Kirk Franklin hosts the 34th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The show premieres this Easter Sunday, April 21 on BET Network at 7p.m. ET followed by an encore presentation. Gospel biggest night’s show is hosted by Platinum selling inspirational artist Kirk Franklin.
Kirk Franklin speaks at the Stellar Gospel Music Awards at the Orleans Arena on March 29, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images )
Performances of the night include the opening with Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, Phil Thompson, Kelontae Gavin and Maranda Curtis, Jekalyn Carr, Brian Courtney Wilson, Koryn Hawthorne, Todd Dulaney and Charles Jenkins, Jonathan McReynolds who took home eight awards, Jabari Johnson, VaShawn Mitchell, Fred Hammond, Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson and The Walls Group.
Among the Central City Productions show’s highlights is a powerful performance tribute to the late Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin by Kelly Price, Erica Campbell and Regina Belle. Franklin was recently posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize.
Members of the legend’s family, Brenda Corbett, Jordan Franklin and Kecalf Franklin were presented with the first Stellar Awards Aretha Franklin ICON Award to give posthumous recognition of her for the impact she had on the Gospel music genre.
Also, gospel legend Delores Washington Green of The Caravans was presented with the Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award.
Yolanda Adams presenting at the Stellar Gospel Music Awards at the Orleans Arena on March 29, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images )
Additionally, Yolanda Adams and Stellar Awards Founder, Chairman & CEO Don Jackson inducted industry professionals James Robinson Jr. (Malaco Gospel), Jackie Patillo (GMA) and Phil Thornton (RCA Inspiration) into the Stellar Honors Hall of Fame.
The Stellar Gospel Music Awards not only will air nationally this Sunday, it will air internationally for the first time on BET Africa (6:00 p.m. CAT), BET UK (3:00 p.m. GMT and encore at 10:00 p.m. GMT) and BET Korea (3:00 p.m. KST and encore at 10:00 p.m. KST).
The Stellar Gospel Music Awards will air in national syndication April 27-May 30. Check your local listings for dates and channels.