Stellar Awards 2020 Recap and Highlights

The Stellar Awards went virtual this year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The show was interesting. Although it was virtual, it was still entertaining. My current thought do we want to go for more entertaining, or inspiring in the gospel music field now? I think a good mix of both is good. But I would definitely say keep the good news main thing, the main thing!

The show was hosted by Jonathan McReynolds, Koryn Hawthorne, and Kirk Franklin.

Some people definitely had an issue with Koryn Hawthorne's shoulder being out. Throughout the wardrobe changes it seems that the right shoulder was wanting to get it's shine. It was out in like in every outfit. I personally don't have a big issue with that it was out but just that whole blue pantsuit outfit bothered me. who put this together where was the fashion? I personally didn't get it. It looked like it was uncomfortable.

Going forward into the show there was a nice plug added from State Farm to introduce the song of the year which "Deliver Me" featuring Leandria Johnson definitely was.

• I love that the show had a spotlight on health awareness by visiting the medical centers and honoring first responders during this crisis. 

• Anthony Brown's performance was good. It was powerful, clean and visually appealing

• JJ Hairston was a good choice to win the award that he did! Bishop William Murphy would have been a good choice as well to win in that category.

• Very pleased with Leandria Johnson Winning for "Deliver Me".

• Great tribute to rep John Lewis from Cece Winans! Bernice King had a powerful prayer that's featured on out YouTube page.

• Marvin Sapp's Performance had a good quality.

• Jonathan McReynolds on top of the roof was nice! Those people in the background of the performance were not social distancing though. maybe they were his family. I liked the song he performed. It was pure and sincere. Some gospel artists go for a more pop-ish sound and leave out "the oil" along the way.

• Was it a surprise that Pastor Mike Jr. Won Best New Artist?! I like him though! He has really sincere vibes.

• James Fortune "I am" is everything! That's my song! #TheStellars
• The Collaboration with Travis Greene and Doe was beautiful. Her voice is beautiful! Anything that doe is on is hot! More doe in 2020 please!

• Tamela Mann! Can we talk about how Tamela Mann did a whole movie production?! That was beautiful!

• Congrats to Tasha Cobbs for winning artist of the year!

• The Stellars made an effort and you can't blame them for that. They ended on a high note with the performance by JJ Hairston and Kiki Sheard.

Ultimately, however bad the fake background graphics were. It was The Stellar Awards own pivot in the midst of this Pandemic, so Kudos to them for that!

What were your thoughts on The Stellars this year? Leave your thoughts in the comment section and connect with us @BOLDJournal on all platforms.

35TH ANNIVERSARY STELLAR AWARDS VIRTUAL SPECIAL PREMIERING ON BET

Tonight, music fans, Gospel enthusiasts and anyone looking for a little inspiration can tune into the highly-anticipated 35th Anniversary Stellar Gospel Music Awards premiering on BET and BET Her as a two-hour virtual special on Sunday, August 23 at 6 p.m. ET/5C (with an encore at 9 p.m. ET). The award show will also run in national broadcast syndication in 210 markets starting August 29 – September 27 (check local listings).

Serving as hosts, the award-winning trio of Kirk Franklin, Jonathan McReynolds and Koryn Hawthorne artfully guide viewers through the virtual salute to 35 years of excellence as "The Greatest Night in Gospel Music" with inspirational performances from Gospel music's most celebrated artists. Filmed from various locations, the pre-taped special acknowledges all award winners from the "Road to Stellars" pre-show and the main show, with select categories being presented in the broadcast.

One of the evening's highlights will feature special segments honoring the late Congressman John Lewis with a musical tribute by Cece Winans and contributions of first responder heroes on the front lines of the battle against the Coronavirus pandemic, sponsored by AT&T,  AARP, State Farm, Toyota, and Proctor & Gamble. As part of the tribute, hosts Franklin, McReynolds and Hawthorne visited frontline workers and presented special Stellar Awards lapel pins in recognition of their service at MeHarry Medical College in Nashville, TN; Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago, IL; and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, TX. In addition, several individuals were highlighted for their efforts to combat the deadly pandemic: Dr. Angela Mosby of Los Angeles, CA for her work at UCLA Urgent Care in the area of Telemedicine; Dr. Michele Reed of Queens NY, a family medicine practitioner who contracted and recovered from COVID-19 while serving others; and Dr. Leon McDougle, the 121st President of the National Medical Association who also serves as a member of the NCAA Coronavirus Panel and Chief Diversity Officer of OSU Medical School. Two organizations have also been noted for their work to combat the devastating effects of COVID-19 on communities of color, the National Urban League and the National Medical Association.

