Christian/Gospel
Page: 2
CeCe Winans banks her fifth leader on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart (dated Sept. 14) as “That’s My King” rises two spots to No. 1. During the Aug. 30-Sept. 5 tracking week, the song increased by 1% in plays, according to Luminate. “That’s My King” was co-authored by Taylor Agan, Kellie Gamble, Lloyd Nicks and Jess […]
Josh Baldwin rolls up his first chart-topper on Billboard’s Christian AC Airplay chart (dated Sept. 14) as “Made for More,” featuring Jenn Johnson, ascends a spot to No. 1. Johnson also earns her first leader on the list.
The single increased by 3% in plays Aug. 23-29, according to Luminate. Baldwin wrote it with Jessie Early, Jonathan Smith and Blake Wiggins. It’s from Baldwin’s same-named live album, released in April.
“It’s been so special for me to watch people connect with ‘Made for More,’” Baldwin tells Billboard. “Going on the road and hearing people declare these lyrics of identity and purpose over their lives has given me a fresh perspective of the impact that songs can have.”
[embedded content]
Baldwin and Johnson are both members of the Bethel Music worship collective based in Redding, Calif. Johnson is one of the co-founders of the act, which launched in 2001, while Baldwin joined in 2014.
For Baldwin as a solo artist, “Made for More” follows his duet with David Leonard, “Every Hour,” which climbed to No. 17 on Christian AC Airplay last September, and “There Is Freedom,” which hit No. 21 in November 2022. Baldwin, based in Thompson’s Station, Tenn., logged his first of seven entries with the No. 2-peaking “Stand in Your Love,” his first of three top 10s, in February 2019. He has also hit the top 10 with “Evidence” (No. 6, February 2021).
Johnson has banked one additional top 10, also a feature, on Tauren Wells’ “Famous For (I Believe),” which hit No. 2 in December 2020.
Meanwhile, Bethel Music has scored one No. 1, for two weeks in August 2019: “Raise a Hallelujah,” with Jonathan David Helser and Melissa Helser.
Brown Goes ‘Up Up Up’ to No. 1
Anthony Brown scores his sixth Gospel Airplay leader and his fifth in succession as “Up Up Up,” with his backing choir, Group Therapy, rises 3-1. The song, which Brown solely wrote, gained by 8% in plays during the tracking week. (It was originally released by Brown featuring Zach Savage on Brown’s 2023 album Affirmations; the version by Brown and group therAPy is the one being promoted to radio.)
[embedded content]
Brown and Group Therapy’s active streak of Gospel Airplay leaders began with “Blessings on Blessings,” which dominated for three weeks in September 2019. It was followed by “This Week” (two, July-August 2020), “Help!” (one week, August 2021) and “Speak Your Name” (one, November 2023). They first led with “Worth,” which began a 24-week command in September 2015.
Brown is one more consecutive leader from tying Todd Dulaney and Jonathan McReynolds, who share the longest active and career streak with six No. 1s in a row each.
One of the gospel genre’s most iconic voices is back — and she’s bringing along her first album in 13 years. On Friday (Aug. 39), four-time Grammy-winning gospel music icon Yolanda Adams unleashed “Church Doors,” her first solo single in a decade.
Across a soundscape punctuated by spirited handclaps and crisp choir harmonies, Adams’ robust voice soars with a perfect mixture of reverence and joy. “When you let me make it to the church doors, I’ll tell them what you’ve done for me,” she promises in the poignant hook.
The new single hit DSPs alongside a remix featuring Terry Hunter, Sir The Baptist and Donald Lawrence & Co., as well as an extended remix featuring Grammy-winner J. Ivy in addition to all of the aforementioned artists.
Trending on Billboard
“I am so excited about the release of the single ‘Church Doors’ because we have been working on it with some amazing people including Donald Lawrence, Sir The Baptist and Terry Lewis,” Adams tells Billboard. “A group of fantastic people wrote an amazing song that voices the sentiments of testimony. The world has been through so much so to have some good news about what God has done is what we need right now. That’s the theme of church doors.”
Power Book II: Ghost and The New Edition Story actor Woody McClain leads the track’s artful music video, which features direction and choreography from Fatima Robinson, who recently worked on 2023’s Color Purple movie musical and Beyoncé‘s blockbuster Renaissance World Tour.
“Church Doors” is the lead single to Sunny Days, Adams’ new 15-track LP, which is currently slated for a Sept. 13 release. To support the album — her first full-length release with Epic Records — Adams is set to launch a North American arena tour that kicks off on Sept. 6 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, and concludes on Nov. 3 at Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif. Billed the Reunion Tour, the trek will also visit major cities such as Boston, Brooklyn and Atlanta.
