40th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Nominees Announced!
Pastor Mike Jr. and Jason Nelson Tie for Top Nominations With 9, Cece Winans Earns 8 Nominations, The Mississippi Mass Choir Earn 6 Nominations
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 below:
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 - CHOIR OF THE YEAR
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
CATEGORY #18 - 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
CATEGORY #29 - 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