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The 22nd Annual Stellar Awards were held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN on Jan. 13. The electric trio of Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary and Tye Tribbett kept the atmosphere charged with numerous unplanned praise breaks and sermonettes.
Performances, from Patti LaBelle, Byron Cage (who opened the show), Ziel, The Caravans, Mary Mary, Myron Butler and Levi, Kirk Franklin featuring TobyMac (ex-DC Talk lead) and Tye Tribbett & G.A. were simply incredible!
Special awards were given to The Clark Sisters (recipients of the 2007 Most Notable Achievement Award, presented by singing legend Natalie Cole), Jackson Southernaires (2007 All-State James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Yolanda Adams) and Al Hobbs (special recognition for 50 years of service in the gospel industry).
For the second consecutive year, Donald Lawrence bagged the most golden flame statuettes (8). Lawrence was presented the artist of the year award by big screen actors Gabrielle Union and Idris Alba who star in the upcoming Tyler Perry movie "Daddy's Girls."
Myron Butler and Levi and Tye Tribbett also carted off several Stellars.
Mona Austin captured the big celebration live from the Stellar Award press room and will provide a pre-broadcast photographic tour of the event in the next EUR Report.
The evening wrapped up with a star-studded performance by Bishop Paul Morton featuring Kurt Carr and Bartholomew. Everyone waved white cloths in the air and swayed to the jubilant sounds of a live New Orleans second line band.
22nd Annual Stellar Award Winners List:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers
Finale: Act One
SONG OF THE YEAR
I Will Bless the Lord
Issiah D. Thomas
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Myron Butler
Set Me Free
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dorinda Clark-Cole
Live From Houston - The Rose of Gospel
GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
Myron Butler & Levi
Set Me Free
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Myron Butler & Levi
Set Me Free
CD OF THE YEAR
Hero
Kirk Franklin
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Donald Lawrence Presents
the Tri City Singers
Finale: Act One
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Donald Lawrence
Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri City Singers - Finale: Act One
CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
Myron Butler & Levi
Set Me Free
TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
The Williams Brothers &
Their Superstar Friends-Soul Link Live 3
Soul Link Live 3-Man in the Mirror
CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST
OF THE YEAR
Tye Tribbett, II
Kingdom University Presents TyeTribbett & G.A.
Victory LIVE!
TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST of the Year
Bishop G.E. Patterson
Bishop G. E. Patterson & Congregation
Singing the Old Time Way Volume 2
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE ARTIST of the Year
CeCe Winans
Purified
TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Shirley Caeser
I Know the Truth
CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR
Donald Lawrence Presents
the Tri-City Singers - Finale: Act One
Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers
Finale: Act One
TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
New Life Community Choir featuring
John P. Kee
The Reunion
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE/PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Victory
Kingdom University Presents Tye Tribbett and G.A. Victory LIVE!
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Finale: Act One
Limited Collector's Edition
Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Hezekiah Walker & LFC 20/85
The Experience
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Donald Lawrence Presents
The Tri-City Singers - Finale: Act One
Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers Finale: Act One
INSTRUMENTAL CD OF THE YEAR
With One Voice
Ramsey Lewis
SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
Donald Lawrence Presents
The Tri-City Singers - Finale: Act One - Limited Collector's Edition
Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers Finale: Act One
RAP/HIOP-HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR
Cross Movement Records Presents
da' T.R.U.T.H.
da' T.R.U.T.H.
Children's Performance of the Year
Youth For Christ
The Struggle is Over
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson &
The Spiritual Voices
Just Being Me
Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
Philpott Design
Donald Lawrence Presents The Tri City Singers Finale: Act One
PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR
Kevin Burroughs Neeley
A Perfect Praise "Ministering to the Lord" LIVE Volume III Live