Gospel Music Award Nominees Announced

 NASHVILLE, TN -- Signaling the countdown to Gospel music's biggest night of the year, the Stellar Gospel Music Awards returned to Music City with a first-ever special one-hour live telecast of this year's nominations, "The Stellar Awards Nomination Concert and Announcements Hosted by Donnie McClurkin" on Atlanta-based GMC Network. A special encore telecast is slated to air tonight at Midnight (EST)/11PM (CST). Nominees for the 26th Annual Stellar Awards show were announced at Nashville's Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

With nominations revealed in twenty-seven categories, emerging Gospel music powerhouse James Fortune led this year's nominees, earning an impressive ten nods, with seven of those for his collaboration with choir Fiya (James Fortune & Fiya). Veteran superstars BeBe & CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond and Marvin Sapp also drew seven nominations each. In addition, Bebe and Cece Winans received three solo nominations.

The live announcement show was led by this year's Stellar Awards host, ten-time Stellar Award and three-time Grammy award-winning Gospel legend Donnie McClurkin. The one-of-a-kind telecast featured an exciting mix of presentations and powerful musical performances by two-time 2011 nominee Lucinda Moore (Fire Baptised), Joe Pace (And We are Glad), Jessica Reedy (God Has Smiled on Me), VaShawn Mitchell (Nobody Greater) and Bishop Neal Roberson (I Believe). A special pre-show presentation was hosted by Nashville Weekend TV News Anchor Jonathan Martin (NBC's WSMV-TV).

Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones was on hand to announce several special honors being bestowed upon individuals whose names are synonymous with greatness in the Gospel arena during this year's Stellar Awards ceremony such as Kirk Franklin, who will be recognized with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award; Vanessa Bell Armstrong who is receiving the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award; and Donald Lawrence, who will receive the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award, for their historical contributions to the industry. It was also announced that the "Female Vocalist of the Year" award is renamed in honor of the legendary ‘Queen' of Gospel music Albertina Walker, who recently passed on. Other special categories were also revealed, highlighting the top radio stations serving urban Gospel music audiences.

Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. (CCP) has produced The Stellar Gospel Music Awards for 25 years. The first show was taped at the Arie Crown Theatre in Chicago and The Stellar Awards has since evolved into a premier Gospel event recognizing and honoring African American artists. An original awards show, it has propelled and showcased top Gospel artists and countless television and film stars. The ever-expanding roster of celebrity appearances on the Stellar Awards has included such notable personalities as Lou Gossett, Jr., Oprah Winfrey, The Winans, Clifton Davis, Yolanda Adams, Vicki Winans, Tyler Perry, Aretha Franklin, Idris Alba, Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker and countless others.

Central City founder/Chairman Don Jackson stated, "I was extremely pleased with the successful outcome of our first-ever live nominee announcement on the GMC television network. The live 1-hour special with performances from some of the top upcoming gospel music stars contributed greatly to the energy of the nominations program. And Pastor Donnie McClurkin was a spectacular host."

The 2011 Stellar Awards Nominees are:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, STILL, B&C/MALACO
- FRED HAMMOND, LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
- MARVIN SAPP, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

SONG OF THE YEAR
- BEBE WINANS, CLOSE TO YOU – STILL, B&C/MALACO
- FRED HAMMOND, CALVIN RODGERS, PHILLIP FEASTER, ERICKA WARREN, MICHAEL BETHANY, & DYNNA WELLS, THEY THAT WAIT - LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- JAMES FORTUNE, C. FORTUNE, & T. VAUGHN, ENCORE – ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
- MARVIN SAPP, THE BEST IN ME - HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- BYRON CAGE, FAITHFUL TO BELIEVE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- FRED HAMMOND, LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- J MOSS, JUST JAMES, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- MARVIN SAPP, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR* (*renamed in 2011)
- CECE WINANS, STILL, B&C/MALACO
- KAREN CLARK SHEARD, ALL IN ONE, KAREW RECORDS
- LUCINDA MOORE, BLESSED, BROKEN & GIVEN, TYSCOT RECORDS/JOYFULA RECORDS
- TAMELA MANN, THE MASTER PLAN, TILLYMANN MUSIC

GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, STILL, B&C/MALACO
- FOREVER JONES, GET READY, EMI GOSPEL
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
- THE ANOINTED PACE SISTERS, ACCESS GRANTED, TYSCOT RECORDS

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- FOREVER JONES, GET READY, EMI GOSPEL
- KRISTINA HALLOWAY, FREE, SERUM/PSALMS GROUP UNIVERSAL MUSIC CHRISTIAN GROUP
- TRAVIS GREENE, STRETCHING OUT, PENDULUM RECORDS, LLC
- VICTORY CATHEDRAL CHOIR, SMOKIE NORFUL PRESENTS VICTORY CATHEDRAL CHOIR, TREMYLES MUSIC/EMI GOSPEL

