Mary Mary won group/duo of the year at the Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Saturday. (photo: JOHN PARTIPILO / THE TENNESSEAN)
Mary Mary, Charles Jenkins and Marvin Sapp were Saturday night’s big winners as the 28th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards returned to the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.
Mary Mary, the best-selling gospel duo featuring sisters Erica and Tina Campbell, took home five of their nine nominations, tying the night’s other top winner, Chicago-based faith leader Charles Jenkins.
Mary Mary, who also co-hosted and performed on the show, told The Tennessean they were “completely overjoyed†by the recognition, especially after being on the scene for more than a decade.
“Sometimes being in a specific genre, there’s new people, there’s new energy, there’s more excitement about what’s new and what’s fresh,†said Tina Campbell. “Not that we’re old and washed up. It’s been 12 years, so we’ve had a little time. But to know that there’s still a joy and an appreciation, acceptance and the need for Mary Mary music in the gospel (community), it makes us feel really, really good.â€
Gospel star Marvin Sapp — who was the night’s top winner in 2011 and hosted in 2012 — had another big year, taking home four awards on Saturday, including a win for artist of the year.
Even as several stars celebrated multiple wins, there was still room for dozens of talents, both fresh and familiar, to shine at one of gospel music’s biggest annual gatherings.
New Jersey’s Tye Tribbett leapt on the stage to kick off an evening fueled by passionate performances and speedy acceptance speeches.
The awards — which originated in Chicago but have been held in Nashville since 2005 — were broadcast live for the first time on cable’s GMC-TV. That allowed the genre’s youngest, digitally savvy fans to react to the show in real time on social media — fitting for a year that saw young stars scoring big wins.
Among them was 25-year-old female vocalist of the year Kierra Sheard, who’s getting ready to star in a BET reality show with her family.
Gospel’s new contemporary sound — and its multimedia stars — was a popular topic backstage in the press room.
“As you can see on the winner’s board, it’s a lot of new faces,†said producer of the year winner Isaac Carree. “So we’re just not one-dimensional anymore. We’re doing fashion, we’re acting, the Sheard family has a TV show coming on, Mary Mary’s on TV. God is just doing some different things, so y’all keep your ears and your eyes open.â€
Veteran gospel star Shirley Caesar was singing a similar tune.
“Seemingly now, this is the era and the time for the contemporary, young sound. If you can’t beat them, join them, so I’m going to join them. If they look over their shoulder, they’re going to see me.â€
That wasn’t all that stars were buzzing about backstage, of course. Michelle Williams smiled as she batted off “rumors†of her former group, Destiny’s Child, performing with Beyonce at the Super Bowl.
Several performers were preparing to leave Nashville for events tied to the presidential inauguration. And few performers relinquished a microphone before offering thanks and praise.
“I’m privileged to be able to say that I sing and write gospel music,†said lifetime achievement award winner Kurt Carr. “I’m proud of our music. We have the best singers in the world.â€
Contact Dave Paulson at dnpaulson@tennessean.com or by calling 615-664-2278
28th annual Stellar Gospel Music Award winners
Artist of the year: Marvin Sapp, “I Win,†Verity Gospel Music Group
Song of the year: Charles Jenkins, “Awesome†— “The Best of Both Worlds,†Inspired People
Male vocalist of the year: Marvin Sapp, “I Win,†Verity Gospel Music Group
Female vocalist of the year: Kierra Sheard, “Free,†Karew Records
Group/duo of the year: Mary Mary, “Go Get It,†My Block/Columbia Records
New artist of the year: Le’andria Johnson, “The Awakening of Le’andria Johnson,†Music World Gospel
CD of the year: Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, “The Best of Both Worlds,†Inspired People
Choir of the year: Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, “The Best of Both Worlds,†Inspired People
Producer of the year: Isaac Carree, Eric Dawkins, Warryn Campbell, Gerald Haddon, Rick Robinson, “Uncommon Me,†Sovereign Agency/Door 6 Entertainment
Contemporary group/duo of the year: Mary Mary, “Go Get It,†My Block/Columbia Records
Traditional group/duo of the year: The Williams Brothers, “Live at The Hard Rock — Part 1,†Blackberry Records
Contemporary male of the year: Fred Hammond, “God, Love & Romance,†Verity Gospel Music Group
Traditional male of the year: Marvin Sapp, “I Win,†Verity Gospel Music Group
Contemporary female of the year: Le’andria Johnson, “The Awakening of Le’andria Johnson,†Music World Gospel
Traditional female of the year: Vanessa Bell Armstrong, “Timeless,†Music World Gospel
Contemporary CD of the year: Mary Mary, “Go Get It,†My Block/Columbia Records
Traditional CD of the year: Marvin Sapp, “I Win,†Verity Gospel Music Group
Urban/inspirational single or performance of the year: Mary Mary, “Go Get It — Go Get It,†My Block/Columbia Records
Music video of the year, short format: Darren Grant, “Go Get It — Go Get It,†My Block/Columbia Records
Traditional choir of the year: Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, “The Best of Both Worlds,†Inspired People
Special event CD of the year: Mary Mary, “Go Get It,†My Block/Columbia Records
Rap hip hop gospel CD of the year: Da T.r.u.t.h., “The Whole Truth,†Xist Music/Black Fuel Entertainment
Children’s project of the year: Anointed By God, “Anointed By God,†One Voice Media
Quartet of the year: The Williams Brothers, “Live at The Hard Rock — Part 1,†Blackberry Records
Recorded music packaging of the year: Charles Jenkins, “The Best of Both Worlds,†Inspired People
Praise and worship CD of the year: Jason Nelson, “Shifting the Atmosphere,†Verity Gospel Music Group
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http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/01/19/mary-mary-charles-jenkins-and-marvin-sapp-win-big-at-stellar-gospel-music-awards/