April 1, 2019 (Las Vegas, NV) – Central City Productions wrapped up the taping of the 34th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Friday, March 29, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The biggest night in gospel music, hosted by Kirk Franklin, will premiere on BET Network on Easter Sunday, April 21, at 7pm ET (6pm CT).The standout 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 was 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. Quartet legends, The Sensational Nightingales, were honored with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award.
This year’s sensational lineup 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. View the complete winners list below:
2019
34th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Winners
Category 1
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jonathan McReynolds, Make Room, Entertainment One
Category 2
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Not Lucky, I’m Loved,” Jonathan McReynolds, Terrell Demetrius Wilson & Anna B. Warner, Entertainment One
Category 3
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jonathan McReynolds, Make Room, Entertainment One
Category 4
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jekalyn Carr, One Nation Under God, Lunjeal Music Group
Category 5
DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Walls Group, The Other Side, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings
Category 6
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jabari Johnson, Day of Redemption, Entertainment One
Category 7
CD OF THE YEAR
Make Room, Jonathan McReynolds, Entertainment One
Category 8
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Bishop Noel Jones & City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir, Run to the Altar, JH/Tyscot
Category 9
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Jonathan McReynolds & Darryl “Lil Man” Howell, Make Room, Entertainment One
Category 10
CONTEMPORARY DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Walls Group, The Other Side, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings
Category 11
TRADITIONAL DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, Keep Pushin, Wonder Spirit/SRT/Shanachie
Category 12
CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jonathan McReynolds, Make Room, Entertainment One
Category 13
TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
VaShawn Mitchell, Cross Music, Tyscot
Category 14
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Tasha Page-Lockhart, The Beautiful Project, RCA Inspiration/Fo Yo Soul Recordings
Category 15
TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jekalyn Carr, One Nation Under God, Lunjeal Music Group
Category 16
CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR
Make Room, Jonathan McReynolds, Entertainment One
Category 17
TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
One Nation Under God, Jekalyn Carr, Lunjeal Music Group
Category 18
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“Not Lucky, I’m Loved,” Jonathan McReynolds, Entertainment One
Category 19
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Won’t He Do It,” Casey Cross, RCA Inspiration
Category 20
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Bishop Noel Jones & City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir, Run to the Altar, JH/Tyscot
Category 21
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
New Direction, When All God’s Children Get Together, New Haven Records
Category 22
INSTRUMENTAL CD OF THE YEAR
(Category omitted)
Category 23
SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
The Best of Fred Hammond, Fred Hammond, Verity/Sony Music
Category 24
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR
God Knows, Flame, Clear Sight Music
Category 25
YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Pure N Heart, “Be You” 15 Years Unplugged, Music2ChangeU
Category 26
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, Keep Pushin, Wonder Spirit / SRT/Shanachie
Category 27
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
Israel Houghton, Road to DeMaskUs, RCA Inspiration
Category 28
PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR
Your Great Name, Todd Dulaney, Entertainment One
THOMAS A. DORSEY MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Sensational Nightingales
DR. BOBBY JONES LEGENDS AWARD
Dolores Washington Green
ARETHA FRANKLIN ICON AWARD
Aretha Franklin (posthumously)
STELLAR HONORS HALL OF FAME
– Jackie Patillo
– Phil Thornton
– James D. Robinson, Jr.
Gospel Radio of the Year Winners
MAJOR MARKET OF THE YEAR
WPZE Praise 102.5, Atlanta
LARGE MARKET OF THE YEAR
WFMI-FM 100.9 FM, Virginia Beach
MEDIUM MARKET OF THE YEAR
WCGL AM 1360/FM 94.7, Jacksonville
SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR
WIMG 1300AM, Ewing
INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR
uGospel Radio, http://uGospel.com
GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR
Dwight Stone, WPZE Praise 102.5, Atlanta, GA
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.
Fans of the defunct Sunday morning gospel music television program Spiritual Awakening will be delighted to know that Bishop Terence Jenkins, the show’s host since 1993, has plans to kick off January 2020 with a new show called Gospel Awakening. 
