Pastor Mike Jr. could set a record when the 2025 Stellar Gospel Music Awards ceremony is taped live from the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville on Saturday, Aug. 16. He is currently tied with Kirk Franklin and Marvin Sapp as the only artists to win artist of the year three times. He’s nominated again this year. Should he win, he’ll pull ahead as the top winner in the top category.

Tamela Mann, who won in that category in 2014 and 2017, is also nominated again. Should she win, she’ll join Pastor Mike Jr., Franklin and Sapp as the only three-time winners.

The other nominees in that category are CeCe Winans, Jason Nelson and Kenny Lewis & One Voice. None have ever won before in this top category.

Pastor Mike Jr. and Jason Nelson are the top nominees for the 40th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, with nine nods each. Pastor Mike Jr., who has amassed 19 Stellar Awards, and Nelson, who is also a Stellar Award winner, each landed nominations for artist of the year, song of the year, male artist of the year and album of the year.

With eight nominations, Cece Winans is vying for artist of the year, song of the year, Albertina Walker female artist of the year, and album of the year.

Other artists earning multiple nominations include Mississippi Mass Choir, Adia, Deitrick Haddon, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Karen Clark-Sheard, Kenny Lewis & One Voice, Micah Lee, Tamela Mann, Chandler Moore and FK&M (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten, and Marcus Cole).

Public fan voting will take place in two categories this year – urban single or performance of the year and praise and worship song of the year. Fan Favorite voting runs from June 16 until July 18.

The Stellar Awards also announced nominees for the Gospel Radio of the Year Awards in six categories.

Tickets for the 40th Stellar Awards taping are available now at stellarawards.com.

“For 40 remarkable years, the Stellar Awards have been a beacon of excellence, celebrating the voices, vision, and victories of gospel music,” Don Jackson, founder of the Stellar Awards and chairman of Central City Productions, Inc., said in a statement. “We honor not just the genre of gospel music, but the legacy of our history, our faith, our culture, and our community that has inspired Black & African American generations for four decades.”

The 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is executive produced by 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.

This year’s Stellar Awards caps STELLAR PLUS week, which is set for Aug. 14-16. Events include master classes and soundstages, fashion shows and comedy showcases and more. For more information, visit stellarplusexperience.com.

Here’s the full list of nominations for the 2025 Stellar Gospel Music Awards.

Artist of the Year

CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services

Jason Nelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

Kenny Lewis & One Voice; The Healing Project; PureSound Muzik Group

Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group

Tamela Mann; Live Breathe Fight; TillyMann

Song of the Year

“Amen,” Michael McClure Jr., Adia Andrews, Terrell Anthony Pettus, Andrea Crouch, & David “DLo” Outing; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group

“Clap My Way,” Fred Jerkins III, Alvin Garrett, & Micah Lee; Micah Lee; Darkchild Gospel/ MicahLeeMusic

“I Prayed for You (said a prayer),” Major Johnson Finley, Brunes Charles, & Jeshua Williams; MAJOR.; NowThatsMAJOR / MNRK

“That’s My King,” Taylor Agan, Kellie Gamble, Lloyd Nicks, & Jess Russ; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services

“Yahweh” ft. Melvin Crispell III; Danni Baylor, Jason Nelson, Jerome Baylor, & Johnnie Huntley Steele III; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

Male Artist of the Year

Chandler Moore; Chandler Moore: Live in Los Angeles; TRIBL

Deitrick Haddon; One Night in California; DH Visions

Doc McKenzie; Run On; Blockbuster Records/Milbert McKenzie Music Group

Jason Nelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group

Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year

ADIA; On the Way; Rock City Media Group

CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services

Dorinda Clark-Cole; Determined; Malaco Records

Karen Clark-Sheard; Still Karen; Motown Gospel

Lisa Page Brooks; The Grateful Chant; FlowNeeNee Music

Duo/Chorus Group of the Year

Deitrick Haddon ft. Damita & Tasha Page-Lockhart; Hold On 2 Your Faith; ManHaddon Ministries / Tyscot Records

FK&M (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten and Marcus Cole); Time Capsule – The Trilogy; 3Brothers/Dare Records

Ted & Sheri; You’ve Been So Faithful (Groove); Ted & Sheri LLC / Black Smoke Music Worldwide

The Group Fire; About Last Night; Jet Records North/East

New Artist of the Year

ADIA; On the Way; Rock City Media Group

Bobbi Lane; Unmatched Grace; Blockbuster Records/ Taylor Music Group

Josh Bracy and Power Anointed; Favor; Josh Bracy Muzic

Micah Lee; Clap My Way; Darkchild Gospel/ MicahLeeMusic

Montrae Tisdale and The Friends Chorale; The Faith Journey; Tisdale Nation Entertainment

