Here’s the full list of nominations for the 2026 Stellar Gospel Music Awards!

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Artist of the Year

• Darrel Walls; Heart of Mine; Tyscot Records / Gumbo Studios

• Jekalyn Carr; Jekalyn X The Legends; Waynorth Music

• Kim Person; Reflections; Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise

• Tasha Cobbs Leonard; TASHA; Motown Gospel. TeeLee Records

• Tye Tribbett; Only on the Road (Live); Motown Gospel, Freligious Music

   

Song of the Year

• “Able” ft. Kim Burrell ~ Paul Sylvester Morton Jr.~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios

• “Come Jesus Come” ~ Stephen McWhirter, Tara McWhirter, Hank Bentley, and Bryan Fowler ~ Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services

• “On the Way” Remix ft. Erica Campbell ~ Adia Andrews, Karl Powell, Michael McClure Jr., Jeremy James, Jaicko Raphael Lawrence, Israel Allen, & Erica Campbell ~ Rock City Media Group

• “Promises (Live)” ~ Alescia Knowles-Smith ~ EvoWorld Entertainment

• “Your Love” ~ Kim Person ~ Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise

   

Male Artist of the Year

• Asaun Bynum ~ True to Him ~ Blockbuster Records/LRAE Entertainment

• Darrel Walls ~ Heart of Mine ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios

• John P. Kee ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records

• Jonathan McReynolds ~ Still (Live) ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Label

• Tye Tribbett ~ Only on the Road (Live) ~ Motown Gospel, Freligious Music

   

Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year

• Adia ~ On the Way EP ~ Rock City Media Group

• Jekalyn Carr ~ Jekalyn X The Legends ~ Waynorth Music

• Kim Person ~ Reflections ~ Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise

• Lisa Knowles Smith ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment

• Maranda Curtis ~ Worship Restored ~ ButterflyWorks/Red Alliance Media

• Tasha Cobbs Leonard ~ TASHA ~ Motown Gospel. TeeLee Records

   

Duo/Chorus Group of the Year

• Asaun Bynum ft. LeekGoHard ~ Jesus I Love You ~ Blockbuster Records/LRAE Entertainment

• CeCe Winans & Pastor Shirley Caesar ~ Come Jesus Come ~ Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services

• Jason Clayborn x Melvin Crispell III ~ Whatever It Is ~ Jay Clay Music/Tyscot

• Jonathan McReynolds ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Still (Live) ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Label

• Lisa Knowles Smith & The Brown Singers ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment

   

New Artist of the Year

• Ablaze ~ Ablaze ~ Independent

• Asaun Bynum ~ True to Him ~ Blockbuster Records/LRAE Entertainment

• Bishop Charles Ellis & Greater Grace Worship Choir ~ Graceful Records

• United Music & Arts Conference Choir ~ Clap Your Hands ft. Beverly Crawford & Craig Hayes ~ High C

   

Album of the Year

• Heart of Mine ~ Darrel Walls ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios

• Live in New York ~ Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Independent

• Reflections ~ Kim Person ~ Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise

• TASHA ~ Tasha Cobbs Leonard ~ Motown Gospel. TeeLee Records

   

Choir of the Year

• B. Chase Williams & Shabach ~ Secret Place ~ Millie’s Boy Muzik

• JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music

• John P. Kee & New Life ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records

• Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Live in New York ~ Independent

   

Quartet of the Year

• Lisa Knowles Smith & The Brown ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment

• The Flying Clouds of South Carolina ~ Don’t Leave Me ~ Blockbuster Records

• The Gospel Legends ~ Jesus Is the Man ~ 4Winds/Malaco Records

• Tim White ~ Help Live in Chicago ~ Independent

   

Producer of the Year

• Alescia Knowles-Smith & Frederick Perry ~ Revival: Live in Dallas (Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers) ~ EvoWorld Entertainment

• Donald Lawrence & Cedric Thompson ~ Global Love Alive (London) ~ Platoon

• Kim Person & Phillip Bryant ~ Reflections ~ Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise

• PJ Morton ~ Heart of Mine (Darrel Walls) ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios

   

Music Video of the Year

• “I Am Happy” ~ Allen Carr & Jekalyn Carr ~ Waynorth Music

• “Find Jesus” ~ Deitrick Haddon ~ ManHaddon Ministries/Tyscot Records

• “You Matter” ~ Maurice Griffin ~ World Changing Entertainment

• “On the Way Remix” (Adia ft. Erica Campbell) ~ Will Thomas ~ Rock City Media

   

Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year

• Deitrick Haddon & Voices of Unity ~ Chain Breaker 2.5 ~ ManHaddon Ministries/Tyscot Records

• Jason Clayborn x Melvin Crispell III ~ Whatever It Is ~ Jay Clay Music/Tyscot

• Jonathan McReynolds ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Still (Live) ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Label

• Mariah Carey (feat. The Clark Sisters ~ Jesus I Do ~ MARIAH/gamma.

