THE STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS SET TO CELEBRATE
ITS 40TH YEAR IN MUSIC CITY - NASHVILLE, TN
AT THE SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER ON AUGUST 16TH
Pastor Mike Jr. and Jason Nelson Tie for Top Nominations With 9;
Cece Winans Earns 8 Nominations
The Mississippi Mass Choir Earn 6 Nominations
2025/06/12.NominationsAnnouncedfor40thStellarGospelMusicAwards.asp NEWS SOURCE: Cr8 Agency June 12, 2025
(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.The Stellar 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.
FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
Category#1
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
JasonNelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
Kenny Lewis s One Voice; The Healing Project; PureSound Muzik Group
Pastor Mike ; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group
TamelaMann; LiveBreatheFight; TillyMann
Category#2
SONGOFTHEYEAR
Amen; Michael McClure , Adia Andrews, Terrell Anthony Pettus, Andrea Crouch, s David "DLo" Outing; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group
Clap My Way; Fred Jerkins III, Alvin Garrett, s Micah Lee; Micah Lee; Darkchild Gospel/ MicahLeeMusic
I Prayed For You (said a prayer); Major Johnson Finley, Brunes Charles, s Jeshua Williams; ; NowThatsMAJOR / MNRK
That's My King; Taylor Agan, Kellie Gamble, Lloyd Nicks, s Jess Russ; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
Yahweh Melvin Crispell III; Danni Baylor, Jason Nelson, Jerome Baylor, s Johnnie Huntley Steele III; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
Category#3
MALEARTISTOFTHEYEAR
Chandler Moore; Chandler Moore: Live in Los Angeles; TRIBL
Deitrick Haddon; One Night In California; DH Visions
DocMcKenzie; RunOn; Blockbuster Records/Milbert McKenzie Music Group
JasonNelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
Pastor Mike ; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group
CATEGORY#4
ALBERTINAWALKERFEMALEARTISTOFTHEYEAR
ADIA; On the Way; Rock City Media Group
CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
DorindaClark-Cole; Determined; Malaco Records
Karen Clark-Sheard; Still Karen; Motown Gospel
Lisa Page Brooks; The Grateful Chant; FlowNeeNee Music
CATEGORY#5
DUO/CHORUSGROUPOFTHEYEAR
Deitrick Haddon Damita s Tasha Page-Lockhart; Hold On 2 Your Faith; ManHaddon Ministries / Tyscot Records
FKsM (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten and Marcus Cole); Time Capsule - The Trilogy; 3Brothers/Dare Records
Ted s Sheri; You've Been So Faithful (Groove); Ted s Sheri LLC / Black Smoke Music Worldwide
TheGroupFire; AboutLastNight; Jet Records North/East
CATEGORY#6
NEWARTISTOFTHEYEAR
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
MontraeTisdaleandTheFriends Chorale; TheFaithJourney; Tisdale Nation Entertainment
CATEGORY #7 ALBUM OF THE YEAR
I Got Away EP; Pastor Mike ; Rock City Media Group
LiveBreatheFight; Tamela Mann; TillyMann
More Than This; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
The Healing Project; Kenny Lewis s One Voice; PureSound Muzik Group
You Belong: Live in Durham; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
CATEGORY #8 CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Bishop Y. Younger; Bishop S.Y. Younger Presents Worship in Brazil; Ramp Records (exclusively distributed by Haus Records)
Chicago Mass Choir; GreaterIs Coming; New Haven Records
Ricky Dillard; When I Think; Motown Gospel
TheMississippiMass Choir; WeStillBelieve; Malaco Records
CATEGORY #G PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Dana Sorey; Jason Nelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
FredHammond,KeithStaten,MarcusCole,PaulWrightIIIandRayHammond; FKsM (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten and Marcus Cole); Time Capsule - The Trilogy; 3Brothers/Dare Records
This Thursday, November 20, 2025
ALBUMS Britt Nicole II II V (independent)
SINGLES The Rocky Valentines Happy Thanksgiving - Double Single [Velvet Blue]
This Friday, November 21, 2025
ALBUMS Alexxander Llorón (Crybaby) [Reach] Blanca A Christmas to Remember - EP [Curb] Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Ellie Holcomb I'll Be Home for Christmas - EP [Magnolia] Joseph Habedank The Great Adventure: A Tribute to Steven Curtis Chapman [Daywind] Andrew Marcus Christmas - EP (independent) ODYN The Chronicles of the Sacred Eye Pt. II: The Fury of the Star Spawn [Charon Collective] Polished Arrow New Blood [Polished Arrow] Stryper The Greatest Gift Of All [Frontiers]
SINGLES Franni Cash Good Woman - Single [Capitol CMG] Cliff & Antoinette Murray By The Blood We Overcome (Emmanuel) - Single [DREAM] Good Weather Forecast Little Christmas - Single [DREAM] EJ Swavv, Craig Watson & prodbyzayne 100 Percent - Single [Syntax] Jake MacAdam, Mark & Sarah Tillman Christ Has Come - Single [Ocean House] Kelo Reconcile ft. Anaia Lachelle & Selah the Corner - Single [Syntax] Life.Church Worship A Thousand Blessings - Single [Ocean House] Myles Maestro No Love in the Wild - Single [Syntax] Michael W. Smith, Chris Brown Agnus Dei - Single [The Fuel] MAYIA As the Deer - Single [Syntax] Jason Nelson Shepherd's Song - Single [Tyscot] Rhymes In Harmony Trade (ft. Mitch Darrell & Rich Will) - Single [Syntax] Seph Schlueter Cling To The Cross (feat. Matt Maher) - Single [sixsteps] TREE63 How Much Longer? - Single (independent) We The Kingdom Dear Jesus - Single [Capitol CMG]
VINYL Stryper The Greatest Gift Of All Vinyl [Girder]
Next Friday, November 28, 2025
ALBUMS Seth Davey Words in the Wounds (independent) Emery White Line Fever (Remastered) - Disc Two (independent) Phil Wickham Psalm 8 - EP [Fair Trade] Calum Wood Christmas Songs from the Kitchen Table, Vol. 1 (independent)
SINGLES Ashes Awaken For You - Single [MTS] Ian Austin Simpler Times (feat. Heather Suzanne) - Single [Ocean House] Mark Fonseca No Vacancy - Single (independent) Hillside Recording Unto Us - Single [Ocean House]
VINYL John Schlitt The Christmas Project Vinyl [Girder]
Blanca Unveils First Holiday Collection With "A Christmas to Remember EP"
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Britt Nicole II II V (independent)