Album of the Year

I Got Away EP; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group

Live Breathe Fight; Tamela Mann; TillyMann

More Than This; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services

The Healing Project; Kenny Lewis & One Voice; PureSound Muzik Group

You Belong: Live in Durham; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

Choir of the Year

Bishop S.Y. Younger; Bishop S.Y. Younger Presents Worship in Brazil; Ramp Records (exclusively distributed by Haus Records)

Chicago Mass Choir; Greater Is Coming; New Haven Records

Ricky Dillard; When I Think; Motown Gospel

The Mississippi Mass Choir; We Still Believe; Malaco Records

Producer of the Year

Dana Sorey; Jason Nelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

Fred Hammond, Keith Staten, Marcus Cole, Paul Wright III and Ray Hammond; FK&M (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten and Marcus Cole); Time Capsule – The Trilogy; 3Brothers/Dare Records

J. Drew Sheard; Karen Clark-Sheard; Still Karen; Motown Gospel

Michael McClure Jr., & David “DLo” Outing II; Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group

Stan Jones, Jerry Mannery, Jerry Smith, & David R. Curry Jr.; The Mississippi Mass Choir; We Still Believe; Malaco Records

Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year

Deitrick Haddon ft. Damita & Tasha Page-Lockhart; Hold On 2 Your Faith; ManHaddon Ministries / Tyscot Records

Red Hands; The Three (EP); Black Suit Music / Anderson Music Group / TAMLA Records

Ted & Sheri; You’ve Been So Faithful (Groove); Ted & Sheri LLC / Black Smoke Music Worldwide

The Group Fire; About Last Night; Jet Records North/East

Traditional Duo/Chorus Group of the Year

Brandon Camphor & One Way; Hymn Medley; Tomii Entertainment

Men Of Prayze; Live: in the Red; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc

The Flint Cavaliers; The Fellowship (Psalms 133:1); The Flint Music Group

Tim Woodson & The Heirs of Harmony; Try Me; Blackberry/Marxan Records

Contemporary Male Artist of the Year

Jason Nelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

Micah Lee; Clap My Way; Darkchild Gospel/ MicahLeeMusic

Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group

Vincent Bohanan; VBSOV Summer Jam; Independent

Traditional Male Artist of the Year

Bishop Calvin Norton; Hold Me Beyond Rear View EP; Blockbuster Records

Brent Jones; Live Your Best Life; JDI Entertainment

Earnest Pugh; Worthy Is the Lamb; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide

Kenny Lewis; The Healing Project; PureSound Muzik Group

Contemporary Female Artist of the Year

ADIA; On the Way; Rock City Media Group

Bobbi Lane; Unmatched Grace; Blockbuster Records/ Taylor Music Group

CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services

DOE; Heart of a Human; RCA Inspiration / Provident Entertainment

Keyla Richardson; Home; Uncle G Records

Traditional Female Artist of the Year

Dorinda Clark-Cole; Determined; Malaco Records

Lasha Knox; Right There; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide

Lisa Page Brooks; The Grateful Chant; FlowNeeNee Music

Terri McConnell; He’ll Get Me Through This; Royal T Records

Contemporary Album of the Year

Chandler Moore: Live in Los Angeles; Chandler Moore; TRIBL

Live Breathe Fight; Tamela Mann; TillyMann

Still Karen; Karen Clark-Sheard; Motown Gospel

You Belong: Live in Durham; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

Traditional Album of the Year

Determined; Dorinda Clark-Cole; Malaco Records

Live in Detroit, Pt 1; The Victorius Army ATL Feat. Vincent Bohanan; Independent

The Healing Project; Kenny Lewis & One Voice; PureSound Muzik Group

We Still Believe; The Mississippi Mass Choir; Malaco Records

Urban Single or Performance of the Year

Amen; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group

Clap My Way; Micah Lee; Darkchild Gospel/ MicahLeeMusic

I Prayed for You (said a prayer); MAJOR.; NowThatsMAJOR / MNRK

Without You ft. Zacardi Cortez; Jevon Dewand and The Trap Starz; Black Smoke Records

Music Video of the Year

“Amen,” Pastor Mike Jr., Tony “Mr.YNOT” Minifield, Drae Rudolph & Kevin “Krispy” Key/Moon Men; Rock City Media Group

“Deserve to Win,” David Mann; TillyMann

“For My Good,” Jekalyn Carr; Waynorth Music

“Never Be the Same,” Deitrick Haddon & Terrance Church; DH Visions

Traditional Choir of the Year

Chicago Mass Choir; Greater Is Coming; New Haven Records

Christopher L. Ervin & Abraham’s Descendants; Recover; CervinMusiq

Ricky Dillard; When I Think; Motown Gospel

The Mississippi Mass Choir; We Still Believe; Malaco Records

Contemporary Choir of the Year

Alphaeus Anderson Presents The USC Upstate Gospel Choir; Already Done; Music2ChangeU

Charles Butler & Trinity; Live in Washington DC; Red Alliance Media

Johnny Sanders Featuring Faith on Full; Christmas Everyday; Third Century Development Corp/Johnny Sanders Presents, LLC

