Stellar Notebook: 2004


Gospelflava.com was at the Stellar Awards! We had our ear to the ground, and updated the site with informative tidbits as they trickled in. Check it out below:

January 10 2004

• The Post-Stellar party was titled "The Urban Sanctuary", and was sponsored by Music World Music. In addition to performances from Ramiyah with J.Moss and Michelle Williams, there was also several songs from the cast of The Fighting Temptations, including T-Bone, Shirley Caesar, Beyonce and Angie Stone. Also singing were Patti Labelle, Ty Tribbett & Greater Anointing and Trin-i-tee 5:7. Gary Mayes along with his band and choir Nu Era were the house band. Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams appeared to make introductions.
• Complete Results of Stellar Awards. Click here.
  
  
• For the first time, those Stellar Awards which were not announced on television were instead announced off-camera before the assembling George R. Brown Convention center crowd. With Sony/Integrity presenting a showcase, host Dr. Bobby Brown introduced the various presenters and performers in a fast-paced show. Performers included Israel Houghton and New Breed, Lisa McClendon and an electric song from Ty Tribbett & Greater Anointing.
  
  

January 9 2004

• This year's Announcer of the Year award was presented to Ms. Darryll King of 106.3 FM WYCA, Chicago.
  
  
• The McDonald's Youth Choir was Chosen Generation, the Windsor Village United Methodist Church Youth Choir. The choir sang a couple of songs, including "Deliver" (the hit from Youthful Praise), at the Stellar Nominee Reception.
  
  
• The results of this year's Stellar Awards Talent Search was announced: Micah Stampley of Houston was declared the overall winner. Stampley brought the Stellar Nominee Reception crowd to their feet with his performance of V. Michael McKay's "The Corinthian Song". (January 9, 2004)
  
  
• The Stellar Nominee Reception , hosted by Central City's Don Jackson and Dr. Bobby Jones was held at the George Brown Convention Center. Performing were the McDonald's Youth Choir (Chosen Generation of Houston), Donald Lawrence & Tri-City, Bishop Paul S. Morton and others. (January 9, 2004)
  
  
• EMI Gospel announced the signing of Bishop Eddie Long's New Birth Church Choir.
  
  
• Kim Burrell has been signed to Sony. Ty Tribbett and Greater Anointing has also been signed to Sony.
  
  
• EMI Gospel hosted a pre-Stellar showcase, with performances from Darwin Hobbs, Vickie Yohe, Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers as well as from their new signee, Kierra Sheard.
  
  
• The BMI Luncheon honouring Gospel Trailblazers was held at the Houston Aquarium. Honorees were The Clark sisters and Cissy Houston. The major highlight was the Clark Sisters reunion, featuring Dorinda, Jacky, Karen and Twinkie behind the piano. They sang both "Nothing To Lose" and "Balm In Gilead", and in so doing brought the capacity crowd to their feet, and to tears. There were also musical tributes from Kim Burrell ("Is My Living In Vain"), from Mary Mary ("You Brought The Sunshine") and Virtue ("Endow Me"). Yolanda Adams and Kierra Sheard also offered up tributes. Musicians included Marvin McQuitty on drums and Joe Wilson on piano. Cissy Houston was honored by Albertina Walker, who sang "Im Still Here", and Damita Haddon who performed "I Won't Complain". Artists in attendance included Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Camp 8, Natalie Wilson, Vickie Winans, Marvin Winans Jr., Viktory, Lil iROCC and Deitrick Haddon.
  
  

January 8 2004

• Gospel announcers flooded into Houston and headed to the Hilton downtown for the kickoff showcase. Sponsored by a myriad of record labels and media including Gospel Truth Magazine and Gospelflava.com, the chicken dinner evening featured performances from artists that included Darius Brooks, Mary Wynn, Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson, True Believers, Neville Peter and many others.
  
  
• Gospel artists are arriving in town. Seen so far were Virtue, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Dottie Peoples, Lisa Page-Brooks, Maurette Brown-Clark, William Becton, Patrick Lundy, Nashon Fondren. Comedian Chris Tucker has also checked into town.