BMI Stars Illuminate ‘Trailblazer’ and ‘Stellar’ Events

Posted in News on February 6, 2003

BMI honored the best in gospel music at its fourth annual "Trailblazers of Gospel Music" luncheon on January 10 at 103 West in Atlanta. The invitation-only special event, hosted by BMI's Catherine Brewton, was held in conjunction with the 18th Annual Stellar Awards, which took place the next day at the Atlanta Civic Center.

Dorinda Clark Cole

Kirk Franklin

Smokie Norful

Yolanda Adams

The highlight of the luncheon was the presentation of a BMI Trailblazers Award to Delores and David Winans, known to many as Mom & Pop Winans. Special guest Mrs. Coretta Scott King made the presentation to the Winanses and spoke of their 50 years of contributions to gospel music.

BMI's Catherine Brewton, Pop Winans, Coretta Scott King, Mom Winans, BMI's Thomas Cain

Performers included BeBe Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Deitrick Haddon, Richard Smallwood and nearly two dozen members of the Winans family.

Melvin Williams, Mom Winans, Darwin Hobbs and Pop Winans

At the Stellar Awards, BMI songwriters and artists celebrated a near sweep of the trophies. Kirk Franklin claimed five awards, including Song of the Year ("Hosanna") and both Artist and Producer of the Year honors. Newcomer Smokie Norful claimed three golden-flamed statues, including top Male Vocalist. Yolanda Adams, Dorinda Clark Cole and The Canton Spirituals collected two awards each. Adams also was inducted to the Stellar Awards Hall of Fame during a presentation by actor Chris Tucker and Kirk Franklin.

Deitrick Haddon, Melvin Williams and Ronald Winans

Max and Jennifer Siegel and BMI's Thomas Cain

Darwin Hobbs, Teresa Hairston and Richard Smallwood

(standing) BMI's Catherine Brewton, Carvin Winans, Cece Winans, Bebe Winans, Juan Winans, Angie Winans, Cedric Caldwell and BMI's Thomas Cain (seated) Ronald Winans, Pastor Marvin Winans, Mom & Pop Winans

Daryl Coley, Dottie Peoples, BMI's Thomas Cain, Deitrick & Damita Haddon and Duane Turnage

Carvin Winans, Virtue's Ebony Trotter Holland, Juan Winans, Virtue's Heather Trotter and Karima Trotter Kibble, BeBe Winans, BMI's Catherine Brewton

Prymary Colorz's Raj Nichols and Josh Royals, LaShawn Daniels, Freddie Jerkins, Prymary Colorz's Marcus Dilley and Jonathan Thomas

photos by Shelia Turner

Congratulations to BMI's Stellar Award winners:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kirk Franklin

SONG OF THE YEAR
Kirk Franklin -- "Hosanna"

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Smokie Norful

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dorinda Clark Cole

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Smokie Norful

CD OF THE YEAR
Kirk Franklin -- The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Kirk Franklin

TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
The Canton Spirituals

CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Smokie Norful

TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Marvin Sapp

CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Yolanda Adams

TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dorinda Clark Cole

TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
Richard Smallwood with Vision -- Persuaded: Live In D.C.

URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
Yolanda Adams -- Believe

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Kirk Franklin -- "Hosanna"

TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Richard Smallwood with Vision -- Persuaded: Live In D.C.

SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
The Commissioned Reunion -- The Commissioned Reunion Live

QUARTET OF THE YEAR
The Canton Spirituals

SOURCENews TAGS Christian Gospel Pop BMI Trailblazers Honors Yolanda Adams Kirk Franklin Donnie McClurkin Bebe Winans CeCe Winans Juan Winans The Winans