2016 Stellar Awards Recap #stellarawards

What a great weekend in Las
Vegas for the 31st Annual Stellar Awards, held February 19 (Pre-Show) and February 20, 2016, at the Orleans Hotel and Arena. Starting with the All
White Showcase and ending with the Stellar Awards Show, this year was truly
awesome.

My journey began with the
Stellar-sanctioned All White Showcase created by Detroit’s own Patti
Pennington. The showcase featured performances by Zebulon Ellis, Ruth La’Ontra,
Jermaine Dolly, Virtue (V3), Carl B. Phillips, Patrick Lundy, Damion Sneed, plus
several others. The All White Showcase also honored Edwin Hawkins, Charles
Jenkins, Daniel Weatherspoon and Detroiter Gerald Haddon. Other artists in
attendance included Byron Cage, LeAndria Johnson, Melvin Williams, Bishop Larry
Trotter, Latrice Crawford, and Richard Smallwood. Detroit was well represented
at the All White Showcase with Derrick Milan, Jon Plair, Stephen Anderson, and
Dtroit Reed also in attendance.

The Stellar Gospel Radio
Awards and Showcase celebrated 40 years of Tyscot Records with performances by
Tyscot founder Dr. Leonard Scott, Casey J, Bri (Briana Babineaux), Tiff
Joy, Livre, Flame, Tina and Teddy
Campbell, plus others. The surprise for all in attendance was a brief speech
from Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The Stellar Awards Red Carpet
was filled with gospel music’s premiere recording artists along with film and television stars.
Again, Detroit was well represented on
the Red Carpet by Dorinda Clark Cole, Jacky Clark Chilsolm, Lexi, Tim Bowman Jr., new artist nominees
Gerald and Tammi Haddon, and God’s Gift & Soldiers Youth Choir, the 2016 Stellar Award winners for YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR.

The Stellar Awards Show was hosted by TV and radio personality Rickey Smiley and actress and TV personality Sherri Shepherd, and featured great
performances by Anthony Brown and Group Therapy, Karen Clark Sheard, Donnie
McClurkin, Marvin Sapp, Tasha Cobbs, Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin, and more. Special awards presentations included the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award to O’Landa Draper (posthumously); the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award to Willie Joe Ligon; the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award to Dr. Marabeth Gentry and The Thomas A. Dorsey Foundation; and Stellar Honors awards to Tramaine Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp, and Jonathan Slocumb.

While several Detroit artists were nominated for Stellar Awards, including Dorinda Clark Cole, Fred Hammond, 3 Winans Brothers, Gerald & Tammi Haddon, J. Drew Sheard II, and Karen Clark Sheard, the big winner of the night was Anthony Brown and Group Therapy who were nominated in 10 categories, and won in all 10 categories.

The sole 2016 Stellar Award coming home to the Motor City was won by Detroit youth choir, God’s Gift and Soldiers, under the direction of Mr. James D. Render, for Youth Project of
The Year. The youth choir is comprised of students from Davison
Elementary/Middle School where Mr. Render is one of the Teachers of
Excellence.

The Stellar Awards Show telecast will premiere on TV One during the week of March 6, as well as in broadcast
syndication on 150 stations in over 125 markets around the country from
March 12 – April 10. For more information, and to view video clips visit www.thestellarawards.com.

Category #1: Artist Of The Year

• Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Everyday Jesus, Key Of A/Tyscot (WINNER)
  
• Erica Campbell, Help 2.0, My Block Inc./EOne Music
• Jonathan McReynolds, Life Music: Stage Two, Tehillah Music Group/EOne Music
• Tasha Cobbs, One Place Live, Motown Gospel

Category #2: Song Of The Year

• Anthony Brown, Worth – Everyday Jesus (Anthony Brown & Group Therapy), Key Of A/Tyscot (WINNER)
  
• Dorinda Clark Cole (Detroiter), Shanika Deshun Bereal, Rodrick Cliché, Saaed Renaud, & Field Blanchard, Bless This House – Living It (Dorinda Clark Cole), Light Records/EOne Music
• Charles Jenkins, #War – Any Given Sunday (Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago), Inspired People LLC/Motown Gospel
• Will Reagan, Fill Me Up – The Truth (Casey J.), Marquis Boone/Tyscot

