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| Ricky Dillard. Michelle Williams. Erica Campbell & Tasha-Lockhart |
Central City Productions announced the nominees for the 2015 Stellar Gospel Awards and the hosts for this year’s ceremony, which will take place at its new location, the Las Vegas Orleans Arena on Saturday, March 28, 2015. eOne Entertainment’s Erica Campbell and Ricky Dillard dominated the categories with 10 nominations each.
Campbell, the WE TV reality show star and one-half of Mary Mary, made huge strides with her solo debut. She earned nominations for her CD “Help,” including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year, Contemporary Female vocalist of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, and Urban /Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year. The project also received nominations in the categories of Producer of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and Recorded Music Packaging of the Year.
“I am grateful to the Stellar Awards for this great honor and for the consideration. I am overwhelmed by the faithfulness of God, as I never anticipated this. Initially I thought that I was going to release one single as a solo artist and that be the extent of it. But to see how far God has brought us is truly amazing … I’m so humbled and happy that people are being blessed by the music,” said Campbell.
“I am grateful to God to continue to make music that is recognized by my peers in the Gospel music industry as best in class,” said Dillard of the nominations. “During one of my most challenging personal seasons God poured out blessing upon blessing and grace beyond measure to revitalize my spirit – and this spiritual revitalization is represented in amazing. The support for this album and for these songs has been nothing short of astounding to me. I am thankful for every nomination that I have received and I am looking very forward to this year’s Stellar Awards.”
Among the other top nominees at this year’s Stellar Awards are Kirk Franklin protégés The Walls Group with eight; Deitrick Haddon’s LXW with seven; Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir with six nominations; and Michelle Williams, Smokie Norful and “Sunday Best” winner Tasha Page-Lockhart each with four.
Comedian and radio host Rickey Smiley returns as a host this year at the Stellar Awards. He’ll be joined by husband and wife duo David and Tamela Mann.
The Stellar Awards will air on TV One on Easter Sunday, April 5. The show will also air in broadcast syndication on 150 stations in over 125 markets around the country from April 12 through May 3, 2015.
