Pastor Mike Jr. Leads 38th Annual Stellar Awards with 10 Nods
Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions, recently announced the nominees in 25 categories for the 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards taping on Saturday, July 15, returning to the Las Vegas Orleans Arena. Gospel music’s longest running awards show will be co-hosted this year by a pair of multiple Stellar Award winners, Tasha Cobbs-Leonard, and Jonathan McReynolds. This year’s forerunner is the already 11x Stellar Award winner Pastor Mike, Jr., who has garnered ten nominations. Tye Tribbett is in close second with nine nominations. Co-host and 15x Stellar Award winner Tasha Cobbs-Leonard has five nominations. Other artists earning multiple Stellar nominations include Travis Greene & Forward City, JJ Hairston, Maranda Curtis, Bishop S.Y. Younger feat. Sounds of the Ramp, and Brent Jones. The prestigious James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award will be bestowed upon Reverend Milton Biggham, founder of several mass choirs including the Miami Mass Choir, The Mississippi Mass Choir, the Dallas Fort Worth Mass Choir, and the Georgia Mass Choir. The 38th Annual Stellar Awards will premiere on the newly launched Stellar TV on Monday, July 24 and August 6, 2023, and will also air nationally in syndication from August 7 through September 10, 2023.
Dating Series “The One” Set to Premiere on TV One
Gospel superstar Kirk Franklin and his wife Tammy will be putting their matching making skills to the test as hosts of the new dating competition series “The One.” “The One will be premiering on TV One, Thursday, May 18th at 9p ET/8p CT. The celebrity couple who has now been married for 27 years will provide guidance to an Atlanta bachelor and a bachelorette, Brent and Ashley, who have both struggled to find their soulmates. The pair will be introduced to two new potential matches each week at The One Mansion, and with some guidance from Kirk and Tammy they’ll embark on a journey to find love. Throughout the series, Ashley and Brent will meet two new potential matches each week.
Pastor Shirley Caesar Set to Release First Single in 7 Years
“The First Lady of Gospel,” Pastor Shirley Caesar is all set to release “All Of the Glory,” her first single in 7 years. This song that reminds listeners that is God who deserves the glory and praise, is dear to her in many regards. Pastor Caesar began her career six decades ago at the age of 10 and has recorded over forty albums both as a soloist and a member of the legendary group, The Caravans. This song marks her last collaboration with her long-time music director Michael Mathis, who died earlier this year in February. Pastor Caesar, a Durham, NC native has received multiple accolades over her career including 11 Grammy Awards, 15 Dove Awards, 13 Stellar Awards, and an RIAA Gold Certification. Pastor Caesar also runs an outreach ministry the bears her name that serves the neglected in her NC community.
Kirk Franklin Hosting Exodus Music & Arts Festival in TX
Kirk Franklin is hosting Exodus, a two-day music and arts festival at the Pavilion in Irving, TX. The festival will be kicking off on the 20th with roster of Christian music’s most notable female contemporary artists including Tamela Mann, Naomi Raine, Natalie Grant, Taya, Tasha Cobbs-Leonard, DOE, Koryn Hawthorne with guest artist Chandler Moore of Maverick City Music. The lineup for Day 2 includes Kirk, Yolanda Adams, Kierra Sheard Kelly, Jekalyn Carr, Pastor Mike Jr., Adam Blackstone & Friends, Melvin Crispell III and comedian NotKarltonBanks. Tickets for the Exodus Music and Arts festival are on sale through Live Nation with prices beginning at $39.95.
Last Words…
Kierra Sheard-Kelly and Husband Make Baby Announcement
In a recent People Magazine exclusive, gospel superstar Kierra Sheard-Kelly and her husband Jordan announced to the public the exciting news of their pregnancy. The couple, who first wed in 2020 during the pandemic, celebrated their one-year anniversary in December 2021 with a full ceremony. The baby will be the first for Kierra, 35, and husband Jordan, 32. Kierra said in the interview “Getting on one accord helps create our love child and is growing us closer.” “I’ve downloaded faith-based books, prayed every morning over my womb and baby, and surrounded myself with a very supportive and prayerful community.” “As a result, we are here seeing our prayers answered. I’ve felt the presence of God in my womb, and it’s been one of the most promising moments I’ve had in my life.
