40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards: an essential jubilee in Nashville
On August 16, 2025, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville welcomed the 40th ceremony of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, devoting four decades of excellence and innovation in Gospel music. This anniversary edition, placed under the theme “Our Music, Our Voice, Our Culture”, announces a memorable celebration marked by vibrant performance, poignant tributes and the recognition of legends like emerging talents.
Bebe and Cece Winans, an emblematic fraternal duo from the prestigious Winans de Detroit family, will be the official hosts. Their voices and their journey marked the industry with classics such as “addictive love” and “close to you”, pushing the borders of gospel to reach an international audience. Multi-reaches with Grammy, Dove, Soul Train and Stellar Awards, Bebe & Cece are today synonymous with artistic excellence and message of timeless hope.
The evening will bring together a constellation of artists: 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, Traine And William Murphy, among others, promising a show full of diversity and inspiration.
Another highlight, the return of the more experienced Stellar. The festivities will start from August 14, with two days dedicated to master classes, panels and meetings between professionals and gospel enthusiasts. On August 15, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Vincent Bohanan will preside over dinner and pre-ceremony of awards for the nominees, organized at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville.
The production of the event is orchestrated by Don Jackson, founder of the Stellar Awards, with Jennifer J. Jackson in executive management, Michael A. Johnson in realization, Erin Johnson in the management of talents, and Daniel Moore in the music management.
The main sponsors include P&G (Procter & Gamble), General Motors, State Farm, At & T, Walmart, Aflac, McDonald’s and Aarp. The nominations, led by Pastor Mike Jr., Jason Nelson and Cece Winans, testify to the dynamism and influence of the current gospel scene. The complete list of distinguished artists and titles can be viewed on the official Stellar Awards website.
The show will be broadcast on the Stellar Network on August 30 at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. (East), then on BET on August 31 at 8 p.m. (and), and on BOUnce TV on September 28 at 1 p.m. (East).
Sources
- Stellar Awards official website: thestellarawards.com
- Gospelmusic.org
- Billboard.com
- Elev8magazine.com
