The Vine News

Six DC area artists made it to the final ballot for the 25^th Annual Stellar Awards to be held in Nashville, TN this January with Maryland native Phillip Carter leading the pack of his local peers.

Carter and his group Sounds of Victory earned nominations in a total of six categories, including Traditional Male Artist of the Year, Traditional Choir, Traditional CD, and Producer of the Year.

Psalmist Stephen Hurd snagged two nominations; Mike McCoy, 5 am praise, Christopher Page and Rev. Dr. Emory Andrews and the Oxon Hill School Choir each got one nod.

The awards will be held January 16 at the Grand Ole Opry.

DC’s Ms. Community Sheila Stewart is hosting her second annual High School Gospel Choir Competition Nov. 12 at the Community of Hope Church in Temple Hills, MD

Choirs from Elizabeth Seaton, Largo, Duvall, Crossland and Eleanor Roosevelt high schools are among the area schools set to compete for $1,000 cash grand prize.

Celebrity guest judges include DJ Quick-Silva from FM 93.9, WJLA-TV’s Cynee Simpson, and Mike Winans, Producer of “Diddy’s Making Da Band.”

Tickets are $10 in advance; $15 at the door.

Victory Empowerment Breakthrough Ministries Inc., a new ministry focused on reconciling families, has opened in two locations with Saturday services.

Dr. Linda Lomax, senior pastor, presides over the 1 pm services at 609 Division Avenue N.E., Washington, D.C. and the 4 pm services at 4305 St. Barnabas Road, Temple Hills, MD, Room 202.

Lomax, who was ordained in 2003 and installed as pastor in June 2009, said she is looking forward to ministering to women and children. Apostle Anthony T. Mays and Bishop John M. Wiggins are overseers to this ministry.