Jonathan Nelson picked up 3 Stellar Awards in Nashville at the 24th Annual Stellar Awards. We had a chance to talk with Mr. Nelson about his experience.
Singer and worship leader Marvin Sapp was the night's big winner at the 24th Stellar Gospel Music Awards, held Saturday night at the Grand Ole Opry House. Sapp, riding a wave of success due to his crossover R&B hit "Never Would Have Made It" and album Thirsty, took home statuettes in seven artist, song and project categories, including the night's biggest honor, artist of the year
Gospel pioneer Dr. Bobby Jones, who was on hand to present the Legend Award that bears his name to the veteran Rance Allen Group, said Sapp's dominance on the gospel scene this year was long overdue. Notables from the mainstream entertainment world — including co-host/comedian Sinbad, The View co-host Sherri Shepherd, rising R&B superstar Mario and Sheryl Lee Ralph — appeared alongside gospel stars such as co-hosts Donnie McClurkin and female vocalist winner Dorinda Clark-Cole, Fort Worth’s Kirk Franklin was a part of a Tribute to the Rev Timothy Wright.
The night celebrated not only the best of gospel music from the past year, but also the sense of national change surrounding the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.
The most overtly political yet simultaneously patriotic performance of the night came as pop legend Dionne Warwick sang a slow, reverential version of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" with a nine-piece choir, as footage of Obama played on the video screens surrounding the stage. However, the night was not overwhelmed by politics, but more by a sense of celebration.
The Stellar Awards show not only honors contemporary stars, but also reaches out to the foundations of gospel music with the award named after Jones, a lifetime achievement award named for Dr. James Cleveland (given this year to vocalist Darryl Coley) and a notable achievement award named for legendary songwriter Thomas Dorsey, awarded this time to Vickie Winans.
In the radio station of the year categories: KHVN was nominated for Major Market station of the year. Carmina Barnett and Camille Holmes were on hand as a finalist with WGRB Chicago, WLIB New York, and the winner was WHUR of Washington D.C. Barnett and Holmes were very excited for KHVN success of being nominated for three consecutive years as “Radio Station of the year.
In the Large Market category WFMI of Virginia Beach, VA. was the winner of the Station of the Year. Mike Chandler is owner of the station and yours truly Cedric Bailey is the afternoon host along with Dewayne Sterling, Dewayne Dancer, Keith Solis, Mother Bakker and Willie Mae McIver. We are very grateful to God for this honor of being nominated 4 years in a row and winning two of those years.
The Stellar Awards, held for the fourth consecutive year in Nashville, were taped for broadcast in March 7 at @7pm on WGN America, The Gospel Music Channel March 1 at 7pm and will air March. 7 on KXTA-21at 9pm.
