Donald Lawrence and Vickie Winans Top the List with Nine Noms Each Followed by Hezekiah Walker

and Phillip Carter Tied with Six

Kierra “KiKi” Sheard Earns Five Nominations,

Mary, Mary and Crystal Aikin Pick Up Four Each

October 30, 2009 – Nashville , Tenn. –The nominees for the 25th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards were announced yesterday at the annual press conference held at the Sommet Center , Visitors Center in downtown Nashville , Tenn.  This year marks the Stellar Awards’ 25th Anniversary and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean took time out of his busy schedule to personally welcome the prestigious Awards Show back to Nashville to celebrate its 25th year.  The Show will return to Nashville for its 5th consecutive year and will be co-hosted this year by gospel veterans Vickie Winans, Donnie McClurkin and Kirk Franklin.

Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones, Don Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Central City Productions, and Tamela and David Mann, from the television show “Meet the Browns,” were on hand at the Stellar Awards press conference to announce the 2010 Stellar Award nominees.  Press conference attendees were also treated to a special soul-stirring performance from the award-winning Fisk Jubilee Singers.

This year’s list of nominees includes stars from every genre of gospel music including traditional, contemporary, urban and rap/hip-hop.  Tied at the top of the list with a phenomenal nine nominations each, are chart-topping gospel singers, Donald Lawrence and Vickie Winans.  They are both nominated in the “Artist of the Year,” “Song of the Year” and “CD of the Year” categories, to name a few.  Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship nab six noms and will compete with Vickie Winans and Donald Lawrence for Artist, Song and CD of the Year.  Tied with Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship are Phillip Carter & SOV with their 3rd CD, Songs from the Storm.

The ladies also have a strong presence this year with Kierra Sheard near the top of the list with five nominations, including one for, Silky Soul Music… A Tribute to Maze, her collaboration with The Clark Sisters and J. Moss.  “Sunday Best” winner Crystal Aikin and red hot contemporary duo Mary, Mary, both pick up four nominations, while newcomer’s Niyoki and Shari Addison earn three, along with competitors Smokie Norful, Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers, and Israel Houghton.

Gospel hip hop is always been controversial and this year’s line up is no exception.  The “Rap Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year” nominees for this year are: Da Truth, Dooney Da Priest, Lecrae, and Papa San..

Special Awards to be handed out at the 25th Anniversary Awards celebration will include the presentation of “The James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award” to Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s. “The Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award” will be bestowed upon the Mississippi Mass Choir for a decade of excellence, and Edwin Hawkins will be presented with this year’s “Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award,” celebrating his 40-plus year contribution to contemporary gospel.

The 25th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Show will be held, once again, at the historic Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on Saturday, January 16, 2010.  The show returns to Nashville for the 5th consecutive year and will be co-hosted by gospel veterans Vickie Winans, Donnie McClurkin and Kirk Franklin.  Performers and presenters will be announced at a later date.

The following is a complete list of nominees and categories for the 25th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards:

Category #1

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

-Donald Lawrence, The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity

-Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship, Souled Out, Verity Records

-Kierra Sheard, Bold Right Life, EMI Gospel

-Vickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

Category #2

SONG OF THE YEAR

-Donald Lawrence, “Back II Eden” – The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity

-Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship,   “I Am Souled Out”- Souled Out,   Verity Records

-Mary, Mary, “God in Me” – The Sound, Columbia

-Vickie Winans, “How I Got Over” – How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

Category #3

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

- Israel Houghton, The Power of One, Integrity Music

-Philip Carter, Songs from the Storm, Sounds of Victory Ministries LLC

-Smokie Norful, Smokie Norful Live, EMI Gospel

-Stephen Hurd, Times of Refreshing, Integrity Gospel

CATEGORY #4

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

-Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin, Verity Records

-Kierra Sheard, Bold Right Life, EMI Gospel

-Niyoki, Rest, D2G Records

-Vickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

CATEGORY #5

GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR

-Donald Lawrence, The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity

-Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, Just The Beginning,    Verity Records

-Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers, Experience The Evolution, Independent

-Mary, Mary, The Sound, Columbia

CATEGORY #6

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

-CoCo McMillan, I’ve Been Delivered, T Records

-Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin, Verity Records

-Kim Ruff, Ready To Live, MacKim Records

-Shari Addison, Shari Addison, Verity Records

CATEGORY #7

CD OF THE YEAR

-Donald Lawrence, The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity

-Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship, Souled Out, Verity Records

-Smokie Norful, Smokie Norful Live, EMI Gospel

-Vickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

CATEGORY #8

CHOIR OF THE YEAR

-Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship, Souled Out, Verity Records

-Joe Leavell & St. Stephen Temple Choir, God Is Able, Emtro Gospel

-Malcolm Williams & Great Faith, In Your Glory, Malcolm James Music

-Philip Carter & SOV, Songs from the Storm, Sounds of Victory Ministries LLC

CATEGORY #9

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

-Donald Lawrence & Daniel Weatherspoon, The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity

-Philip Carter and Michael Smith, Songs from the Storm, Sounds of Victory Ministries LLC

-Troy Sneed, Derrieux Edgecombe and Titus Robertson, In Due Season, Emtro Gospel

-Vickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

CATEGORY #10

CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR

-5AM Praise, The Beginning, Born Again Records

-Christopher Page and The Dream Keeper’s Ensemble, A Page From My Heart, Restoration Records

-Donald Lawrence, The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity

-Mary, Mary, The Sound, Columbia

CATEGORY #11

TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR

-Endurance, The Best of Endurance and More, SCCME Records

-Greg O’Quin & iPraize, After The Storm, Pendulum Records

-Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s, Fall On Me, MCG Records

-Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers, Experience The Evolution, Independent

CATEGORY #12

CONTEMPORARY MALE OF THE YEAR

- Darwin Hobbs , Free, Tyscot Records

-Earl Bynum, Open My Heart, Earl Bynum Ministries

-Smokie Norful, Smokie Norful Live, EMI Gospel

-Troy Sneed, In Due Season, Emtro Gospel

CATEGORY #13

TRADITIONAL MALE OF THE YEAR

-Bishop Paul S. Morton, Cry Your Last Tear, Light Records

-Donnie McClurkin, We All Are One (Live in Detroit ), Verity Records

-Malcolm Williams, In Your Glory, Malcolm James Music

-Philip Carter, Songs from the Storm, Sounds of Victory Ministries LLC

CATEGORY #14

CONTEMPORARY FEMALE OF THE YEAR

-Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin, Verity Records

-Kim Burrell, No Ways Tired, Shanachie Ent. Corp.

-Kierra Sheard, Bold Right Life, EMI Gospel

-Kim Ruff, Ready To Live, MacKim Records

CATEGORY #15

TRADITIONAL FEMALE OF THE YEAR

-Dorothy Norwood, 50 Years: It’s Been Worth It All, Malaco

-Dottie Peoples, Do It!, DP Muzik Group

-Shari Addison, Shari Addison, Verity Records

-Vickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

CATEGORY #16

CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR

-Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin, Verity Records

-Donald Lawrence, The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity

-Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship, Souled Out, Verity Records

-Kierra Sheard, Bold Right Life, EMI Gospel

CATEGORY #17

TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR

-Bishop Paul S. Morton & The FGBCF Mass Choir, Cry Your Last Tear, Light Records

-Malcolm Williams & Great Faith, In Your Glory, Malcolm James Music

-Philip Carter & SOV, Songs from the Storm, Sounds of Victory Ministries LLC

-Shari Addison, Shari Addison, Verity Records

CATEGORY #18

URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

-Donald Lawrence & Company, “Let the Word Do the Work”-The Law of Confession Part 1, Quiet Water/Verity

-Mary, Mary, “God in Me” – The Sound, Columbia

-Niyoki, “Joy”-Rest, D2G Records

-Vickie Winans, “How I Got Over”-How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

CATEGORY #19

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

-Dr. Bobby Jones presents Renee Spearman and Prez, Dr. Bobby Jones presents Renee Spearman and Prez, JDI Records

-Gerald Hinton, I’m On My Way, Davin Records

-Niyoki, Joy/Rest, D2G Records

-Vickie Winans, How I Got Over, Destiny Joy Records

CATEGORY #20

TRADTIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR

-Bishop Paul S. Morton & The FGBCF Mass Choir, Cry Your Last Tear, Light Records

-Joe Leavell & St. Stephen Temple Choir, God Is Able, Emtro Gospel

-Malcolm Williams & Great Faith, In Your Glory, Malcolm James Music

-Philip Carter & SOV, Songs from the Storm, Sounds of Victory Ministries LLC

CATEGORY #21

CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR

-Earl Bynum Ministries, Open My Heart, Earl Bynum Ministries

-Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship, Souled Out, Verity Records

-Mike McCoy & Voices United, Continue to Continue, Independent

-New Direction, Destiny, New Haven Records

CATEGORY #22

INSTRUMENTAL GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR

-Ben Tankard, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, Verity

-Daniel Weatherspoon, Official, Longlife Entertainment Inc.

-Derrick Scott – The Seed of Kenaniah, The Total Experience, SHONDO Records

-Mel Holder, Music Book Vol. 1, Psalmist Music Group

CATEGORY #23

SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR

-Dorothy Norwood, 50 Years: It’s Been Worth It All, Malaco

-Endurance, The Best of Endurance and More, SCCME Records

-Reverend Timothy Wright, The Godfather of Gospel, Savoy / Malaco

-The Clark Sisters, J. Moss and Kierra Sheard, Silky Soul Music… A Tribute to Maze, Barantera Music Group

CATEGORY #24

RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR

-Da’ T.R.U.T.H., The Big Picture, Cross Movement Records

-Dooney Da Priest, Pull Your Pants Up!, Malaco

-Lecrae, Rebel, Central South Dist.

