31 st ANNUAL STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED; RICKEY SMILEY & SHERRI SHEPHERD TO

Central City Productions has announced that comedian, syndicated radio and TV personality Rickey Smiley and TV personality and actress Sherri Shepherd will co-host this year’s 31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Smiley and Shepherd hosted the Stellar Awards back in 2014. The awards ceremony will be held at the Las Vegas Orleans Arena on Saturday, February 20, 2016. The telecast will premiere on TV One during the week of March 6th, as well as in broadcast syndication on 150 stations in over 125 markets around the country from March 12 - April 10.

Nominees in 28 categories were revealed. With ten nominations, Gospel Heavyweight, Anthony Brown contends for both Male Vocalist of the Year and Producer of the Year. Also returning to the show with multiple nominations, is Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, receiving eight nominations. Jenkins is nominated for Producer of the Year and Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year. His critically acclaimed group is competing for Song of the Year, CD of the Year, Choir of the Year, Traditional CD of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Traditional Choir of the Year. Erica Campbell and Tasha Cobbs demonstrate the influential impact of women in gospel music. Campbell has eight nominations; receiving a nomination Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year, while Cobbs has six nominations and garners one for Praise and Worship CD of the Year.

Other nominees include Richard Smallwood with five nominations (including Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, and his group Vision are in contention for Traditional Choir of the Year, Special Event CD of the Year and Praise and Worship CD of the Year), Israel & New Breed with four nominations, Jonathan McReynolds with four nominations, Tina Campbell with three nominations, The Rance Allen Group with three nominations, newcomer Casey J with three nominations and living legend Dorinda Clark Cole with three nominations.

In addition to celebrating the year's best album releases, awards will be presented for the best gospel radio stations for urban audiences nationwide. Terrestrial and online radio programs that broadcast gospel music will be highlighted, along with the top Gospel Announcer of the Year. Nominees for Announcer of the Year are Carmina Barnett from KHVN/Dallas, Tracy Bethea Bodie from WHAL/Memphis, Lee Michaels from WCAO/Baltimore, and Billy St. James from KPZK/Little Rock.

Performers will include Kirk Franklin, Anthony Brown & Group therAPy, Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, Tasha Cobbs, Travis Greene and Best New Artist nominee Casey J. Additional performers and presenters will also be announced.

The Stellar Awards show taping is open to the public. Ticket prices will range from $50 - $200 at www.orleansarena.com. Hotel and Ticket packages are also available through the Orleans Arena. The Stellar Gospel Music Awards Pre-Show is scheduled for Friday, February 19, 2016, to showcase non-televised awards winners. The Stellar Gospel Radio Awards & Showcase will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016, honoring top radio stations and announcers serving urban gospel music audiences. Tickets for each event are $35. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Front PageFirm)

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