By Sandra Long Weaver
Move over Country music. Get out-of-the-way Blue Grass. And take a break Blues music. Gospel music will be the star for a weekend in January in Nashville.
The 29th annual Stellar Awards will be held Jan.18, 2014 for the 8th consecutive year but for the first time will be in the Municipal Auditorium at 417 Fourth Avenue North.
“We sold out at Grand Ole Opry last year,” said Don Jackson, founder and producer of the awards program. “Hundreds of people showed up and couldn’t get in. We’re moving from a venue that holds 4,000 people to a venue that holds 10,000 people. We’re looking forward to strong support.” Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.
The Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award will go to Dr. Mayfield Woods, Jackson said. The award is named after the Nashville resident for his rich contribution to gospel music and the industry, he said.
And the Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Dr. Hezekiah Walker. Both will be presented during the event, which will be produced live for the second year.
But the events will not just be on Saturday night.
The BMI and ASCAP labels are also planning special events for the artists. Gospel choirs will be performing at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, headed by Bishop Walker.
“One new thing will be starting an independent artist workshop and showcase,” Jackson said. “It’s for new artists and for those who’ve been around.”
The workshop, which is open only to independent artists, will be at Tennessee State University on Friday before the Saturday taping. Students will be able to attend free.
The Stellar pre-show for the non-televised awards will be held Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. at TPAC followed by the artists showcase from 10 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $12.50 and available at the box office for the public event.
Radio stations will tape all of top artists who will be in Nashville during that time. In addition, the Gospel Music Radio Awards for large, medium and small markets as well as Gospel Music announcer of the year will be given out on Saturday morning during a program at TPAC.
Other music awards programs do little to recognize the gospel music genre, Jackson said. They may have a few awards but they don’t focus on the entire gospel music industry which led to Jackson’s creation of the Stellar Awards.
The second round of voting from fans just ended, Jackson said.”We received over 35,000 votes, up from last year which was the first year for fan voting,” he said. Official announcement of final nominees was Dec. 3 and winners will be announced at the Jan. 18 show.
Below is the list of nominees for the 2013-2014 Stellar Gospel Awards:
CATEGORY #1
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- BISHOP PAUL S. MORTON, BEST DAYS YET, TEHILLAH MUSIC/LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
- TAMELA MANN, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC
- TASHA COBBS, GRACE, EMI GOSPEL (MOTOWN GOSPEL)
- TYE TRIBBETT, GREATER THAN, MOTOWN GOSPEL
Category #2
SONG OF THE YEAR
- ANTHONY BROWN, TESTIMONY – ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TYSCOT MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
- DONALD LAWRENCE, YOUR BEST DAYS YET – BEST DAYS YET, TEHILLAH MUSIC/LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
- KIRK FRANKLIN, TAKE ME TO THE KING – BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC
- WILLIAMS REAGAN, BREAK EVERY CHAIN – GRACE, EMI GOSPEL (MOTOWN GOSPEL)
Category #3
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- BISHOP PAUL S. MORTON, BEST DAYS YET, TEHILLAH MUSIC/LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
- JONATHAN NELSON, FINISH STRONG, KAREW RECORDS
- TYE TRIBBETT, GREATER THAN, MOTOWN GOSPEL
- VASHAWN MITCHELL, CREATED4THIS, EMI GOSPEL (MOTOWN GOSPEL)
CATEGORY #4
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- SHIRLEY CAESAR, GOOD GOD, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
- TAMELA MANN, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC
- TASHA COBBS, GRACE, EMI GOSPEL (MOTOWN GOSPEL)
- TWINKIE CLARK, TWINKIE CLARK LIVE & UNPLUGGED, LARRY CLARK GOSPEL, LLC
CATEGORY #5
GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
- ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
- FRED HAMMOND UNITED TENORS, UNITED TENORS HAMMOND HOLLISTER ROBERSON WILSON, RCA INSPIRATION
- ISRAEL AND NEW BREED, JESUS AT THE CENTER, RGM NEW BREED/INTEGRITY
- JOHN P. KEE AND NEW LIFE, LIFE & FAVOR, KEE MUSIC GROUP
CATEGORY #6
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- ALEXIS SPIGHT, L.O.L. (LIVING OUT LOUD), MUSIC WORLD GOSPEL
- ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
- JEKALYN CARR, GREATER IS COMING, LUNJEAL/MALACO
- TASHA COBBS, GRACE, EMI GOSPEL (MOTOWN GOSPEL)
CATEGORY #7
CD OF THE YEAR
- ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
- TAMELA MANN, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC
- TASHA COBBS, GRACE, EMI GOSPEL (MOTOWN GOSPEL)
- TYE TRIBBETT, GREATER THAN, MOTOWN GOSPEL
CATEGORY #8
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- EARL BYNUM & THE MOUNT UNITY CHOIR, BISHOP K.W. BROWN PRESENTS EARL BYNUM & THE MOUNT UNITY CHOIR, K.W. BROWN MINISTRIES
- HEZEKIAH WALKER, AZUSA: THE NEXT GENERATION, RCA INSPIRATION
- SHEKINAH GLORY MINISTRY, SURRENDER, KINGDOM RECORDS, INC.
