Co-hosts of The 38th Annual Stellar Awards, Jonathan McReynolds and Tasha Cobbs on stage at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas during the lie taping. Photo courtesy of Central City Productions.
The 38th Annual Stellar Awards honoring Gospel music’s biggest and brightest stars premieres on the newly launched Stellar Network, July 30 at 6p.m. ET, followed by BET on August 6 at 8p.m. ET, Bounce TV on September 3 at 10p.m. ET, and runs in national broadcast syndication August 7-September 10, 2023.
This year’s show is hosted by chart topping Gospel artists Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Jonathan Reynolds. Arguably gospel’s favorite awards show, it features unforgettable performances by artists from multiple Gospel styles, beginning with the opening number by Kierra Sheard and the night’s biggest award winner, Pastor Mike, Jr, DOE, Ce Ce Winans, co-hosts Jonathan McReynolds and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, plus an exclusive Reunion Tour sneak-peak performance featuring Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton, and Tye Tribbett that had the crowd on its feet. Also, uplifting performances by Charles Jenkins, Dottie Peoples, Isaac Carree, Jevon, Dewand and The TrapStarz, Naomi Raine, Natalie Grant, Maranda Curtis, Tim Bowman Jr. & Faith City Music, Zacardi Cortez, and Zak Williams & 1 Akord. And adding to that excitement, performances on the AT&T Emerging Voices stage by Lena Byrd Miles, Bishop S.Y. Younger and Victory.
Besides Pastor Mike Jr winning a whopping eight awards for his Winning (Black Smoke Music) project, other multiple award winners include
Pastor Mike, Jr. and Kierra Sheard Kelly perform on the show opener at The 38th Annual Stellar Awards at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Photo courtesy of Central City Productions.
DOE for her project CLARITY (Life Room/RCA Inspiration) and Zacardi Cortez who won three awards each, and Kirk Franklin and Maverick City x, who nabbed two awards for their joint project Kingdom Book, and I can’t forget Tye Tribbett who took home two Stellar Awards on this night of glitz and glam.
Now back to the hosts, not only did Tasha Cobbs Leonard bless the crowd with a stirring performance, but she also carried home the award for Praise And Worship Album Of The Year, while her YouTube mental health conversation partner Lecrea won Rap Hip Hop Gospel Album Of The Year. Newcomer, My Block recording artist Lena Byrd Myles won New Artist of The Year and Bishop T.D. Jakes received the Stellar Award for Special Event Album of The Year.
And on a befitting yet somber note, the late Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson was posthumously honored with the Quartet Of The Year Award.
Ce Ce Winans delighting the media in the press room of The 38th Annual Stellar Awards at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on July 15, 2023. Photo by Lin. Woods
Stellar Icons and Legends
In addition to honoring the artists of today, the Stellar Awards always pays tribute to legends, icons and those who have made great
Gospel legend Shirley Caesar talks with media in press room at The 38th annual Stellar Awards at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Photo by Lin. Woods
contributions to Gospel Music in in their lifetime. This year’s honorees are CeCe Winans recipient of the Aretha Franklin Icon Award Presented by State Farm, recognizing her exceptional talent and enduring impact; Reverend Dr. Milton Biggham, honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by Verizon for his lifetime dedication to spreading the message of Gospel music, and Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones was presented with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, for his outstanding contributions and influential career in Gospel.
Presenters
The list of star-studded presenters on the show included a mix of Gospel rising stars, legends and hitmakers across the spectrum of Gospel entertainment like Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, Brian Courtney Wilson, Erica Campbell, Isabel Davis, James Fortune, Koryn Hawthorne, Jason Clayborn, NOTKARLTONBANKS, Pastor Shirley Caesar and Travis Greene.
Zacardi Cortez and DOE hold tight to their awards at The 38th Annual Stellar Awards in the press room at The Orleans Arena-Las Vegas. Photo by Lin. Woods
The Stellar Awards is produced by Central City Productions of Chicago. The 38th Annual Stellar Awards is Executive Produced by Don Jackson. Jennifer J. Jackson serves as Executive in Charge of Production and Producer and Michael A. Johnson produced and directed the 2023 show,
For more information on The 38th Annual Stellar Awards and complete list of winners is go to www.stellarawards.com
And check your local listings for stations, dates and times The 38th Annual Stellar Awards airs in your city.
Follow The Stellar Awards on social media at @thestellars on Instagram and Twitter and @Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Facebook.
Hanging out backstage in the press room at the 38th Annual Stellar Awards Tye Tribbett, Travis Greene, Pastor Mike Jr.,Dr.Marvin Sapp and Kirk Franklin in The Orleans Arena-Las Vegas. Photo Courtesy Central City Productions.