian, and Nia Allen will also be spotlighted as up-and-coming gospel talent.
Viewers worldwide can expect to witness these dynamic performances and find out who won across all categories when the Stellar Awards airs Sunday, August 1st, on BET, BET Her, and BET Gospel at 8 p.m. ET / PT. The show will also air August 2 on BET International, and will be carried in various markets for national broadcast syndication from August 7 through September 5.
AT&T is proud to be this year’s presenting sponsor. With support from additional sponsors, including State Farm (Song of the Year presenter), Toyota, P&G (Traditional Female Vocalist presenter), and McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour, the 2021 Stellar Gospel Music Awards is set to be the gospel event of 2021. For additional updates, follow the Stellar Awards on social media and check our website, here.
36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Winners
Category #1
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Pastor Mike Jr.; Big: Freedom Sessions; Black Smoke Music Worldwide
Category #2
SONG OF THE YEAR
– Something Has to Break (Live) ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Kierra Valencia Sheard, J. Drew Sheard II, Jonathan Smith & Mia Fields; Karew / RCA Inspiration
Category #3
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Jonathan McReynolds; People; eOne Music
CATEGORY #4
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Royalty: Live at The Ryman; Motown Gospel
CATEGORY #5
DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– The Clark Sisters; The Return; Karew Entertainment/Motown Gospel
CATEGORY #6
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Maverick City Music; Maverick City Music Vol 3 Part 1; Tribl Records
CATEGORY #7 ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Maverick City Music Vol 3 Part 1; Maverick City Music; Tribl Records
CATEGORY #8 CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– JJ Hairston; Not Holding Back; JamesTown Music / eOne Music
CATEGORY #9 PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
– Jonathan McReynolds, Darryl “LiLMaN” Howell & Rogest “Rosco” Carstarphen, Jr.; People; eOne Music
CATEGORY #10
CONTEMPORARY DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– Anthony Brown & group therAPy; 2econd Wind: Ready; Key of A / Tyscot / Fair Trade
CATEGORY #11
TRADITIONAL DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– The Clark Sisters; Gospel According to PJ; Morton Inspiration/Tyscot
CATEGORY #12
CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Jonathan McReynolds; People; eOne Music
CATEGORY #13
TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Donnie McClurkin; A Different Song; Camdon Music / RCA Inspiration
CATEGORY #14
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Royalty: Live at The Ryman; Motown Gospel
CATEGORY #15
TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Jekalyn Carr; Changing Your Story; Lunjeal Music Group
CATEGORY #16
CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Kierra; Kierra Sheard; Karew / RCA Inspiration
CATEGORY #17
TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Changing Your Story; Jekalyn Carr; Lunjeal Music Group
CATEGORY #18
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
– I Got It; Pastor Mike Jr.; Black Smoke Music Worldwide
CATEGORY #19
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
– Something Has to Break (Live); James Hairston IV; Karew / RCA Inspiration
CATEGORY #20
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster; Motown Gospel
CATEGORY #21
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– JJ Hairston; Not Holding Back; JamesTown Music / eOne Music
CATEGORY #22
INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– My Tribute; Myron Butler; Major Mynor Productions / Sherman James Productions
CATEGORY #23
SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– The First Ladies of Gospel: The Clark Sisters Biopic Soundtrack; Various Artists; Releve Entertainment
CATEGORY #24
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Big: Freedom Sessions; Pastor Mike Jr.; Black Smoke Music Worldwide
CATEGORY #25
YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
– Anthony White & Detroit Youth Choir; Glory; DYC Entertainment
CATEGORY #26
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
– Young Men 4 Christ; Elevation; B.R.A.T.T. Music Studio
CATEGORY #27
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
– Royalty: Live at The Ryman; Justin Foster & Drew Kellum; Motown Gospel
CATEGORY #28
PRAISE AND WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Royalty: Live at The Ryman; Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Motown Gospel
JAMES CLEVELAND LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
– The Clark Sisters
ARETHA FRANKLIN ICON AWARD
– Tramaine Hawkins
THOMAS A. DORSEY MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
– Bishop Dr. Leonard Scott
AMBASSADOR DR. BOBBY JONES LEGENDS AWARD
– Pastor Shirley Caesar
STELLAR HONORS HALL OF FAME
– Kerry Douglas
– Dr. Teresa Hairston
– Skip Barrett
GOSPEL RADIO OF THE YEAR WINNERS
MAJOR MARKET OF THE YEAR
– WOKB 1680 AM, Orlando
LARGE MARKET OF THE YEAR
– WHAL-FM 95.7 Hallelujah FM, Memphis
SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR
– WIMG1300, Trenton
INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR
– uGospel Radio, www.uGospel.com
GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR
– Dr. Sctonda Kelly Gordon, WNRR Gospel 1380 & 93.3 FM, Augusta, SC