Vincent Bohanan & SOV; VBSOV Summer Jam; Independent

Traditional Artist of the Year

Bishop Calvin Norton; Hold Me Beyond Rear View EP; Blockbuster Records

Dorinda Clark-Cole; Determined; Malaco Records

Earnest Pugh; Worthy Is the Lamb; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide

The Mississippi Mass Choir; We Still Believe; Malaco Records

Special Event Album of the Year

Bishop S.Y. Younger Presents Worship in Brazil; Bishop S.Y. Younger; Ramp Records (exclusively distributed by Haus Records)

Joyful, Joyful: A Christmas Album; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services

Red & Green; Jonathan McReynolds; Life Room Label, Motown Gospel

The Gift Deluxe Edition; The Group Fire; Jet Records North/East

We Still Believe; The Mississippi Mass Choir; Malaco Records

Rap/Hip Hop Gospel Album of the Year

Canton Jones and CAJO Records Presents the Free Life Experience; The Free Life Experience; CAJO Records

Let Go Let God: The EP; 1K Phew; Reach Records

Meet Me in Miami; Otis Kemp; Revive 5.0 Entertainment

Without You: There Would Be No Me; Jevon Dewand and The Trap Starz; Black Smoke Records

Youth Project of the Year

AMG Kidz x Boston Arts Academy; The Kidz at North Station; Anderson Music Group / TAMLA Records

Brent Jones presents The Fire; Brent Jones presents The Fire; JDI Entertainment

Janessa Smith; Sounds of Joy; Inspired Recording

Nina Symmone & Noah Alexander; God’s Way; The Big Moment / Anderson Music Group

Quartet of the Year

Blest By Four; Only Believe The EP; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc

Men Of Prayze; Live: in the Red; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc

The Flint Cavaliers; The Fellowship (Psalms 133:1); The Flint Music Group

Tim Woodson & The Heirs of Harmony; Try Me; Blackberry/Marxan Records

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year

Covered Vol. 1; Brianna Dowd & Melvin Crispell III; RCA Inspiration, Provident Label Group LLC

Meet Me in Miami; Blair Monique; Revive 5.0 Entertainment

Red & Green; Jonathan McReynolds & Trent Nicholson; Life Room Label, Motown Gospel

Still Karen; Justin Foster; Motown Gospel

Praise and Worship Album of the Year

Chandler Moore: Live in Los Angeles; Chandler Moore; TRIBL

More Than This; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services

One; Jordan G. Welch; JordiG Music

You Belong: Live in Durham; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

Praise and Worship Song of the Year

“Light in a Dark Place,” Bobbi Lane; Blockbuster Records/ Taylor Music Group

“Overflow” ft. Todd Dulaney; Transformation Worship; Represent Records, Re: Think Music

“That’s My King,” CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services

“Yahweh” ft. Melvin Crispell III; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year

“Amen,” Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group

“Blessings,” Otis Kemp; Revive 5.0 Entertainment

“Fa REAL… Fa Real,” Jevon Dewand and The Trap Starz; Black Smoke Records

“Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah” ft. Lisa Page Brooks; Dante’ Pride; iAmDantePrideMuzik

Gospel Radio of the Year Nominees

Top Market of the Year

WBBP 1480 AM, Memphis

WBGX 1570 kHz, Chicago

WFTB FM 104.1, Nashville

WGRB 1390AM, Chicago

WPZS 100.9, Charlotte, N.C.

Medium Market of the Year

WAGR 102.5 FM, Lexington, Miss.

WEUP Worship 94.5, Huntsville, Ala.

WJNI 106.3FM, Charleston, S.C.

WXHL 89.1 FM, Wilmington, Del.

Small Market of the Year

WBZF-FM 98.5, Florence-Myrtle Beach, S.C.

WHLH 95.5, Jackson, Miss.

WKTT 97.5 FM, Salisbury, Md.

WTSK – Praise 93.3/ 790 AM, Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Internet Station of the Year

Black Gospel Radio, https://BlackGospelRadio.net

GODRadio1.com, https://godradio1.com

Hands Up Radio WHUR, https://handsupradio.org/

Power of Worship Radio, https://powerofworship.net

Syndicated Gospel Radio Show of the Year

“Early Morning Praise Party with Sherry Mackey,” Sherry Mackey

“Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell,” Erica Campbell with Griff & Cheryl Jackson

“The Big Redd Radio Show,” Big Redd

“The Tracy Morgan Show,” Tracy Morgan

Gospel Announcer of the Year

Destiny Diggs; WXHL – Reach Gospel Radio/ “Say So Radio Show with Destiny”

Melissa Wade; WNNL, The Light 103.9/ “Melissa Wade in the Midday”

Micha “ML6” Logan; WEUP, 103.1 FM/ “The Midday Shift”

Sherry Mackey; WHAL, 95.7 Hallelujah FM/ “Early Morning Praise Party with Sherry Mackey”