Adams has landed six top 10 titles on Top Christian Albums, including 1999’s chart-busting Mountain High… Valley Low, which spent 16 weeks atop the ranking and charted for 100 weeks. Her sole Billboard Hot 100 charting song, 2000’s “Open My Heart” (No. 57), is also one of the biggest crossover gospel tracks of the 21st century, appearing on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (No. 10), Dance Club Songs (No. 29), Adult R&B Airplay (No. 1, 16 weeks) and the all-genre Radio Songs chart (No. 53).
Watch the video for the “Church Doors” remix below:
[embedded content]
In the world of Southern gospel music, few names are more revered than The Nelons. Family patriarch Rex Nelon began his career with The LeFevres before launching The Rex Nelon Singers in 1977, and following his death in 2000, daughter Kelly Nelon Clark continued shepherding the group. They enjoyed a successful new era with a lineup that featured Kelly, her husband Jason Clark and daughters Amber Nelon Kistler and Autumn Nelon Streetman.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
On July 26, the music world was stunned with the news that Kelly, Jason and Amber, along with four others, were killed when their private plane crashed in Wyoming, en route from Georgia to Seattle. The only surviving member of the singing group is daughter Autumn Nelon Streetman, who had flown on a commercial flight from Nashville to Seattle with her husband Jamie. While the investigation into the crash is ongoing, early reports have indicated there may have been a malfunction with the auto pilot.
The Nelons were on their way to Seattle to board the ship for the annual Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. Bill and Gloria Gaither and Karen Peck met Autumn and her husband at the hotel in Seattle to comfort them, and then gathered other artists to tell them the tragic news, which rocked the close-knit Southern gospel community.
Trending on Billboard
Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016, The Nelons are known for such classics as “Come Morning,” which was awarded Southern Gospel Song of the Decade in the 80s, and “O For a Thousand Tongues,” as well as more recent hits such as “If God Pulled Back the Curtain,” which won the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song in 2021, one of the group’s 10 Dove Awards. Kelly Nelon Clark is a 2024 inductee into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Autumn, who is expecting a baby boy in December, is left to continue the group’s legacy. In a stunning show of strength, she took the stage with the Isaacs to sing “Family Chain” at the Nelons memorial service in Roopville, Georgia on Aug. 6.
“People have asked me, ‘How did you get up there and sing at the funeral?’ And I told them, ‘This is what we do. We sing in good times and bad times,’” she tells Billboard. “The Lord just gave me the strength to get up there and do it.”
The Nelons’ final album, Loving You comes out Friday (Aug. 30) via Daywind Music. “Obviously we had no idea that this was going to happen,” Autumn says, “but I know God had a plan and he knew that this was going to happen even when we didn’t know. I think that this album was made for this time and each song will mean something to everybody. [It’s music] that anybody can relate to. I know it means something to me.”
On Tuesday morning, July 23, just days before the plane crash, Kelly, Jason, Amber and Autumn shared their thoughts about the new album with Billboard over a lively Zoom conversation. This is Kelly, Jason and Amber’s last interview.
What do you feel this album has to say to your audience right now?Kelly: This morning I went to the business license office for a venue, and the lady looked at my name and she said, “I know who you are.” She said, “I have listened to your music since way back. I remember you being on the Gospel Singing Jubilee every Sunday morning, and I have used your music to get me through some of the hardest times in my life.” That made my morning!
That’s what is important— that God uses what we do and what we sing. I feel the same way about this new project. I feel it’s got the lyrical content that the world needs to hear. I’m so excited about it! I love all the music and the songs, but I love the lyrics about how God will help us through anything that we will go through, anything. We look out in our audiences — we’re starting to put the songs on the stage —and you can see the people in the audience. Tears just flow.
The lead single from the album, “There’s a Hole in the Heart,” was written by Bill Gaither and Larry Gatlin. How did you come to record that one?Jason: We were in Bill’s office watching a private screening of the movie Reagan. Some of the producers of the film had asked us to contribute some music. Afterwards, Bill said, “I’ve got some lyrics I’ve got to read you,” so we went to his office and he read us these lyrics: “There’s a hole in the heart of this country,” and he said, “I’ve been writing songs for over 70 years and I think every song has a time and a season and it’s time for this song.” That was the first song we recorded when we went back to the farm.
Why do you feel it’s an appropriate song for this time?Amber: We are so divided right now, probably more than we’ve ever been, as a nation. This song actually gives hope where it can truly be found — not in a political candidate, not in government. You’re not going to find hope on the news. That’s pretty obvious to anybody who watches any news station, but you’re only going to find it in the Lord. He’s the one that can fill any void or fear you may have about the future. You don’t have to worry because He already knows what’s going to happen.
This song truly is a movement and we’ve seen it happen. Churches have put the lyrics of this song on their church signs. We’ve started giving out yard signs that people are being able to put in their yards. We’ve encouraged them not to be divisive with neighbors. You don’t have to put out a political sign. You can put out this sign and you can bring unity to everybody and bring real hope.
