A Stellar Night Reigns Supreme for The Clark Sisters

Gospel Icons Snag Four Stellar Awards Including “CD of the Year”

Newcomer DeWayne Woods Picks Up Three Stellar Statues

The Legendary Tramaine Hawkins Brings Home Two Stellars
and The Coveted James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award

NASHVILLE – It was another year of gospel music excellence as the 23rd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards concluded at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on January 12.

A consortium of gospel dynamos dominated this year’s list of nominees with the innovative Clark Sisters, gospel newcomer DeWayne Woods and the legendary Tramaine Hawkins comprising the night’s biggest winners.

The Clark Sisters, credited with bringing gospel music to the mainstream, snagged four Stellar Awards for “Artist of the Year,” “Group/Duo of the Year,” “CD of the Year,” and “Traditional Group/Duo of the Year.” The group’s latest reunion recording Live-One Last Time has dominated airwaves and record sales.

Following close behind The Clark Sisters was gospel newcomer, DeWayne Woods. Woods’ project Introducing DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet, picked up three awards, including “New Artist of the Year” and “Male Vocalist of the Year.”

In addition to sharing co-hosting duties, both Kirk Franklin and CeCe Winans received honors of their own. Franklin delivered a powerful performance of political satire with a spiritual twist, doing what he does best – bringing the crowd to its feet with his daring hit single, Declaration (This Is It), a song examining struggle and self-doubt in an effort to find inner peace. Franklin also sewed up his nomination in the “Special Event CD of the Year” category taking home yet another Stellar Award.

CeCe Winans

Winans was saluted by contemporary Christian artist Amy Grant and R&B singer Heather Headley with the Chevrolet Most Notable Achievement Award for pioneering work in songwriting, outstanding performances and record sales success in the gospel music industry.

In accepting the award Winans said, “I must thank my mom and dad for teaching me and my siblings about the greatest gift – Jesus Christ.” Later in the evening, Winans offered a stirring musical anthem.