As the Stellar Gospel Music Awards prepares to head to North Carolina this August, one of gospel music’s longest-running independent institutions is coming into the moment with significant recognition. Tyscot Records announces it is marking its 50th anniversary with 19 nominations tied to its affiliated artists at the upcoming 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The recognition spans multiple categories and reflects a wide range of projects across the label’s roster during its milestone year.
The timing carries added visibility as the awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Charlotte. Among the most nominated projects is Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee, Vol. 1 by North Carolina’s own John P. Kee, which earned seven nominations, including the categories of Special Event Album of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. Kee’s nominations follow an active year that included a nationally broadcast performance on NPR Tiny Desk Concerts.
Also earning seven nominations is Heart of Mine, the collaborative album from Darrel Walls and PJ Morton (Gumbo Studios/Tyscot). The album, which previously received a Grammy, is nominated in several top categories, including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year. Its Billboard Top Ten single “Able,” featuring Kim Burrell, earned a nomination for Song of the Year. Morton also received individual recognition with nominations for Producer of the Year and Recorded Music Packaging of the Year for his design work on the project.
Veteran artist Deitrick Haddon and his Voices of Unity choir earned three nominations for ChainBreaker 2.5, which commemorates the 25th anniversary of Haddon’s 2000 release Chain Breaker. The project is also nominated for Music Video of the Year for the acoustic track “Find Jesus.”
Additional nominations highlight collaborative and ensemble work across the label’s roster. Choirmaster Jason Clayborn received nominations for “Whatever It Is,” his collaboration with Melvin Crispell III, in the Duo/Chorus of the Year and Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year categories. Meanwhile, Baltimore-based Brandon Camphor and his group Brandon Camphor & One Way were nominated for Best Traditional Duo/Chorus Gospel Performance, continuing the ensemble’s momentum following its first Stellar win last year.
The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will be taped live on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.