UPDATE (Aug. 5): Jamal Roberts, Jonathan McReynolds, Nathan Davis Jr., Todd Dulaney, Lisa Knowles-Smith and New Direction Gospel Choir of Tennessee State University have been added to the lineup of performers for the 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards, which tapes Aug. 16 at Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville.
Presenters include Lil Rel Howery, Dominique Perry, Dante Bowe, Isaac Carree and Trina Braxton, with more to be announced.
Central City Productions founder Don Jackson will receive the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award. Jackson is executive producer of the Stellar Awards and founder of the all-new Stellar Network.
The 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards will premiere on the Stellar Network on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET; on BET Sunday, Aug. 31, at 8 p.m. ET; on Bounce TV Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. ET; and in broadcast syndication from Sept. 6-28. The show will also stream on Vizio and Xumo Play beginning Sept. 29.
Special guests participating in the STELLAR PLUS experience include Adam Blackstone, Dana Sorey, Avery Sunshine, Miles Minnick, Joyce Sheffield, Karri Bryant, Rochelle Johnson, Alexis Daniels, Jayda Ellis, Lashoundra Young, Griff, Damon Williams, Just Nesh, Kasaun Wilson and Rhyeem Johnson. The Stellar Unplugged Music Experience is presented by Amazon Music and in partnership with the Recording Academy.
PREVIOUSLY (July 14): BeBe Winans and CeCe Winans are set to host the 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards, which will be held on Saturday (Aug. 16) at Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville. CeCe is also one of the top nominees at this year’s show. She has eight nominations, which puts her just behind Pastor Mike Jr. and Jason Nelson, who each received nine nods.
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The legendary sibling duo are trailblazers in gospel and inspirational music, known for their seamless blend of contemporary gospel, R&B and soul. Hailing from the iconic Winans family, BeBe and CeCe rose to national prominence in the 1980s with their groundbreaking self-titled debut album.
BeBe and Cece cracked the Billboard Hot 100 in 1992 with a remake of The Staple Singers’ 1972 classic “I’ll Take You There” that featured Mavis Staples, lead singer of the original hit. They reached No. 12 on the all-genre Billboard 200 in 2009 with Still.
BeBe and CeCe Winans have won three Grammy Awards, nine Dove Awards, two NAACP Image awards, two Soul Train Music Awards and numerous Stellar Awards. Their Grammy wins are for Different Lifestyles, which was voted best contemporary soul gospel album in 1992; Still, which was voted best contemporary R&B gospel album in 2011; and the track “Grace,” which won best gospel performance in 2011.
Taking the stage for the 40th ceremony thus far are Adia, Donnie McClurkin, Dottie Peoples, Jekalyn Carr, Jason Nelson, Lisa Page Brooks, MAJOR., Melvin Crispell III, Pastor Mike Jr., Pastor Mike Todd & Transformation Worship, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Tramaine Hawkins and William Murphy.
The 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is 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. Tickets are available now by visiting the Stellar Awards website.
“We’re setting the tone for a night that celebrates 40 years of celebrating the greatest in gospel music,” said Jennifer Jackson, president of Central City Productions.
Additionally, the STELLAR PLUS experience returns with two days of immersive industry and fan-focused events from Thursday, Aug. 14, through Friday, Aug. 15, ahead of the 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Dorinda Clark-Cole and Vincent Bohanan will host the Stellar Nominee Pre-Show Dinner and Awards at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville on Friday, Aug. 15. This exclusive, invitation-only event is open to all 2025 Stellar Award nominees.