CD OF THE YEAR
- FRED HAMMOND, LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- J MOSS, JUST JAMES, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA,ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
- MARVIN SAPP, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- BROOKLYN TABERNACLE CHOIR, DECLARE YOUR NAME, INTERGRITY/COLUMBIA
- JAMES HALL & VOICES OF CITADEL, WON'T IT BE WONDERFUL, MUSIC BLEND
- VICTORY CATHEDRAL CHOIR, SMOKIE NORFUL PRESENTS VICTORY CATHEDRAL CHOIR, TREMYLES MUSIC/EMI GOSPEL
- WILMINGTON CHESTER MASS CHOIR, HE'S BEEN GOOD, EMTRO GOSPEL

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
- AARON LINDSEY, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- DONALD LAWRENCE, THE EXPERIENCE, EMI GOSPEL
- FRED HAMMOND, LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- JAMES FORTUNE, TERRANCE VAUGHN & AYRON LEWIS, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE

CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, STILL, B&C/MALACO
- FOREVER JONES, GET READY, EMI GOSPEL
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
- TRIN-I-TEE 5:7, LOVE, PEACE, JOY AT CHRISTMAS, MUSIC WORLD GOSPEL

TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
- JAMES GREER & COMPANY, DON'T WASTE ANOTHER DAY, HABBAKUK MUSIC
- THE ANOINTED PACE SISTERS, ACCESS GRANTED, TYSCOT RECORDS
- THE CHRISTIAN ANGELS, BRING IT TO THE ALTAR, 4 WINDS/MALACO
- THE MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY, AT THE REVIVAL, EMI GOSPEL

CONTEMPORARY MALE OF THE YEAR
- BYRON CAGE, FAITHFUL TO BELIEVE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- FRED HAMMOND, LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- J MOSS, JUST JAMES, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- JAMES FORTUNE, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE

TRADITIONAL MALE OF THE YEAR
- ALVIN DARLING, YOU CAN MAKE IT, EMTRO GOSPEL
- DARRELL HINES, DARRELL HINES LIVE, WHITE CANVAS RECORDS
- MARVIN SAPP, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- MARVIN WINANS, TRIBUTE TO BISHOP G.E. PATTERSON, WORLD CLASS GOSPEL

CONTEMPORARY FEMALE OF THE YEAR
- CECE WINANS, STILL, B&C/MALACO
- KAREN CLARK SHEARD, ALL IN ONE, KAREW RECORDS
- LISA PAGE BROOKS, STRONG, HABBAKUK MUSIC
- TAMELA MANN, THE MASTER PLAN, TILLYMANN MUSIC

TRADITIONAL FEMALE OF THE YEAR
- FREDERICKA FAISON, BRING IT TO THE ALTAR, 4 WINDS/MALACO
- LUCINDA MOORE, BLESSED, BROKEN & GIVEN, TYSCOT RECORDS/JOYFULA RECORDS
- SHIRLEY CAESAR, A CITY CALLED HEAVEN, SHUBEL/LIGHT RECORDS
- VANESSA BELL ARMSTRONG, THE EXPERIENCE, EMI GOSPEL

CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, STILL, B&C/MALACO
- FRED HAMMOND, LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- J MOSS, JUST JAMES, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE

TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
- JAMES HALL & VOICES OF CITADEL, WON'T IT BE WONDERFUL, MUSIC BLEND
- MARVIN SAPP, HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- SHIRLEY CAESAR, A CITY CALLED HEAVEN, SHUBEL/LIGHT RECORDS
- VANESSA BELL ARMSTRONG, THE EXPERIENCE, EMI GOSPEL

URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, CLOSE TO YOU - STILL, B&C/MALACO
- FOREVER JONES, HE WANTS IT ALL - GET READY, EMI GOSPEL
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, ENCORE - ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
- MARVIN SAPP, THE BEST IN ME - HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, CLOSE TO YOU - STILL, B&C/MALACO
- KIRK WHALUM FEATURING KEVIN WHALUM & LALAH HATHAWAY, MAKE ME A BELIEVER - THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JAZZ CHAPTER III, TOP DRAWER/RENDEZVOUS
- SHIRLEY CAESAR, PLAYGROUND IN HEAVEN - A CITY CALLED HEAVEN, SHUBEL/LIGHT RECORDS
- THE ANOINTED PACE SISTERS, IF I BE LIFTED UP - ACCESS GRANTED, TYSCOT RECORDS

TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- BROOKLYN TABERNACLE CHOIR, DECLARE YOUR NAME, INTERGRITY/COLUMBIA
- JAMES HALL & VOICES OF CITADEL, WON'T IT BE WONDERFUL, MUSIC BLEND
- VICTORY CATHEDRAL CHOIR, SMOKIE NORFUL PRESENTS VICTORY CATHEDRAL CHOIR, TREMYLES MUSIC/EMI GOSPEL
- WILMINGTON CHESTER MASS CHOIR, HE'S BEEN GOOD, EMTRO GOSPEL

CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- GOD'S LITTLE SOLDIERS INTERNATIONAL, SOLDIER STORY, MOTOR CITY PRAISE/DETROIT INTERNATIONAL RECORDS
- MYRON BUTLER & LEVI, REVEALED LIVE IN DALLAS, EMI GOSPEL
- YOUTH FOR CHRIST, THANKS IN ADVANCE, EMTRO GOSPEL
- YOUTHFUL PRAISE FEATURING JJ HAIRSTON, RESTING ON HIS PROMISE, EVIDENCE GOSPEL/LIGHT RECORDS

SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
- BEBE & CECE WINANS, STILL, B&C/MALACO
- KIRK FRANKLIN, ARE YOU LISTENING, GOSPOCENTRIC/VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- VARIOUS ARTISTS, COCO BROTHER LIVE PRESENTS STAND 2010, TYSCOT RECORDS
- VARIOUS ARTISTS, WOW GOSPEL 2010, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR
- DJ OFFICIAL, ENTERMISSION, REACH RECORDS
- EVERYDAY PROCESS, OUTTADISWORLD, CROSS MOVEMENT RECORDS
- SHO BARAKA, LIONS & LIARS, REACH RECORDS
- TRIP LEE, BETWEEN TWO WORLDS, REACH RECORDS

CHILDRENS PROJECT OF THE YEAR
- GOD'S LITTLE SOLDIERS INTERNATIONAL, SOLDIER STORY, MOTOR CITY PRAISE/DETROIT INTERNATIONAL RECORDS
- KINGDOM KIDS WORLDWIDE, KINGDOM KIDS WORLDWIDE VOLUME 1, HEADSTRATE ENTERTAINMENT
- THE VELASQUEZ FAMILY SINGERS, WHILE WE STILL HAVE TIME, Z.A.V.E. RECORDS
- YOUTH FOR CHRIST, THANKS IN ADVANCE, EMTRO GOSPEL

QUARTET OF THE YEAR
- REV. F.C. BARNES & COMPANY, THE OLD TIME WAY, AIR GOSPEL/MALACO
- THE CHRISTIAN ANGELS, BRING IT TO THE ALTAR, 4 WINDS/MALACO
- THE GOLDEN WINGS QUARTET, KEEP BLESSING ME, 4 WINDS/MALACO
- THE MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY, AT THE REVIVAL, EMI GOSPEL

RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
- CAMERON HILSON & MARK NEUBAUER, FOREVER JONES - GET READY, EMI GOSPEL
- DENISE TROTMAN & MARVIN SAPP - HERE I AM, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP
- DEREK BLANKS & KEN BARBOZA, BEBE & CECE WINANS – STILL, B&C/MALACO
- JEFF GILLIGAN, FRED HAMMOND - LOVE UNSTOPPABLE, VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP

PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR
- DARWIN HOBBS, DARWIN HOBBS LIVE: CHAMPION, IMAGO DEI
- JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, ENCORE, BLACKSMOKE MUSIC WORLDWIDE
- PHIL TARVER, PLACE OF WORSHIP, KINGDOM RECORDS, INC.
- THE ANOINTED PACE SISTERS, ACCESS GRANTED, TYSCOT RECORDS

SPECIAL AWARDS -- HONOREES/NOMINEES

THOMAS A. DORSEY MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREE
KIRK FRANKLIN

AMBASSADOR DR. BOBBY JONES LEGEND AWARD HONOREE
VANESSA BELL ARMSTRONG

JAMES CLEVELAND LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREE
DONALD LAWRENCE

SMALL MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
- WHLW-FM 104.3, Montgomery, AL
- WFMV-FM 95.3, Columbia, SC
- KOKA-AM 980, Shreveport, LA
- WSOK-AM 1230, Savannah, GA

MEDIUM MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
- KPZK-FM 102.5, Little Rock, AR
- WJYD-FM 106.3, Columbus, OH
- WCGL-AM 1360, Jacksonville, FL
- WRJD-AM 1410, Durham, NC

LARGE MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
- WFMI-FM 100.9, Virginia Beach, VI
- WBBP-AM 1480, Memphis, TN
- WJMO-AM 1300, Cleveland, OH
- WCAO-AM 600, Baltimore, MD

MAJOR MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
- WPPZ PRAISE 103.9, Philadelphia, PA
- WGRB-AM 1390, Chicago, IL
- WEXL-AM 1340, Detroit, MI
- KHVN-AM 970, Dallas, TX