Marvin Sapp dominates Stellar Awards Print
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Thursday, 22 January 2009 05:17 PM America/New_York
Marvin Sapp took home seven Stellar Awards at the weekend, garnering trophies in the Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, CD of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year categories.

Capitalizing on the success of his crossover R&B hit “Never Would Have Made It” and album Thirsty (Verity Records), Sapp was  recognized during the 24th annual Stellar Awards, which celebrated the achievements of African-American artists in gospel music at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Jan. 17.

Thirsty also generated Stellar trophies for Aaron Lindsey in the Producer of the Year category and Michelle Lukianovich in the Recorded Music Package of the Year category.

For the second year in a row, Dorinda Clark-Cole won the Female Vocalist of the Year  category, while Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose and Jessica Greene received Group/Duo of the Year and New Artist of the Year  honors, respectively.

Hosted by comedian Sinbad, the Stellar Awards featured pop legend Dionne Warwick, who sang a slow, reverential version of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” with a nine-piece choir as footage of President-elect Barack Obama played on the video screens surrounding the stage, The (Nashville) Tennessean reported.

The Stellar Awards were taped for broadcast in March by the Gospel Music Channel. For a complete list of 2009 Stellar Award winners, visit http://www.gospelflava.com/stellar/stellarresults-2009.html.