Best of Stellar Series Premiere on GMC

Atlanta, Christian Newswire - Best of Stellar - a new original series spotlighting the most memorable moments and performances from The Stellar Awards, the premier Gospel event that recognizes and honors Gospel artists, will be seen Sunday nights at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on the Gospel Music Channel ( www.gospelmusicchannel.com ) television network beginning April 5. Gospel great Vickie Winans hosts.

Best of Stellar will feature highlights from the first 24 years of The Stellars in themed-shows every week. Those themes include the most memorable: Opening Numbers (series premiere/April 5), rousing Finales; Male Performances - solo; Male Performances - group; Female Performances - solo; Female Performances - group; and Choirs. In addition, two special gospel artists who have contributed many of the most-memorable moments in Stellars history will get their own themed episodes: Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams. (Dates/Times TBA). In addition to the great performances, each episode of Best of Stellar will feature exclusive new backstage interviews with the artists.

Among the many great performers featured in Best of Stellar: Shirley Caesar, Bryon Cage, The Caravans, Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers, The Clark Sisters, Ricky Dillard, Fred Hammond, Walter Hawkins, Israel & The New Breed, Donald Lawrence, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Bishop Paul Morton, Smokie Norful, Dottie Peoples, Marvin Sapp, Richard Smallwood, Tye Tribbett and Hezekiah Walker.

Award-winning artist Vickie Winans comes from a large family of impressive gospel singers. She began her career as a small child performing with family. She went on to share success with the famous Winans family, marrying Marvin Winans and eventually joining forces with the Winans gospel group. In 1985, she released her debut solo album, Be Encouraged, which earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, a Stellar Award for Album of the Year, and an Excellence Award for Best Female Contemporary Artist. It was the first of a long line of recordings that would bring her a number of hits, acclaim and honors. When not in the recording studio, Winans spends a lot of her time touring, performing more than 200 nights most years. She has also starred in Broadway musicals and made numerous television appearances.