Stellarbration

The 22nd Annual Stellar Awards results are in. Sad to say that the taped award show won't be televised until weeks from now. That's so they can edit and crop down the long celebration to a meesly two hours. And oh yes, take out all the shouting, all the emotion, the long-long speeches and the awards they feel no one cares about. But the results are still in...and it looks like Donald Lawrence wins again. For the second year in a row, Donald Lawrence has swept the Stellar boards with big victories in multiple categories. He does it again with his send-off to the Tri-City Singers for the album "Finale'". He won Artist of the Year - whipping out Tye Tribbett, Kirk Franklin and Martha Munizzi and also took home awards for Choir of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, Contemporary Choir of the Year, Special Event CD of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Recorded CD Package of the Year. Strangely, most of the victories for "Finale'" zoomed in on Act One - the first installment of the live recording. There was another release, Act Two, that seemed to be unmentioned in the process. That collection featured amazing selections including the current radio hit "Encourage Yourself" and the uptempo jam "God Is". But D. Lawrence triumphs once again and has a lot of reason to celebrate.

Myron Butler did an impressive job in taking home some of the year's best awards including New Artist, Group/Duo of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.

Kirk Franklin was unexpectedly overshadowed for his big single "Looking For You" as Byron Cage's funky "I Will Bless The Lord" took home the Single of the Year award. The song was penned by DC native Isaiah D. Thomas - an upcoming producer and accomplished songwriter.

In an act of loving kindness, Donald Lawrence decided to sow an award into the ministry of Tye Tribbett & G.A. Guess he felt that Tribbett was being overlooked that night since so many expected Tribbett to reap a major amount of awards. The decision for Lawrence to do that was unexpecting and full of heavy emotion. Expect to hear more about this moment in conversations circulating the gospel industry for awhile.

The James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement of Fame went to the Mighty Clouds of Joy while the Chervolet Most Notable Achievement Award went to the Clark Sisters.

Below are a final list of the winners for this year's Stellarbration.

Artist Of The Year
Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers
Song Of The Year
I Will Bless The Lord - Byron Cage
Choir Of The Year
Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers
Producer Of The Year
Donald Lawrence
Group/Duo Of The Year
Myron Butler & Levi
New Artist Of The Year
Myron Butler & Levi
Female Vocalist Of The Year
Dorinda Clark-Cole
Contemporary Group/Duo Of The Year
Myron Butler & Levi
CD Of The Year
Kirk Franklin "Hero"
Traditional Group/Duo Of The Year
The Williams Brothers & Their Superstar Friends
Contemporary Male Vocalist Of The Year
Tye Tribbett & G.A.
Traditional Male Vocalist Of The Year
Bishop G.E. Patterson
Contemporary Female Vocalist Of The Year
CeCe Winans
Traditional Female Vocalist Of The Year
Shirley Caesar
Contemporary CD Of The Year
Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers "Finale'"
Traditional CD Of The Year
New Life Community Choir featuring John P. Kee "The Reunion"
Urban/Inspirational Single/Performance Of The Year
Tye Tribbett & G.A. "Victory"
Traditional Choir Of The Year
Hezekiah Walker & LFC "20/85: The Experience"
Contemporary Choir Of The Year
Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers
Instrumental CD Of The Year
Ramsey Lewis "With One Voice"
Special Event CD Of The Year
Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers "Finale'"
Rap/Hip-Hop CD Of The Year
Da' T.R.U.T.H. "The Faith"
Children's Performance Of The Year
Youth For Christ "The Struggle Is Over"
Quartet Of The Year
Keith Wonderboy Johnson & the Spiritual Voices
Music Video Of The Year
Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers "Finale'"
Another strange factor to look at in this category: the other nominees had selected performances (one selection) while Lawrence won for an entire DVD presentation of songs.
Recorded Music Package Of The Year
Philpott Design/Jay Blakesburg for Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers "Finale'"
Praise and Worship CD Of The Year
Kevin Burroughs Neely "Fingers Of Fire Volume One"

[STELLAR GROOVES]
The Stellar Awards (Offical Website)
Gospelflava.com's Voyage To The Stellars
Recap: The 22nd Stellar Awards Live Taping