|PIC1|With eight awards – including "Artist of the Year," "Song of the Year," "Male Vocalist of the Year," and "CD of the Year" – Sapp, 42, said he was delighted that the industry recognized his efforts – a recognition that local gospel pioneer Dr. Bobby Jones said was long overdue.
"Every year, somebody has a day, and this was his," Jones told The Tennessean. "I trust that he's going to use it for the glory of God, because all these things only last for a moment."
For Sapp, Saturday night was a night he never thought would come.
"Not like this, at least," said the speechless, 42-year-old Zomba recording artist, who began his career 19 years ago.
"I didn't do this with the intent of receiving such success and acclaim. That's never been my passion," Sapp said, according to the Gospel Music Channel. "It's always been ministering to the hearts and minds of people. This is a great day."
Following Sapp Saturday night was Jonathan Nelson, who nabbed three Stellar awards including "Contemporary CD of the Year," "Group/Duo of the Year" and "Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year" for his CD Right Now Praise featuring his ensemble Purpose.
Other notable winners included Jessica Green, who took home the "New Artist of the Year" award and The Clark Sisters, who won in the "Special Event of the Year" category.
Saturday's event marked the fourth consecutive year since the awards show returned to Nashville. Superstars of music, film and television came out in support of the show, including "The View's" Sherri Shepherd, actors Sheryl Lee Ralph, Clifton Davis, and R&B singer Mario of "Dancing with The Stars."
Performances that night came from worship leader Tye Tribbett; Gospel music singer Kirk Franklin, this year's "Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance CD of the Year" winner; and Da' T.R.U.T.H., last year's "Rap Hip-Hop Gospel CD of the Year" winner.
For those who missed it, the Stellar Gospel Music Awards will air nationally on Mar. 1 on the Gospel Music Channel and on Mar. 7 on WGN America.
The Stellar Gospel Music Awards is produced each year by Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. (CCP) and has come to become the premier Gospel event recognizing and honoring African American artists. This year's sponsors included Chevrolet, American Airlines, Allstate, Walgreens, McDonalds, Johnson & Johnson, and Wal-Mart, among others.
24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Winners:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Marvin Sapp, Thirsty, Verity/Zomba Label Group
SONG OF THE YEAR
- Marvin Sapp and Matthew Brownie, "Never Would Have Made It" - Thirsty, Zomba Label Group
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Marvin Sapp, Thirsty, Verity/Zomba Label Group
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Dorinda Clark-Cole, Take it Back, Zomba Label Group
GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
- Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose, Right Now Praise, Integrity Music
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Jessica Greene, 4 the World, Habakkuk Music
CD OF THE YEAR
- Marvin Sapp, Thirsty, Verity/Zomba Label Group
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- Ricky Dillard & New G, The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto , NuSpring Records/EMI Gospel
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
- Aaron Lindsey, Thirsty, Zomba Label Group
CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
-Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose, Right Now Praise, Integrity Music
TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
- The Canton Spirituals, Driven, Verity/Zomba Label Group
CONTEMPORARY MALE OF THE YEAR
-Byron Cage, Live at the Apoll The Proclamation, Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
TRADITIONAL MALE OF THE YEAR
- Marvin Sapp, Thirsty, Verity/Zomba Label Group
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE OF THE YEAR
- CeCe Winans, Thy Kingdom Come, PureSprings Gospel
TRADITIONAL FEMALE OF THE YEAR
- Beverly Crawford, Live from Los Angeles , JDI Records
CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR
- Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose, Right Now Praise, Integrity Music
TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
- Marvin Sapp, Thirsty, Verity/Zomba Label Group
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
- Kirk Franklin, "Declaration: (This is it)" - The Fight of My Life, Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Marvin Sapp, "Never Would Have Made It", Verity/Zomba Label Group
TRADTIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- Bishop Paul Morton & The Full Gospel Baptist Church Choir, Embracing the Next Dimension, Light Records/Tehillah
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- Ricky Dillard & New G., The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto , NuSpring Records/EMI Gospel
INSTRUMENTAL GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR
- Angella Christie, The Breath of Life, ACSM Music
SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
- The Clark Sisters, The Best of the Clark Sisters Encore, Dexterity Sounds
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR
- Da' T.R.U.T.H., Open Book, Cross Movement Records
CHILDRENS PROJECT OF THE YEAR
- Kaira Miller, In God's Time/It Ain't Over, GFM Entertainment
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
- Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC'S, So Much to be Thankful for, MCG Records
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
- Michelle Lukianovich, Art Direction & Design; Keith Major, Photography, Marvin Sapp - Thirsty, Verity/Zomba Label Group
PRAISE AND WORHSIP CD OF THE YEAR
- Shekinah Glory Ministry, Jesus, Kingdom Records