Lisa Knowles & the Brown Singers Are Part of Gospel's Best at the 2010 Stellar Awards

With top performances by gospel musical artists, fans are sure to be treated to an evening of spirited and heartfelt music and some glitz as part of the awards show.

The 25^th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will be held Jan.16, 2010 at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN for the fifth time. The show will be taped live and rebroadcast on local and national TV stations by the Chicago-based production company, Central City Productions founded by Don Jackson.

The hosts are Donnie McClurkin, Vickie Winans and Kirk Franklin. The winners in each category will be announced during the actual ceremony. During the 2009 taping of the show earlier this year, more than 20 awards were given out during the pre-show.

The categories include Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Group Duo of the Year. Some of the familiar nominees for awards include Kierra Sheard, Vickie Winans, Donald Lawrence & Company, Mary, Mary, Smokie Norful and Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship.

This year, the standout nominees include Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers of Memphis, TN with Experience the Evolution-Live on an independent label. They were nominated as Group Duo of the Year, Quartet of the Year and Traditional Group/Duo of the Year. The group is receiving acclaim for the vocal artistry of Knowles and mixing contemporary with traditional gospel music for several decades. In addition, three generations of family members sing together as part of their live energetic performances which promote their gospel music ministry.

The late Rev. Timothy Wright was nominated for Special Event CD of the Year with The Godfather of Gospel (Savoy/Malaco).