"This is a moment to come together," said veteran Stellar Awards co-host Kirk Franklin. "We have something very important to say to a world that needs this kind of music, with this particular message, now more than ever. The Stellar Awards is going to provide that as they have for 35 years."

Performers include Tamela Mann, Anthony Brown, CeCe Winans, James Fortune, Koryn Hawthorne, J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, Jonathan McReynolds, Travis Greene, Kierra Sheard, Marvin Sapp, Tye Tribbett, Tauren Wells, Zacardi Cortez, Pastor Mike Jr, DOE, Rich Tolbert Jr., and more. Emerging artists set to make their Stellar Awards debut include Group Fire, Keyla Richardson, Melvin Crispell III, and Titus Showers.

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. Previously announced nominees for the 2020 Stellar Awards include veteran Gospel collective Donald Lawrence Presents The Tri-City Singers, who leads the field of nominees with nine nominations. Other top nominees include Gospel icon and Stellar Awards Host, Kirk Franklin and powerhouse singer, producer and performer Tasha Cobbs Leonard with eight nominations each; JJ Hairston (7 Nominations), Bishop Paul S. Morton (6 Nominations), John P. Kee (5 Nominations), Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers (4 Nominations), William Murphy (4 Nominations), Pastor Mike, Jr. (4 Nominations), Maranda Curtis (3 Nominations), and Fresh Start Worship (3 Nominations) round out the field of top nominated artists. For the complete list of the 35th Anniversary Stellar Gospel Music Awards nominees, please visit www.thestellarawards.com. 

Stellar Awards Officially Postponed Due To Coronavirus News

Don Jackson, The CEO of Central City Productions, the company that produces The Stellar Awards officially announced that the show is now postponed. The official notice from Jackson read that the new date for the event would be announced soon.

Central City shared that it would be postponed effectively until Summer 2020. Also included in the notice were actions that communities could take to prepare and stay healthy.

Credit: Stellar Gospel Music Awards

The official update from The Company is shared below:

March 12, 2020 - The Stellar Awards 35^th Anniversary Show 2020 in partnership with the Orleans Hotel and Arena wishes to ensure that the safety of all show guests and participants is the highest priority. In light of recent news and the declaration of the COVID-19 crisis as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), we have decided to postpone the production of the 35^th Annual Stellars Gospel Music Awards.

 It is important that we all take this matter seriously and do our part to respect the guidelines in place limiting large social gatherings to combat the community spread of this virus.  We must adhere to the social distancing measures put into place and continue to remain vigilant about following all possible recommendations carefully, while remaining steadfast in our faith. For more info, please go to the CDC Website.  

Effective immediately, the Stellar Gospel Music Awards 35^th Anniversary Show and events are postponed until Summer of 2020. Please follow our accounts on social media @thestellars and check our website www.stellarawards.com for updates from Central City Productions. We will continue to closely monitor the situation to determine the best time to reschedule the event. It is our hope that with quick community action, we can do our part toward the solution of this global problem. Everyone has a role to play in getting ready and staying healthy.

• Individuals and communities should familiarize themselves with recommendations to protect themselves and their communities from getting and spreading respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.

• Older people and people with severe chronic conditions should take special precautions because they are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. They should limit travel and should not attend large gatherings unless it is essential.

• Help reduce the spread of rumors. Let people know that viruses cannot target people from specific populations, ethnicities, or racial backgrounds. Being of Asian descent does not increase the chance of getting or spreading COVID-19.

• Fight stigma and fear by supporting people who may be coming back to school or work after traveling internationally or completing a quarantine or isolation period for COVID-19. 

 We encourage our families to continue to keep the mission of the Gospel community at heart and support each other with prayer and responsible preparation through this trying time.

We thank everyone for 35 years of support of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards and we look forward to safely celebrating this special milestone with everyone this Summer! Don Jackson, CEOCentral City Productions

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