The Stellar AwardsCelebrating Gospel Music's best

For nearly two decades now, Kirk Franklin has been a multi-platinum-selling purveyor of  majestic fusions of gospel and contemporary music, and a mirror of Christian humanity boldly reflecting what one faith walking man can accomplish when he focuses on God and taps deep into the gifts He gives.  Franklin is a pioneer in gap-bridging musicianship, uniting audiences across gospel, hip hop, pop and R&B. His irresistible rhythms and rhapsodies have resulted in albums that consistently top both Billboard's Gospel and Christian charts, as well as ascend triumphantly into the Top 10 of the R&B/Hip Hop chart. His unprecedented penetration into the mainstream has fortified him to also become a New York Times bestseller author for The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms (Gotham/Penguin). Franklin is also the host and executive producer of the gospel talent show "Sunday Best," the highest-rated gospel program in BET network history now heading into its fourth season. To date, the trendsetter has garnered seven GRAMMY® Awards, 35 Stellar Awards, 11 Dove Awards (CCM), five NAACP Image Awards, two BET Awards, an American Music Award, and numerous others.

And yet, with all of his success and acclaim - his overflow of awards and accolades - Kirk Franklin remains, at heart, a man who comes from shaky circumstances that could have paralyzed his spiritual growth within his humble familial beginnings. He is never far from that frightened and forlorn young man who didn't always know which way to turn, which is what makes Franklin one of the most relatable and respected messengers in his field. It is in that humble spirit that he presents his timely 12th album, Hello Fear, (in stores March 22, 2011, on FoYo Soul Entertainment/Verity Records).

Hello Fear(produced by Kirk Franklin with incomparable longtime friend and co-producer Shaun Martin) is a 15-song stylistic tour de force that Franklin is delivering to a society reeling from toxic levels of unprecedented pain

Franklin is taking the musical messages of Hello Fear on the road starting March 19 in Atlanta in cross-promoting synchronicity with acclaimed comedian/author/radio host Steve Harvey for what they have dubbed a "Comedy Gospel Tour." Still ahead is Kirk's long-planned plunge into the making of a major motion picture. His reach toward higher goals is never ending.

Doing his share to help during one instance of world crisis, Franklin composed "Are You Listening," to give voice to the needs of Haitian earthquake victims.  In January 2010 he recorded the song with an all-star gathering of gospel singers including Yolanda Adams, Jeremy Camp, Shirley Caesar, Dorinda Clark Cole, Natalie Grant, Fred Hammond, Tamala Mann, David Mann, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Bishop Paul S. Morton, J. Moss, Smokie Norful, Marvin Sapp, Karen Clark-Sheard, Kiki Sheard, BeBe & CeCe Winans and Marvin Winans. In January 2011, Franklin received the Thomas A. Dorsey Notable Achievement Award from the Stellar Awards for the song. 

Kirk Franklin takes his role as one of God's chosen administrators of musical ministering—strengthening, soothing, uplifting and healing—with the utmost senses of purpose and pride. "It's very humbling and a serious responsibility," he states. "I try to make sure my life is lining up and that my priority always be to please God. When you spend too much time trying to be a people pleaser that's when you mess up. I know that if my life is pleasing to The Lord then 'I Am' where I'm supposed to be."

UNSTOPPABLE - that is the most all encompassing one word description for dynamicsister duo -Mary Mary - Erica & Tina.  With their platinum-selling, Grammy-winning debut album, Thankful, Mary Mary hit a homerun, due in large part to the broad success of its first single, “Shackles (Praise You),” in 2000. Their sophomore follow-up, Incredible, was released in 2002 and was certified gold, before the group released such hits as “Heaven,” “The Real Party,” and “Yesterday” on their self-titled album, Mary Mary(2005), which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200.  Their success continued with the release of an acclaimed holiday project, A Mary Mary Christmas, in 2006. It is Mary Mary’s The Sound(2008), however, that sparked Mary Mary’s best mainstream success to date, bowing at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the publication’s R&B/hip-hop chart, as well as garnering numerous awards for the album, and for its record-breaking single “God In Me.”    With no signs of slowing down or stopping  Mary Mary burst on to the charts  in March 2011 straight to the TOP 10 with SOMETHING BIG - the ladies 6th studio offering.  Something Big turned out to be just that with 2 Grammy nominations and an NAACP Image Award Nomination and 2 Stellar Awards; in a word - Unstoppable!

Yet with their tremendous accomplishments, the sisters are quick to point out that they’re driven by something far greater--“It’s not just about musical achievements, awards, charts and sales,” says Erica. “That’s not our guiding light. It’s about connecting with people and offering them real hope…hope that, ultimately, changes lives.

We're so committed to our message and purpose," adds Tina. "Years later, we,re still here; our fans are still with us and our audience is still growing. We're just so grateful to still have this opportunity.

On the personal side Erica is the loving wife of the group's award winning and platinum selling producer - Warryn Campbell, II.   Together this dynamic duo not only racked up hits on the charts and awards galore, but all of that pales in comparison to their greatest productions; their 3 beautiful children; 7 year old Krista Nicole, almost 2 year old Warryn III and their newest arrival in January, little Ms. Zaya Monique.  These two make beautiful music and beautiful babies together.  Erica is the big sister of the group; the ladies are 2 years and 2 days apart; and have spent their lives in parallel to one another.  They both often reflect on the fact that either one of them couldn't see themselves paired up with anyone else.

On the homefront Tina is a self-proclaimed Martha Stewart in the making (and 2 steps shy of being a "soccer mom"). As does Erica; Tina find her greatest worth and value in her family home life. Tina is the passionate and loving wife to Teddy Campbell (Glendon Theodore). Teddy is the drummer of the famous Ricky Minor Band and plays nightly on The TONIGHT SHOW w/ Jay Leno; and make no mistake Tina is his biggest fan!

Teddy and Tina are parents to 5 amazing kids - Cierra, 18, Teddy's daughter from a previous relationship, Laiah Simone, 8, Meelah Jane, 5, Glendon Theodore, 3, and Santana, born in August.  For Tina her loving and close knit family makes all that she does worth it when she is on the road as Mary Mary.