Verity recording artist, Donnie McClurkin made the official sweep with six of the golden-flamed statues in the categories of Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year, Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, Traditional CD of the Year and Music Video of the Year while the Kyle Matthews-penned/Donnie McClurkin-performed, “We Fall Down” won for Song of the Year.
Gospo Centric’s Kurt Carr led this year’s nominees with a record nine nominations, so it was no surprise when he took home five Stellar Awards in the categories of Group or Duo of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Group/Duo of the year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year and Contemporary CD of the Year.
Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers opened the ceremony with their hit, “In The Sanctuary” marking the beginning of a spectacular night of performances from Gospel’s elite, including Donnie McClurkin, The Commissioned Reunion featuring Fred Hammond, Tonex, Richard Smallwood and Kirk Franklin who closed the show with “Hosanna,” a new song from his February 19 release titled The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin.
John P. Kee & New Life Community Choir (Verity) garnered two Stellar Awards for Choir of the Year and Recorded Music Packaging of the Year while new Verity artist EXCELSIOR claimed the award for New Artist of the Year. WOW Gospel 2001 was named Special Event CD of the year.
The Kingdom Come Soundtrack was awarded in the area of Urban/Inspirational Performance of the Year -“Thank You” by Kirk Franklin & Mary Mary and as Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year.
Special appearances were made by Gospo Centric’s Tramaine Hawkins and Ray Bady who presented on the show while Diadem recording artist Helen Baylor, completed 2 hours of interviews by media outlets that included BET. Her new album My Everything hits Christian retail on January 22.
The “17th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards” was executive produced by Don Jackson, produced by Barbara Wilson and directed by Chuck Vinson for Central City Productions. Chevrolet, Johnson and Johnson and American Airlines were the official sponsors.
The winners of Gospel music’s 17th Annual Stellar Awards include:
Artist of the Yea
r: Donnie McClurkin, “Live in London and More”; Verity Records
Song of the Year: Kyle Matthews, “We Fall Down,”; Verity
Male Vocalist of the Year: Donnie McClurkin, “Live in London and More”; Verity Records
Female Vocalist of the Year: Yolanda Adams, “Live Experience”; Elektra
Group or Duo of the Year: Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, “Awesome Wonder”; Gospo Centric
New Artist of the Year: Excelsior, God@Work; Verity
Choir of the Year: The New Life Community Choir featuring John P. Kee, “Not Guilty …. The Experience”; Verity
Producer of the Year: Kurt Carr and Jason White, “Awesome Wonder,” Gospo Centric
Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year: Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, “Awesome Wonder”; Gospo Centric
CD of the Year: Donnie McClurkin, “Live in London and More”; Verity Records
Contemporary CD of the Year: Kurt Carr, “Awesome Wonder”; Gospo Centric
Traditional Group/Duo of the Year: Lee Williams & the Spiritual QCs, “Good Time”; MCG Records
Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year: Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, “Awesome Wonder”; Gospo Centric
Urban Inspirational Performance of the Year: Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary, “Kingdom Come Soundtrack”; Gospo Centric
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