The winners of the Verizon “How Sweet the Sound” campaign, Voices of Destiny choir of Los Angeles, CA will perform a tribute to special honoree Donald Lawrence, the All Star Choir will lift their voices to salute honoree Kirk Franklin and a quartet featuring The Soul Seekers, The Williams Brothers and The Rance Allen Group will perform a medley of inspirational favorites.
Hosted by gospel legend Donnie McClurkin, the 26th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will be taped before a live audience on Saturday, January 15, 2011 in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry House. The show is scheduled to air in syndication from January 22, 2011 to March 13, 2011 and broadcast on Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m. EST on the Gospel Music Channel (GMC).
With nominations revealed in twenty-seven categories, Gospel music powerhouse James Fortune & Fiya led this year’s nominees, earning an impressive eight nods. In addition, James Fortune also received two solo nominations. Veteran superstars BeBe & CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond and Marvin Sapp also drew seven nominations each. In addition, Bebe and Cece Winans received three solo nominations. Recognizing their historical contributions to the gospel industry, Kirk Franklin will be recognized with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award; Vanessa Bell Armstrong will receive the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award; and Donald Lawrence will receive the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award.
Gospel choirs looking to hone their skills can participate in the first-ever Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound Choir Boot Camp led by Donald Lawrence. Other Stellar Awards weekend-related activities include a screening of Sony Picture’s new inspirational film by Bishop TD Jakes, “Jumping The Broom”; a reception honoring Gospel radio announcers and hosts; and more ancillary events designed to honor Gospel music insiders.
Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. (CCP) has produced The Stellar Gospel Music Awards for 25 years. The first show was taped at the Arie Crown Theatre in Chicago and The Stellar Awards has since evolved into a premier Gospel event recognizing and honoring African American artists. An original awards show, it has propelled and showcased top Gospel artists and countless television and film stars.
American Airlines is the official airline carrier of the 26th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The telecast is open to the public and tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster (http://www.ticketmaster.com/). Ticket prices range from $35 – $200. For additional details, visit the Stellar Awards website (http://www.thestellarawards.com/).
ABOUT CENTRAL CITY PRODUCTIONS (CCP)
The Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson and Produced by Barbara Wilson for Central City Productions. Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, Chicago-based Central City Productions is a distributor of original targeted programming to television and cable networks. For more information, please visit www.ccptv.com.