Category #3: Male Vocalist Of The Year

• Anthony Brown, Everyday Jesus, Key Of A/Tyscot (WINNER)
  
• Travis Greene, Intentional (Single), RCA Inspiration
• Fred Hammond (former Detroiter), I Will Trust, RCA Inspiration
• Jonathan McReynolds, Life Music: Stage Two, Tehillah Music Group/EOne Music

Category #4: Albertina Walker Female Vocalist Of The Year

• Erica Campbell, Help 2.0, My Block Inc./EOne Music
• Tina Campbell, It’s Personal, Gee Tree Creative
• Tasha Cobbs, One Place Live, Motown Gospel (WINNER)
  
• Dorinda Clark Cole (Detroiter), Living It, Light Records/EOne Music

Category #5: Group/Duo Of The Year

• The Rance Allen Group, Celebrate, Tyscot
• 3 Winans Brothers (Detroiters), Foreign Land, Entertainment One Music
• Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Everyday Jesus, Key Of A/Tyscot (WINNER)
  
• Israel & New Breed, Covered Alive In Asia, RGM/New Breed/RCA Inspiration

Category #6: New Artist Of The Year

• Geoffrey Golden, Kingdom…Live!, Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA Records
• Gerald & Tammi Haddon (Detroiters), #Us, Pembroke Records
• Casey J., The Truth, Marquis Boone/Tyscot (WINNER)
  
• Pastor Marlon Lock, Good Seed Project, Oghbyrg Productions

Category #7: CD Of The Year

• Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Everyday Jesus, Key Of A/Tyscot (WINNER)
  
• Erica Campbell, Help 2.0, My Block Inc./EOne Music
• Tasha Cobbs, One Place Live, Motown Gospel
• Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, Any Given Sunday, Inspired People LLC/Motown Gospel

Category #8: Choir Of The Year

• Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Super Mass Choir, The Kingdom Sound, Tehillah Music Group/EOne Music
• J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, I See Victory, Light Records/EOne Music
• Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, Any Given Sunday, Inspired People LLC/Motown Gospel (WINNER)
  
• Richard Smallwood With Vision, Anthology Live, RCA Inspiration

Category #9: Producer Of The Year

• Anthony Brown & Justin Savage, Everyday Jesus (Anthony Brown & Group Therapy), Key Of A/Tyscot (WINNER)
  
• Warryn
  Campbell For My Block, Inc., Teddy Campbell For Gee Tree Creative,
  Jason White For White Throne Productions, Damon Thomas & Harvey
  Mason, Jr. The Underdogs, Edward “Eddie” Brown, Aaron Lindsey For Ardent
  Media, It’s Personal (Tina Campbell), Gee Tree Creative
• Charles Jenkins & Rodney East, Any Given Sunday (Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago), Inspired People LLC/Motown Gospel
• Donald Lawrence For Quiet Water Entertainment, Daniel Weatherspoon For Longlife Entertainment & J. Drew Sheard II For JDS Productions, Destined To Win (Karen Clark Sheard), Karew Records

Category #10: Contemporary Group/Duo Of The Year

• 3 Winans Brothers, Foreign Land, Entertainment One Music
• Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Everyday Jesus, Key Of A/Tyscot (WINNER)
  
• Gerald & Tammi Haddon, #Us, Pembroke Records
• Israel & New Breed, Covered Alive In Asia, RGM/New Breed/RCA Inspiration

Category #11: Traditional Group/Duo Of The Year

• The Rance Allen Group, Celebrate, Tyscot (WINNER)
  
• Larry D. Reid, One Musick, LDR Enterprises
• The Showers, The Showers, A&P Records

Category #12: Contemporary Male Vocalist Of The Year

• Anthony Brown, Everyday Jesus, Key Of A/Tyscot (WINNER)
  
• Travis Greene, Intentional (Single), RCA Inspiration
• Fred Hammond, I Will Trust, RCA Inspiration
• Jonathan McReynolds, Life Music: Stage Two, Tehillah Music Group/EOne Music

