(June 12, 2025) – Central City Productions proudly announces the nominees for the 40th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards presented by Procter and Gamble, across 36 categories, honoring the year’s best and brightest in gospel music. The awards ceremony will be taped live from the prestigious Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN, on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Returning for another unforgettable evening of inspiration and celebration, the 2025 show will feature electrifying performances, heartfelt tributes, and special honors recognizing gospel legends and rising stars alike. Tickets are available now by visiting StellarAwards.com.

Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions, Inc. commented, “For 40 remarkable years, the Stellar Awards have been a beacon of excellence, celebrating the voices, vision, and victories of gospel music. We honor not just the genre of gospel music, but the legacy of our history, our faith, our culture, and our community that has inspired Black & African American generations for four decades with our Stellar Gospel Music Awards.”

Public fan voting will take place in two categories this year, Urban Single or Performance of the Year and Praise and Worship Song of the Year. Fan Favorite Voting powered by Tide runs from June 16, 2025 until July 18, 2025 and those votes will determine the winners of those categories.

Nineteen-time Stellar Award winner Pastor Mike Jr. and Stellar Award winner, Jason Nelson lead the field of nominees this year with nine nominations each; both landing top nominations in the key categories Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year (Nelson’s You Belong: Live in Durham; and Mike Jr.’s I Got Away EP).

With eight nominations, Cece Winans is recognized in the top categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year for More Than This. Winans’ More Than This also features the single, “That’s My King.”

Other artists earning multiple Stellar nominations include: Mississippi Mass Choir, Adia, Deitrick Haddon, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Karen Clark-Sheard, Kenny Lewis & One Voice, Micah Lee, Tamela Mann, Chandler Moore and FK&M (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten, and Marcus Cole).

The Stellar Awards also announced nominees for the Gospel Radio of the Year Awards in six categories, including top categories Gospel Announcer of the Year, Syndicated Gospel Radio Show of the Year, Internet Station of the Year, and Top Market of the Year.

Adding to the excitement, August 14th – August 16th, this year’s Stellar Awards is part of the STELLAR PLUS week, a fun-filled extravaganza centered around the flagship show, sponsored by Chevy and Aflac. From Master Classes and soundstages, to fashion shows, comedy showcases and more – the Stellar Plus 1 week offers a diverse array of activities for attendees. For more information on Stellar Plus Events visit stellarplusexperience.com.

40th Stellar Awards taping Tickets are available now at stellarawards.com. Additional announcements regarding ancillary events will follow. Some of the biggest names in Gospel will appear as participants in this year’s show – stay tuned for future announcements and follow @thestellars on Instagram and X, or Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Facebook for the latest news and updates about the Greatest Night in Gospel Music.

The 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Producer and Executive in Charge of Production; Michael A. Johnson as Producer and Director, Erin Johnson as Talent Producer, and Daniel Moore as Music Director.

This year’s Stellar Awards is presented by P&G (Procter & Gamble) with additional sponsorship provided by AT&T, AFLAC, State Farm, Walmart, Olay Body, Chevy and Tide.

A full list of the 40th annual nominees can be found on the official Stellar Awards website. For more information, please visit stellarawards.com and join the conversation using the hashtag #TheStellars.

ABOUT THE STELLAR TV NETWORK

Launched in April of 2023 under the management of Central City Productions, Inc., The Stellar Network fills the void for a family-friendly, entertainment, lifestyle network targeting Black audiences. The Stellar Network is the first in uplifting content with positive, inspirational, and entertainment programming. Stellar’s goal is to be the most preferred network to Black audiences in the country.The Stellar Network can be found on Charter Spectrum, Verizon Fios, Vizio & Vizio WatchFree+ (app), and Xumo Play. For more information visit www.stellartv.com

ABOUT CENTRAL CITY PRODUCTIONS

Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. is a national broadcast television producer, programmer, and syndicator of its exclusively owned African-American programming. Celebrating 55 years of broadcasting Black excellence with uplifting and entertaining original television content, CCP’s award-winning television programs include the Black Music Honors (www.blackmusichonors.com), Stellar Tribute to the Holidays, Black College Quiz Show Series (www.blackcollegequiz.com), America’s Black Forum (www.americasblackforum.com), Mentoring Kings (www.mentoringking.com), Mentoring Queens (www.mentoringqueen.com), and Black History Honors among many others. For more information, visit www.ccptv.com.

