Pastor Mike Jr. of Birmingham dominated Saturday night’s Stellar Awards, taking home a record-breaking fourth artist of the year victory.
When Rock City Church founder The Rev. Mike McClure Jr. was nominated in nine categories this time, he had already won 19 Stellar Awards. In all nine, he prevailed.
According to the music industry news site Billboard.com, McClure received four honors, including Song of the Year for his single Amen, and five others, including Album of the Year for his EP I Got Away. According to the Billboard story, Pastor Mike Jr. took home almost one-third of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, which have only 30 categories.
His fourth Artist of the Year victory ended a three-way tie with McClure’s compatriots three-time winners Kirk Franklin and Marvin Sapp.
McClure wrote on Facebook prior to the ceremony: “There are moments when I just sit back and shake my head.” How did we get here, God? It went from Birmingham to the edge of history. It seems ridiculous to even be discussed with Kirk Franklin and Marvin Sapp. This is the kind of story that only God could write.
He then posted the simple message, “Glory to God.”
In another sense, the weekend was also emotionally charged.
McClure is the grandson of Birmingham civil rights icon and pastor Bishop Calvin Woods Sr., who passed away on Saturday at the age of 91.
Nashville was the location of the award ceremony. Radio station WTSK Praise 93.3 FM/790 AM in Tuscaloosa was one of the other winners with ties to Alabama. The station was named the year’s best small market station.
A recording of the ceremony was made for television. The entire show will debut on the Stellar Network on Saturday, August 30 at 7 p.m. Central time, and on BET on Sunday, August 31 at 7 p.m. Central time, according to the organizers. The show will also air in September on stations in the Tuscaloosa/Birmingham region and southwest Alabama, according to www.thestellarawards.com.
