Nominations Announced For 38th GMA Dove Awards

GMA Dove Awards Nominee List

Music City, USA – Nominations were announced 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. Newcomers Aaron Shust and Leeland each garnered five nominations. Other multiple artist nominees include Casting Crowns, Stellar Kart, and Israel Houghton with four nominations apiece. 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.”