Jason, you wrote or co-wrote six of the 10 songs on Loving You. Did you have a vision of what you wanted this album to be as you started writing?Jason: We were very intentional about writing. I invited some of my best writing buddies, Joel Lindsey and Wayne Haun, and they were gracious enough to come to our farm in Georgia. I usually go to Nashville to write, and I said, “Guys, I would really love it if we could write this entire record at the farm.” So they flew in and we spent a week here at the farm. I think we wrote about 15 songs and several of those ended up on the record.
There are four producers on the record: Jason, Gordon Mote, Bill Gaither and Wayne Haun. That can sometimes result in an album that sounds fragmented, but this is a very cohesive record. How did you accomplish that?Jason: I’ve produced a lot of our stuff over the years, but we have such deep relationships with Gordon, Bill and Wayne. Gordon probably was the driving force behind a lot of the rhythm and sonically it’s probably one of my favorite records that we’ve ever done. Bill is a big idea guy. Wayne’s strongest suit is he understands the strength of a song. If you will let him, he will make sure you’ve got commercial songs on your records. He’s a great song coach. All of us bring in those different things. I’m always going to be driving the harmony towards our records because we’re a family that sings harmony.
You have some specials guests on the album, including the Gaither Vocal Band and Joseph Habedank on “Moses.” NT Martin is featured on “River of Peace (Rio de Paz).” How did that collaboration come about?Jason: We searched forever to find someone to sing the Spanish part. We couldn’t get anybody in Nashville [whose] schedule worked out, so I went to TikTok and found this famous singer from Spain. I messaged him and said, “Hey, we’ve got this song and we need a singer. Would you consider singing it with us?” He said, “Yes.” We sent it to him and gave him some coaching on where we wanted his parts and the harmonies with Amber. He sent it back with the Spanish parts to teach Amber how to sing Spanish with him.
“Hand of an Unseen God,” written by Jason, Kenna Turner West and Don Poythress, has a really powerful lyric. Is there a story behind that one?Jason: Going into the writing session that day, I got a call from Amber, and I’ve asked her permission to share this story in interviews. We were waiting on her ultrasound to find out the gender of her baby. When she called, she couldn’t speak. She had learned that she had miscarried, so we went into that writing session really heavy-hearted and then literally two hours later, I get a call from our other baby girl, Autumn. She tells me — and we were completely blown away by this news — that she just found out that she was pregnant. So, I’m like, “Lord, it really is true that you weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice,” and sometimes in the Christian life, you do it the same day. Don was like, “Man, we need to write that,” and so we began to write that song: “In my weeping, in my rejoicing, when my world is good or when it falls apart, I am held by the hand of an unseen God.”
The album closes with “We’ve Always Had a Song,” written by Jason, Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey. With your lengthy history in gospel music, Kelly, what does this song mean to you?Kelly: The first thing that I ever remember really was music. My father was with the LeFevres at the time and the first song I remember, he was teaching me “The Rains Came Down and the Floods Came Up.” I never dreamed that that little song would carry me through a lot of difficult and trying times. It makes you realize that songs and music heal the soul when you are going through difficulties so for me being in the music business and ministry, there’s always been a song that has kept me going.
Kelly, you’ve been in Southern gospel music a long time. How does this season feel, to be carrying on your family’s legacy with your husband and two daughters?Kelly: It’s a great time. I feel like I’m on the other side. I’m 64 so I’ve had a lot of life up until this point, but now this is my plan — and I hope it’s God’s plan — but I’d like to see my grandchildren up there singing. This is a really good time, and I’m excited about what the Lord is doing. The older people loved when my daddy was here, but the new and younger crowd love Amber and Autumn so much. A long time ago people would come up to me when I was young and say, “Oh, if you could only see how your dad looks at you.” I really didn’t understand that too much, but now I do because when I see them sing and I listen to their voices and the anointing that the Lord has given them, I’m so proud. So now I understand what exactly they were saying about my dad and now it’s me.
Amber and Autumn, how do you feel about being part of this musical dynasty?Autumn: When I was young, I knew that one day I would eventually be up there, but I’ll tell you, when I first started, I didn’t want any part of it, just because I was scared to sing in front of people… but now honestly, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. And now that I’m having a child, I hope that he grows up on the road and gets to travel to all these amazing places. I’m so blessed.
Amber: I wanted to sing since the time I came out [of the womb], so I was a total opposite of Autumn. I love being on stage. I started on the Gaither Homecoming Kid’s videos at four years old, so Gloria Gaither had me working on the stage as a toddler. I’m forever grateful for that, because there are hardly any other kids that could say that they’ve had the life that Autumn and I have had. . . I just hope that when our time is up that we’ve made a mark on another generation that will follow in our footsteps.
