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Jet, Feb 3, 2003

The 18th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards ceremony was recently taped at the Atlanta Civic Center In Atlanta and is a ring in national syndication this week. This year's two-hour show honored contributions from the African-American Gospel music industry.

Co-hosting and performing at the Stellar Gospel Awards was gospel super star Donnie McClurkin, along with Gospel newcomer Michelle Williams of the Grammy--award winning music group Destiny's Child and popular gospel duo Mary Mary.

Gospel music pioneer and living legend Pastor Andrae Crouch received the prestigious James Cleveland Award.

Gospel superstar Yolanda Adams became the first Stellar Awards Hall of Fame recipient and received the Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year and Urban--Inspirational CD of the Year.

Kirk Franklin swept the Stellar Awards ceremony, winning five awards in the categories of Artist of the Year, The Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin; Song of the Year, Hosanna; CD of the Year, The Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin; Producer of the Year; and Music Video of the Year for Hosanna. Smokie Norful received three Stellar Awards: Male Vocalist of the Year--New Artist of the Year/Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, I Need You Now. Dorinda Clark Cole walked away with two awards: Female Vocalist of the Year and Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year.

Other award recipients were Ted & Sheri, Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers, the Canton Spirituals, Marvin Sapp, Richard Smallwood with Vision, the Commissioned Reunion, Tonex, and Philpott Design & Pamela Springsteen.

Another highlight of the awards festivities was the Chevrolet-Stellar Youth Gospel Choir, who performed at the 18th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Nominee Dinner and at the Atlanta Women's Shelter.

Among the celebrities on hand for the show were Chris Tucker, Clifton Davis, Bow Wow, Kelly Price, Sean Patrick Thomas, the Winans, Karen Clark Sheard, Evander Holyfield, Randall Cunningham, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and Tina and Mathew Knowles.

The awards show was executive-produced by Don Jackson, produced by Barbara Wilson and directed by Chuck Vinson for Central City Productions.

The official sponsors were General Motors, Merrill Lynch, Musicworld Gospel and Gospel Truth Magazine. The official airline was American Airlines. The two-hour broadcast will air in national syndication through February 16. Check you local listings for airdate and time.