photos: Arnold Turner

Gospel matriarch Albertina Walker and her group The Caravans, torch-carriers including Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary and The Clark Sisters, along with stars on the rise Lil iROCC and Trinitee 5:7 were among the multi-generational crew on hand to pay tribute to Hammond and Adams. Robust praise saturated the air as attendees celebrated two special lives, both in song and testimony.

The 22nd Annual Stellar Awards were held the next day, saluting the genre’s best of 2006. BMI affiliates took home trophy after trophy, enjoying a special night of reflection and fellowship with peers and fans.

BMI’s 2007 Stellar Award Winners:

Artist of the Year

Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers

Song of the Year (Songwriter; Song; Label)

Isaiah D. Thomas; “I Will Bless The Lord”; GospoCentric

Choir of the Year

Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers

Producer of the Year

Donald Lawrence

Group/Duo of the Year

Myron Butler & Levi

New Artist of the Year

Myron Butler & Levi

Male Vocalist of the Year

Myron Butler

Female Vocalist of the Year

Dorinda Clark-Cole

Contemporary Group / Duo of the Year

Myron Butler & Levi

CD of the Year

Kirk Franklin

Hero

Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year

CeCe Winans

Contemporary CD of the Year

Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers

Finale: Act One

Traditional CD of the Year

New Life Community Choir featuring John. P. Kee

The Reunion

Contemporary Choir of the Year

Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers

Instrumental CD of the Year

Ramsey Lewis

With One Voice

Special Event CD of the Year

Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers

Finale: Act One

Quartet of the Year

Keith Wonderboy Johnson & The Spiritual Voicess

Music Video of the Year (artist, song/CD title, label)

Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers

Finale: Act One

EMI Gospel

Recorded Music Package of the Year (art credit / album (artist) / label)

Philpott Design (art direction and design)

Jay Blakesberg (photography)

Donald Lawrence presents the Tri City Singers

Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel

Praise and Worship CD of the Year

Kevin Burroughs Neeley

Fingers of Fire - Volume 1

One of the gospel community’s most versatile talents, Butler had his first song recorded at age 17 by Dallas’ DFW Mass Choir, and he became friends with choir director Kirk Franklin. DFW Mass Choir evolved into the groundbreaking group God’s Property and Butler became choral director.

Mentored by Franklin, Butler continued to hone his talents and gained a reputation for his writing and production. He has written and/or produced songs for Franklin, Smokie Norful, Kim Burrell, Twinkie Clark and other top gospel artists, as well as for the soundtrack to the film Kingdom Come.

He formed his own group, Myron Butler & Levi, and signed with EMI Gospel in 2004. “When I talk to aspiring artists, I tell them 90% of the reason I got a recording contract was the company being able to look at my track record as a songwriter,” Butler says. “It was me writing and writing and writing that was the catalyst that got me the record deal. I tell other aspiring artists that if they continue to develop the craft and are serious about it, it will take them so much further than they thought it could.”

Butler plans to go into a studio in El Paso and begin work on his sophomore disc. “We’re just going to get away and create and really make sure we’re hearing what God would have us say on this next record,” the Dallas resident says. “We want to create music that people enjoy. [We want] them to dance to it, learn from it, live by it and be made a better person.”

Butler says he plans to record a duet with Franklin on the new album. He’s also producing a solo album on Levi member Candy West. “I want to do more producing and songwriting,” he says. “I want to continue to lay the foundation for what God already started in me.”