The 35th Annual Stellar Awards Will Now Be An “At Home” Virtual Presentation
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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…
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.
Tamara is the founder of ArtSoulRadio.com and a contributor for Ebony/Jet Magazine and other publications. She also works in TV/Film production and has a strong passion for the arts, community outreach, teaching and working with the youth. Learn more at www.tamarallyoung.com and follow her on social media.
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Today, 19-time GRAMMY® Award-winning producer, songwriter and artist, Kirk Franklin, debuted his latest song, “Try Love.” “Try Love “is the second single from Franklin’s upcoming album, Father’s Day, which will release on October 6, 2023. The track is the follow up to the album’s lead single, “All Things.”
Written and produced by Franklin, “Try Love” is a feel-good, mid-tempo anthem. The song makes listeners bob their heads while encouraging them to choose love and peace when facing life’s challenges to exemplify God’s everlasting love. The music video, which premiered today on BET Gospel, BET Her and BET Soul, reinforces the theme of the song, showing people of different ages, races and backgrounds reaching out to and connecting with one another.
In addition to his new music, Franklin hosted the Exodus Music and Arts Festival in May in Irving, TX. Having co-headlined the wildly successful Kingdom Tour with Maverick City Music in 2022, he will embark on The Reunion Tour alongside The Clark Sisters, Israel Houghton, David and Tamela Mann and Tye Tribbett on September 28, 2023. Also, The One, the dating series that he and his wife Tammy Franklin co-host and co-executive produce, is currently airing on TV One.
Multi-award winning hip hop artist, critically acclaimed author and podcast host KB recently appeared on Good Morning America’s GMA3 ‘Faith Friday’ segment. During his time on the show, he announced his debut book, Dangerous Jesus: Why the Only Thing More Risky than Getting Jesus Right is Getting Jesus Wrong. He also spoke about his coming album His Glory Alone II. While sharing about both projects, he shared about faith, values and the misconceptions of both faith and Jesus.
Watch Clip From KB’s Good Morning America Appearance
This national broadcast appearance released just before the release of KB’s fifth studio album release His Glory Alone II, that drops on August 11, just one day after he kicks off the Summer Worship Nights arena tour with tourmates Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake.
His Glory Alone II will feature 16 tracks infusing the sounds of hip hop, gospel, afro-beats, and soul with a few worshipful ballads in between. Serving as the Part 2 to his previous record released in 2020, KB partnered up with producers WEARETHEGOOD, Scootie Wop and Cardec Drums to deliver a full length project that expresses the infiniteness of God. Additionally, KB peels back the layers of his own heart and journey, facing childhood trauma, abandonment, confusion and doubt with unapologetic transparency.
For more information on KB, Dangerous Jesus and His Glory Alone II, please visit www.whoiskb.com.