By: Janice Malone

It was a night of glitz, glamour and gospel when the 28^th Annual Stellar Awards show made its presentation this Saturday night at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. The show was sold out several days before airing for the first time live on the GMC Television Network. Hosting this year’s event was multi-award winning performers Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary.

This year’s big winners included the Rev. Charles Jenkins, Marvin Sapp and co-hosts Mary Mary.

The evening was filled with top-notch glamour, starting with red carpet appearances and performances throughout the evening included that included a minus dreadlocked Tye Tribbett, Israel Houghton & New Breed, Jason Nelson,  Anita Wilson, Y’Anna Crawley, Kierra Sheard, Byron Cage, The Kurt Carr Singers, Marvin Winans, The Walls, Shirley Caesar, Tamela Mann, Marvin Sapp, Dottie Peoples, Pastor Charles Jenkins & the Fellowship Chicago Choir, Maurelle Brown Clark and LeAndria Johnson.

Other special performances from the surviving members of the legendary Caravans, including Delores Washington, Dorothy Norwood and Shirley Caesar who each paid tribute to their friend the late Inez Andrews by singing her popular song, ”Mary Don’t You Weep.”

Dorothy Norwood

ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Marvin Sapp, I Win, Verity Gospel Music Group

SONG OF THE YEAR: Charles Jenkins, Awesome, The Best of Both Worlds, Inspired People

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Marvin Sapp, I Win, Verity Gospel Music Group

ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Kierra Sheard, Free, Karew Records

GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR: Mary, Mary, Go Get It, My Block, Columbia Records

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Le’Andria Johnson, The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson, Music World Gospel

CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR: Mary, Mary, Go Get It, My Block, Columbia Records

TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR: The Williams Brothers, Live At Hard Rock, Part 1, Blackberry Records.

CONTEMPORARY MALE OF THE YEAR: Fred Hammond, God Love & Romance, Verity Gospel Music Group

 TRADITIONAL MALE OF THE YEAR: Marvin Sapp, I Win, Verity Gospel Music Group

CONTEMPORARY FEMALE OF THE YEAR: Le’Andria Johnson, The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson, Music World Gospel

TRADITIONAL FEMALE OF THE YEAR: Vanessa Bell   Armstrong, Timesless, Music World Gospel

CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR: Mary, Mary, Go Get It, My Block, Columbia Records

TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR: Marvin Sapp, I Win, Verity Gospel Music Group

URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR: Mary, Mary, Go Get It, My Block, Columbia Records

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR – SHORT FORMAT: Darren Grant, Go Get It, My Block, Columbia Records

TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR: Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, The Best of Both Worlds, Inspired People

CHILDRENS PROJECT OF THE YEAR: Anointed By God, Anointed By God, One Voice Media

QUARTET OF THE YEAR: The William Brothers, Live At The Hard Rock-Part 1, Blackberry Records

RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR: Charles Jenkins, The Best of Both Worlds, Inspired People

PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR: Jason Nelson, Shifting The Atmosphere, Verity Gospel Music Group. Other special awards to:

James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award: Kurt Carr

Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award: Bishop T.D. Jakes

T.D. Jakes

Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award: Inez Andrews

Catch the entire show when the 28th Annual Stellar Awards re-airs in more than 200 TV markets in syndication, now through March 3^rd . Check your local listings for and times.

Photos by: Earl Flippen

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