(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 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. TheStellar 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.
CATEGORY 1
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
– Jason Nelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
– Kenny Lewis & One Voice; The Healing Project; PureSound Muzik Group
– Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group
– Tamela Mann; Live Breathe Fight; TillyMann
Category #2
SONG OF THE YEAR
– Amen; Michael McClure Jr., Adia Andrews, Terrell Anthony Pettus, Andrea Crouch, & David “DLo” Outing; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group
– Clap My Way; Fred Jerkins III, Alvin Garrett, & Micah Lee; Micah Lee; Darkchild Gospel/ MicahLeeMusic
– I Prayed For You (said a prayer); Major Johnson Finley, Brunes Charles, & Jeshua Williams; MAJOR.; NowThatsMAJOR / MNRK
– That’s My King; Taylor Agan, Kellie Gamble, Lloyd Nicks, & Jess Russ; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
– Yahweh ft. Melvin Crispell III; Danni Baylor, Jason Nelson, Jerome Baylor, & Johnnie Huntley Steele III; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
Category #3
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Chandler Moore; Chandler Moore: Live in Los Angeles; TRIBL
– Deitrick Haddon; One Night In California; DH Visions
– Doc McKenzie; Run On; Blockbuster Records/Milbert McKenzie Music Group
– Jason Nelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
– Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group
CATEGORY #4
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– ADIA; On the Way; Rock City Media Group
– CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
– Dorinda Clark-Cole; Determined; Malaco Records
– Karen Clark-Sheard; Still Karen; Motown Gospel
– Lisa Page Brooks; The Grateful Chant; FlowNeeNee Music
CATEGORY #5
DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– Deitrick Haddon ft. Damita & Tasha Page-Lockhart; Hold On 2 Your Faith; ManHaddon Ministries / Tyscot Records
– FK&M (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten and Marcus Cole); Time Capsule – The Trilogy; 3Brothers/Dare Records
– Ted & Sheri; You’ve Been So Faithful (Groove); Ted & Sheri LLC / Black Smoke Music Worldwide
– The Group Fire; About Last Night; Jet Records North/East
CATEGORY #6
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– ADIA; On the Way; Rock City Media Group
– Bobbi Lane; Unmatched Grace; Blockbuster Records/ Taylor Music Group
– Josh Bracy and Power Anointed; Favor; Josh Bracy Muzic
– Micah Lee; Clap My Way; Darkchild Gospel/ MicahLeeMusic
– Montrae Tisdale and The Friends Chorale; The Faith Journey; Tisdale Nation Entertainment
CATEGORY #7
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– I Got Away EP; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group
– Live Breathe Fight; Tamela Mann; TillyMann
– More Than This; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
– The Healing Project; Kenny Lewis & One Voice; PureSound Muzik Group
– You Belong: Live in Durham; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
CATEGORY #8
– Bishop S.Y. Younger; Bishop S.Y. Younger Presents Worship in Brazil; Ramp Records (exclusively distributed by Haus Records)
– Chicago Mass Choir; Greater Is Coming; New Haven Records
– Ricky Dillard; When I Think; Motown Gospel
– The Mississippi Mass Choir; We Still Believe; Malaco Records
CATEGORY #9
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
– Dana Sorey; Jason Nelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
– Fred Hammond, Keith Staten, Marcus Cole, Paul Wright III and Ray Hammond; FK&M (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten and Marcus Cole); Time Capsule – The Trilogy; 3Brothers/Dare Records
– J. Drew Sheard; Karen Clark-Sheard; Still Karen; Motown Gospel
– Michael McClure Jr., & David “DLo” Outing II; Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group
– Stan Jones, Jerry Mannery, Jerry Smith, & David R. Curry Jr.; The Mississippi Mass Choir; We Still Believe; Malaco Records
CATEGORY #10
CONTEMPORARY DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– Deitrick Haddon ft. Damita & Tasha Page-Lockhart; Hold On 2 Your Faith; ManHaddon Ministries / Tyscot Records
– Red Hands; The Three (EP); Black Suit Music / Anderson Music Group / TAMLA Records
