Singer Johnmark Wiggan was getting ready to cheer for the victor in the Male Vocalist of the Year category of the seventh annual Sterling Gospel Music Awards on Saturday, when his name was announced as the winner.

The category also saw the likes of Christopher Gayle, Prince Saj and Kevin Downswell as nominees.

Lost for words, an emotional Wiggan said he is humbled by the recognition.

“I started getting ready to cheer for the best of the best, the Kevin Downswell, the Prince Saj and Christopher Gayle, all of them, when I heard my name called, I said, ‘Thank you Jesus, thank you, Lord’,” Wiggan disclosed in an interview shortly after the event came to an end.

Held at the Swallowfield Chapel, the event saw a full house of patrons who came out to cheer for the best in gospel music.

Wiggan also won the award for Breakout Sensation of the Year, beating Oshane Mais, Perry in Christ and Biblical Lyricist.

“Bwoy, I don’t know how to feel, you nuh. Normally when I am asked a question, I normally have the words. I’m indeed appreciative and humbled by this recognition, because I really have been putting in the work,” said Wiggan.

Aside from Wiggan, Petra Kaye (who was not in attendance at the event) and radio show host Ava-Gay Blair-Black of Gospel JA won two awards each.

Petra Kaye won Female Artiste of the Year and Album of the Year for Sing Praises Live. Ava-Gay Blair-Black won Most Rated Radio Program of the Year for her show The Gospel Light and Gospel Personality of the Year.

The Sterling Gospel Music Awards kicked off at 7:26 pm with the singing of the National Anthem. Hosts Nadine Blair and Nigel Wilkinson did a good job guiding the proceedings.

Stirring performances by vocal group H.U.M.B.L.E, Wiggan, Prince Saj, Kevin Heath, Chris Campbell, Chantal Smalling, and DJ Nicholas saw members of the audience rising to their feet in appreciation as the event truly delivered on its promise.

Levy’s Heritage copped the Group of the Year award for the fourth time with group member Oshin Levy expressing gratitude and underlining the outfit’s consistency in their ministry.

“We are truly humbled and elated to receive this award from the Sterling Gospel Music Awards. This is our fourth award in the category, but our first time winning it consecutively, which means we have clearly been consistent, and others are seeing that. To us it signifies growth, impact and again, consistency. It’s also an indication that there’s more work for us to do in this ministry and it encourages us to keep going,” said Levy.

She spoke about the work that the group put in over the past year.

“Last year was definitely an active year for us musically. We released three singles namely: Yes Man, One Touch Remix and Champion, all of which received positive feedback from fans and the industry, as well as continuous airplay. We also released a music video for Champion, which was nominated in the Video of the Year category.

Canada-based Jamaican-born producer and recording artiste Da Journey, who said he played a role in the production of several of the songs that were nominated this year, shared that winning the award for Collaboration of the Year (Sweet Ehh featuring Sone G) was encouragement for him to work harder.

“It’s a great feeling, thanks to Sterling. This is a bigger encouragement to push harder and we are just grateful,” said Da Journey.

Sweet Ehh, a song he recorded with Florida-based gospel artiste Sone G, was also nominated in the Video of the Year category .

He explained how the collaboration came about.

“I was in the studio one day and vibing to the track and the words came to me, God sweet ehh. I had just gotten a deposit in my account and I’m saying God sweet ehh. Then I reached the point where I felt the song needed someone else on it for it to pop and I sent it to Sone G,” said Da Journey.

God is in Control by LeoNell Teape featuring DJ Nicholas won the award for Video of the Year.

“It’s always a blessing and to have been a part of this is all to God’s glory. LeoNell reached out to me and when I listened to the song and heard the message, I said yes, this is something fitting and something the people need to hear,” DJ Nicholas disclosed.

Multi DJ of the Year winner DJ Rebirth of Love 101 FM said winning this time around felt special to him.

“It’s good to be recognised and awarded. I hold this one close to me. I was there at the first staging in Mandeville seven years ago,” said DJ Rebirth who hosts the programme Youth Connection on Saturday afternoons.

Basillia Barnaby-Cuff, founder and organiser of the Sterling Gospel Music Awards, said a venue change is among the plans for next year’s staging.

“Well, we definitely need a much bigger venue and with a bigger venue, of course we can accommodate more,” said Barnaby-Cuff.

Barnaby-Cuff was pleased with the night’s proceedings.

“I think the highlight for me was seeing so many young and upcoming talents in the gospel industry being recognised, from personalities to radio programme hosts, to artistes. It says to us that the industry is in good standing.”

Some of the other winners in the 7th annual Sterling Gospel Music Awards included:

EP of the Year – My King Project by Ryan Mark

Local Hit of the Year/Local Hit Producer of the Year – Grace by Kevin Downswell (Downswell Records & Nebulous Productions)

Caribbean Artiste of the Year – Positive

International Artiste of the Year – CeCe Winans

Online Radio Programme of the Year – The Praise Ministry with DC Praise

Virtual Gospel Series of the Year – Daily Sustaining Word – Oneil Pusey

Most Rated Event of the Year – Genesis – Jamaica Youth for Christ