Posted by | Ray Cornelius
Gospel music’s biggest night was celebrated over the weekend at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. I’m talking about none other than the 2018 Stellar Gospel Music Awards. This year’s show was hosted by Grammy winning performer Kirk Franklin and will air this Good Friday, March 30 at 9 p.m. on TV One.
This year’s award’s ceremony opened with Stellar Awards alum Erica Campbell reuniting with her sister Tina Campbell as the hit gospel duo Mary Mary for the first time in more than six years. The show also included an all-star tribute to the late, great Edwin Hawkins, with his sister Lynette Hawkins accepting the Edwin Hawkins Icon Award in his honor. Also, a stand out moment featured the multi-platinum award-winning Snoop Dogg performing material from his new gospel album, “Bible of Love.”
The night also included performances by Kierra Sheard, Tori Kelly, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Anthony Brown, JJ Hairston, Travis Greene, Jonathan McReynolds, Ricky Dillard, Todd Dulaney, Tasha Page Lockhart, KeKe Wyatt, Canton Jones, Deitrick Haddon, Koryn Hawthorne, Le’Andria Johnson and more. Special presenters included Donnie McClurkin, Merle Dandridge, David Mann, Anika Noni Rose and more.
Top winners of the night were JJ Hairston winning six awards; Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Travis Greene each winning four awards; and Anthony Brown winning two awards.
Don Jackson bestowed special honors upon gospel greats who have made significant contributions to the genre. The incomparable Tamela Mann was the 2018 recipient of the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award and the legendary Rev. Milton Biggham received The Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award. Stellar Honors Hall of Fame Inductees includes Kurt Carr, Ben Tankard, and Dr. Marabeth Gentry – President of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses.
The 2018 Stellar Gospel Music Awards will air on March 30 at 9 p.m. on TV One.
Check out the red carpet & performance photos below:
KIRK FRANKLIN
VASHAWN MITCHELL
TASHA PAGE LOCKART
MARVIN SAPP
TASHA COBBS LEONARD
JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS
LAURIEANN GIBSON
DEBORAH JOY WINANS + MERLE DANDRIDGE + DESIREE ROSS
CANTON JONES
HEZEKIAH WALKER
DEREK BLANKS
KIERRA + J. DREW SHEARD
LE’ANDRIA JOHNSON
DR. BOBBY JONES
MARY MARY
JOE JACKSON
BEN + JEWELL TANKARD
JJ + TRINA HAIRSTON
TODD DULANEY + WIFE
THE WALLS GROUP
ANIKA NONI ROSE
KURT CARR
TRAVIS GREEN + WIFE
BRYON CAGE
ANTHONY BROWN
JONATHAN SLOCUMB
KIRK FRANKLIN + DAVID MANN
Photo Credits: Earl Gibson for Getty Images