Tuscaloosa Gospel Group Men Of Prayze Wins First Stellar Award

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa-based gospel group Men of Prayze has won its first Stellar Award, one of the highest honors in the gospel music recording industry.

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The group, often called MOP, earned the Quartet of the Year award at the 2025 Stellar Awards ceremony, recognizing their contributions to contemporary gospel.

The 40th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards was held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville on Saturday.

The Stellar Awards, first launched in 1985, celebrate excellence in the gospel music industry.

The win marks a milestone for the longtime local ensemble, which has been performing for more than two decades after being formed in Tuscaloosa by original members Anthony Moore, LeNard Tremayne Smith, Fred Brown, Jasper Williams, Calvin Prince and Dennis Mitchell.

The current lineup of the group consists of Moore, Smith, Brandon Witherspoon and Chris Evans

Men of Prayze has been active since 2007 and released its first CD, titled “I Love You,” in 2010” before travelling across the world ministering through their music.

The group is perhaps best known for its fan-favorite song “He’s A Wonder” which reached No. 1 on the Indie Gospel Charts.

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