The nominations for the 25th Annual Stellar Awards were announced last week. The show will take place at Nashville’s famed Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, January 16, 2010. Hosts for this year’s ceremony are Kirk Franklin, Vickie Winans and Donnie McClurkin.
The Stellar Awards are the premiere Gospel event recognizing the best African American artists.
The nominees for the 2010 Stellar Awards are:

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
Song of the Year (Songwriter; Song – Album; Label)
Donald Lawrence- “Back II Eden” – The Law of Confession Part 1
Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship-“I Am Souled Out”- Souled Out
Mary, Mary- “God in Me” – The Sound
Vickie Winans- “How I Got Over” – How I Got Over
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
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
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
Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year (Artist; Song – Album; Label)
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
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
Praise and Worship 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
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.
Further information about this year’s show, including ticket sales and a full list of this year’s nominees can be found at the Stellar Awards website.
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