Grammy Award winners Bebe and CeCe Winans were recently announced as this year’s hosts of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards.
The duo is set to co-host the musical event, which is scheduled to be held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville on Aug. 16. CeCe Winans is also among the artists nominated this year, taking the third spot for most nominations with eight.
The siblings will be joined by a variety of performers. Along with Adia, Donnie McClurkin, Dotties Peoples and MAJOR, artists Jekalyn Carr, Jason Nelson, Lisa Page Brooks, Melvin Crispell III, Pastor Mike Jr. as well as Pastor Mike Todd & Transformation Worship are all set to take the stage.
Musicians Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Tramaine Hawkins and William Murphy are also expected to perform at the awards ceremony.
This year will mark the first time that BeBe & CeCe Winans will host the gospel awards together.
Throughout their career, the duo has released seven studio albums, including the number one U.S. gospel chart toppers “Heaven” and “Different Lifestyles.” The gospel siblings have won three Grammy Awards for their work, including Best Gospel Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album, as well as nine GMA Dove Awards and two NAACP Image Awards.
BeBe & CeCe Winans have also won multiple Stellar Awards and two Soul Train Music Awards.
“I’m so excited to be co-hosting the 40th Stellar Awards with my brother BeBe,” wrote CeCe in an Instagram post. “It’s such an honor to be part of this special night remembering where we’ve come from, celebrating where we are, and lifting up the artists who are carrying the message forward…. can’t wait to see you all in Nashville!”
This year’s ceremony also marks the 40th anniversary of the beginning of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Considered to be the “Grammys of Gospel music,” the award show was founded by Don Jackson, the chairman and CEO of Central City Productions. The Stellar Awards were conceptualized as the first major annual awards show to recognize gospel artists.
The first iteration was held in 1984 at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago. Throughout the years, the awards show has been held across the nation in cities such as Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York.
Since 1984, multiple categories have been created to celebrate solo vocalists, contemporary artists, choirs, quartets, praise artists as well as producers.
Previous winners include Kirk Franklin, Jekalyn Carr, Tamela Mann, Tye Tribbett, CeCe Winans and Tasha Cobbs.