– Ted & Sheri; You’ve Been So Faithful (Groove); Ted & Sheri LLC / Black Smoke Music Worldwide
– The Group Fire; About Last Night; Jet Records North/East
CATEGORY #11
TRADITIONAL DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– Brandon Camphor & One Way; Hymn Medley; Tomii Entertainment
– Men Of Prayze; Live: In The Red; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
– The Flint Cavaliers; The Fellowship (Psalms 133:1); The Flint Music Group
– Tim Woodson & The Heirs of Harmony; Try Me; Blackberry/Marxan Records
CATEGORY #12
CONTEMPORARY MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Jason Nelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
– Micah Lee; Clap My Way; Darkchild Gospel/ MicahLeeMusic
– Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group
– Vincent Bohanan; VBSOV Summer Jam; Independent
CATEGORY #13
TRADITIONAL MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Bishop Calvin Norton; Hold Me Beyond Rear View EP; Blockbuster Records
– Brent Jones; Live Your Best Life; JDI Entertainment
– Earnest Pugh; Worthy Is The Lamb; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
– Kenny Lewis; The Healing Project; PureSound Muzik Group
CATEGORY #14
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– ADIA; On the Way; Rock City Media Group
– Bobbi Lane; Unmatched Grace; Blockbuster Records/ Taylor Music Group
– CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
– DOE; Heart Of A Human; RCA Inspiration / Provident Entertainment
– Keyla Richardson; Home; Uncle G Records
CATEGORY #15
TRADITIONAL FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Dorinda Clark-Cole; Determined; Malaco Records
– Lasha Knox; Right There; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
– Lisa Page Brooks; The Grateful Chant; FlowNeeNee Music
– Terri McConnell; He’ll Get Me Through This; Royal T Records
CATEGORY #16
CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Chandler Moore: Live in Los Angeles; Chandler Moore; TRIBL
– Live Breathe Fight; Tamela Mann; TillyMann
– Still Karen; Karen Clark-Sheard; Motown Gospel
– You Belong: Live in Durham; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
CATEGORY #17
TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Determined; Dorinda Clark-Cole; Malaco Records
– Live in Detroit, Pt 1; The Victorius Army ATL Feat. Vincent Bohanan; Independent
– The Healing Project; Kenny Lewis & One Voice; PureSound Muzik Group
– We Still Believe; The Mississippi Mass Choir; Malaco Records
URBAN SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
– Amen; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group
– Clap My Way; Micah Lee; Darkchild Gospel/ MicahLeeMusic
– I Prayed For You (said a prayer); MAJOR.; NowThatsMAJOR / MNRK
– Without You ft. Zacardi Cortez; Jevon Dewand and The Trap Starz; Black Smoke Records
CATEGORY #19
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
– Amen; Pastor Mike Jr., Tony “Mr.YNOT” Minifield, Drae Rudolph & Kevin “Krispy” Key/Moon Men; Rock City Media Group
– Deserve To Win; David Mann; TillyMann
– For My Good; Jekalyn Carr; Waynorth Music
– Never Be The Same; Deitrick Haddon & Terrance Church; DH Visions
CATEGORY #20
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– Chicago Mass Choir; Greater Is Coming; New Haven Records
– Christopher L. Ervin & Abraham’s Descendants; Recover; CervinMusiq
– Ricky Dillard; When I Think; Motown Gospel
– The Mississippi Mass Choir; We Still Believe; Malaco Records
CATEGORY #21
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– Alphaeus Anderson Presents The USC Upstate Gospel Choir; Already Done; Music2ChangeU
– Charles Butler & Trinity; Live In Washington DC; Red Alliance Media
– Johnny Sanders Featuring Faith on Full; Christmas Everyday; Third Century Development Corp/Johnny Sanders Presents, LLC
– Vincent Bohanan & SOV; VBSOV Summer Jam; Independent
CATEGORY #22
TRADITIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Bishop Calvin Norton; Hold Me Beyond Rear View EP; Blockbuster Records
– Dorinda Clark-Cole; Determined; Malaco Records
– Earnest Pugh; Worthy Is The Lamb; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
– The Mississippi Mass Choir; We Still Believe; Malaco Records
CATEGORY #23
SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Bishop S.Y. Younger Presents Worship in Brazil; Bishop S.Y. Younger; Ramp Records (exclusively distributed by Haus Records)