Any additional comments on the new record?Jason: When we came out of COVID and were starting to inch our way back to touring and recording, we really had a new revival and new focus. I think you sense that in this record. It sounds fresh. We wanted to sound like it was the first record we ever made — and we’ve been doing this forever. We really have invested so much energy into this from every detail, and I’m hoping it’s going to find its way to some lady in Venezuela or maybe some person in Spain, or maybe some person driving a truck on the back roads in Kentucky. Wherever it may find its way, we trust the Lord with the results, but this is our best offering. Here it is. Take it and use it.
Singer-songwriter Koryn Hawthorne earns her third chart-topper on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay survey as “Look at God” rises to No. 1 on the list dated Aug. 24. During the Aug. 9-15 tracking week, the song increased by 19% in plays at the format, according to Luminate. The 26-year-old Hawthorne, who hails from Abbeville, La., co-authored “Look […]
Singer-songwriter Chandler Moore’s new set, Chandler Moore: Live in Los Angeles, blasts in at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums survey (dated Aug. 17). Released on Aug. 2, Live in Los Angeles earned 4,000 equivalent album units in the United States, with 3,000 in album sales, during the LP’s first tracking week (Aug. 2-8), […]
Singer-songwriter Forrest Frank’s 20-song album Child of God arrives at the Top Christian Albums summit on the chart dated Aug. 10. The album, released on July 26, earned 22,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending Aug. 1, according to Luminate. Album sales comprised 10,000 of that sum.
Houston-native Frank, who first caught traction on social media sites like TikTok, earns an impressive start. It marks the biggest week for a Christian album since the spring of 2023, when on the May 27-dated tally Lauren Daigle’s self-titled LP debuted with 25,000 units including 20,000 in sales.
Child of God is the 29-year-old Frank’s second Top Christian Albums appearance, following his four-track EP, God Is Good which debuted at its No. 5 high on April 27 with 4,000 units. All four of those tracks from the EP are also included on Frank’s new set. The lead single, “Good Day,” ranks at its No. 2 best on the streaming-, airplay and sales based Hot Christian Songs list in its 28th frame. It drew 2.5 million official U.S. streams in the latest tracking week and sold 1,000 downloads. Over on Country Airplay the song ranks at No. 8 with 4.5 million audience impressions (up 6%).
Wells Is ‘Back’ at No. 1
Tauren Wells nets his fourth chart-topper on Christian Airplay as, “Take It All Back,” featuring Davies, rises 2-1 in its 26th chart week. The single advanced by 5% to 6.6 million impressions. Wells co-authored “Take It All Back” with Daifah Davies, Ethan Hulse Tedd Tjornhom and Colby Wedgeworth.
The song marks the first No. 1 in Davies’ first chart appearance. The singer, full-name, Daifah Davies who is originally from Liberia, doubles as a member of Wells’ touring band.
As for Wells, “Take It All Back,” becomes his fourth Christian Airplay No. 1 among eight top 10s and 21 chart entries. It’s his first leader since, “Famous For (I Believe),” featuring Jenn Johnson, which led for a week in January 2021.
Jenkins Banks His Seventh No. 1
Veteran gospel artist Charles Jenkins notches his seventh No. 1 on Gospel Airplay as “God Be Praised,” featuring Elder Eric Thomas, ascends 4-1.
“God Be Praised,” which was solely penned by Jenkins, is his fourth straight leader. It follows “Never Knew Love” with his longtime backing group Fellowship Chicago and Stephanie Mills, which ruled for a week in August 2022; before that, as featured with Kenny Lewis and One Voice’s “He’s Been Good,” which also included Bridgette Hurt and Lemmie Battles. That hit reigned for a week in February 2022; and “He’ll Make it Alright,” with Fellowship Chicago, which dominated for two frames in February 2021.
As for featured vocalist Elder Eric Thomas, it’s his first leader in his first appearance. Thomas is pastor at the Greater Harvest M.B. Church in Chicago.
Brent Jones banks his second total and consecutive No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart as “Live Your Best Life!” ascends to the top of the Aug. 3-dated list. During the July 19-25 tracking week, the song advanced by 3% in plays among format reporters, according to Luminate. The single is the title cut from […]
Brandon Lake leads this year’s slate of nominees for the Gospel Music Association’s upcoming 55th annual GMA Dove Awards, picking up 16 nominations, including artist of the year. The nominations were announced Wednesday morning (July 24).
Lake will compete in the artist of the year category against “Strong” hitmaker Anne Wilson, “That’s My King” hitmaker CeCe Winans, “Unsung Hero” singers for King & Country and “Thank God I Do” singer Lauren Daigle. Lake also earned four nods in the song of the year category, as well as nods in the worship recorded song of the year category, while his project Coat of Many Colors is nominated for pop/contemporary album of the year.
Other top nominees this year include writer-producer Jeff Pardo (11 nominations), Chris Brown (10), Chandler Moore (10), writer-producer Jonathan Smith (10), CeCe Winans (five) and Naomi Raine (five).
