Editor's Letter

36TH ANNIVERSARY STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS

The 36th Annual Celebration of Gospel Music Themed “Lighting the Way with Our Faith, Music and Family” held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tennessee reveals the nominees in 28 categories.

The Stellar Awards recognizes the year's best performances in the genre, honors Gospel music icons, and acknowledges the accomplishments of individuals instrumental in advocating for the industry.

“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 COVID19 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.

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 He also is nominated for Song of Song of the Year and in the category the Year and in the category of of Urban/Inspirational Single or Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year for his Performance of the Year for his work on “Movin’ On ft. Mali Music” work on “Movin’ On ft. Mali (eOne Music). Anthony Brown & Music” (eOne Music). Anthony group therapy, Kierra Sheard, Brown & group therapy, Kierra Maverick City Music, and Pastor Sheard, Maverick City Music, and Mike, Jr. are among a four-way tie of Pastor Mike, Jr. are among a four Gospel artists this year, each way tie of Gospel artists this year, receiving seven nominations, each receiving seven nominations, including a nod each for Artist of including a nod each for Artist of the Year. Brown’s contemporary the Year. Brown’s contemporary music genre ignites roof-raising music genre ignites roof praise, which resulted in -raising praise, which resulted in nominations for “2econd Wind: Ready” (Key of A/Tyscot/Fair nominations for “2econd Wind: Trade) in six additional categories of Ready” (Key of A/Tyscot/Fair Male Artist of the Year, Trade) in six additional categories Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, of Male Artist 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.

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