The Stellar Awards released an official announcement today that the 35th Annual production will be taped and broadcast as a virtual national broadcast television special. Kirk Franklin @kirkfranklin joins as additional co-host along with Jonathan McReynolds @jonmcreynolds and Koryn Hawthorne @korynhawthorne. ALL previously purchased tickets for the 2020 show will now be refunded by Ticketmaster. The show will return as a live TV taping in March, 2021!

The virtual presentation will now be a two-hour virtual awards telecast that will air during 3Q of this year. Replacing the live taping previously rescheduled for August in Las Vegas, the new show format will harness the power of technology and creative television production to honor the best in Gospel music. The virtual production will acknowledge all award winners from the Stellar Awards pre-show and main show, with select categories being presented in the broadcast. The broadcast will also feature inspirational performances from Gospel music’s most celebrated artists, and special tributes to first responder heroes on the front lines of the battle against the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Award show founder Don Jackson had the following to say about the recent changes:

“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic closing venues in Las Vegas, we are producing our Stellar Awards as a virtual at-home television special to honor our Stellar Award 2020 nominees and winners, that will still raise the roof for our fans at home with great Gospel music performances in a new format,” said Stellar Awards Founder and Executive Producer Don Jackson. “Also, it gives us the opportunity to honor COVID-19 first responder heroes in appreciation of the great work they are doing to save lives during this pandemic. We hope to further inspire these heroes with tributes of thanks from our Gospel music cast of Stellar winners and performances.”

Joining previously announced first time co-hosts Jonathan McReynolds and Koryn Hawthorne is Stellar Awards veteran host, Kirk Franklin. The superstar trio will work together to keep the virtual television praise party lifted and flowing seamlessly throughout the evening. Confirmed performers include Donnie McClurkin, James Fortune, J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, Travis Greene, Pastor Mike Jr., Kierra Sheard, and Doe, with more to be announced.

An important tradition at the Stellar Awards will be held for next year’s 2021 show, where Jackson will bestow well-deserved special honors and recognition upon Gospel greats who have elevated the genre. The previously named recipients – The Clark Sisters, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, Pastor Shirley Caesar in addition to Gospel music industry leaders Dr. Leonard Scott, Skip Barrett, Kerry Douglas, and Dr. Teresa Hairston – will be celebrated for their contributions to Gospel music when The Stellar Awards returns to Las Vegas next Spring in March 2021.

Tickets purchased for 2020 Stellar Awards events that were scheduled for August 14–16 will be refunded. To submit requests or for more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Previously announced nominees for the 2020 Stellar Awards includes, veteran Gospel collective, Donald Lawrence Presents The Tri-City Singers who leads the field of nominees with nine nominations. Other top nominees include Gospel icon and Stellar Awards Host, Kirk Franklin and powerhouse singer, producer and performer Tasha Cobbs Leonard with eight nominations each; JJ Hairston (7 Nominations), Bishop Paul S. Morton (6 Nominations), John P. Kee (5 Nominations), Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers (4 Nominations), William Murphy (4 Nominations), Pastor Mike, Jr. (4 Nominations), Maranda Curtis (3 Nominations), and Fresh Start Worship (3 Nominations) round out the field of top nominated artists.

For the complete list of the 35th Anniversary Stellar Gospel Music Awards nominees, please visit www.thestellarawards.com. More of the biggest names in Gospel and a few additional surprises are being added to the growing list of top performers appearing in this year’s show, presented by AT&T and also sponsored by State Farm.

“I am especially grateful and appreciative of the tremendous positive response we have had from Gospel music artists, our advertising partners and over 200 television broadcast and cable partners around the country who have agreed to support our 35th Annual Stellar Awards At-Home special honoring Stellar winners and first responder heroes,” said Jackson.

Stay tuned for future announcements and follow @thestellars for the latest news and updates about the greatest night in Gospel music.

The headlines have been spreading the word like wildfire that Grammy nominated artist Kierra Sheard has “dethroned” Kanye from holding the number one spot on the Billboard Gospel charts, but Kierra has been responding to those headlines with class and a spirit of unity, not competition.

Kierra posted the following statement in response to these type of headlines on instagram:

“As this is not an ill competition but a race/journey that we are on to win souls and uplift the world with the message of Jesus Christ, hope, love, and more,” Kierra wrote on Instagram. “I’ve been a fan of Kanye’s music. I’on won’t no smoke! Lmbo but I’m super honored to have been chosen to have been apart of this moment in music history. Thank you @billboard for this highlight on gospel music. God is faith and His message and love still conquers all! I hope you’re still listening to my new music and are being empowered!”

 

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God is faithful. Bitter sweet moment. I just wish I could tell my Nanna! I’m so grateful for this opportunity. I don’t take it lightly. Grateful for you all! Love you! Thank you! #NewMusic #KeepStreamingPlease @karewent @rcainspiration #itkeepsHappening

A post shared by Kierra Sheard (@kierrasheard) on Apr 27, 2020 at 1:44pm PDT

WILL WE SEE A COLLAB WITH KIERRA AND KANYE?

To further emphasize that Kierra does not see her win as a competition with Kanye, she spoke about being open to a collaboration with the artist. During a live stream on Hollywood Unlocked, Sheard told the host, Jason Lee, that she would indeed love to work with Kanye West one day:

“Absolutely, I would and I would make things clear that just because I am working with someone … because you know we have family that we disagree with but I’m still gonna love them,” she expressed to Jason. “Sometimes us coming together will do something different for the world … so absolutely! But there would be some statements following my decision with that feature.”

KIERRA HAS A LOT TO CELEBRATE!

Kierra has a lot to celebrate! In addition to landing the number one spot on Billboard Gospel Charts, she also just completed her acting debut in nthe Lifetime TV Film “The Clark Sisters” where Kierra had the honor of playing her mother Karen Clark Sheard in the film. According to Nielson, the film reached a staggering 2.7 million total viewers! That’s a huge victory for this Kierra and her entire family which was represented in the film.

We’re excited to see what’s next for Kierra as she continues to soar to new heights in multiple industries! From all of us fans, we just say “Keep going Queen!!”

Jonathan McReynolds released a new video for his latest single “People”. The message is simple and one that everyone can relate to and learn from… Just scroll down and press play to listen. It speaks for itself. You’ll see what we mean. Enjoy!