The producers of The Stellar Awards, the premier televised gospel awards program in the country, announced plans to initiate a nation wide gospel star search. Central City Productions Chairman Don Jackson, and President Erma Gray Davis, announced they are teaming with Pastor Gregg Patrick's Take It To The Bridge Productions, in an effort to find the nation's most gifted gospel singers, and give them an opportunity to share their gift with the world.

The Stellar Awards Gospel Star Search (SGSS) will begin its "quest for the best" in gospel, in fifteen regional final cities during October and November, 2003.

One finalist from each region will be selected by the judges to compete in the SGSS finals, which will be held at The SAGMA (Stellar Awards Gospel Music Academy) Benefit Banquet, January 4, 2004, in Houston, Texas. The ultimate winner, or new "Gospel Icon," will perform during the week of taping the 19th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, in Houston, Texas.

Judges for the regional finals will be comprised of national gospel artists, gospel announcers, and one or two prominent pastors from that particular region. Stage presence, appearance, audience appeal, vocal styling, message content and delivery, will be the main criteria used for judging each contestant.

"We are excited about the star search initiative with Pastor Patrick and expect to highlight the best gospel amateur talent," said Stellar Awards Chief Executive, Don Jackson. The Stellar Awards recently announced relocation of their awards ceremony from Atlanta to Houston. The 19th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will be taped on January 10, 2004, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

"The time has obviously come for this type of gospel music effort," said Stellar Gospel Star Search producer, Pastor Gregg Patrick. Patrick is executive producer of Take It To The Bridge, one of the largest annual gospel concerts in the world.

There is a $100.00, non-refundable, registration fee for each performer. Participants must be at least seventeen (17) years or older. Only soloists will be allowed to compete; no comedians, Rap artists, choirs, instrumentalists, poets, quartets/groups or praise dancers. Interested parties should call 877-678-LOVE for more information, or to apply by phone.




Stellar Awards Gospel Star Search Dates


October
4th - Houston
10th - Washington D.C.
11th - New York
18th - Nashville
19th - Orlando

November
2nd - Birmingham
7th - Little Rock
8th - Dallas
14th - Detroit
15th - Chicago
21st - Seattle
22nd - Los Angeles

December
4th - Raleigh-Durham
5th - Charlotte
6th - Atlanta