Trending on Billboard
Among this year’s slate of nominations is a new category: Spanish language worship recorded song of the year. The inaugural nominees in the category are “Alaba” (Elevation Worship, Elevation Español, Unified Sound), “Hermoso Momento (Sesión Acústica)” (Kairo Worship), “Holy Forever (Español)” (Chris Tomlin, Miel San Marcos), “Tu Amor No Tiene Fin (Correr A Tus Brazos)” (Generación 12, Gateway Worship Español) and “Tu Presencia Es Mi Jardín” (Daniel Calveti, Melody Adorno).
Hosted by Tauren Wells, whose project Joy in the Morning (Horizon Edition) is nominated for pop/contemporary album of the year, the 55th annual GMA Dove Awards will be held Oct. 1 at the Allen Arena at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, and will air exclusively on TBN and TBN+, and simulcast on SiriusXM The Message, on Friday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET.
“I love this moment each year when we get to announce our nominees,” GMA president Jackie Patillo said in a statement. “The Dove Awards are about spreading the message in our music with the world and honoring the work of the amazing artists, songwriters, producers, and film & TV creators in our great community. I’m thrilled for this year’s nominees and can’t wait to celebrate in October.”
The theme for the 55th annual GMA Dove Awards is Unite the Song, with Wells saying via a statement, “Unite the song is a heart cry for God’s people to come together in unity. We get to come together out of our individual corners, from each different stream within the church, to unite around this one song, holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty.”
This year’s nominees were selected from more than 2,500 submitted entries and voted on by the GMA professional membership. Final-round voting for the GMA Dove Awards will run from Aug. 1 through Aug. 8. The 55th annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association, with Patillo and Justin Fratt serving as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtus Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returns as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager.
See a list of GMA Dove Awards nominees in top categories below. For the full list of GMA Dove Awards nominees in all categories, visit gospelmusic.org.
Artist of the year
Anne Wilson
Brandon Lake
CeCe Winans
for KING + COUNTRY
Lauren Daigle
Song of the year
“All Things” (Writer) Kirk Franklin
“Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” (Writers) Cody Carnes, Austin Davis, Chandler Moore
“Holy Forever” (Writers) Jason Ingram, Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Phil Wickham
“I Believe It (The Life Of Jesus)” (Writers) Daniel Carson, David Leonard, Jess Cates, Jon Reddick, Jonathan Smith
“More Than Able” (Writers) Chandler Moore, Ben Fielding, Steven Furtick, Naomi Raine
“Praise” (Writers) Chandler Moore, Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Pat Barrett
“Praise You Anywhere” (Writers) Brandon Lake, Ben Fielding, Jacob Sooter, Hank Bentley
“Thank God I Do” (Writers) Lauren Daigle, Jason Ingram, P!nk, Jeffrey Bhasker, Nate Ruess
“This Is Our God” (Writers) Phil Wickham, Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake, Pat Barrett
“Trust In God” (Writers) Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Mitch Wong
New artist of the year
Charity Gayle
Forrest Frank
Josiah Queen
Seph Schlueter
Terrian
Rap/hip hop recorded song of the year
“Hard Work God First” – Zauntee
“IGWT” – Jon Keith, KB
“In The Light” – Wande
“Love Like That” – Hulvey (ft. Torey D’Shaun, Alex Jean)
“Miracles” – KB, Lecrae
Pop/contemporary recorded song of the year
“Any More” – CAIN
“Counting My Blessings” – Seph Schlueter
“GOOD DAY” – Forrest Frank
“Strong” – Anne Wilson
“The Prodigal” – Josiah Queen
Bluegrass/country/roots recorded song of the year
“If I Got Jesus” – Ben Fuller
“Lookin’ For You” Zach Williams ft. Dolly Parton
“Man On The Middle Cross” – Rhett Walker
“Praying Woman” – Anne Wilson (ft. Lainey Wilson)
“tell the devil” – Joseph Habedank
Traditional gospel recorded song of the year
“Burdens Down (Live)” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“God Is (Radio Edit)” – Melvin Crispell III
“I Believe God” – Jekalyn Carr
“In My Name” – Smokie Norful
“When I Think (Live)” – Ricky Dillard
Gospel worship recorded song of the year
“All Yours” – Kierra Sheard (ft. Anthony Brown)
“Fill The Room” – Michael Bethany
“Lead Us Again” – DOE
“That’s My King” – CeCe Winans
“The Story I’ll Tell (Live)” – Naomi Raine
Worship recorded song of the year
“Firm Foundation (He Won’t) (Live)” – Cody Carnes
“I Believe” – Phil Wickham
“Praise” – Elevation Worship (ft. Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore)
“Praise You Anywhere” – Brandon Lake
“Trust In God” – Elevation Worship (ft. Chris Brown)
Pop/contemporary album of the year
COAT OF MANY COLORS – Brandon Lake
Jesus Music – CAIN
Joy In The Morning (Horizon Edition) – Tauren Wells
Lauren Daigle – Lauren Daigle
Unsung Hero: The Inspired By Soundtrack – for KING + COUNTRY