-Papa San, Higher Heights, Habakkuk Music

CATEGORY #25

CHILDRENS PROJECT OF THE YEAR

-Eva Sabiniano featuring Alex Duncan, Born to Praise CD-2, Independent

-Pure N Heart (Children’s Choir), Pure-N-Heart Live, Music2ChangeU Records

-Rev. Dr. Emory Andrews and Oxon Hill High School Choir, Amazing, Yrome Records

-The Velazquez Family Singers, Family & Friends, Z.A.V.E. Records

CATEGORY #26

QUARTET OF THE YEAR

-Endurance, The Best of Endurance and More, SCCME Records

-Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s, Fall On Me, MCG Records

-Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers, Experience The Evolution, Independent

-The Soul Stirrers, A Soul Stirring Reunion , Malaco

CATEGORY #27

RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR

-Chris Fieldman, Deitrick Haddon – “Revealed”, Verity Records

-Denise Trotman, Donald Lawrence – “The Confession Part 1”, Quiet Water/Verity

Lucretia Knight, Vickie Winans – “How I Got Over”, Destiny Joy Records

Sam Noerr, BOERHAUS, Israel Houghton – “The Power of One”, Integrity Music

CATEGORY #28

PRAISE AND WORHSIP CD OF THE YEAR

- Israel Houghton, The Power of One, Integrity Music

-Kathy Taylor, Live: The Worship Experience, Tyscot Records and Katco Music Group

-Micah Stampley, Ransomed, Interface

-Stephen Hurd, Times of Refreshing, Integrity Gospel

ABOUT CENTRAL CITY PRODUCTIONS

The Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. (CCP) produces the Stellar Gospel Music Awards.  It has been 24 years since the first awards show was taped at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago , and the Stellar Awards has now become the premier Gospel event that recognizes and honors African American artists. This one of a kind award show has showcased top Gospel artists and many television and film stars.

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson, produced by Barbara Wilson for Central City Productions. Michael Johnson will direct this year’s award show, and Jennifer Jackson is the Executive in Charge of production. Erma Gray Davis is the President and Chief Operations Officer of Central City Productions. Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, Chicago-based Central City Productions is a distributor of original programming to television and cable networks.

Dr. Bobby Jones, the host of BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel Hour, will host a benefit concert Nov. 14 in Richmond, Virginia ,according to Gospelflava.com.

The First Annual Gospel Choir Competition benefit concert is designed to assist in building transition homes for the homeless.

Participants include Stephen Hurd, Phillip Carter and SOV, Kendall King and Bryan Wilson.

The concert is the precursor to the annual Gospel Choir competition to name the best choir in the country. And it will be judged by members of the Nashville Super Choir.

The multiple Stellar award winner and Grammy award nominee  has just released his new CD entitled “Faithful to Believe.” Recorded in Detroit, the lead single and title tune is high energy praise.

Guest artists on the  CD include Tye Tribbett, Karen Clark Sheard and Marvin Winans.

Atlanta native and hip-hop favorite Canton Jones returns with his latest release Kingdome Business 2.

This album is the sequel to Kingdom Business, which produced the hits “Hater Day” and “My Day.

According to Gospelflava.com, Jones won four Stellar award nominations for work on his last CD. This new project, which is recorded with members of the CAJO (Canton Jones) Family is in stores now.

His first album, 20 Years, 3 Months & 12 Days, came in 2003, and one year later he completed The Password. His breakthrough came in the summer of 2005 with the release of Love Jones, which made its debut on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart at No. 11.

As people start to turn their attention towards the holiday season, the CD entitled GOTTA HAVE GOSPEL! CHRISTMAS will be released on Oct. 20, 2009.

Fifteen of today’s brightest and most renowned gospel artists lend their voices in celebration of the birth of Christ — the real reason for the season.

According to RocSpace News, this compilation includes all the yuletide standards and classics performed by gospel’s biggest stars.

They include Donnie McClurkin’s “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” Mary Mary’s “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” Fred Hammond’s “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” Yolanda Adams’ “Little Drummer Boy,” Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers’ “Carol of the Bells,” and Martha Munizzi’s “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”

Marvin Sapp is set to record the follow-up to his runaway hit Thirsty, and fans around the world are invited to the concert as it is streamed live over the web at www.verityrecords.com.

Those viewing the stream also will be the first to see one-on-one interviews with Sapp, Aaron Lindsey and others involved with the recording.

In addition to viewing the live concert, fans will be invited into the Marvin Sapp Recording chat room for an interactive experience during the recording that will include special contests throughout the evening, including the opportunity to win Marvin Sapp’s entire catalogue and a call from Sapp himself immediately following the recording.

Fans logged into the live stream can text to purchase a ring tone of one of the evening’s amazing songs – “I Came” – during the recording. The event will take place Friday, Oct. 16th and will begin with an exclusive pre-show at 6:30 p.m. EST. Aaron Lindsey will produce the show and Myron Butler will serve as director.