“We’re extremely pleased and proud to present our 36th annual Stellar Awards, appropriately themed ‘Lighting the Way with Our Faith, Music and Family,’” remarked Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions, Inc. “Over the past year, Gospel music has taken on an even more pronounced role in the lives of people around the world – dealing with a double, global pandemic of COVID-19 and social injustice – who have relied on Gospel music as a source of comfort, strength, and encouragement until we can get to better days ahead.”
Each year, the preeminent industry event recognizes the year’s best album releases and pays special tribute to those Gospel trailblazers who continually set the bar higher. This year’s recipient of the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement is The Clark Sisters who saw a resurgent appreciation of their musical longevity after the release of their biopic. Lady Tramaine Hawkins will be honored with the Aretha Franklin Icon Award as a testament to her 50+ years in the industry. Pastor Shirley Caesar will receive the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award for her 70+ years of longevity in the industry. Bishop Dr. Leonard Scott is tapped to receive the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award as the Founder of Tyscot Music + Entertainment, the oldest operating Black-owned Gospel Record Label. Black Smoke Music Founder Kerry Douglas, label executive and A&R guru Skip Barrett, and Gospel Today Magazine Founder Teresa Hairston will be inducted into the Stellar Honors Hall of Fame.
Millennial Gospel superstar Jonathan McReynolds, co-host of the 35th Annual Stellar Awards, tops the list of nominees this year with eight nominations. Embarking upon a career in Gospel music less than a decade ago, McReynolds continues to bless audiences and is nominated for his work on “People” (eOne Music), receiving nominations in the categories of Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male Artist of the Year, and Contemporary Album of the Year. He also is nominated for Song of the Year and in the category of Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year for his work on “Movin’ On ft. Mali Music” (eOne Music).
Anthony Brown & group therapy, Kierra Sheard, Maverick City Music, and Pastor Mike, Jr. are among a four-way tie of Gospel artists this year, each receiving seven nominations, including a nod each for Artist of the Year. Brown’s contemporary music genre ignites roof-raising praise, which resulted in nominations for “2econd Wind: Ready” (Key of A/Tyscot/Fair Trade) in six additional categories of Male Artist of the Year, Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, and Special Event Album of the Year.
Sheard’s inspirational project “Kierra” (Karew/RCA Inspiration) was recognized in the categories of Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Contemporary Female Artist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, and Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year. She also received a nomination for Song of the Year for her work on the project “Something Has to Break (Live) ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard” (Karew/RCA Inspiration).
Maverick City Music stirs up spirit-filled worship with the contemporary album “Maverick City Music Vol. 3 Part 1” (Tribl Records) which received additional nominations in the key categories of Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, Special Event Album of the Year, and Praise and Worship Album of the Year. Rounding out the four artists tied with seven nominations is Pastor Mike, Jr. whose hip hop Gospel sounds in “Big: Freedom Sessions” (Black Smoke Music Worldwide) garnered nominations in the categories of Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Contemporary Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year, and Rap Hip Hop Gospel Album of the Year.
Other celebrated artists receiving multiple Stellar nominations include: Jekalyn Carr, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, the Clark Sisters, Rev. Luther Barnes and the Restoration Worship Center Choir, and the Chicago Mass Choir.
The Stellar Awards live show taping is returning to Nashville, debuting at the glamorous Schermerhorn Symphony Center in the heart of the city’s booming downtown area on Saturday, July 10, 2021. Although great strides are being made to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the country is not yet back to normal. Given this, tickets will not be sold to the public; but nominees, show talent and special invited guests will make up the audience for the taping of the 36th Annual Stellar Awards. Viewers around the country will be able to watch the show in national broadcast syndication starting July 30th through September 5th.
SUMMARY OF 2021 STELLAR AWARDS TOP NOMINEES
Jonathan McReynolds – 8 Nominations
Anthony Brown & group therAPy – 7 Nominations
Kierra Sheard – 7 Nominations
Maverick City Music – 7 Nominations
Pastor Mike, Jr. – 7 Nominations
Jekalyn Carr – 4 Nominations
Tasha Cobbs Leonard – 3 Nominations
The Clark Sisters – 3 Nominations – for 2 different projects
Rev. Luther Barnes and the Restoration Worship Center Choir – 3 Nominations
Chicago Mass Choir – 3 Nominations
CLICK To view the complete list of nominees