–The Stellar Gospel Music Awards will celebrate 25 years of honoring the biggest and brightest in Gospel music, with a star-studded 25^th Anniversary Awards event hosted by Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Vickie Winans. The show returns to Nashville for the 5^th consecutive year and is set to take place this Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the Grand Ole Opry House.  Stars from music, film and television will join Don Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Central City Productions, in celebration of this important milestone in bringing Gospel music’s premier event to fans for 25 years.  

“The Stellar Awards have been my passion and it has been a long journey from where we started to where we are today,” said Don Jackson. “The show now airs in more than 125 markets around the country and features all the best that Gospel music has to offer.  We are proud of what we have accomplished and are grateful to the industry and fans for continuing to believe in us.”

The show will feature performances from BeBe & CeCe Winans, Mary, Mary, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Shirley Caesar, Dottie Peoples, Donnie McClurkin, Donald Lawrence, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and “Sunday Best” winner Crystal Aikin.  The list of presenters includes stellar Gospel singers The Clark Sisters, Walter Hawkins, “KiKi” Kierra Sheard, J. Moss, as well as actress Sherri Sheppard from the popular TV show “The View,” and David and Tamela Mann from Tyler Perry’s TBS show “Meet the Browns.”

Thousands of Gospel music fans will descend upon Nashville for the Stellar Gospel Music Awards weekend.  Fans can enjoy several star-studded events, open to the public. 

Thursday, January, 14

“Stellar Awards Kick Off Reception”

7pm

at the Sheraton Music City Hotel

777 McGavock Pike

Nashville, Tenn. , 37214

(Open to the Public)

Friday, January 15

“Save the Dream” Home Buyer’s Seminar

3pm

The Sheraton Music City Hotel

777 McGavock Pike

Nashville, Tenn , 37214

(Open to the public)

Friday, January 15

The Stellar Pre-Show

7pm

Acuff Theater at the Grand Ole Opry

hosted by Dorinda Clark Cole and Byron Cage

and featuring performances from many of

Gospel Music’s hottest stars 

(Open to the Public)

(This is not a red carpet media event.  We have not invited media due to space)

Saturday, January 16

The 25^th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards

3:00 Media Check in – Stellar Awards Credentialed media only

4pm - Red Carpet Arrivals

The Grand Ole Opry House

Hosted by Vickie Winans, Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin

(Tickets on sale at Ticketmaster.com)

Media must be credentialed for all events.  For further information and media credentials, please contact Donna Torrence at Mediasavvy PR, Inc. at (201) 854-7082 or via e-mail at donna@mediasavvypr.com.

ABOUT CENTRAL CITY PRODUCTIONS

The Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. (CCP) produces the Stellar Gospel Music Awards.  It has been 24 years since the first awards show was taped at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago , and the Stellar Awards has now become the premier Gospel event that recognizes and honors African American artists. This one of a kind award show has showcased top Gospel artists and many television and film stars.

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson, produced by Barbara Wilson for Central City Productions. Michael Johnson will direct this year’s award show, and Jennifer Jackson is the Executive in Charge of production. Erma Gray Davis is the President and Chief Operations Officer of Central City Productions. Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, Chicago-based Central City Productions is a distributor of original programming to television and cable networks.

Please visit www.thestellarawards.com.