Gospel music’s finest showed up in force at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House Theatre for the taping of the industry’s premier event, The 27th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards in January. The celebration began with star-studded red carpet arrivals including stars Tina Campbell (of Mary Mary), Teddy Campbell, Dr. Bobby Jones, Earnest Pugh, Byron Cage, James Fortune, Richard Smallwood, Dottie Peoples, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, actress/producer Kim Fields, Regina Bell, Shirley Murdoch, Trin-I-Tee 5:7, Wess Morgan, top winner of the night, EMI Gospel artist Vashawn Mitchell and more. Hosted by Marvin Sapp and Dorinda Clark Cole, the show kicked off with an electrifying performance from Kirk Franklin. Other performers included Fred Hammond, Martha Munizzi, Kim Burrell,Jessica Reedy, Le’Andria Johnson, Lecrea, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., and Canton Jones gave an exciting collaborative performance.
Special awards recipients Vy Higginsen, Dorothy Norwood and John P. Kee were all present to be honored. Additional celebrities in attendance were gospel music icons Cece Winans and Donnie McClurkin, actress Carmen Ejogo(Lackawanna Blues, Sparkle), and ex-baseball player turned gospel artist, Todd Dulaney among others.
Photo Caption: Actress and awards show presenter Kim Fields backstage at the 27th Annual Stellar Awards. (Photo Credit: Moses Robinson / Courtesy of Central City Productions & The FrontPage Firm)
Photo Caption: Dr. Booby Jones presents Dorothy Norwood with the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award. (Photo Credit: Moses Robinson / Courtesy of Central City Productions & The FrontPage Firm)
Photo Caption: Actress Carmen Ejogo (Lackawanna Blues, Sparkle) at the 27th Annual Stellar Awards. (Photo Credit: Moses Robinson / Courtesy of Central City Productions & The FrontPage Firm)