- THE FULL GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY OF WORSHIP, ONE SOUND, TEHILLAH/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
CATEGORY #9
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
- JUSTIN SAVAGE, ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
- FRED HAMMOND & DEREK “DC” CLARK, UNITED TENORS HAMMOND HOLLISTER ROBERSON WILSON, RCA INSPIRATION
- MYRON BUTLER & KIRK FRANKLIN, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC
- TYE TRIBBETT & BRANDON JONES, GREATER THAN, MOTOWN GOSPEL
CATEGORY #10
CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
- ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
- FRED HAMMOND UNITED TENORS, UNITED TENORS HAMMOND HOLLISTER ROBERSON WILSON, RCA INSPIRATION
- ISRAEL AND NEW BREED, JESUS AT THE CENTER, RGM NEW BREED/INTEGRITY
- VINCENT THARPE & KENOSIS, LIVE IN MEMPHIS, EPM MUSIC GROUP/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
CATEGORY #11
TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
- JOHN P. KEE AND NEW LIFE, LIFE & FAVOR, KEE MUSIC GROUP
- KURT CARR & THE KURT CARR SINGERS, BLESS THIS HOUSE, RCA INSPIRATION
- THE GOSPEL LEGENDS, PIECES OF LIFE, HUMILITY MUSIC
- THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP, AMAZING GRACE, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
CATEGORY #12
CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- ANTHONY BROWN, ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
- FRED HAMMOND, UNITED TENORS HAMMOND HOLLISTER ROBERSON WILSON, RCA INSPIRATION
- TYE TRIBBETT, GREATER THAN, MOTOWN GOSPEL
- VASHAWN MITCHELL, CREATED4THIS, EMI GOSPEL (MOTOWN GOSPEL)
CATEGORY #13
TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- BISHOP PAUL S. MORTON, BEST DAYS YET, TEHILLAH MUSIC/LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
- JOHN P. KEE, LIFE & FAVOR, KEE MUSIC GROUP
- RANCE ALLEN, AMAZING GRACE, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
- WILLIAM MURPHY, GOD CHASER, RCA INSPIRATION
CATEGORY #14
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- ALEXIS SPIGHT, L.O.L. (LIVING OUT LOUD), MUSIC WORLD GOSPEL
- LE’ANDRIA JOHNSON, THE EXPERIENCE, MUSIC WORLD GOSPEL
- TASHA COBBS, GRACE, EMI GOSPEL (MOTOWN GOSPEL)
- VICKI YOHE, FREE WORSHIPPER, SHANACHIE ENTERTAINMENT
CATEGORY #15
TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- JEKALYN CARR, GREATER IS COMING, LUNJEAL/MALACO
- SHIRLEY CAESAR, GOOD GOD, LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
- TAMELA MANN, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC
- TWINKIE CLARK, TWINKIE CLARK LIVE & UNPLUGGED, LARRY CLARK GOSPEL, LLC
CATEGORY #16
CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR
- ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
- FRED HAMMOND UNITED TENORS, UNITED TENORS HAMMOND HOLLISTER ROBERSON WILSON, RCA INSPIRATION
- TASHA COBBS, GRACE, EMI GOSPEL (MOTOWN GOSPEL)
- TYE TRIBBETT, GREATER THAN, MOTOWN GOSPEL
CATEGORY #17
TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
- BISHOP PAUL S. MORTON, BEST DAYS YET, TEHILLAH MUSIC/LIGHT RECORDS/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
- HEZEKIAH WALKER, AZUSA: THE NEXT GENERATION, RCA INSPIRATION
- JOHN P. KEE, LIFE & FAVOR, KEE MUSIC GROUP
- TAMELA MANN, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC
CATEGORY #18
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
- ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TESTIMONY – ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
- FRED HAMMOND UNITED TENORS, HERE IN OUR PRAISE – UNITED TENORS HAMMOND HOLLISTER ROBERSON WILSON, RCA INSPIRATION
- TAMELA MANN, TAKE ME TO THE KING – BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC
- TYE TRIBBETT, IF HE DID IT BEFORE…SAME GOD – GREATER THAN, MOTOWN GOSPEL
CATEGORY #19
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- BRAND X, TESTIMONY – ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
- PAJAM, GOD’S GOT IT – V4: THE OTHER SIDE OF VICTORY, PAJAM/RCA INSPIRATION
- BOBBY YAN, TURNING AROUND FOR ME – CREATED4THIS, EMI GOSPEL (MOTOWN GOSPEL)
- RUSSELL HALL, JESUS AT THE CENTER, RGM NEW BREED/INTEGRITY
CATEGORY #20
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- HEZEKIAH WALKER, AZUSA: THE NEXT GENERATION, RCA INSPIRATION
- JOHN P. KEE, LIFE & FAVOR, KEE MUSIC GROUP
- SHEKINAH GLORY MINISTRY, SURRENDER, KINGDOM RECORDS, INC.
