Stellar Gospel Music Awards held in Atlanta

Jet, Feb 11, 2002

The 17th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards ceremony was recently taped at the Atlanta Civic Center in Atlanta and is airing in national syndication this week.

Gospel superstars Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams served as co-hosts of the annual awards show, which saluted top gospel recording artists and celebrated faith, harmony and healing.

Legendary gospel vocalist Albertina Walker received the coveted James Cleveland Award in recognition of her innovative efforts in traditional gospel music.

McClurkin swept the Stellar Awards ceremony, winning seven awards, including Male Vocalist of the Year and CD of the Year for Donnie McClurkin, Live In London And More with the hit We Fall Down.

Kurt Carr took home five Stellar Awards, Kirk Franklin received two awards and Adams also won two Stellar Awards.

Other award recipients were Excelsior, The New Life Community Choir Featuring John P. Kee, Jason White, Lee Williams & The Spiritual QCs, legendary gospel singer Shirley Caesar, Mary Mary, O'Landa Draper Associates and Bishop T.D. Jakes & The Potter House Mass Choir. Noted Chicago minister the Rev. Clay Evans and nationally syndicated radio host Tom Joyner each received the Most Notable Achievement Award. The CD, WOW 2001, was named Special Event CD of the Year and the Kirk Franklin-produced Kingdom Come soundtrack as Rap/ Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year.

Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers opened the show with a foot-stomping performance. Other performers included McClurkin, Adams, CeCe Winans, Kirk Franklin, the Commissioned Reunion featuring Fred Hammond, Richard Smallwood, Shirley Caesar, who teamed up with Destiny's Child member Michene Williams, Dottle Peoples, Lee Williams and the Spiritual QCs and Tonex.

Another highlight of the awards festivities was the Chevrolet-Stellar Awards Youth Choir, who wowed the crowd at the Chevrolet-Stellar Gospel Music Awards Nomination Dinner.

Among the celebrities on hand for the show were comedian-movie star Chris Tucker, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Jermaine Dupri, Faith Evans, Mary Mary, Vicki Winans and R&B crooner Montell Jordan.

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 Chevrolet, a division of General Motors, Johnson and Johnson and American Airlines.

The two-hour broadcast will air in national syndication through Feb. 10. Check local listings for air date and time.