HOUSTON, TX. (JL Media Relations) - The nominees for the 20th Annual
Stellar Gospel
Music Awards were announced during a press conference at the
George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. The Williams Brothers and
Fred Hammond locked down six nominations each to lead a star-studded array of nominees for the 20th Annual
Stellar Gospel
Music Awards Show.
CeCe Winans, Bishop Paul S.
Morton and Tonex each garnered five nominations, while
Israel Houghton & New Breed followed with four nominations. The longest-running televised gospel awards show in history will be hosted by two of last year's co-hosts
Yolanda Adams and Donnie McClurkin, who will be joined by gospel sensation Tonex.
The nominations come at a most prestigious time as the Stellar Gospel Music Awards show celebrates its 20th anniversary on January 15, 2005 in a return to the George R. Brown Convention Center. In addition to awards for excellence in gospel music, the Trailblazer Award, previously known as the Hall of Fame Award, will be presented to McClurkin, while the prestigious James Cleveland Award will be presented to Robert Smallwood. And the Legend Award will be given to Bobby Jones, host of BET Gospel's popular 'Lift Every Voice.'
Along with awards for excellence in the gospel music field, the Stellar Awards is noted for exposing traditional and contemporary gospel music artists worldwide. This year's celebration is no different, with CeCe Winans, Bishop Paul Morton, the Williams Brothers, the Hawkins Family and Dottie Peoples among the entertainment lineup, with more to be announced. A special segment will be aired that chronicles the highlights of the previous 19 years of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards.
The Stellar Gospel Music Awards Show is executive-produced by Chicago-based Central City Productions' Don Jackson and produced by Barbara Wilson. Erma Gray Davis is the President of Central City Productions, and Jennifer Jackson is the executive in charge of production. This year's awards show will be directed by Terri McCoy, who returns for a second consecutive year. Don Jackson says of the 20th anniversary show, 'We are proud to have exposed some of the finest talent in gospel music history over the years. The Stellar Gospel Music Awards Show is now an institution and has proven to be the barometer for excellence in the gospel field.'
20th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards tickets goes on sale to the public November 12 at Ticketmaster 713.629.3700.
For group sales, contact BNL Group at 713.680.9886. The host hotel is the Hilton Americas-Houston 1.800.236.2905.
For further information on the 20th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, please contact A. Jalila Larsuel at JL Media Relations (626) 398-5028 or e-mail: [email protected]. Fax: (626) 794-8973