THE 34TH STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS
PRESENTS INAUGURAL ARETHA FRANKLIN ICON AWARD TO
QUEEN OF SOUL’S FAMILY WITH TRIBUTE PERFORMANCE BY
ERICA CAMPBELL, KELLY PRICE & REGINA BELLE
The Biggest Night in Gospel Music Premieres on
BET Easter Sunday, April 21st at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT
Top Winner Jonathan McReynolds Takes Home Eight Stellar Awards
Performances by Host Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, Brian Courtney Wilson, Koryn Hawthorne, Todd Dulaney, Charles Jenkins and Jekalyn Carr
Jonathan McReynolds performs "Not Lucky, I'm Loved"
NEWS SOURCE: Cr8 Agency April 15, 2019
(Las Vegas, NV) - April 15, 2019 –The 34 th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will premiere on BET Network on Easter Sunday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT. Produced by Central City Productions, the biggest night in gospel music, hosted by Kirk Franklin, will be the key program for the networks family focused line-up for the day.
Taped live at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, NV, the stand-out highlight of the evening was an emotional tribute performance by Kelly Price, Erica Campbell and Regina Belle honoring the undisputed Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin . Family members of the late-legend Brenda Corbett, Jordan Franklin and Kecalf Franklin were presented with the inaugural Aretha Franklin ICON Award to give posthumous recognition of her profound impact on the Gospel music genre and unforgettable contributions.
The undeniable breakout winner of the annual show was performer Jonathan McReynolds , who swept the awards taking home eight Stellar Awards including AT&T Artist of the Year , State Farm Song of the Year , Male Vocalist of the Year , CD of the Year , Producer of the Year , Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year , Contemporary CD of the Year and Urban/Inspirational Performance of the Year . Jekalyn Carr received three awards for Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year and Traditional CD of the Year. The Walls Group were awarded twice as Duo/Chorus Group of the Year and Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year.
A special award presentation was also given to honor gospel legend Delores Washington Green of The Caravans with the Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award. Gospel star Yolanda Adams and Stellar Awards Founder, Chairman & CEO Don Jackson inducted James Robinson Jr. (Malaco Gospel), Jackie Patillo (GMA) and Phil Thornton (RCA Inspiration) into the Stellar Honors Hall of Fame.
This year’s sensational line-up of performances included an energetic opening number by Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin stirring the audience to their feet performing new music and a rousing medley by Phil Thompson, Kelontae Gavin and Maranda Curtis . Other performers included Brian Courtney Wilson , Koryn Hawthorne , Todd Dulaney , Charles Jenkins and Jekalyn Carr.
The show will continue to air around the country in broadcast syndication from April 27 through May 26 (check local listings). For more information visit us at www.thestellarawards.com
About Central City Productions
Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. produces and distributes original programming targeting African American audiences. CCP's award- winning television programs include the Black Music Honors, Stellar Tribute to the Holidays, The Black College Quiz Show Series, Mentoring Kings, Stellar Sunday, among many others. For more information, please visit www.stellartv.com.
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET's growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.
This Friday, September 5, 2025
ALBUMS A Life Aligned The Light That Failed To Cease (independent) Philip Anthony A League of My Own (ALOMO) - EP (independent) Josh Baldwin Full Grown Man, Vol. 1 - EP [Bethel] bodie NO SKIPS [Provident] Colony House 77 (Pt. 1) [LastDaze] Coqui LIVING 2 DIE - EP [DREAM] The Gray Havens This Is Not the End (independent) Forrest Frank CHILD OF GOD II (BACK TO BACK) DELUXE [River House]
SINGLES Bill B. GOD KNOW ft. TrigNO - Single [Syntax] Mark Bishop I'm Gonna Do What I Said I'd Do - Single [Sonlite] Brave Days Friendly Fire - Single (independent) CalledOut Music Adore You - Single [Integrity] Michael Carder Where Do I Go From Here - Single (independent) Charis Music Pressing Through (feat. Hailey Trevino) - Single [NWN] Darius Mullin & Dre Murray Cash & Burn - Single [Syntax] Kristene DiMarco Song for My Children - Single [Bethel] Amanda Janson Sinner to Saint - Single [Pure Mosaic] JSP It's Not Your Fault - Single (independent) Tae Lamar Vengeance II (feat. MotionPlus, Propaganda, and m1L) - Single [Polished Arrow] Patrick Mayberry Everlasting Arms - Single [Provident] No Vain Glory FLEX - Single [Syntax] Jemimah Paine Reason - Single [Integrated Music Rights] R.kitect Tha Deep End - Single [Syntax] Razzie & theprodigaljoe Man Make Plans - Single [Syntax] Saints in Exile My Mind is a Prison - Single [Syntax] Carly Ann Taylor Why Should I Worry (Remind Me Version) - Single [Curb] Jaci Velasquez, Evan Egerer ¡DALE! Praise - Single [Rixon] NEEDTOBREATHE Momma Loves Me (feat. The Red Clay Strays) - Single [Omnivore] Madison Watkins You Won't - Single [Provident] Wisenheart Well-Worn Door - Single (independent) Zahriya Zachary Shine n Me (feat. Edward Rivera) - Single [Bethel]
Next Friday, September 12, 2025
ALBUMS Jervis Campbell Good Grief! (independent) Demon Hunter There Was A Light Here [Weapons MFG] Roxanne Grace Try Again [DREAM] Ellie Holcomb Far Country [Capitol CMG] Sower Contemporary Christian Machine - EP (independent) twenty one pilots Breach [Fueled By Ramen] Phil Wickham Song of the Saints [Fair Trade]
SINGLES BASECAMP Under the Blood (feat. Knaladeus) - Single [Polished Arrow Music] Dan Bremnes Find Yourself - Single [Curb] Matt Hammitt Days God Gave - Single (independent) Amy Jay Margins - Single (independent) The Undertaking! Forever Remember - Single (independent)
Faith Child Collaborates with Gospel Icon Erica Campbell on New Single, "Wildfire"
A Life Aligned The Light That Failed To Cease (independent)