• Red Hands ~ Red Hands ~ Black Suit Music/Anderson Music Group/TAMLA Records

• Tasha Cobbs Leonard ft. John Legend ~ Church ~ Motown Gospel. TeeLee Records

• The Group Fire ~ I Can Count on You ~ Jet Records North/East

   

Traditional Duo/Chorus Group of the Year

• Brandon Camphor & One Way ~ In Christ Alone ~ TOMii Entertainment

• Darrel Petties & Take 2 ~ Word ~ Independent

• Lucinda Moore featuring Bishop Paul S. Morton ~ Someone who cares (the lala song) ~ Nalah Music Group/New Day Christian Distributor

• Ron Carter & Ricky Dillard ~ Sweet, Sweet Spirit ~ Motown Gospel, Blue Note Records

 

Contemporary Male Artist of the Year

• Darrel Walls ~ Heart of Mine ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studio

• Jonathan McReynolds ~ Still (Live) ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Label

• Thomas Ware ~ The Book of Thomas ~ Blockbuster Records/CHMG Music Group

• Zacardi Cortez ~ Ibhar: The Journey (Chapter 2) ~ Blacksmoke Music

   

Traditional Male Artist of the Year

• E. Dewey Smith ~ Songs Daddy Used To Sing ~ Pebble Street Records

• Earnest Pugh ~ We Wanna See You, Vol 1 Live ~ Blacksmoke Music Worldwide

• JJ Hairston ~ The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music

• John P. Kee ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records

   

Contemporary Female Artist of the Year

• Adia ~ On the Way EP ~ Rock City Media Group

• Crystal Aikin ~ Lord I Need Your Help ~ Godshand Management Services LLC/Mixed Bag Entertainment

• Erica Campbell ~ Trust and Obey – London ~ My Block Records Inc.

• Kim Person ~ Reflections ~ Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise

• Nia Allen ~ Lord I Love You ~ Lewis-Kortez Group

• Tasha Cobbs Leonard ~ TASHA ~ Motown Gospel. TeeLee Records

   

Traditional Female Artist of the Year

• Blanche McAllister-Dykes ~ Words (Donald Lawrence) ~ Platoon

• Bobbi Lane ~ He Never Failed Me ft. Paul Porter ~ Taylor Music Group

• K. Jeanette ~ Jesus Is My Friend ft. Shawn Bigby ~ Devine Records

• Lucinda Moore ~ Someone who cares (the lala song) ft Bishop Paul S. Morton ~ Nalah Music Group/New Day Christian Distributor

   

Contemporary Album of the Year

• Fred Hammond Presents Sensere: The Soul of Future Worship Vol. II ~ Sensere ~ Wrightsound M&E

• Live in New York ~ Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Independent

• TASHA ~ Tasha Cobbs Leonard ~ Motown Gospel. TeeLee Records

• The Book of Thomas ~ Thomas Ware ~ Blockbuster Records/CHMG Music Group

   

Traditional Album of the Year

• Jekalyn X The Legends ~ Jekalyn Carr ~ Waynorth Music

• Sweet, Sweet Spirit ~ Ron Carter & Ricky Dillard ~ Motown Gospel, Blue Note Records

• The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music

• Throwback: An Evening With John P. Kee Part I; ~ John P. Kee & New Life ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records

   

Urban Single or Performance of the Year

• “Church Parking Lot” ft. Tasha Page-Lockhart ~ Otis Kemp ~ Revive 5.0 Entertainment

• “Do It Again” ~ Kirk Franklin ~ Fo Yo Soul Recordings/Tribl Records

• “Jesus I Love You” ~ Asaun Bynum ft. LeekGoHard ~ Blockbuster Records/LRAE Entertainment

• “Make a Way” ~ VaShawn Mitchell ~ VMan Entertainment/Fair Trade Services

• “On the Way” Remix ft. Erica Campbell ~ Adia ~ Rock City Media Group

• “The Light” ~ Jor’Dan Armstrong ~ Jor’Dan Armstrong Music/Lewis-Kortez Group

   

Traditional Choir of the Year

• B. Chase Williams & Shabach ~ Secret Place ~ Millie’s Boy Muzik

• Bishop Brian D. Moore & The Life Center Choir ~ Always Come Through ~ Independent

• JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music

• John P. Kee & New Life ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records

   

Contemporary Choir of the Year

• Ablaze ~ Ablaze ~ Independent

• Johnny Sanders Featuring Faith on Full ~ A Song ~ Just 1 Global Productions/Johnny Sanders Presents LLC

• Sounds of Blackness Feat Jamecia Bennett, NUNNABOVE, Atlanta Drum Academy ~ We’re Unstoppable ~ Sounds of Blackness/AtomicK Records

• Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Live in New York ~ Independent

• Voices of Fire ~ Ophanim ~ EZ FLO Innovations LLC/PW Music/Warner Records

   

Traditional Artist of the Year

• E. Dewey Smith ~ Songs Daddy Used To Sing ~ Pebble Street Records

• Jekalyn Carr ~ Jekalyn X The Legends ~ Waynorth Music

• JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music

• John P. Kee & New Life ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records

   

