Nashville, TN - Recently, during a press conference held at the Curb Café at Belmont University in Nashville, the final Dove nominees for the 41st Annual Dove Awards were announced. The nominee list was stellar and a good portion of those nominations were gleaned from the wonderful world of Southern Gospel music.
President of the Gospel Music Association, Ed Leonard, expresses, "We are so proud of the great kingdom work being done by Southern Gospel artists, songwriters, producers, arrangers, musicians and more. The Southern Gospel community started the GMA and the seed it planted has grown into a very fruitful tree. Through the Dove Awards, the members of the GMA community can express their appreciation for the excellent efforts of this great world of music and ministry."
Nominated for Group of the Year is the Gaither Vocal Band. Claiming an Artist of the Year nomination is previous Dove Award winner, Jason Crabb. Crabb also captured a Male Vocalist of the Year nod. Also nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year is Michael English (Gaither Vocal Band). Karen Peck Gooch (Karen Peck & New River) received a Female Vocalist of the Year nomination. Southern Gospel producer, Wayne Haun, is nominated for Producer of the Year.
Four of the Song of the Year nominations had Southern Gospel roots. They are Karen Peck & New River for "Why Can't All God's Children Get Along" (Stephen Hill), "Born To Climb" from Jeff & Sheri Easter (Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey), "Somebody Like Me" recorded by Jason Crabb (Neil Thrasher, Michael Boggs) and "God Is There" from Diamond Rio (Marty Roe, Jimmy Olander, Bernie Herms). The following categories feature mostly Southern Gospel, Country, or Bluegrass artists and/or songs: Southern Gospel Album of the Year Almost Morning; The Perrys; Wayne Haun; Daywind Gaither Vocal Band Reunited; Gaither Vocal Band; Bill Gaither, David Phelps; Gaither Music Group North America Live!; The Hoppers; Kim Hopper, Connie Hopper, Dean Hopper, Mike Hopper; Canaan Records Treasure; Janet Paschal; Wayne Haun; Vine Records Worth It; Brian Free & Assurance; Barry Weeks; Daywind
Bluegrass Album of the Year Blue Ridge Mtn. Memories; The Marksmen Quartet; Rural Rhythm Records Breaking Like Dawn; Little Roy Lewis & Lizzy Long; Kevin Ward, Lizzy Long; Vine RecordsI I Have Been Blessed; The Far City Boys; Kevin Street, Aaron Ramsey, Dave Moody; Lamon Records I Just Want To Thank You Lord; Larry Sparks; Rural Rhythm Records Lord Bless This House; Nothin Fancy; Darin Vincent; Pinecastle The Isaacs; Naturally; The Isaacs; Bill Gaither, Ben Isaacs; Gaither Music Group
Country Album of the Year Jason Crabb; Jason Crabb; Tommy Sims, Norro Wilson, Jason Crabb, Barry Jennings, Tre Corley; Spring Hill Music Group Live At Oak Tree: Austins Bridge; Austins Bridge; Paul Corley, Tre Corley, Norman Holland, Michael Turner, Shannon Lancaster; Daywind Never Going Back; Collin Raye; Michael Curtis; TimeLife, Integrity Music The Reason; Diamond Rio; Michael D. Clute, Jimmy Olander; Word Records Then Sings My Soul: 24 Favorite Hymns & Gospel Songs; Ronnie Milsap; Rob Gailbraith, Ronnie Milsap; Star Song Music
