The 29th Annual Stellar Awards Show aired live on station UPtv.com from the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville. Other “Stellar” events were held throughout the city at several venues. The weekend, noted as “Stellar Weekend” was a hub for many well-known gospel artists and local artists to perform.
Don Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Central City Productions, an innovative television production and marketing experience offers a full service television production that produces and syndicates. One of the most popular of these productions are the Stellar Gospel Music Awards. This awards show is taped in the month of January.
Local gospel show producers take the “Stellar Weekend” opportunity to showcase talented individuals seeking to break into the professional business of singing great gospel music, as well as those who are already recording artists in the industry.
In addition to the Stellar Award Pre-Show that was held at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, other associated weekend events were sponsored by Kiad Productions at Manna From Heaven with 102.1 radio personality, Damon King. Recording artist, The Joy Boyz hosted an event at Crystal Fountain Church and The Soul Café had a full house at the Limelight with Carlos Hale.
The Stellar Awards Show at the Municipal Auditorium featured special performances by Shirley Ceasar, Donald Lawrence, Erica Campbell, Hezekiah Walker, Lexi, Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Ricky Dillard, Vashawn Mitchell and many others. The 2014 Stellar included a new emerging artist contest which invited singers to submit their best work for a chance to attend the Stellar Awards Show.
The highlight of the Awards is the acknowledgement of special honorees. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, received the Thomas A. Dorsey Notable Achievement Award for her career accomplishments on Capital Hill. Hezekiah Walker was honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the Gospel music industry. Reverend Maceo Woods received the Chevrolet Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award, presented by its name sake, Dr. Bobby Jones.
Don Jackson said, “I am excited about the line up for this year’s show which featured performances by artists whose songs charted in the top 25 throughout the year,” he said, “I want to thank the over 35,000 fans who voted for our 2014 Stellar nominees, a phenomenal 30% increase over last year’s fan voting, and a testament to the growth and popularity of gospel music.”
The top winner of the night, Tamela Mann said, “I just want my praise to please God.”
This year’s awards show was aired live on UPtv.com and will later be shown on other networks via the national broadcast syndication from January 25-March 22.