Grammy Award nominated and Dove Award winning singer/songwriter Ryan Ellis joins the “Tam Fam” for a special interview and performance of “Better Days,” lifted from his album, Real Love which blends Ryan’s unique mix of Worship, R&B and Hip Hop.

While many remember Ryan from being one of the original members of “The Jabberwalkees” dance crew, he is now a successful singer/songwriter with a new message to share.

His latest album, Real Love is a reflection of his new purpose. More than a collection of songs, this album is a powerful mirror of who he is and of the powerful way God has been shaping his life.

He also shares the inspiration behind his album and title “Real Love”. While sharing he speaks on how God has been challenging him lately and how that shows up in his music. Tamron digs deeper as they begin to speak about one of the biggest losses in Ryan’s life – the loss of his 1 and 1/2 year old son and how that effected his faith journey for both him and his wife.

Ryan’s story of resilience and hope is not only encouraging, it’s a miraculous reminder of God’s love and His ability to carry us through every part of life.

Watch Ryan’s Performance Here

CHANDLER MOORE: LIVE IN LOS ANGELES

Harkening on the motifs Moore has become known for with Maverick City Music, Moore’s latest solo offering, CHANDLER MOORE: LIVE IN LOS ANGELES, represents a new chapter in his career and personal life. The eight-track project captures an electrifying live performance that showcases Moore’s unique blend of soul, R&B, and inspirational music and features powerful collaborations with celebrated artists such as Israel Houghton, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Naomi Raine.

Recorded live in May 2024, CHANDLER MOORE: LIVE IN LOS ANGELES is a masterful collection of songs that blend Moore’s signature style with a fresh perspective, offering music that resonates deeply with his audience and solidifying his place as a powerful and inspiring force in the music industry.

Moore has collaborated with renowned artists such as Justin Bieber, Tori Kelly, Elevation and Kirk Franklin. His rapid rise in the music world has earned him 5 Grammy Awards, 1 Billboard Music Award, 4 GMA Dove Awards, and 1 Soul Train Music Award, through his dynamic contributions and well-known collaboration with Maverick City Music.

In support of his new music, Moore performed the album’s premiere track “Lead Me On” on Fox & Friends this morning (Aug. 2) and closed the 39th Annual Stellar Awards, performing “Omemma,” which airs on BET on Aug. 3 (check local listings). “Lead Me On” is currently impacting at CCM Radio and will debut at Gospel Radio exclusively with Urban 1 on Aug. 2.

Fans can catch Moore later this summer and fall as a featured artist on the Kingdom World Tour from Aug. 8 – 26 throughout Africa/Europe, and the Good News Tour that runs stateside Oct. 3 – Nov. 26.

For more information, please visit https://chandlerdmoore.com/.

CHANDLER MOORE: LIVE IN LOS ANGELES Tracklist:

I Have A Father
Joy
What I Needed
All
Great I Am
Omemma
Lead Me On

About Chandler Moore

One of the most impactful and prolific artists in music, Chandler Moore hit the music scene with high regard from the industry and consumers alike. With his new project Chandler Moore Live in Los Angeles, he continues his path of success poised for solo work in addition to his successful hits and collaborations. Beyond his dynamic contributions as a member of Maverick City Music, Moore has also collaborated with Elevation Worship, Justin Bieber, Tori Kelly, and Kirk Franklin. Through a rapid trajectory, Moore has received 5 Grammy Awards, 1 Billboard Music Award, 4 GMA Dove Awards and 1 Soul Train Music Award, yet is best known for his passionate live performances and storytelling approach to his lyrics. See more at https://chandlerdmoore.com/.

RELATED CONTENT: Watch Chandler & Israel Houghton Perform “Joy” Together

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About TRIBL Records

In the short time since its 2020 founding, TRIBL Records has revolutionized the Christian, Gospel, and Worship music marketplaces, disrupting the status quo and creating a diverse home for creatives everywhere. The ground-breaking company is home to the breakout collective Maverick City Music, as well as popular artists Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine, Maverick City Música, Travis Greene, Todd Galberth, and more. Boasting billions of global streams and chart-topping radio successes, TRIBL has garnered a seemingly endless array of peer, industry, and consumer-based accolades, including multiple GRAMMY® Awards, a Billboard Music Award, an American Music Award, numerous Stellar Awards, and several Dove Award wins. Learn more at https://tribl.com/.