Some of gospel's biggest stars part of Soar Awards in Rockford
Soar Radio's gospel music awards featuring some of the biggest names in the genre and its up-and-coming stars returns March 6 to the historic stage at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.
The Rockford-born Soar Awards show is a celebration of talent, spirituality and music, but appeals to all walks of life, and not any specific religion, organizers Justin and Rebecca Francis said.
"We are definitely excited about being back at the Coronado," Justin Francis said. "It's us returning downtown. We have the Embassy Suites and so many other things here. We are ecstatic to be back and there is no place I would rather be. It's made for this."
It was held last year at Forest City Church and the show's return to the larger downtown venue with a capacity of about 2,200 is a sign of its popularity, Francis said.
Award-winning recording artists Todd Dulaney and Isabel Davis will serve as co-hosts of the sixth annual show. Among those to be honored are 15-time Grammy Award nominee Donald Lawrence with the Legend Award, hit singer Jekalyn Carr and singer and actress Kierra Sheard with the Industry Impact Award and Holly Carter with the Luminary Award.
The show will feature performances by The Clark Sisters, KeKe Wyatt, Leandria Johnson and others.
It is billed as the second biggest awards show in Gospel music and will be taped for a broadcast of the event.
Mayor Tom McNamara said he is proud the event is staying in Rockford. He said the evening is expected to generate $215,000 in economic activity as visitors come to the downtown for the show and stay for food and shopping.
"The Soar Awards are an incredible celebration of inspiration and gospel music," McNamara said. "I don't know if our community understands the magnitude and how fortunate we are to have the Soar Awards right here in Rockford."
Jeff Kolkey can be reached at (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on Twitter @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Some of gospel's biggest stars part of Soar Awards in Rockford
