23rd Annual Stellar Awards

The Stellar Awards Brings Together Top
Performers and Presenters For An Unforgettable Gospel Celebration

The Legendary Tramaine Hawkins To Receive The Coveted James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award

Nashville, TN -- Gospel music’s most energized and spirited awards show arrives in Music City USA with an all-star line-up of industry heavy hitters, and the return of a glitz and glamour Red Carpet event that kicks-off the Stellar Awards celebration on Friday, January 11, 2008.

Undoubtedly one of the industry’s most anticipated gospel music award shows, the 23rd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards is slated Saturday, January 12, 2008 at the historic Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. This year’s co-hosts are a trio of Stellar Awards favorites, representing urban, contemporary and inspirational gospel genres – Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans and Byron Cage.

In addition to sharing co-hosting duties, both Franklin and Winans are scheduled to deliver moving performances, while Winans is also tapped to receive the Chevrolet Most Notable Achievement Award for pioneering work in song writing, outstanding performances and record sales success in the gospel music industry.

Performers scheduled to lift the house to its feet include Beverly Crawford, DeWayne Woods, Marvin Sapp, Ricky Dillard and the Rance Allen Group, along with the legendary Clark Sisters, the gospel urban sounds of Fred Hammond and Smokie Norful.

As in previous years, the Stellar Awards will recognize Gospel royalty, this year saluting Tramaine Hawkins with the distinguished James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award, introduced by renowned actor and dancer Ben Vereen and presented by Edwin Hawkins. The James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually to an artist or group who has made a major impact in the development and advancement of gospel music. Also, the awards show will introduce a new award - the Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award – to be announced the night of the event and presented by Gospel diva Vickie Winans.