The 32nd Annual Stellar Awards is just a few weeks away! This year, The Stellar Awards will Honor Spencer Taylor, Jr. (James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Awards), Harvey Watkins, Jr (Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award) and Rev. Dr. Clay Evans (Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award)
In addition, The Stellar Awards will also Induct Fred Hammond, Mississippi Mass Choir and Dr. Leonard Scott into the Stellar Honors Hall of Fame.
The “Godfather” Spencer Taylor, Jr. is the lead singer for The Highway QC’s of Chicago, IL.
Spencer Taylor was born on March 6, 1928 in Indianola, Mississippi. He was educated in the Indianola Public Schools system, and graduated from Natchez College in Natchez, Mississippi.
At the age of eight, he started singing with the family group called “The Taylor Family”. By him being so young and the lead singer, they would have to use a table to place him on so that he could be seen by the audience.
After receiving his degree, Mr. Taylor moved from Indianola, MS to Chicago, IL in 1948, where he served in the Army and started a career as a postal worker.
He sang with the well-known Gospel Group in Chicago, “The “Holy Wonders”.
In 1956, Spencer Taylor Jr. joined the Highway QC’s, the group that launched the careers of several secular stars, including Lou Rawls, Johnnie Taylor, and Sam Cooke. A year after Spencer joined the group,Johnnie Taylor (no relation) quit to join the Soul Stirrers,creating a gap that lead to Spencer Taylor, Jr. becoming the lead singer of the Highway QC’s. In 1958 as the lead singer of the Highway QC’s, the group made their debut on the Vee Jay record label, pinning two hit singles “Something on my mind” and “The Way of the Hill” on their first recording.
After a half century of seasoning with more than 40 releases, appearances at The Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden and performing with legends like Mahalia Jackson, Clara Ward and James Cleveland, Mr. Taylor is 89 years old and still going strong while being recognized around the world as a living legend.
During this decade, Watkins has explored the many facets of his talents. As the lead singer of the legendary Canton Spirituals he has two gold albums, “Live in Memphis I” and “Live in Memphis II”, has starred in two theatrical production with actor Leon of the Temptations’ movie, Charlie Wilson of Gap Band, and Freddie Jackson. He was featured on the debut Gospel album of Reuben Studdard and was one of the artists chosen to tour on Kirk Franklin’s first tour.
Harvey Watkins, Jr. has been appointed deacon of Spring Hill Christian Center under the leadership of Pastor M. J. Williams and is an acclaimed producer, songwriter, musician, and writer. He has written numerous hit songs that introduced him to crossover success. He has penned such hits as “Fix It Jesus”, “I Made It”, “Clean Up”, “Heavenly Choir”, “It’s In My Heart”, “Keep Knockin’”, “Mississippi Po Boy”, and many more. Watkins’ list of accomplishments continues to grow and include numerous awards for his many musical achievements. To him, however, one of the greatest things he did in his life was to take care of his father, the late Harvey Watkins, Sr. Harvey, Jr. was so proud to be able to take his dad to the Grammy Awards before his death and now to take care of his mother is a treasure and a blessing that will be in his heart forever.
After 40 successful years in the Gospel music industry, this is still only the beginning for the Stellar Award winning, Grammy and Dove Award nominated artist truly sent by God. Watkins remains eternally committed to giving God the ultimate — which is to edify, enrich, encourage, and to empower others as he ministers the Word of God through song.
Watkins has been married to the lovely Delores Watkins, his prayer partner, for the last thirty-eight years. They are the proud parents of one daughter, Shuntina, who is married to Michael McLin, and grandparents to their beautiful grandchildren, Zack and McKenzie.
Reverend Dr. Clay Evans is the prolific founder of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church where he served as pastor and shepherd for fifty years. He is known as the pastor of pastors around Chicago and vicinity, and today is affectionately referred to as “The Godfather.”
Rev. Evans was born June 23, 1925, to the late Henry Clay and Estanauly Evans in Brownsville, Tennessee. He has been married to Lutha Mae Hollingshed for seventy years. Together they had five children: Diane, Michael, Ralph, Claudette and Faith Renee; they also raised a nephew, Stevie Stewart.
Rev. Evans was ordained a Baptist Minister in 1950, and matriculated through various institutions of higher learning, including Chicago Baptist Institute, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Trinity College and International Bible Institute & Seminary, and the University of Chicago Divinity School. He also received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Arkansas Baptist College.
Rev. Evans has been responsible for launching the ministerial careers of over 90 men and women. He has been involved in civil rights since the 1950’s and a leader in the Civil Rights Movement since 1965.
Rev. Evans is Founding Chairman of Operation PUSH and Chairman Emeritus of Rainbow PUSH. He is the Founding National Chairman of the African American Religious Connection (AARC), the Founding President of Broadcast Ministers Alliance (BMA), the Founder of the Clay Evans Scholarship Foundation, Inc. (CESF), and the Chairman of Concerned Clergy for a Better Chicago. He has served as advisor and board member of numerous civic and religious organizations, including the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
Rev. Evans has authored six meaningful publications, namely, From Plough Handle to Pulpit, Gateway to an Abundant Life, A Chat with the Elder, Questions and Answers to Daily Situations, It is No Secret What God Can Do and The Fellowship Manual, A Handbook of Church Polity and Practice.
Rev. Evans has been the featured soloist on more than thirty albums recorded with Fellowship’s 250 voice choir, directed by his sister, Dr. Lou Della Evans Reid. A new CD release in 2016, “Trust in the Lord,” featuring some of Rev. Evans’ most beloved music, has climbed to #3 on Billboard. Whether preaching or singing, Reverend’s message is timeless.
Rev. Evans retired as pastor of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church on the last Sunday in December 2000, but he continues to counsel, comfort the sick in hospitals, mentor ministers and civic leaders, preside at the funeral services of old Fellowship members, as well as maintain an active preaching schedule in and around Chicago and across the country.
