The Stellar Gospel Music Awards celebrated 40 years in Nashville, with BeBe and CeCe Winans hosting the big night at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. FreddyO was there on the red carpet and backstage as gospel royalty came out to celebrate.
40 Years of the Stellars
The 40th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards took place on August 16, 2025, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville. Brother and sister duo BeBe and CeCe Winans hosted the anniversary show, which honored four decades of gospel music and the artists who carry it forward.
Pastor Mike Jr. Ran the Table
The story of the night was Pastor Mike Jr., who won all nine categories he was nominated in, including Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for “I Got Away EP” and Song of the Year for “Amen.” CeCe Winans picked up Female Artist of the Year and Contemporary Female Artist of the Year, Ricky Dillard took Choir of the Year, Dorinda Clark-Cole won Traditional Artist of the Year, and ADIA was named New Artist of the Year. See the official 40th Stellar Awards winners list.
The show also honored Don Jackson, the founder of Central City Productions and the man who created the Stellar Awards, with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award.
A Stacked Lineup
The performance lineup read like a gospel hall of fame: Jonathan McReynolds, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Donnie McClurkin, Dottie Peoples, Tramaine Hawkins, Jekalyn Carr, William Murphy, Todd Dulaney, Jason Nelson, Pastor Mike Todd and Transformation Worship, MAJOR., Jamal Roberts and the New Direction Gospel Choir of Tennessee State University, among others.
Inside the Night
The carpet was all gold accents and big fashion, from sharp suits to statement gowns, and backstage was a family reunion for the gospel community. I kept the best 28 photos from the night. Click any photo below to start the gallery and go through it one photo at a time.
Photos by FreddyO. Want FreddyO to cover your event? Book FreddyO.
Leave a Reply