VaShawn Mitchell wins big at Stellars (Complete List of 2012 Winners)

Photo Credit: Rick Diamond

For VaShawn Mitchell, it was a weekend to remember at the 27th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Mitchell had his hands full, leaving with six trophies for his CD Triumphant, which features Billboard’s number one gospel song of 2011, “Nobody Greater.”

A special moment in the evening came when Kirk Franklin, after having won Song of the Year for “I Smile,” shared his award with fellow category nominee Darius Paulk, the writer of “Nobody Greater.”

Other honorees of the evening were Vy Higginsen, who was presented the Thomas Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, and John P. Kee, who received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award. Higginsen is perhaps most recognized as the founder of Gospel For Teens and as the first black female writer, producer, and director of the longest running Off-Broadway musical in the history of American theatre, Mama, I Want to Sing.

Photo Credit: Rick Diamond

The James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Kee for his remarkable music career that spans over three decades and encompasses a myriad of gospel music accolades. In the late 1980’s, he was crowned the Prince of Gospel.

During the pre-show (see related story), the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award was given to Dorothy Norwood.

Daughters of “The Royal Lady of Gospel” Delois Barrett Campbell (who passed in August 2011, at age 85) were also recipients of a special Stellar Award at the pre-show. The trophies will now bear Campbell’s name among the inscriptions. Additionally, fans of the Barrett Sisters were thrilled to learn that a film documentary chronicling the life and extensive career of Campbell and her siblings is scheduled for release in March. It will feature vintage music footage and lively candid interviews with the internationally acclaimed trio.

The Stellar Awards will air nationally on the Gospel Music Channel, Saturday, February 11. Visit www.thestellarawards.com and click Local Airdates for the broadcast dates and times in your area.

Below is this year’s complete list of winners.

Artist Of The Year
VaShawn Mitchell

Song of the Year
“I Smile” – Kirk Franklin

Male Vocalist Of The Year
VaShawn Mitchell

Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year
Kim Burrell

Group/Duo of the Year
Mary Mary

New Artist of the Year
Y’Anna Crawley

CD of the Year
Hello Fear – Kirk Franklin

Choir of the Year
Ricky Dillard & New G

Producer of the Year
Kirk Franklin

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
Mary Mary

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
The Rance Allen Group

Contemporary Male of the Year
VaShawn Mitchell

Traditional Male of the Year
Smokie Norful

Contemporary Female of the Year
Kim Burrell

Traditional Female of the Year
Beverly Crawford

Contemporary CD of the Year
Hello Fear – Kirk Franklin

Traditional CD of the Year
How I Got Over – Smokie Norful

Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance Of The Year
VaShawn Mitchell

Music Video of the Year – Short Format
“Nobody Greater” – VaShawn Mitchell

Music Video of the Year – Long Format
Church on the Moon – Deitrick Haddon

Traditional Choir of the Year
Mississippi Mass Choir

Contemporary Choir of the Year
Shekinah Glory Ministry

Instrumental Gospel CD of the Year
Music Remastered and Sacred Organ – Moses Tyson, Jr.

Special Event CD of the Year
Bishop Morton Celebrates 25 Years of Music – Bishop Paul S. Morton

Rap Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
Rehab: The Overdose – Lacrae

Children’s Project of the Year
Teen Pure In Heart Live – Pure-N-Heart

Quartet of the Year
The Rance Allen Group

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
Make It Loud! – Martha Munizzi

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Triumphant – VaShawn Mitchell

Spoken Word CD Recording of the Year
Look at You Loving Me – Selah

Radio Station of the Year – Major Market
KJLH 102.3FM – Los Angeles, CA

Radio Station of the Year – Large Market
WHAL 95.7FM/1460AM – Memphis, TN

Radio Station of the Year – Medium Market
WLOU 1350AM – Louisville, KY

Radio Station of the Year – Small Market
KOKA 980AM – Shreveport, LA

Libra Boyd

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.