The first annual Step FWD Awards, hosted by Faith Child and Jennifer Lee Moon, which was billed as a ‘Dove meets Stellar’ and ‘Best of British’ event certainly did not disappoint.
Outstanding live performances from artists including Graham Kendrick, Sarah Teibo, Philippa Hanna and Noel Robinson filled the spectacular venue at St Paul’s, Hammersmith and set the tone for a stunning evening of honouring the industry’s brightest and best talent.
The red carpet was literally rolled out for the VIP reception where finalists from each category mingled and spoke to the press before the awards ceremony began.
Bazil Meade MBE, Graham Kendrick, Lurine Cato MBE, and Roger Moore won the top honours of the night, amid rapturous applause from an energetic audience. Lurine spoke of her “total shock” at receiving The Lavine Hudson Award for Vocal Excellence and said, “it was the first award that made me cry, this meant so much!” Lurine’s performance with The Voice finalist Jason Nicholson-Porter at the awards was a true highlight of the evening. They both hit some notes that only angels could reach during their beautiful rendition of ‘Keep Fighting’.
Co-host Jennifer Lee Moon said after the event,
“It was incredible seeing Gospel and CCM artists come together to celebrate and encourage each other!”
Noel Robinson, winner of two awards on the night said, “Great night last night at the Step FWD Awards. It was so good to see so many people who make up the UK Christian music scene! I think we all won last night!”
Ryan Ofei from Maverick City Music shared a video on their Instagram stories to show their appreciation at winning International Group of the Year and thanked the team at Maverick City and A Step FWD for the honour.
The evening was closed by VM and New-Ye’s electrifying performance which was a fitting end to a very special night.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
SONG OF THE YEAR Track Artist
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP You're Still God Philippa Hanna
CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL Wade In The Water The Spirituals Choir
RNB / SOUL Jesus Mark Asari
ELECTRONIC / DANCE Victory Sarah Téibo ft. Lou Fellingham, Zahyón, Tom Endersby
INDIE / FOLK / ACOUSTIC Stay Here Marizu
POP Real Love The Kingdom Choir
ROCK / METAL Voices Amongst Wolves
AFROBEAT Yahweh Stevie Valentine
RAP Heaven Still Shadey
POETRY / SPOKEN WORD Lament Phil Knox
CHILLHOP / LOFI Love That Never Ends Jonathan Ogden
REGGAE Rock I Stand Joshua Kesler
ANNUAL MUSIC AWARDS
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR Clean Lucy Grimble
MEDIA PLATFORM OF THE YEAR TBN UK
CHOIR OF THE YEAR Spirituals Choir
INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR Cece Winans
INTERNATIONAL DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR Maverick City Music
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR Grace Tena
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR Nick Herbert
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR We Seek Your Kingdom LICC ft. Noel Robinson, Lou Fellingham , Andy Flannagan , Donna Akodu , Thy Kingdom Come (TKC)
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Asha Elia
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR CalledOut Music
DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR Gas Street Music
HONORARY AWARDS
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Karen Gibson MBE
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Les Moir
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Howard Francis
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Ken Burton
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Tony Cummings
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Beresford Dawkins
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Muyiwa Olarewaju OBE
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Noel Robinson
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Mark Beswick
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Juliet Fletcher
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Nicky Brown
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Roy Francis
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Bishop John Francis
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Lawrence Johnson
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Helmut Kaufmann
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Andrea Encinas
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Bishop Delroy Powell
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Chris Bowater
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Marcia Dixon
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION Dave Paul
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION John Fisher BEM
THE LAVINE HUDSON AWARD FOR VOCAL EXCELLENCE Lurine Cato MBE
THE JOHN PACULABO AWARD FOR INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT Roger Moore
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Graham Kendrick
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Bazil Meade MBE