Category #13: Traditional Male Vocalist Of The Year

• Charles Jenkins, Any Given Sunday, Inspired People LLC/Motown Gospel (WINNER)
  
• John P. Kee, Level Next, Motown Gospel
• William McDowell, Send The Rain (Single), Delivery Room Music/EOne Music
• Richard Smallwood, Anthology Live, RCA Inspiration

                

Category #14: Contemporary Female Vocalist Of The Year

• Erica Campbell, Help 2.0, My Block Inc./EOne Music
• Tasha Cobbs, One Place Live, Motown Gospel (WINNER)
  
• Casey J., The Truth, Marquis Boone/Tyscot
• Karen Clark Sheard, Destined To Win, Karew Records

             

Category #15: Traditional Female Vocalist Of The Year

• Jekalyn Carr, It’s Gonna Happen, Lunjeal Music Group/Malaco
• Tina Campbell, It’s Personal, Gee Tree Creative (WINNER)
  
• Dorinda Clark Cole, Living It, Light Records/EOne Music
• Dorothy Norwood, An Incredible Journey, Dorothy Norwood Music Group

               

Category #16: Contemporary CD Of The Year

• Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Everyday Jesus, Key Of A/Tyscot (WINNER)
  
• Erica Campbell, Help 2.0, My Block Inc./EOne Music
• Tasha Cobbs, One Place Live, Motown Gospel
• Alexis Spight, Dear Diary, Uncle G Records/EOne Music

Category #17: Traditional CD Of The Year

• Jekalyn Carr, It’s Gonna Happen, Lunjeal Music Group/Malaco
• Tina Campbell, It’s Personal, Gee Tree Creative (WINNER)
  
• Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, Any Given Sunday, Inspired People LLC/Motown Gospel
• Pastor Marlon Lock, Good Seed Project, Oghbyrg Productions

Category #18: Urban/Inspirational Single Or Performance Of The Year

• Erica Campbell, I Luh God – Help 2.0, My Block Inc./EOne Music
• Kirk Franklin, Wanna Be Happy? (Single), Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA Records (WINNER)
  
• Casey J., Fill Me Up – The Truth, Marquis Boone/Tyscot
• Jonathan McReynolds, Gotta Have You – Life Music: Stage Two, Tehillah Music Group/EOne Music

Category #19: Music Video Of The Year

• Derek Blanks, Gotta Have You – Life Music: Stage Two (Jonathan McReynolds), Tehillah Music Group/EOne Music
• Charles Jenkins & The Spin Singers, #War – Any Given Sunday (Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago), Inspired People LLC/Motown Gospel (WINNER)
  
• Adrean Mangiardi, A Lil’ Louder (Clap Your Hands) – Celebrate (The Rance Allen Group), Tyscot
• Dale “Rage” Resteghini, I Luh God – Help 2.0 (Erica Campbell), My Block Inc./EOne Music

Category #20: Traditional Choir Of The Year

• Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Super Mass Choir, The Kingdom Sound, Tehillah Music Group/EOne Music
• Lonnie Hunter Featuring Structure, #Getitdone, Tyscot
• Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, Any Given Sunday, Inspired People LLC/Motown Gospel (WINNER)
  
• Richard Smallwood With Vision, Anthology Live, RCA Inspiration

Category #21: Contemporary Choir Of The Year

• Dr. F. James Clark & The Shalom Church (City Of Peace) Mass Choir, Simply Amazing, City Of Peace Records
• J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, I See Victory, Light Records/EOne Music (WINNER)
  
• Kenny Lewis & One Voice, The Way Of Escape, Puresound Music Group

Category #22: Instrumental CD Of The Year

• Craig Crawford Players, I Love You, Life Jam Entertainment
• Mel Holder, Back 2 Basics: Music Book Vol. II, Psalmist Music Group
• Ben Tankard, Full Tank 2.0, Benjamin Universal Music (WINNER)
  

Category #23: Special Event CD Of The Year

• Israel & New Breed, Covered Alive In Asia, RGM/New Breed/RCA Inspiration
• Richard Smallwood With Vision, Anthology Live, RCA Inspiration
• The Legends Of Quartet, An Evening With The Legends Of Quartet, 4Winds/Malaco
• Various Artists, WOW Gospel 2015, RCA Inspiration (WINNER)
  