Gospel worship album of the year
Cover The Earth (Live in New York) – Naomi Raine
More Than This – CeCe Winans
Overflow – Michael Bethany
The Journey – Todd Dulaney
The Maverick Way Complete – Maverick City Music
Spanish language recorded song of the year
“Amén” – Nacho (ft. Gilberto Daza, Alex Zurdo)
“Babel” – Un Corazón
“Danza” – KB, Niko Eme & Cardec Drums
“Donante de Sangre” – Daddy Yankee
“Tantas Historias” – Christine D’Clario
Spanish language worship recorded song of the year (New Category)
“Alaba” – Elevation Worship, Elevation Español, Unified Sound
“Hermoso Momento (Sesión Acústica)” – Kairo Worship
“Holy Forever (Español)” – Chris Tomlin, Miel San Marcos
“Tu Amor No Tiene Fin (Correr A Tus Brazos)” – Generación 12, Gateway Worship Español
“Tu Presencia Es Mi Jardín” – Daniel Calveti, Melody Adorno
Southern gospel recorded song of the year
“Here Comes Jesus” – Jeff & Sheri Easter (ft. Mo Pitney)
“Make the Morning Worth the Midnight” – Gaither Vocal Band
“Sheaves (Dedicated to Isabel)” – Karen Peck & New River
“Unstoppable God” – Kingsmen
“Until We Fly Away” – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Feature film of the year
Unsung Hero
Sound of Freedom
Journey To Bethlehem
Ordinary Angels
The Blind
Television series of the year
Chasing CAIN
When Calls The Heart
The Wingfeather Saga
Jonathan & Jesus
God. Family. Football.
Less than six months after winning his third Grammy Award (best gospel album for All Things New: Live in Orlando), Tye Tribbett swept the 2024 Stellar Awards, winning six awards, including artist of the year and song of the year for “Only One Night Tho (Live).” The Motown Gospel artist also received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Icon Award.
The 39th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards show taped on Saturday (July 20) at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. TV personality and comedian Loni Love and radio/TV personality and comedian Rickey Smiley co-hosted the show.
Jekalyn Carr was runner-up in the awards count with four awards, including the Albertina Walker female artist of the year award. Melvin Crispell III, Ricky Dillard and Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers each won two awards.
Trending on Billboard
Despite his sweep, Tribbett did not win male artist of the year. That award went to Crispell, who also took traditional male artist of the year.
Kim Burrell received the Aretha Franklin Icon Award.
Performers included Chandler Moore, Kierra Sheard, Anthony Brown and group therAPy, Da’ T.R.U.T.H, Israel Houghton, Karen Clark Sheard, Kelontae Gavin, Koryn Hawthorne, Lisa Knowles-Smith, Mali Music, Melvin Crispell III, Rich Tolbert Jr., Tasha Page-Lockhart, Ricky Dillard and Tamela Mann.
Kirk Franklin, Erica Campbell, and Angel Taylor also made special appearances.
The two-hour show will premiere on the Stellar Network on Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. and repeat at 11 p.m. ET. It will also air in broadcast syndication from Aug. 10-Sept. 8. In addition, BET will air the show on Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
The 39th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show was executive produced by Don Jackson with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as producer and executive in charge of production; Michael A. Johnson as producer and director, Erin Johnson as talent producer and Daniel Moore as music director.
Here’s a complete list of nominations for the 39th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, with winners marked:
Artist of the year
Donald Lawrence; Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark; RCA Inspiration
Erica Campbell; I Love You; My Block Inc.
Pastor Mike Jr.; Impossible; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
WINNER: Tye Tribbett; All Things New (Live Album); Motown Gospel
Song of the year
“Able” ft. Marvin Winans; Jonathan McReynolds, Major Johnson Finley, Marvin Winans & Demetrius Terrell Wilson; MNRK
“Feel Alright (Blessed)”; Erica Campbell, Warryn Campbell, Marvin L. Winans, Juan Winans & William Weatherspoon; My Block Inc.
“It’s Morning”; Latrice Pace; Latrice Pace
WINNER: “Only One Night Tho (Live)”; Tye Tribbett; Motown Gospel
Male artist of the year
Jonathan McReynolds; My Truth; MNRK
WINNER: Melvin Crispell III; No Failure; RCA Inspiration
Pastor Mike Jr.; Impossible; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Tye Tribbett; All Things New (Live Album); Motown Gospel
Albertina Walker female artist of the year
Erica Campbell; I Love You; My Block Inc.
WINNER: Jekalyn Carr; JEKALYN; Waynorth Music
Kierra Sheard; All Yours; RCA Inspiration/Karew Entertainment
Maurette Brown Clark; He Loves Me; Nettie’s Child Music/MNRK
Duo/chorus group of the year
Anthony Brown & group therAPy; Affirmations; Key of A/Tyscot/FairTrade
JJ Hairston; Believe Again Vol II; Tribl Records
Maverick City Music; The Maverick Way Complete; Tribl Records
WINNER: The Walls Group; Four Walls; My Block Inc.
