I took a minute before writing my thoughts about this year’s Stellar Awards, held in Nashville, TN this past Saturday. Aside from being utterly exhausted by Monday morning, I also wanted to reflect a bit before I penned my thoughts. Having so reflected, here we go…
The 26th Annual Stellar Awards program was hosted by Donnie McClurkin– the first time that only one person has had hosting duties. It had to be a bit exhausting for him, but he’s a great host who keeps the energy high both on and off-camera.
For me, one major highlight of the show was that newer artists (or those that we don’t see often on national TV) were given performance slots– the Soul Seekers, forever Jones, the Nevels Sisters, Joshua’s Troop… I think the overwhelming consensus has been that the “same people” get booked for the Stellars, the Celebration of Gospel, etc. This year, I feel like the mold was broken a bit. And that’s good.
Similarly, some non-”regulars” won in a few categories– Lucinda Moore for Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year, Darwin Hobbs for Praise & Worship CD of the Year… it seemed like, for a lot of categories, one could not predict the winner. That’s fine, until one also cannot explain the winner, and there were quite a few head-scratching moments as it relates to the winner’s list.
I’m not going to dig too deeply into how I feel about who won an award and who didn’t– what’s done is done. But I will say that the Just James from J Moss was career-defining and one of the only albums in the past decade that I have allowed to play without skipping a track. That he didn’t win one of the many awards for which he was nominated is more than unfortunate. I also think that forever Jones had the greatest eligible song of last year with “He Wants It All,” but the family band wasn’t even nominated in the “Best Song” category.
You’ll see the edited show in various markets beginning this weekend (check your local listings) and on gmc on March 5th at 8pm. But I’ll tell you my fave moments now–
Key performances for me came from JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, who opened the show with “Lord, You’re Mighty,” as well as Beverly Crawford who simply does not disappoint on stage, and VaShawn Mitchell with his unstoppable hit “Nobody Greater.” I also loved the Nevels Sisters (they whipped their “hair back and forth”) and the quartet moment, which featured INCREDIBLE vocals from The Rance Allen Group, the Soul Seekers and the Williams Brothers. Deitrick Haddon commanded the stage like few can on his set. But at the end, it was Marvin Sapp, in a moving tribute to his wife MaLinda, who had the entire audience on their feet (and nearly in tears) before Donnie McClurkin had us all pray for Pastor Sapp– hope they show that on TV.
Fairly or unfairly, the Stellar Awards really needed to meet or exceed the performance success of last year’s 25th Anniversary Stellar Awards. While this year’s show was not bad, it’s hard not to knock it down a few pegs in comparison to the incredible show from last year, with its once-in-a-lifetime collaborative performances.
But then the question becomes “should they be considered ‘once-in-a-lifetime’?” As the show did this year with the quartet collabo, is there not a way to creatively combine performances each year in such a way that the Stellar Awards consistently features unique performances that you cannot see elsewhere?
If I’ve seen an artist perform his or her song at the Gospel Heritage Conference, then GMWA, then COGIC Convocation and, finally, Celebration of Gospel over the past year, what’s so special about seeing them do it again on the Stellar Awards? The suits and dresses? The lights and house band? The audience? It’s not enough. We need more than a performance of the song– we need a moment. Last year, the Stellars gave us hours of moments. This year, we also got a couple. But we need more. I get that last year’s show was special– but I do believe that the gospel community wants it to be the norm.
In any case, kudos to Central City Productions and the Stellar Awards– it’s not an easy task and, for all the commentary I’m giving, I still wouldn’t miss a taping for the world. Here’s to a good 26th, and a great 27th.
MAJOR Congrats to Darwin Hobbs for his win...LOVE the CD. I can't WAIT to see Youthful Praise's performance...I keep hearing about it! "But I will say that the Just James from J Moss was career-defining and one of the only albums in the past decade that I have allowed to play without skipping a track. That he didn’t win one of the many awards for which he was nominated is more than unfortunate. I also think that forever Jones had the greatest eligible song of last year with “He Wants It All,” but the family band wasn’t even nominated in the “Best Song” category." <---- Couldn't have said that better.
Great re-cap EJ...However I missed your tweets from the taping last Saturday.
I love your recap. Thanks for being so thorough! I will say that although you have seen certain performances throughout the year the majority of the viewing audience has not so the Stellars probably considered that fact. Last year was indeed amazing and I loved the piano solos with Richard Smallwood and Smokie Norful. Looking forward to seeing this years' award and your re-cap has me excited about it. Thanks again!
Its not the Stellars!!! Its the artist!!! Gospel artist have become soooooo accustom to just do a riff here a run here catch the spirit and expect it to be hot....um no! Might sound good but being that its an award show it is meant to entertain the audience....I think the artists need to be more creative with their sets...when we look at other award shows what make's it so interesting is that the artist put alot of time and efforts towards their set....so its gonna continue to be the same until these artist spice it up a bit Deitrick is probably one of the only artist who normally have a creative set, Tye is good at it Kirk has done some interesting sets, Tonex always!, Trin-i-tee 5:7 Dove set was awesome...the others just do the same ole same ole
Forgot to add one of the things I did appreciate from the Stellars this year was that they didnt use the same people....they did have a variety of artist and gave some artist who normally do not get exposure the opportunity to perform so I must applaud them for that!!!
I agree!
Enter text right here!
I am still popping J-Moss in, that cd was phenomenal. Rebuild me, anybody else fall out from that one? Since a large chunk of my gross wages goes to tithes and supporting gospel music, I consider myself to know quite a bit about all of the artists. However, some category winners left me asking "who is that"? Maybe I should know but I don't. I feel really left out since I don't know those individuals. Let me go on youtube and inquire, I don't like feeling left out on good music. When Beverly Crawford, Youthful Praise and VaShawn perform I'll be taping, singing, shouting and dancing.......get me a white sanctified towel and go in. Did you say Marvin will be singing, mental note to get tissue also. Yeah God. Great recap EJ as always.
Lucinda moore deserves it, that woman is a singing machine. This was a great recap, looking forward to viewing it.
@EJ I heard Toney aka B. Slade was there & performed in a pre-show. Was that true?
I'm glad to see that there are new performers in the line up. I also agree that the stellars should have been more memorable, especially since we had some gospel giants that have went on to gain eternal life in the last decade. Even within last year itself. I was thinking a tribute would have been in order for them, at least snippets of video clips of their performances. I was sad that Vanessa Bell and Fred Hammond did not get a stellar either. I'm not hating but how can James Fortune be nominated as a male vocalist when he doesn't not sing? I think that is not fair.
Nope. Toney aka B. Slade did not perform at the pre-show. I was there.
Tonex performed at the Bonnerfide Radio party on Friday night.
@ raven that was funny James does cry though u gotta give him that.....lol
The Stellar awards is a award show that i look foward to seeing EVERY year, especially this year because people who i love was nominated for various awards, but i have to say i was able to watch the stellars last weekend and i was very upset with the show...There was too much performing and not enough award giving..This is a AWARD show not BET Celebration of Gospel...yes we need to see performers but we also need to see those who have worked very hard this year be given there awards on TV and not be named in a list at the end of the show...
One word for the Stellar awards this year...... ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!
I completely agree with you regarding J Moss and Just James! It is STILL the BEST CD I purchased last year that I am still playing! I often wonder if I'm missing another message being sent to him. Anyway, congratulations for all the winners (even if I don't know who they are!)
Please ladies, don't look as if these are the Grammy Awards. Some of you dressed as if you were in competition with Lady GaGa! It's about your Christian talents, not you dress!!