MUSIC CITY, USA – February 20, 2007 – Nominations were announced today for the 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards (www.doveawards.com) by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) with newcomers leading the field alongside established artists while several producers and songwriters also earned multiple nominations.
The Dove Awards is Christian/Gospel music’s biggest night of the year, where top artists from every style of gospel music come together for a night of music and celebration as the GMA bestows the industry’s highest honor -- the Dove Award. This year’s nominations were announced at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel by Flow Records’ Juanita Bynum, Reunion Records’ Brian Littrell and comedian Thor Ramsey. Dove statuettes will be handed out on April 25, 2007 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The awards show will be televised in national syndication in May.
2006’s Dove Award Artist of the Year Chris Tomlin once again leads the field of artists with nine nominations; Jars of Clay makes a return to the top contenders list with six nods and The Crabb Family earns five nominations. Newcomer Aaron Shust also garnered five nominations, while Casting Crowns, Stellar Kart, Israel Houghton and Leeland each received four nominations. Four of the five nominees for Producer of the Year – Ed Cash, Ian Eskelin, Nathan Nockels and Otto Price - as well as producers Wayne Haun and Dave Moody round out the list of nominees with five or more nods. Click here for a complete list of this year's nominations.
“It’s always fascinating to see which artists GMA members believe to be the best in Christian/Gospel music,” said John W. Styll, president and CEO of the GMA. “This year, like in others, established artists like Chris Tomlin, Jars of Clay and The Crabb Family have been recognized for their continued excellence while Aaron Shust, Leeland and Stellar Kart reflect a new wave of vibrant young artists beginning to make their impact in the gospel music community. ‘Vibrant’ and ‘excellent’ are also great descriptions for what promises to be an engaging, entertaining and inspiring Dove Awards show, filled with performances that will reflect all the great diversity that is gospel and Christian music.”
Top nominees Tomlin and Jars of Clay are up for Artist of the Year along with The Crabb Family, Stellar Kart, Casting Crowns, TobyMac and Third Day, with ties in voting yielding seven nominees in this category instead of the usual five. Leeland and Shust are joined by DecembeRadio, Pocket Full Of Rocks and Ayiesha Woods in the New Artist of the Year category. Group of the Year nomination honors go to BarlowGirl, Casting Crowns, David Crowder Band, Jars of Clay and MercyMe. Tomlin, 2006’s reigning Male Vocalist of the Year is nominated again in that category along with Jeremy Camp, Mark Hall (of Casting Crowns), Mat Kearney, and Shust. And, last year’s Female Artist of the Year Natalie Grant also returns to that category with Krystal Meyers, Christy Nockels, Nichole Nordeman and Rebecca St. James.
Littrell not only co-hosted the nominations announcement, he will share hosting duties for the Dove Awards telecast in April. He was nominated today for Short Form Video of the Year for “Welcome Home,” the title track from his Christian music debut CD. Co-hosting with Littrell will be Curb recording artist Natalie Grant and Verity Records’ Donnie McClurkin. Comedian Thor Ramsey will host the Dove’s opening ceremonies where the majority of the awards will be presented.
The 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be produced by Steve Gilreath Television. Securing first-run national syndication is Central City Productions of Chicago, Ill. Network affiliates in Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Cleveland, New Orleans and Nashville are among the more than 50 television stations, including half of the top 50 markets, that have already signed on to broadcast the GMA Dove Awards. Following syndication, The Gospel Music Channel will have the cable premiere of the Dove Awards.
The American Bible Society (www.bibles.com) is the Designated Charity for the Dove Awards. Founded in 1816 and headquartered in New York City, the mission of the American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so that all people may experience its life-changing message.
Dove Awards will be handed out in 43 categories, one more than in previous years as Christmas Album of the Year was added as a new category for 2007. The Songwriter of the Year nominees were not announced today, but will be revealed prior to the GMA Dove Awards. Dove Awards nominations go to recordings released during the eligibility year November 1, 2005 through October 31, 2006 and voted on by the members of the GMA.
ABOUT THE GMA
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Christian/Gospel music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music of all styles including pop, rock, praise & worship, black gospel, R&B, hip hop, southern gospel, country, and more. The GMA community consists of 4,000 members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Music Week, GMA Music in the Rockies, and the GMA Academy. For more information, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.