NASHVILLE, TN — Gospel music’s biggest awards night now has its own showcase and network. The 2023 Stellar Gospel Music Awards debuted Sunday on the newly launched Stellar Network. It will air on BET this Sunday and Bounce TV in September. The top winner was Pastor Mike, Jr. He won eight awards for his album “Winning,” and opened the show in tandem with Kierra Sheard Kelly. They performed “Miracles” and “Impossible.”
DOE, who entered the industry with her family as a member of the group Forever Jones, received three awards for her album “Clarity.” Zacardi Cortez also won three statues for his album “Imprinnt.” Kirk Franklin’s collaborative album “Kingdom Book One” won in two categories. Tye Tribbett also brought home two awards for his project “All Things New.”
Jonathan McReynolds and Tasha Cobbs Leonard co-hosted the program, which was taped at the Las Vegas Orleans Arena. Both co-hosts also performed on the show. In addition, Cobbs Leonard won Praise and Worship album of the year for “Hymns.”
The telecast was enhanced by performances from two legends of the genre, CeCe Winans (Aretha Franklin Icon Award honoree) and Dottie Peoples (Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award honoree). Winans performed “Goodness of God” from her album “Believe For It.” Other special honorees were Reverend Dr. Milton Biggham (the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award) and Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones (the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award).
Sunday’s presentation was the 38th annual Stellear Gospel Music Awards program. It was executive produced by Don Jackson, with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as executive in charge of production and producer, and Michael A. Johnson serving as producer and director. The Stellar Network is available on Charter Spectrum, Verizon Fios, and Xumo Play. This Sunday’s BET telecast airs at 7 p.m. Central. It is being shown on Bounce TV Sunday September 3 at 12 noon central. It will also air in nationwide syndication on various channels from August 7 to September 10.