The Stellar Awards: Honors "The Source"
From the harsh news we are confronted with on a daily basis to the vast challenges we face in our everyday lives, sometimes we need to be reminded of our many blessings. The 32nd Annual Stellar Gospel Awards comes in the nick of time to help restore and uplift our spirit through the gift of song and brother/sisterhood. This year's awards show did not exclude the millennial generation whom often times feels disconnected from gospel music.
The 32nd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards took place on March 25 in Las Vegas, NV at The Orleans Arena. The annual show, hailed as an "epic night in gospel music," was hosted by Erica Campbell and Anthony Brown. The telecast will premiere on TV One, on Palm Sunday, April 9 at 6 pm ET with encores to follow at 8 pm and 11 pm ET. Additionally, the Stellar Awards will air in national broadcast syndication April 15-May 7, 2017.
The night included performances by Tamela Mann, Shirley Caesar, Jekalyn Carr, Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, Bizzle, Canton Jones, Da’ Truth, JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise, Travis Greene, Jonathan McReynolds, Jonathan Butler, VaShawn Mitchell, Tasha Cobbs, Doug Williams, Keith “Wonderboy" Johnson, Da Chosen Brothaz, Donnie McClurkin and more.
Before the shout worthy performances, many of Gospel's greatest artists, writers, and industry professionals stopped by THAheadline on the Stellar Award's red carpet.
While our generation appreciates the ways of our ancestors, our approach to how we digest the word and music are quite different. Many say that gospel music is dying and that millennials can no longer identify with it. But, when speaking with B. Slade, Johnathan McReynolds. and Da Chosen Brothaz they all believe that to keep the younger generation involved with gospel music means to remain current without losing the message.
"They (the youth) are bored. They are bored to death. I was watching some Facebook clips of people at a conventional Apostolic Church, and people were shouting all over and the kids, they were just plugged into their phones," said B. Slade. He continued, "They were completely disconnected from the experience. Which made me say, 'Wait a minute, there must be a reason.' We have so much power but are powerless over these machines, and it is because they are bored. Jesus is exciting! As artist, we have to re-market Him. We have to re-brand Him. There is a new generation that is not afraid of Him the way we were. They do not even know that He exist. So, what do we do? Music. Music always gets kids' attention. It starts with the beat, and I am the master at that. God gave me that gift and that power."
When speaking with the Pop-Soul singer, MAJOR., he shared why he believes the Stellar Awards is important to have.
"I am in mainstream music, but this is what got me through. This is the music that I have been brought up on. I am a worship leader whenever I am in town, at One Church International with Touré & Sarah Roberts. You cannot do life without "The Source". The Stellar Awards honors The Source. The people honors The Source. So, I am with it all day, forever and always," said MAJOR.
Stellar Awards founder, Don Jackson bestowed special honors upon gospel legend Spencer Taylor (of the Highway QC’s) and Reverend Clay Evans. Stellar Honors Hall of Fame inductees included: Fred Hammond, Mississippi Mass Choir, Catherine Brewton, Harvey Watkins, Jr. and Dr. Leonard Scott.
For more information on TV One's telecast of the 32nd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, viewers can join the conversation by visiting the network's companion website at www.tvone.tv and connect via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) using the hashtags #StellarAwards and #Represent. For more information on syndicated airings of the show, visit www.thestellarawards.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram via @TheStellars.
For a look at the 32nd Annual Stellar Awards winners list, click here.