– Joyful, Joyful: A Christmas Album; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
– Red & Green; Jonathan McReynolds; Life Room Label, Motown Gospel
– The Gift Deluxe Edition; The Group Fire; Jet Records North/East
– We Still Believe; The Mississippi Mass Choir; Malaco Records
CATEGORY #24
RAP/HIP HOP GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Canton Jones and CAJO Records Presents The Free Life Experience; The Free Life Experience; CAJO Records
– Let Go Let God: The EP; 1K Phew; Reach Records
– Meet Me in Miami; Otis Kemp; Revive 5.0 Entertainment
– Without You: There Would Be No Me; Jevon Dewand and The Trap Starz; Black Smoke Records
CATEGORY #25
YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
– AMG Kidz x Boston Arts Academy; The Kidz At North Station; Anderson Music Group / TAMLA Records
– Brent Jones presents The Fire; Brent Jones presents The Fire; JDI Entertainment
– Janessa Smith; Sounds Of Joy; Inspired Recording
– Nina Symmone & Noah Alexander; God’s Way; The Big Moment / Anderson Music Group
CATEGORY #26
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
– Blest By Four; Only Believe The EP; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
– Men Of Prayze; Live: In The Red; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
– The Flint Cavaliers; The Fellowship (Psalms 133:1); The Flint Music Group
– Tim Woodson & The Heirs of Harmony; Try Me; Blackberry/Marxan Records
CATEGORY #27
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
– Covered Vol. 1; Brianna Dowd & Melvin Crispell III; RCA Inspiration, Provident Label Group LLC
– Meet Me in Miami; Blair Monique; Revive 5.0 Entertainment
– Red & Green; Jonathan McReynolds & Trent Nicholson; Life Room Label, Motown Gospel
– Still Karen; Justin Foster; Motown Gospel
CATEGORY #28
PRAISE AND WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Chandler Moore: Live in Los Angeles; Chandler Moore; TRIBL
– More Than This; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
– One; Jordan G. Welch; JordiG Music
– You Belong: Live in Durham; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
PRAISE AND WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR
– Light in a Dark Place; Bobbi Lane; Blockbuster Records/ Taylor Music Group
– Overflow ft. Todd Dulaney; Transformation Worship; Represent Records, Re: Think Music
– That’s My King; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
– Yahweh ft. Melvin Crispell III; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
CATEGORY #30
RAP/HIP HOP SONG OF THE YEAR
– Amen; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group
– Blessings; Otis Kemp; Revive 5.0 Entertainment
– Fa REAL… Fa Real; Jevon Dewand and The Trap Starz; Black Smoke Records
– Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah ft. Lisa Page Brooks; Dante’ Pride; iAmDantePrideMuzik GOSPEL RADIO OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
TOP MARKET OF THE YEAR
– WBBP 1480 AM, Memphis, TN
– WBGX 1570 kHz, Chicago, IL
– WFTB FM 104.1, Nashville, TN
– WGRB 1390AM, Chicago, IL
– WPZS 100.9, Charlotte, NC
MEDIUM MARKET OF THE YEAR
– WAGR 102.5 FM, Lexington, MS
– WEUP Worship 94.5, Huntsville, AL
– WJNI 106.3FM, Charleston, SC
– WXHL 89.1 FM, Wilmington, DE
SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR
– WBZF-FM 98.5, Florence-Myrtle Beach, SC
– WHLH 95.5, Jackson, MS
– WKTT 97.5 FM, Salisbury, MD
– WTSK – Praise 93.3/ 790 AM, Tuscaloosa, AL
INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR
– Black Gospel Radio, https://BlackGospelRadio.net
– GODRadio1.com, https://godradio1.com
– Hands Up Radio WHUR, https://handsupradio.org/
– Power of Worship Radio, https://powerofworship.net
SYNDICATED GOSPEL RADIO SHOW OF THE YEAR
– Early Morning Praise Party with Sherry Mackey; Sherry Mackey
– Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell; Erica Campbell with Griff & Cheryl Jackson
– The Big Redd Radio Show; Big Redd
– The Tracy Morgan Show; Tracy Morgan
GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR
– Destiny Diggs; WXHL – Reach Gospel Radio/ Say So Radio Show with Destiny
– Melissa Wade; WNNL, The Light 103.9/ Melissa Wade in the Midday
– Micha “ML6” Logan; WEUP, 103.1 FM/The Midday Shift
– Sherry Mackey; WHAL, 95.7 Hallelujah FM/ Early Morning Praise Party with Sherry Mackey
