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 DandridgeDavid MannAnika 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

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