Verity Gospel Music Group Takes Home 13 Stellar Gospel Music Awards

Marvin Sapp Is The Night’s Big Winner With THIRSTY Landing 9 Awards

New York, New York – Gospel music’s biggest night was a night of extraordinary victory for the newly renamed Verity Gospel Music Group (formerly Zomba Gospel), whose artists collectively walked away with 13 statues at the 24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards held January 17 at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry.

This year’s leading nominee, Marvin Sapp, was also the night’s biggest winner taking home 7 awards including the coveted Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and CD of the Year. Sapp was also won awards for Male Vocalist of the Year; Traditional Male of the Year; Traditional CD of the Year, and Music Video of the Year. Additionally, Aaron Lindsey won the Producer of the Year award for helming Thirsty, and art director Michelle Lukianovich was awarded Recorded Music Packaging of the Year for designing the artwork for Thirsty.

The Stellar Awards featured outstanding performances by Verity Gospel Music Group’s Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin and 21:03. Co-hosts included Donnie McClurkin and Dorinda Clark-Cole and of the evening’s distinguished presenters were Donald Lawrence, Marvin Sapp, 21:03 and Byron Cage. The 24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will air in syndication from January 25 – March 8, 2008. Please check local listings for dates and times.

Verity Gospel Music Group’s 24th Annual Stellar Awards Winners are:

Marvin Sapp - “THIRSTY”
-Artist of the Year
-Song of the Year “Never Would Have Made It”
-Male Vocalist of the Year
-CD of the Year
-Traditional Male of the Year
-Traditional CD of the Year
-Music Video of the Year
-Producer of the Year (to producer Aaron Lindsey)
-Recorded Music Packaging of the Year (to art director Michelle Lukianovich)

Dorinda Clark-Cole
-Female Vocalist of the Year

The Canton Spirituals
-Traditional Group/Duo of the Year

Byron Cage
-Contemporary Male of the Year