2022 Stellar Award Winners
The 37th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards have concluded their weeklong events with a live-taped ceremony held on Saturday, July 16, at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia. The ceremony was hosted Jekalyn Carr and Kierra Sheard, making it was the first time the awards were hosted by two females. Pastor Mike, Jr. who received eight nominations led the list of winners with a total of six Stellar Awards, including Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, and Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year, as well as Album of the Year for I Got It: Single’s Ministry Vol. 1. CeCe Winans who was this year’s forerunner with nine nominations won three Stellar Awards, including Producer of the Year, Praise and Worship Album of the Year, and Praise and Worship Song of the Year for the album Believe For It. Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music received three awards for their collaboration, Jonny x Mali: Live in L.A. including Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, and Special Event Album of the Year. Other notable wins include Pastor E. Dewey Smithwho received his first Stellar Award as this year’s Best New Artist of Year for his 2021 albums God Period and Let Praises Ring. The Stellar Awards’ premiere will air on Sunday, August 7 at 8 PM ET/PTon BET Networks.
Florida Churches File Lawsuit to Leave UMC
In Florida, over 100+ churches have formed a collective to file a lawsuit to leave the United Methodist Church on the heels of the 70 conservative churches from Georgia who departed in June. The main reason for the disagreements is over the stance of some United Methodist clergyperson who have supported performing marriages for LGBTQ couples and the ordination of LGBTQ people as clergy in the church. Those 106 Florida churches are suing to leave the denomination and take their property with them, according to the suit that alleges that the church leadership is not abiding by the church’s Book of Discipline. It is anticipated that several more similar lawsuits and legal battles may be pending for the UMC that currently has 6.3 million members in the U.S. and 6.5 million overseas.
Super Friends Praise Fest
State Farm Arena will be to the biggest gospel concert of 2022. The Super Friends Praise Festwill feature an all-star lineup concert on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at the State Farm Arena. The list of artists set to perform include Yolanda Adams, Erica Campbell, Jekalyn Carr, Marvin Sapp, Keke Wyatt, Fred Hammond, Tye Tribbett, Travis Greene, Le’Andria Johnson, Keyondra Lockett,Bishop Cortez Vaughn and more. Pastor Jamal Bryant is set to make a special appearance at the show that will be hosted by Lexi Allen and Anna C. Douglas.
Gospel Industry Network 2022
The Gospel Industry Network (G.I.N.) held its first annual Gospel Industry Network Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay in Miami, FL Sunday, July 17th through Thursday, July 21, 2022. The conference includes artist showcase and daily workshops and panel discussions created to pair gospel music industry leaders with brand marketers, influencers, music executives, songwriters, producers, artists, publicists, promoters, radio announcers and television hosts with the intention of understanding and navigating the evolution of Gospel music. “We are offering everyone a seat at the table to be seen and heard,” says G.I.N. President Bishop Kenneth Wells. The inaugural conference also offers attendees the opportunity to immerse themselves in the ins-and-outs of the industry.
Central City Productions Announces the Launch of Stellar TV
During the 37th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards in Atlanta on Saturday, July 16th, Don Jackson the CEO and Founder of Central City Productions announced the launch of the Stellar TV network, set to premiere in fourth quarter of 2022. Central City Productions, the oldest Black-owned and operated television production company in the country is the creator of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, the longest-airing Black ad-supported awards show on television featuring the best in gospel music, plus programs such as Black Music Honors, Black College Quiz, America’s Black Forum, Mentoring Kings, Mentoring Queens, Family Night, and many others. The network’s owned and operated library of 50 years with more than 5,000 hours of family-friendly entertainment. The Stellar TV launch will be hosted by Marc Morial, President, and CEO of the National Urban League. Stellar TV programming will include exclusive original content along with its annual and quarterly flagship specials.