Category #24: Rap Hip Hop Gospel CD Of The Year

• Dee-1, 3’s Up, RCA Inspiration
• Flame, Forward, Clear Sight Music
• Trip Lee, Rise, Reach Records
• Derek Minor, Empire, Reflection Music Group/EOne Music (WINNER)
  

Category #25: Youth Project Of The Year

• God’s Gift And Soldiers Youth Choir (Detroiters), Through The Fire And Flood, DIR/Motor City Praise Records (WINNER)
  
• Pure-N-Heart, Revolution: Saving Our Youth, Music2ChangeU
• Jada Redmond, “Brother”, 4Red Music/Music2ChangeU
• Robyn, He’s B4 Me, Oak Tree

Category #26: Quartet Of The Year

• The Rance Allen Group, Celebrate, Tyscot (WINNER)
  
• The Highway QC’s Featuring Spencer Taylor, The Godfather, Ophir Gospel/TBT Music Group
• The Hi-Lite Juniors, A New Beginning, Dynasty Production
• The New Christianaires, Remember Me, Carter Classic Records

Category #27: Recorded Music Packaging Of The Year

• Derek Blanks, Worth Fighting For (Brian Courtney Wilson), Motown Gospel
• Derek Blanks, Help 2.0 (Erica Campbell), My Block/EOne Music
• Annette Reischl, Unstoppable (Vashawn Mitchell), Motown Gospel
• Denise Trotman & Conni Treantefeles, Everyday Jesus (Anthony Brown & Group Therapy), Key Of A/Tyscot (WINNER)
  

Category #28: Praise And Worship CD Of The Year

• Tasha Cobbs, One Place Live, Motown Gospel (WINNER)
  
• Israel & New Breed, Covered Alive In Asia, RGM/New Breed/RCA Inspiration
• Jason Nelson, Jesus Revealed, RCA Inspiration
• Richard Smallwood With Vision, Anthology Live, RCA Inspiration

Gospel Radio Of The Year Nominees

Major Market Of The Year

• Heaven 97 – KHVN, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Carmina Barnett
• Praise 104.1 WPRS, Washington, DC, Ron Thompson (WINNER)
  
• WIGO AM 1570, Atlanta, Larry Young
• WPZE 102.5 FM, Atlanta, Lori Flowers & Derek Harper

Large Market Of The Year

• 95.7 Hallelujah FM – WHAL-FM, Memphis, Tracy Bethea
• Heaven 600 – WCAO – AM, Baltimore, Lee Michaels (WINNER)
  
• WFMI 100.9 FM, Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Mike Chandler
• WPZR-FM Praise 102.7, Detroit, Nate Bell & Randi Myles

Medium Market Of The Year

• Praise 104.7 FM WPZZ 104.7, Richmond, Reginald Baker (WINNER)
  
• The Light WNNL 103.9 FM, Raleigh – Durham, Jerry Smith
• WAAW, Augusta, BJ Murphy
• WXOK Heaven 1460 AM, Baton Rouge, J’Michael Francois

Small Market Of The Year

• 1300 AM KSYB, Shreveport, Rhonda Phillips-Sanders
• KRGN 98.5, Killeen-Harker Heights, TX, Ron Grace
• WFMV FM 95.3, Columbia, SC, Tony “Gee” Green
• WIMG 1300 AM, Trenton, NJ, Ed Long (WINNER)
  

Internet Station Of The Year

• All Nations Radio, www.allnationsradio.net, Bishop Samuel Mcgill III (Winner)
  
• Bonnerfide Radio, www.bonnerfideradio.com, Gerard Bonner
• Gospel Central Radio, www.thegospelcentral.com, Michael Stewart
• I Am Radio, www.I-Am-Radio.com, Beatrice “Sistah Peaches” Haywood

Gospel Announcer Of The Year

• Carmina Barnett, KHVN – Dallas, TX
• Tracy Bethea Bodie, WHAL – Memphis, TN (WINNER)
  
• Lee Michaels, WCAO – Baltimore, MD
• Billy St. James, KPZK – Little Rock, AR