New artist of the year
Adam Blackstone; A Legacy Christmas; BASSic Black Entertainment Records/Anderson Music Group/Empire
Jevon Dewand & The Trapstarz; The Change Experience; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
WINNER: Jovonta Patton; Established; Newton Street Entertainment/MNRK
Rudy Currence; Stained Glass Windows; Mike Chek / MNRK
Album of the year
WINNER: All Things New (Live Album); Tye Tribbett; Motown Gospel
Choirmaster II; Ricky Dillard; Motown Gospel
Impossible; Pastor Mike Jr.; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
My Truth; Jonathan McReynolds; MNRK
Choir of the year
B. Chase Williams & Shabach; CHASing the Next Chapter; Mellie’s Boy Muzic Group
WINNER: Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster II; Motown Gospel
Vincent Bohanan & SOV; Live in Dallas; HezHouse Entertainment
Zak Williams & 1AKORD; Revisited; Enon Music Group
Producer of the year
Donald Lawrence; Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark; RCA Inspiration
Pastor Mike Jr. (Michael McClure Jr.) & Jevon Hill; Impossible; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Tye Tribbett, Joseph Bethea, and assisted by Shante Tribbett; All Things New (Live Album); Motown Gospel
WINNER: Warryn Campbell; I Love You; My Block Inc.
Contemporary duo/chorus group of the year
WINNER: Anthony Brown & group therAPy; Affirmations; Key of A/Tyscot/FairTrade
Housefires; How to Start a Housefire (Pt. III); Housefires Music
Pastor Dalton Hill & The Tabernacle Singers; Rejoice (Live from Boston); Beulah Tabernacle/Bean House Productions
The Walls Group; Four Walls; My Block Inc.
Traditional duo/chorus group of the year
JJ Hairston; Believe Again Vol II; Tribl Records
Kevin Vasser & BLVRS; I Believe; KTV Music
WINNER: Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers; Live in Memphis 2; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
Ron Summers; God Can; Emanuel Media Group/Ron Summers Music
Contemporary male artist of the year
Jonathan McReynolds; My Truth; MNRK
Jovonta Patton; Established; Newton Street Entertainment/MNRK
Pastor Mike Jr.; Impossible; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
WINNER: Tye Tribbett; All Things New (Live Album); Motown Gospel
Traditional male artist of the year
John P. Kee; Tribute to a Legend: Rance Allen; Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
Kelontae Gavin; Testify; RCA Inspiration
WINNER: Melvin Crispell III; No Failure; RCA Inspiration
Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster II; Motown Gospel
Contemporary female artist of the year
WINNER: Kierra Sheard; All Yours; RCA Inspiration/Karew Entertainment
Latrice Pace; Exodus: The Journey of Obedience, Vol 2; Latrice Pace
Lena Byrd Miles; Brand New; My Block Inc.
Naomi Raine; Cover the Earth; Tribl Records
Traditional female artist of the year
Eartha Edwards; It All Belongs to God; Blockbuster Records/Javel Music
WINNER: Jekalyn Carr; JEKALYN; Waynorth Music
Lucinda Moore; Lord, I Hear You; Nalah Music Group/New Day Distribution/The Orchard
Maurette Brown Clark; He Loves Me; Nettie’s Child Music/MNRK
Contemporary album of the year
WINNER: All Things New (Live Album); Tye Tribbett; Motown Gospel
I Love You; Erica Campbell; My Block Inc.
Impossible; Pastor Mike Jr.; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
My Truth; Jonathan McReynolds; MNRK
Traditional album of the year
Choirmaster II; Ricky Dillard; Motown Gospel
Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark; Donald Lawrence; RCA Inspiration
WINNER: JEKALYN; Jekalyn Carr; Waynorth Music
No Failure; Melvin Crispell III; RCA Inspiration
Urban single or performance of the year
“Feel Alright (Blessed)”; Erica Campbell; My Block Inc.
WINNER: “Only One Night Tho (Live)”; Tye Tribbett; Motown Gospel
“Trusting God”; James Fortune & Monica; FIYA World/MNRK
“Witness”; Dexter Walker and Zion Movement; Indieblue Music
Music video of the year
“All Things”; West Webb and Jalen Turner; Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA Inspiration
WINNER: “Feel Alright (Blessed)”; Rich Laru; My Block Inc.
