Gospel music fans and enthusiasts, you will be in heaven as the 35th Anniversary Stellar Awards Show airs tonight featuring some of gospel music’s favorite musical artists. But, for the first time ever, the show that celebrates a myriad of styles of black gospel music will go on without a full live audience. The coveted gospel awards show will air virtually Sunday, August 23 at 5p.m. CT /6p.m. ET on BET and BET Her. An encore will follow at 8 p.m. CT/9 p.m. ET. The family entertainment program will run in syndication August 29 through September 27.
Gospel artists Kirk Franklin, Jonathan McReynolds and Koryn Hawthorne serve as 2020’s co-hosts as the Stellar Awards celebrate its milestone 35th anniversary where it will honor the late Congressman John R. Lewis and First Responders. This year’s show features special pre-taped segments from various locations and acknowledges all award winners from the “Road to Stellars” (pre-shows) and the main show. Select categories will be presented in the broadcast. The “Road to the Stellars” kicked off earlier in a series of virtual week-long digital announcements of the non-televised pre-show winners.
Co-host Kirk Franklin said, “This is a moment to come together…We have something very important to say to a world that needs this kind of music, with this particular message, now more than ever. The Stellar Awards is going to provide that as they have for 35 years.”
The 35th Stellar Awards Co-Hosts, Koryn Hawthorne, Kirk Franklin and Jonathan McReynolds. Photo courtesy of The Stellar Awards.
Produced by Chicago based, Central City Productions, the show will inspire and uplift heavy hearts during this pandemic with performances that include CeCe Winans honoring Congressman John R. Lewis, Tamela Mann, Anthony Brown, James Fortune, Koryn Hawthorne, J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, Jonathan McReynolds, Travis Greene, Kierra Sheard, Marvin Sapp, Tye Tribbett, Tauren Wells, Zacardi Cortez, Pastor Mike Jr, DOE, and Rich Tolbert Jr. Viewers will also receive an extra special treat with debut performances by emerging artists, such as the Group Fire, Keyla Richardson, Melvin Crispell III, and Titus Showers.
Tune in tonight to see all the glitz and glam of black gospel music on BET and BET Her, but if you miss it, you can catch it in syndication.
The Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson, with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Executive in Charge of Production. Michael A. Johnson serves as producer and director for this year’s award show.
To keep up with what’s going on with The Stellar Awards, follow @thestellars on social media.