For the second year in a row, the show honors a legendary figure who died in the previous year. Last year it was Aretha Franklin; this year it was John Lewis.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard took artist of the year at the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, which were presented in a virtual event that aired on Sunday (Aug. 23) on BET. Leonard also won Current Female Vocalist of the Year.
But Kirk Franklin, who co-hosted the show with Jonathan McReynolds and Koryn Hawthorne, generally won more awards – five. He took male vocalist of the year and current male vocalist of the year, album of the year and current album of the year, and producer of the year.
Donald Lawrence won four awards, including song of the year for “Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus).”
John P. McKee won three awards. Leonard, The Walls Group, Le’Andria Johnson and Pastor Mike Jr. won each two. The Walls Group won in its two categories – duo / choir group of the year and current duo / choir group of the year – for the second year in a row.
For the second year in a row, the show pays homage to a legendary figure who died last year. Last year it was Aretha Franklin; this year it was John Lewis. Cece Winans performed a musical tribute to the late Member of Congress and icon for civil rights. The show also paid tribute to those at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19, which has hit communities of color particularly hard.
Here is the complete list of Stellar Gospel Music Award winners in 2020:
Artist of the Year and current female vocalist of the year: Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Hert. Passy. Pursuit (Live at Passion City Church) (Motown Gospel)
Album of the year, current album of the year, male vocalist of the year and current male vocalist of the year: Kirk Franklin, Long Live Love: (Fo Yo Soul / RCA / RCA Inspiration)
Traditional album of the year, traditional male singer of the year and traditional choir of the year: John P. Kee, I made it out (Entertainment One)
Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year and Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year: Le’Andria Johnson, Gosen (RCA Inspiration)
Duo / choir group of the year and current duo / choir group of the year: The Walls Group, Friend in me (Wall2Wall Entertainment / My Block Records)
New artist of the year and rap hip hop gospel album of the year: Pastor Mike Jr., Live Free (Black Smoke worldwide)
Choir of the year and current choir of the year: Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers, Gosen (RCA Inspiration)
Song of the year: “Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus),” Donald Lawrence, William Stokes, Marshon Lewis, Robert Woolridge & Desmond Davis (RCA Inspiration)
Producer of the year: Kirk Franklin, Ronald Hill and Phil Thornton, Long Live Love (Fo Yo Soul / RCA / RCA Inspiration)
Traditional duo / choir group of the year: Kurt Carr & de Kurt Carr Singers, Bless Somebody Else (Kurt Carr Gospel / RCA Inspiration)
Urban / inspirational single as performances of the year: Donald Lawrence Presents Tri-City Singers, “Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus)” (RCA Inspiration)
Music Video of the Year: Matt DeLisi, “Love Theory” (Fo Yo Soul / RCA / RCA Inspiration)
Instrumental Album of the Year: Ben Tankard, Rise! (BEN-Jamin ‘Universal Music)
Special event album of the year: Various Artists, Greenleaf: Season 3 (Music from the original TV series) (Lionsgate Entertainment)
Youth project of the year: Gospel Kids, Gospel Kids present… Christian soldiers (Tyscot Records)
Quartet of the year: Keith Wonderboy Johnson & Josh Myles, Inspiration project (Timeless music)
Praise and worship album of the year: JJ Hairston, Miracle worker (JamesTown Music / Entertainment One)
Recorded music package of the year: Derek Blanks. Bless Somebody Else (Kurt Carr Gospel, RCA Inspiration)
Big market of the year: WPZE Praise 102.5, Atlanta
Big market of the year: WPZS Praise 100.9 FM, Charlotte
Average market of the year: WXHL 89.1, Wilmington
Small market of the year: WJAY 98.3 FM & 1280 AM, Mullins
Internet station of the year: Your Gospel, http://uGospel.com
Gospel announced of the year: Meta Washington, Sirius XM, Satellite Radio
