All the winners from the 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards!
- Rodney Sanders
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
It was a big night for the “40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards” and for Pastor Mike Jr. and others.
The annual award ceremony was held on August 16th, 2025 at the historic Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN with the theme, OUR MUSIC, OUR VOICE, OUR CULTURE.
Hosted by Stellar and GRAMMY Award-winning duo, BeBe & CeCe Winans, the show included dynamic performances by "American Idol" winner Jamal Roberts, Todd Dulaney, Lisa Knowles-Smith, Adia, Donnie McClurkin, Dottie Peoples, Jekalyn Carr, Jason Nelson, Lisa Page Brooks, Pastor Mike Jr., Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Tramaine Hawkins, and William Murphy, to name a few!
Pastor Mike Jr. made history by winning his fourth consecutive Artist of the Year award, setting a Stellar Awards record. With the win, he now overtakes both Kirk Franklin and Marvin Sapp for most Artist of the Year wins.
In addition, Pastor Mike won all nine (9) categories for which he was nominated, including Album of the Year for his gospel hip-hop album AMEN.
Pastor Mike Jr was not the only one with significant victories.
After a tough year following the loss of her husband, Bishop Alan Brooks, Lisa Page Brooks triumphed as the Stellar Award winner for Traditional Female Artist of the Year for her viral gospel hit, Grateful Chant.
Earnest Pugh also had a banner night, winning his very first Stellar Award despite such hits as "I Need Your Glory." Pugh took home this year's trophy for Traditional Male Artist of the Year.
It was also defining year for Jason Nelson who took home the Stellar Award for Contemporary Album of the Year for his recording of YOU BELONG: LIVE IN DURHAM. This win was particularly significant because it follows the loss of his mother, Dr. Bessie Nelson, earlier this year.
Finally, the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Stellar Awards CEO and founder, Don Jackson. The decision to give this year's award to Jackson may signal a forthcoming change in leadership at Central City Productions for the 81-year old business pioneer.
Below are all the winners from this year's outstanding celebration of gospel music:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group
SONG OF THE YEAR
Amen; Michael McClure Jr., Adia Andrews, Terrell Anthony Pettus, Andrea Crouch, & David "DLo" Outing; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Group Fire; About Last Night; Jet Records North/East
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
ADIA; On the Way; Rock City Media Group
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
I Got Away EP; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Ricky Dillard; When I Think; Motown Gospel
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Michael McClure Jr., & David "DLo" Outing II; Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group
CONTEMPORARY DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Group Fire; About Last Night; Jet Records North/East
TRADITIONAL DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
Brandon Camphor & One Way; Hymn Medley; Tomii Entertainment
CONTEMPORARY MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group
TRADITIONAL MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Earnest Pugh; Worthy Is The Lamb; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
TRADITIONAL FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lisa Page Brooks; The Grateful Chant; FlowNeeNee Music
CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
You Belong: Live in Durham; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Determined; Dorinda Clark-Cole; Malaco Records
URBAN SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Amen; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Amen; Pastor Mike Jr., Tony “Mr.YNOT” Minifield, Drae Rudolph & Kevin “Krispy” Key/Moon Men; Rock City Media Group
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Ricky Dillard; When I Think; Motown Gospel
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Vincent Bohanan & SOV; VBSOV Summer Jam; Independent
TRADITIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Determined; Malaco Records
SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Bishop S.Y. Younger Presents Worship in Brazil; Bishop S.Y. Younger; Ramp Records (exclusively distributed by Haus Records)
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Canton Jones and CAJO Records Presents The Free Life Experience; The Free Life Experience; CAJO Records
YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Brent Jones presents The Fire; Brent Jones presents The Fire; JDI Entertainment
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
Men Of Prayze; Live: In The Red; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
Still Karen; Justin Foster; Motown Gospel
PRAISE AND WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
More Than This; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
PRAISE AND WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR
Overflow ft. Todd Dulaney; Transformation Worship; Represent Records, Re: Think Music
RAP/HIP HOP SONG OF THE YEAR
Amen; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group
JAMES CLEVELAND LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Don Jackson
TOP RADIO MARKET OF THE YEAR
WBBP 1480 AM, Memphis, TN
MEDIUM RADIO MARKET OF THE YEAR
WXHL 89.1 FM, Wilmington, DE
SMALL RADIO MARKET OF THE YEAR
WTSK – Praise 93.3/ 790 AM, Tuscaloosa, AL
SYNDICATED GOSPEL RADIO SHOW OF THE YEAR
Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell; Erica Campbell with Griff & Cheryl Jackson
GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR
Melissa Wade; WNNL, The Light 103.9/ Melissa Wade in the Midday
The 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards will premiere Saturday, August 30th at 8PM ET/7PM CT on the Stellar Network. Additionally, the ceremony will air Sunday, August 31st at 8PM ET/7PM CT on BET.