How exciting, fantastic and memorial the 35th Annual Stellar Award was, as it was premiered on Sunday, 23rd of August. Not even this parading pandemic, COVID -19 could even stop the excitement of praising and worshipping God through this event.
Led by hosts Kirk Franklin, Jonathan McReynolds, and Koryn Hawthorne on BET channel. The event welcomed the Founder and Executive Producer of Stellar Gospel Music Awards (SGMA) Don Jackson and fantastic performance by Tye Tribbett on his cover of “We Gonna Be Alright”.
The event brought about the inspiration and hope the world and American have longed for this year of tears and fear.
According to BET, Virtually bringing together the nation’s Gospel community to offer hope and inspiration during these turbulent times, among the evening’s highlights are a moving tribute to the late Congressman John Lewis by CeCe Winans, who performed “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and special recognition to COVID-19 first responder heroes.
Kirk Franklin and Tasha Cobbs Leonard were among the highest winners, one can say that the night was meant for them.
Here are the highlights of the winners of SGMA 2020:
Artist of the year and contemporary female vocalist of the year: Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Heart. Passion. Pursuit (Live at Passion City Church) (Motown Gospel)
Album of the year, contemporary album of the year, male vocalist of the year and contemporary male vocalist of the year: Kirk Franklin, Long Live Love: (Fo Yo Soul/RCA/RCA Inspiration)
Traditional album of the year, traditional male vocalist of the year and traditional choir of the year: John P. Kee, I Made It Out (Entertainment One)
Albertina Walker female vocalist of the year and traditional female vocalist of the year: Le’Andria Johnson, Goshen (RCA Inspiration)
Duo/chorus group of the year and contemporary duo/chorus group of the year: The Walls Group, Friend in Me (Wall2Wall Entertainment/My Block Records)
New artist of the year and rap hip hop gospel album of the year: Pastor Mike Jr., Live Free (Black Smoke Worldwide)
Choir of the year and contemporary choir of the year: Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers, Goshen (RCA Inspiration)
Song of the year: “Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus),” Donald Lawrence, William Stokes, Marshon Lewis, Robert Woolridge & Desmond Davis (RCA Inspiration)
Producer of the year: Kirk Franklin, Ronald Hill & Phil Thornton, Long Live Love (Fo Yo Soul/RCA/RCA Inspiration)
Traditional duo/chorus group of the year: Kurt Carr & the Kurt Carr Singers, Bless Somebody Else (Kurt Carr Gospel/RCA Inspiration)
Urban/inspirational single or performance of the year: Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers, “Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus)” (RCA Inspiration)
Praise and worship album of the year: JJ Hairston, Miracle Worker (JamesTown Music/Entertainment One)
Recorded music packaging of the year: Derek Blanks. Bless Somebody Else (Kurt Carr Gospel, RCA Inspiration)
Youth project of the year: Gospel Kids, Gospel Kids Present…Christian Soldiers (Tyscot Records)
Instrumental album of the year: Ben Tankard, Rise! (BEN-Jamin’ Universal Music)
Special event album of the year: Various Artists, Greenleaf: Season 3 (Music from the Original TV Series) (Lionsgate Entertainment)
Music video of the year: Matt DeLisi, “Love Theory” (Fo Yo Soul/RCA/RCA Inspiration)
Small market of the year: WJAY 98.3 FM & 1280 AM, Mullins
Internet station of the year: U Gospel, http://uGospel.com
Gospel announcer of the year: Meta Washington, Sirius XM, Satellite Radio
Major market of the year: WPZE Praise 102.5, Atlanta
Large market of the year: WPZS Praise 100.9 FM, Charlotte
Medium market of the year: WXHL 89.1, Wilmington
Quartet of the year: Keith Wonderboy Johnson & Josh Myles, Inspirational Project (Timeless Music)