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William Becton Ushers In Black Music Month With "Be Encouraged 2020 Remix" and Forthcoming BROKEN 3 Album 

Charlotte, NC -- Trend-setting, Billboard chart-topping singer and songwriter William Becton has garnered iconic status in Gospel music.  The two-time Stellar Award-winning producer and artist is one of the first gospel artists to take inspirational lyrics and merge them with urban sounds.  Becton’s songwriting prowess was proven on his 1995 debut album BROKEN which peaked at #1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums Chart and boasted the Gospel radio block-buster single and R&B Top 40 Radio cross-over hit “Be Encouraged”. 
This year marks the 25th anniversary of his epic hit song.  To commemorate this milestone and to usher in Black Music Month, Becton has released "Be Encouraged 2020 Remix".
The remix includes the original lead vocals of Cliff Jones and James Washington with Becton.  Becton adds the phrase "Keep Breathing" in acknowledgment of the current Covid-19 pandemic and to the racially charged injustices that are impacting our country.
 
In addition, Becton pays tribute to R&B star and former Temptation the late Ali Ollie Woodson on the remix as it also marks the 10th anniversary of the singer's death. 
 
Listen To: "Be Encouraged 2020 Remix"
 
"It's not easy to remix a classic, but my friend and brother William Becton has done it," states Brother Marlon of The Beat 107.3 radio in Pittsburgh, PA.  "This song blessed my life 25 years ago while I was working in mainstream radio and it continues to bless to this day.  Ali Ollie Woodson's vocals add a soul-stirring feel to this timeless song!"
June is Black Music Month which was established to celebrate the African American musical influences that comprise an essential part of our nation's cultural heritage.  Becton's catalog of albums and hit songs has contributed substantially to the treasured Gospel music genre and is to be celebrated as a vital collection of works in black music.  In addition to the "Be Encouraged 2020 Remix", he will be offering the third installment of his BROKEN series of albums.  To complete the trilogy, Becton will release BROKEN 3 later in June.
  
Becton's voice and encouraging lyrics are timely for what many are facing in this global pandemic and time of social and racial injustice.  Music can breathe life and strength into broken souls and hearts.  "Be Encouraged" has been a message of hope for 25 years.  Allow this song to continue sparking healing today and share it as an anthem of change for generations to come.  
  

Currently in rotation on Synergy1Radio Chicago's #1 BDS Monitored  Station! 

Click Here To Listen  https://bit.ly/3g7NgDD

 

 

 

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May 29, 2020

RE: 35th Annual Stellar Awards Update

Dear SAGMA MEMBER,

May 29, 2020 RE: 35th Annual Stellar Awards Update Dear SAGMA MEMBER, As Founder and Chairman of the Stellar Awards, I want to personally thank you for your patience as we navigate through an unprecedented time during this COVID-19 pandemic. Also, once again THANK YOU for your 2019-2020 SAGMA Membership. 

Based on the closure of stadiums and venues in Las Vegas and around the country due to the pandemic, we have decided it is in the best interest and safety of our Gospel Music Industry of nominees, radio and internet stations, Gospel music announcers, artists and fans to produce the 35th Annual Stellar Awards as a virtual at home broadcast television special without an audience. This virtual at home format of the televised 35th Annual Stellar Awards will be full of dynamic Gospel music performances as well as the announcement of Stellar Awards winners in designated categories and acceptance speeches from winners. In addition to the Stellar Awards televised special, we will produce our regular activation events of the Stellar Pre-show/Stellar Gospel Radio Award & Showcase, Red Carpet and Social Media lounge online digitally, celebrating all of the 35th Annual Stellar Award nominees in their respective categories, along with the announcement of winners in each category that do not appear in our broadcast televised show. Specific directions of our exciting plans for your participation will be forwarded to you by mid June. In light of COVID-19 we will honor “First Responder Heroes” of the pandemic during our Stellar Awards television special. Our virtual at home television special will air nationally on cable and in broadcast syndication throughout the months of August and September 2020. The online digital virtual Pre show, Red Carpet and Social Media lounge celebrating all nominees, will premier online prior to the broadcast of the 35th Annual Stellar Awards. The air dates for both specials will be posted on our website and will additionally be shared on all of our social media platforms. Ticketmaster has been informed that we are cancelling the August event that was scheduled to take place at the Orleans Arena and they have been instructed to refund all ticket purchases that were purchased through Ticketmaster. We are tremendously excited about producing the 35th Annual Stellar Awards for national television and online digitally to honor all of our 2019-2020 Stellar Award nominees and winners; as well as the opportunity for the Stellar Awards to honor and give thanks to First Responder Heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We will return to our regular television taping of the Stellar Awards before a live audience at the Orleans Arena and Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada March 24th through March 27th, 2021. God Bless,

Don Jackson Chairman and CEO

Cc: Jennifer J. Jackson, EVP and Executive in Charge of Production

Dennis Cole, SAGMA Administrator/Radio|Internet Liaison

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CHICAGO) – March 12, 2020 - The Stellar Awards 35th Anniversary Show in partnership with the Orleans Hotel and Arena wishes to ensure that the safety of all show guests and participants is the highest priority.

In light of recent news and the declaration of the COVID-19 crisis as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), we have decided to postpone the production of the 35th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. It is important that we all take this matter seriously and do our part to respect the guidelines in place limiting large social gatherings to combat the community spread of this virus. We must adhere to the social distancing measures put into place and continue to remain vigilant about following all possible recommendations carefully, while remaining steadfast in our faith. For more info, please go to the CDC Website.

Effective immediately, the Stellar Gospel Music Awards 35th Anniversary Show and events are postponed until Summer of 2020. Please follow our accounts on social media @thestellars and check our website www.thestellarawards.com for updates from Central City Productions.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation to determine the best time to reschedule the event. It is our hope that with quick community action, we can do our part toward the solution of this global problem.

Everyone has a role to play in getting ready and staying healthy.

  • Individuals and communities should familiarize themselves with recommendations to protect themselves and their communities from getting and spreading respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.
  • Older people and people with severe chronic conditions should take special precautions because they are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. They should limit travel and should not attend large gatherings unless it is essential.
  • Reinforcing its standard employee health practices, including sending employees home and or encouraging employees to stay home if they are sick or demonstrated health symptoms that could impact colleagues or guests. 
  • Help reduce the spread of rumors. Let people know that viruses cannot target people from specific populations, ethnicities, or racial backgrounds. Being of Asian descent does not increase the chance of getting or spreading COVID-19.

          Fight stigma and fear by supporting people who may be coming back to school or work after traveling internationally or completing a quarantine or                      isolation period for COVID-19.

We encourage our families to continue to keep the mission of the Gospel community at heart and support each other with prayer and responsible preparation through this trying time.

We thank everyone for 35 years of support of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards and we look forward to safely celebrating this special milestone with everyone this Summer!

Don Jackson, CEO

Central City Productions