“I Will Wait”; Avery Henley; Tyscot
“Look at God”; Damien Sandoval; RCA Inspiration
Traditional choir of the year
Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling; Destined for Greatness; HezHouse Entertainment
WINNER: Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster II; Motown Gospel
Vincent Bohanan & SOV; Live in Dallas; HezHouse Entertainment
Zak Williams & 1AKORD; Revisited; Enon Music Group
Traditional artist of the year
WINNER: Jekalyn Carr; JEKALYN; Waynorth Music
Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers; Live in Memphis 2; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
Melvin Crispell III; No Failure; RCA Inspiration
Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster II; Motown Gospel
Special event album of the year
Destined for Greatness; Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling; HezHouse Entertainment
WINNER: Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark; Donald Lawrence; RCA Inspiration
Joy Is Here; JJ Hairston; JamesTown Music/MNRK
Tribute to a Legend: Rance Allen; Various Artists; Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
Rap/hip hop gospel album of the year
WINNER: Emanuel; Da T.R.U.T.H.; Mixed Bag Entertainment
His Glory Alone II; KB; RCA Inspiration/Provident Label Group LLC
Pray for Atlanta; 1K Phew & Zaytoven; Reach Records
The Change Experience; Jevon Dewand & The Trapstarz; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Youth project of the year
AMG Kidz; The Kidz Interlude; AMG Kidz/Anderson Music Group
Nina Symmone; Just Smile; AMG Kidz/Anderson Music Group
Noah Alexander; Lots of Love; AMG Kidz/Anderson Music Group
WINNER: Shout Praises Kids; Joy to the World; Integrity Music
Quartet of the year
WINNER: Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers; Live in Memphis 2; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
Paul Porter & The Christianaires; Miracle EP; Porterboy Music Group/Trin Records
The Williams Singers; Reel Quartet; Deznell Music Group/Anderson Music Group
Young Men 4 Christ; Our Testimony; Independent
Recorded music packaging of the year
Brand New; JP Designs Art; My Block Inc.
Choirmaster II; Nathan Blaine; Motown Gospel
WINNER: JEKALYN; Octavia’s Holmes; Waynorth Music
Lord, I Hear You; BMO Designs & Blair Monique Walker; Nalah Music Group/New Day Distribution/The Orchard
Praise and worship album of the year
Believe Again Vol II; JJ Hairston; Tribl Records
Chapter X: See the Goodness; VaShawn Mitchell; V Man Entertainment/Tyscot/FairTrade
WINNER: The Journey; Todd Dulaney; DulaneyLand/MNRK
The Maverick Way Complete; Maverick City Music; Tribl Records
Praise and worship song of the year
“Always”; Jovonta Patton; Newton Street Entertainment/MNRK
WINNER: “Holy Forever”; CeCe Winans; Red Alliance Media
“I Just Wanna Praise You”; Maurette Brown Clark; Nettie’s Child Music/MNRK
“It’s Working ft. Hezekiah Walker”; Todd Dulaney; DulaneyLand/MNRK
Rap/hip hop song of the year
“Amen Right There” (ft. Canton Jones & Everett Drake); Emcee N.I.C.E.; Gypsy City Music
“MIA” ft. 1K Phew; Jor’Dan Armstrong; Jor’Dan Armstrong Music
“Miracles” ft. Lecrae; KB; RCA Inspiration/Provident Label Group LLC
WINNER: “Your Power” ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Lecrae; Reach Records
James Cleveland lifetime achievement award
WINNER: Tye Tribbett
Aretha Franklin Icon Award
WINNER: Kim Burrell
Top market of the year
WBGX 1570 AM, Chicago
WINNER: WNZN 89.1 FM, Cleveland
WPRS Praise 104.1, Washington, DC
WPZE – MyPraise 102.5, Atlanta
Medium market of the year
WINNER: KOKA 980 AM 93.3 FM, Shreveport
KZTS 1380 AM, Little Rock
WEHA 88.7 & 100.3 FM, Atlantic City
WJYD JOY 107.1 FM, Columbus, OH
Small market of the year
WBZF-98.5 FM, Florence-Myrtle Beach
WWLD-HD2 98.3FM, Tallahassee
WINNER: WXHL 89.1 FM, Wilmington
WXOK 1460 AM, Baton Rouge
Internet station of the year
WINNER: GODRadio1.com, https://streams.radio.co/sf6241e689/listen
Sound Gospel Radio, https://soundgospelradio.com/live/
Waycrosspraise/Power 89.1, https://www.waycrosspraise.org/
WVTC Gospel Radio Network, http://www.wvtcradio.com
Syndicated gospel radio show of the year
Early Morning Praise Party, Sherry Mackey & Dre Monie
WINNER: Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell, Erica Campbell & Arlen “Griff” Griffin
The Nightly Spirit, Darlene “McCoy” Jackson
Willie Moore Jr Show, Willie Moore Jr & Dwight Stone
Gospel announcer of the year
Destiny Diggs, – WXHL 89.1 FM
Neiko Flowers, WPZE – MyPraise 102.5
WINNER: Cheryl Jackson, WPRS Praise 104.1
Trey Nickelson, WBZF-98.5 F