Gospel singers Johnmark Wiggan, Petra-Kay Linton and gospel radio personality Ava-Gay Blair-Black were the big winners at the 7th staging of The Sterling Awards, held at the Swallowfield Chapel in Kingston on Saturday, October 7.
It came as a shock to the inspirational artiste Johnmark Wiggan when he was announced as Gospel Artiste of the Year, taking the award ahead of his mentor Kevin Downswell, and his brothers in Christ, Prince Saj and Christopher Gayle.
This had him extremely emotional as he did not expect to come out as the winner, but since the release of his song ‘Work’ earlier this year, he has been getting a lot of attention from the media and churchgoers.
Johnmark also took home the award for Breakout Sensation of the Year.
The “Work” singer spoke with SLEEK entertainment on the night and told us how much he is humbled by receiving such awards.
He is also expected to launch his debut album Validation set for release on October 28.
Sterling nominee, Petra-Kaye Linton, similar to last year, took home Female Artiste of the Year.
She took the award over Minister Marion Hall, Da Flame, and Rhoda Isabella.
Petra-Kaye also won Album of the Year for her live studio project “Sing Praises” – which was also her debut album.
Meanwhile, radio personality Ava-Gay Blair-Black who has cemented herself in the gospel industry for almost 9 years, again took home the awards for Gospel Personality of the Year and Most Rated Radio Programme of the Year.
The Gospel JA host has now won these awards 4 times in a row and expressed how she was asked by someone “Why dem nuh stop nominate yuh” but during her acceptance speech, she made it known, that it is the “work of GOD”.
The other winners include Kevin Downswell (Local Hit Producer of the Year), Ryan Mark with ‘My King Project’ (EP of the year), Sone G Ft DaJourney with ‘Sweet ehh’ (Collab of the Year), Leonell Teape ft Dj Nicholas with ‘God Is in control’ (video of the year), Levy’s Heritage (Group of the Year) and DJ of the Year went to DJ Rebirth.
Caribbean artiste of the Year went to Trinidad Gospel artiste Positive, with CeCe Winans taking the Sterling International Award for artiste of the Year.
Online radio programme of the Year went to The Praise Ministry by DC Praise and Oniel Pusey took the award for Virtual Series of the Year.
Seven others received the KFC Big Deal Sterling Award for excellence in providing good sound and engineering services.