Special Event Album of the Year

• Bishop S.Y. Younger Presents: Almost Home – A Ramp Record with Friends ~ Bishop S.Y. Younger ~ Ramp Records, Under Exclusive License to MNRK Records LP

• Live in New York ~ Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Independent

• Sweet, Sweet Spirit ~ Ron Carter & Ricky Dillard ~ Motown Gospel, Blue Note Records

• Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ John P. Kee & New Life ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records

   

Rap/Hip Hop Gospel Album of the Year

• All We Like Sheep ~ Childlike CiCi ~ Capitol Christian Music Group, TAMLA

• Party in Heaven ~ Mike Teezy ~ MTEntertainment, LLC

• Reconstruction ~ Lecrae ~ Reach Records

• Walking With Purpose ~ DFG SUL ~ Independent

   

Youth Project of the Year

• AMG Kidz x Wilson World; Boombox; Anderson Music Group / TAMLA Records

• Janessa Smith; Lift Him; Inspired Recording

• Pure N Heart; Alphaeus Anderson Presents Pure N Heart Celebrate Jesus 20yrs; Music2ChangeU

   

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year

• Brianna Dowd & JJ Hairston – The Live Reunion – Motown Gospel/Jamestown Music

• Kim Person & JP Designs Art – Reflections – Blockbuster Records/KLP Music Enterprise

• Octavius Holmes – Jekalyn Carr x The Legends – Waynorth Music

• PJ Morton – Heart of Mine (Darrel Walls) – Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios

   

Praise and Worship Album of the Year

• Coritos Vol. 1; Israel & New Breed; Integrity Music/District 11

• Jesus Over Everything (Live in Las Vegas); Naomi Raine; Tribl Records

• Promises; Todd Dulaney; DulaneyLand Music, FairTrade Services

• Worship Restored; Maranda Curtis; ButterflyWorks/Red Alliance Media

   

Praise And Worship Song of the Year

• “Be Glad” ~ Naomi Raine ~ Tribl Records

• “Bless Your Name” ~ Maranda Curtis ~ ButterflyWorks/Red Alliance Media

• “Proverbs 3” ~ Todd Dulaney ~ DulaneyLand Music, FairTrade Services

• “Your Name” ~ Jovonta Patton ~ Newton Street Entertainment/Integrity

   

Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year

• “Headphones” ~ Lecrae ft. TI & Killer Mike ~ Reach Records

• “Move It!” ~ 1K Phew Ft. Forrest Frank & 1K Pson ~ Reach Records

• “Movin” ~ JustCordell ~ Rock City Media Group

• “10X My Blessings” ~ Jevon Dewand & The Trap Starz ft. Isaac Carree, Jazze Pha, Gaz Money, & Blanco Brown ~ Blacksmoke Music Worldwide

   

HBCU Choir of the Year

• Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University ft. Damien Sneed & The Levites and Kierra Sheard Kelly

• Morgan State University Choir

• NCA&T Fellowship Gospel Choir

• Southern University Gospel Choir ft. Cameron Blain

• The Fort Valley State University Choir ft. Loren Michelle & Tiffany Boone

   

Top Radio Market of the Year

• WPZE Praise 102.5 ~ Atlanta

• WPZS 102.5 and 610AM ~ Charlotte

• WFTB 104.1 ~ Nashville

• WPRS Praise 92.7/95.9 ~ Washington, DC

   

Medium Radio Market of the Year

• WDEK Columbia’s Praise 95.7|1170 AM  ~ Columbia

• WFMV 96.1FM 620AM  ~ Columbia

• WXHL 89.1 FM Reach Gospel Radio  ~ Wilmington

• KFFH 93.7 FM ~ North Little Rock

   

Small Radio Market of the Year

• WWDA FM 101.9 ~ Clarksville

• WRNP 94.1 FM ~ Ft. Wayne

• WEHA 88.7FM 100.3 ~ Atlantic City

• WKTT 97.5 FM ~ Salisbury

 

Syndicated Gospel Radio Show of the Year

• Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell; Erica Campbell with Arlen “Griff” Griffin & Cheryl Jackson

• The Bobby Parker Show; Bobby Parker

• The Tracy Morgan Show; Tracy Morgan

• Willie Moore Jr.; Willie Moore Jr.

   

Gospel Announcer of the Year

• Anna Johnson; WFLT 1420 AM, Flint, MI

• Neiko Flowers; WPZE 102.5, Atlanta, GA

• Pam Dixon; WEAM 100.7, Columbus, GA

• Trey Nickelson; WBZF-FM – Glory 98.5, Florence, SC

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The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will be taped live at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, Aug. 15.

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The show will premiere on The Stellar Network, available on Charter Spectrum and Verizon Fios, with the broadcast debuting on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 8 p.m. ET with an encore presentation at 10 p.m. ET.

 

The celebration will make its national cable premiere on BET on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 8 p.m. ET and 10:30 p.m. ET before expanding to audiences nationwide through broadcast TV syndication from Sept. 5 through Sept. 27.

 

In Charlotte, WBTV (CBS) will serve as the local television broadcast partner. Bounce TV will air the ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 1 p.m. ET.​​

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