Travis Greene, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, & More Celebrate Stellar Awards

RCA Inspiration celebrated top honors this year on what's hailed as one of the biggest nights celebrating Gospel music, with 10 wins on the 32nd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Travis Greeneand his chart-topping project The Hill took top artist honors, collecting the most awards this year with 7 wins, including the top song, CD, and male artist categories: Song of the Year ("Made A Way"), Male Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, Recorded Music Packaging of the Year (Art Dir: Annie Stoll), and Praise and Worship CD of the Year. Kirk Franklin's smash hit "Wanna Be Happy?" (Fo Yo Soul/RCA), won Music Video of the Year (Dir: Rock Jacobs). Donnie McClurkin won Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, and the WOW Gospel 2016 hits collection won the Stellar Award for Special Event CD of the Year. Fred Hammond also received special honors with induction in the 2017 Stellar Honors Hall of Fame class. Additionally, Franklin won in the Producer of the Year category, as one of the producers on Tamela Mann's project (One Way).

Regaling the crowd with electrifying performances, Travis Greene, Fred Hammond, Israel Houghton, and Donnie McClurkin hit the stage. Kirk Franklin led a star-studded performance marking the live television debut of his latest hit single "My World Needs You", delivering vocal fireworks with appearances from Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs, and Tamela Mann, who are featured on the album track. Le'Andria Johnson, Koryn Hawthorne, and Marvin Sapppresented awards, and Tasha Page-Lockhart provided a look at the glamour and carpet festivities, hosting the Stellar Awards red carpet livestream with Todd Dulaney.

Phil Thornton (RCA Inspiration SVP and General Manager) says: "Wow! We are elated to celebrate this night honoring Gospel, and congratulate Travis Greene, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, and Fred Hammond on these honors and this incredible journey and their impact, continuing to bring hope and inspire everyone across the world with their music. We are so grateful to Don Jackson, Central City Productions, everyone in the greater Stellar Awards community, and all the fans, who are such a vital part in elevating Gospel music and its timeless message. Thank you! To God Be the Glory!"

The 32nd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will air on TV One on Sunday, April 9th, 2017 at 6 pm EST, with encore showings at 8 pm and 11 pm EST.

ABOUT FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS

Fo Yo Soul Recordings is a joint venture between gospel music icon Kirk Franklin and RCA Records. The Dallas-based inspirational music label, which was established in 2013, showcases some of the genre's most talented emerging artists and established performers.

ABOUT RCA INSPIRATION

RCA Inspiration (formerly Verity Gospel Music Group), is the Gospel label operating under Provident Music Group, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. Voted Billboard's #1 "Gospel Songs Label" for the past 16 years, RCA Inspiration is the home of mega-gospel artists Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Le'Andria Johnson, Fred Hammond, Travis Greene and many more.

Photo: Travis Greene, Photo credit Maury Phillips, Courtesy of Central City Productions/TV One