NASHVILLE, TN. (Gospel
Music Association/ www.gmamusicawards.com) - San
Diego alt rockers and mainstream breakthrough band
Switchfoot and southern gospel's Kentucky-bred The Crabb Family painted a striking picture of gospel music's diversity and youth as the two groups emerged among the most honored artists with four
Doves a piece at the 36th Annual GMA
Music Awards, presented last night at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Joining them in receiving multiple Dove Awards were pop band Casting Crowns, gospel worship artist
Israel & New Breed and singer/songwriters
Jeremy Camp and
Nicole C. Mullen.
"I love the fact that Switchfoot and The Crabb Family share top Dove Award honors this year because it powerfully reveals the variety of cultural expressions of the Gospel through music," said John W. Styll, president of the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and executive producer of the 36th Annual GMA Music Awards.
"These two groups could not be more different culturally and musically and yet, the message of the Gospel is evident in both of them.
Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp, Nicole C. Mullen and Israel & New Breed share with Switchfoot and The Crabb Family the unique ability to create music that reaches across cultural, religious and generational divides to encourage the gospel music faithful and inspire a newer generation of music fans."
These six artists were among the nearly 40 different artists receiving Dove statuettes on gospel music's biggest night of the year. Thanks to Mel Gibson's blockbuster "The Passion of the Christ" film, some unexpected names are among this year's Dove Award recipients. Lauryn Hill, Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, Scott Stapp and MxPx represent the eclectic mix of rock, pop, gospel and country artists receiving Dove Awards for Special Event Album of the Year for The Passion of the Christ: Songs. The Passion of the Christ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was named Instrumental Album of the Year, giving Gibson a Dove Award for his production on the John Debney-composed project.
In the "overall" categories, Dove Awards were presented to:
Artist of the Year - Switchfoot
Male Vocalist of the Year - Jeremy Camp
Female Vocalist of the Year - Nicole C. Mullen
Group of the Year - Casting Crowns
Songwriter of the Year - Mark Hall
Song of the Year - "Who Am I" written by Mark Hall
New Artist of the Year - Building 429
For complete information, visit https://www.gmamusicawards.com.
The 36th Annual GMA Music Awards were hosted by top artists Houghton, Steven Curtis Chapman, Rebecca St. James, CeCe Winans, Smokie Norful and Darlene Zschech. Chapman added two more Doves to his resume, one for co-writing "Voice of Truth" and one for his participation on Special Event Album of the Year recipient The Passion of the Christ: Songs.
The show featured performances by Casting Crowns, The Crabb Family, Kierra "Kiki" Sheard, Selah, J Moss, BarlowGirl, Bethany Dillon, Natalie Grant, Watermark, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Matt Redman, Tonex, Skillet and Denver & The Mile High Orchestra. Presenters included Camp, Mullen, Building 429, Day of Fire, Dr. Bobby Jones, Joy Williams, Lynda Randle, Matthew West, MercyMe, Michael W. Smith, Out of Eden, Sandi Patty, Steve Taylor, tobyMac and Phillips, Craig & Dean. Radio personalities Delilah and Rick & Bubba, "The Strongest Man in America" Shane Hamman; NASCAR Driver Bobby Labonte; and former bachelor from "The Bachelorette" Jason Illian also presented. The 36th Annual GMA Music Awards will be televised in national syndication during the month of June. Central City Productions of Chicago, Ill., will handle first run syndication through network affiliates and independent stations nationwide, with an expected audience reach of at least 75 percent of U.S. households.
Founded in 1964, the 4,500-member Gospel Music Association is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music. The GMA represents all styles of gospel music including contemporary pop, rock, urban gospel, praise & worship, Southern gospel, country and children's gospel music. The GMA produces the GMA Music Awards, which recognizes achievement in all genres of gospel music and are voted on by members of the GMA.
