LOS
ANGELES (Rocketown Records) - The Dove Award nominees were announced
for the 36th Annual GMA
Music Awards and Michael W. Smith. topped the
list with eight nominations. Leading the list, Michael was honored with
a nomination in the Artist of the Year category. His latest hit record
"Healing Rain," captured a nod in the Pop/Contemporary Recorded Album
category, while the title track was recognized for Song of the Year,
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song, and Worship Song. Michael was also
recognized for his contributions to the Rocketown Records compilation
"Gloria, A Christmas Celebration."
In
an Associated Press story about the nomination announcement, Michael is
noted as the "perennial favorite at the Dove Awards..." In the piece he
is quoted as saying, "I think it all boils down to a song...I knew when
I wrote ['Healing Rain'], it was something special, kind of like I did
with 'Place In This World.' Those don't come along every day, but when
they do you have a gut feeling, and most of the time it's right."
The
Gospel
Music Association produces the GMA
Music Awards program, which
recognizes achievement in all genres of gospel music. The
Doves will be
handed out on April 13 at the Grand Ole Opry House.
"Healing
Rain" debuted at #11 on Billboard's Top 200, while the title track rose
to #1 on
Radio & Records A/C charts. West Virginia native Michael
W. Smith is one of the most successful artists in Contemporary
Christian music. He's tallied 29 #1 singles, 13 Gold and five Platinum
albums, over 40 Dove Awards and three Grammy Awards. Sales of his 18
studio albums account have topped 10 million.
Currently, Smith
is enjoying the rising success of his latest single, a remake of the
Simon & Garfunkel classic "Bridge Over Troubled Water." In early
April he begins an extensive U.S. headline tour that takes him all
across the country. Sharing the bill with Smith is the trio Selah.
36th Annual GMA
Music Awards Nominations for Michael W. Smith
Artist of the Year
Song of the Year ("
Healing Rain")
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("
Healing Rain") *
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Album of the Year ("
Healing Rain") **
Worship Song of the Year ("
Healing Rain")
Special Event Album of the Year ("Gloria, A Christmas Celebration")
* Marks category where awards are given to artist and writer (for "
Healing Rain"
Michael W. Smith is both)
** Marks category where awards are given to artist and producer (for "
Healing Rain"
Michael W. Smith is both)