- THE FULL GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY OF WORSHIP, ONE SOUND, TEHILLAH/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
CATEGORY #21
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- DEXTER WALKER & ZION MOVEMENT, GREATER THAN BEFORE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND/EONE MUSIC
- EARL BYNUM & THE MOUNT UNITY CHOIR, BISHOP K.W. BROWN PRESENTS EARL BYNUM & THE MOUNT UNITY CHOIR, K.W. BROWN MINISTRIES
- HART RAMSEY & THE NCC FAMILY CHOIR, NEXT NOW!, PRAYER CLOSET/ENTERTAINMENT ONE
- LARRY CALLAHAN & SELECTED OF GOD, THE EVOLUTION II, SING 2 PRAISE RECORDS
CATEGORY #23
SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
- HEZEKIAH WALKER, AZUSA: THE NEXT GENERATION, RCA INSPIRATION
- THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP, AMAZING GRACE, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
- TWINKIE CLARK, TWINKIE CLARK LIVE & UNPLUGGED, LARRY CLARK GOSPEL, LLC
- VARIOUS ARTISTS, WOW GOSPEL 2013, RCA INSPIRATION
CATEGORY #24
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR
- BIZZLE, THE GOOD FIGHT, GOD OVER MONEY RECORDS
- DEREK MINOR, MINORVILLE, REACH RECORDS
- LECRAE, GRAVITY, REACH RECORDS
- THI’SL, FREE FROM THE TRAP, FULL RIDE MUSIC GROUP, LLC
CATEGORY #25
CHILDRENS PROJECT OF THE YEAR
- JEKALYN CARR, GREATER IS COMING, LUNJEAL/MALACO
- KSE SUNSHINE BAND, KSE SUNSHINE BAND, INDEPENDENT
- NYASIA, SHOOTING STAR EP, INSPIRING DREAMS ENTERTAINMENT LLC
- PURE-N-HEART, ALPHAEUS ANDERSON PRESENTS THE BEST OF PURE-N-HEART KIDS & TEENS 10 YEARS & INTRODUCING PURE-N-HEART MOVEMENT, MUSIC2CHANGEU RECORDS
CATEGORY #26
FAN FAVORITE QUARTET OF THE YEAR
- DOC MCKENZIE & THE HI-LITES, BLESSED, OPHIR ENTERTAINMENT
- THE MIGHTY GOSPEL WARRIORS, A WARRIORS JOURNEY CONTINUE, INDEPENDENT
- THE GOSPEL LEGENDS, PIECES OF LIFE, HUMILITY MUSIC
- THE MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY, ALL THAT I AM, CHAPTER ONE, MCG RECORDS/SOUTH CENTRAL MUSIC
CATEGORY #27
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
- MELANIE SCOTT Q CREATIVE DESIGNS, ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
- KELVIN CHAPPELL & BENITA BELLAMY, BISHOP K.W. BROWN PRESENTS EARL BYNUM & THE MOUNT UNITY CHOIR, K.W. BROWN MINISTRIES
- PATRICK DOPSON, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC
- BJ SHORES, GREATER THAN, MOTOWN GOSPEL
CATEGORY #28
PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR
- ISRAEL AND NEW BREED, JESUS AT THE CENTER, RGM NEW BREED/INTEGRITY
- TAMELA MANN, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC
- TASHA COBBS, GRACE, EMI GOSPEL (MOTOWN GOSPEL)
- TYE TRIBBETT, GREATER THAN, MOTOWN GOSPEL