The 32nd Annual Dove Awards, contemporary Christian and Gospel music’s annual
celebration of its industry’s achievements, sponsored this year by Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), showcased the
diversity of the genre on stage and with the awards handed out here tonight at the Grand Ole Opry House before a sold-out
audience.
Rock band Third Day came away the big winner of the night, grabbing Dove Awards in five categories, including
Group of the Year and Artist of the Year, and Nicole C. Mullen took home four Dove Awards, including Songwriter of the
Year. After that, the Doves were spread out among artists representing varied styles of music.
The performers on stage were as varied as the winners. From Point of Grace’s opening performance debuting a new
single “Begin With Me,” to the rousing closing of Nicole C. Mullen’s Song of the Year winner, “Redeemer,” the two-hour
show, which was taped for television broadcast on WGN Cable on Friday, May 4 at 8 p.m. CT, enjoyed its most diverse
line-up in the 32-year history of the Dove Awards.
The awards show, hosted by Michael W. Smith, included performances by Yolanda Adams, Aaron Neville with
Avalon, Plus One, the O.C. Supertones, Gaither Vocal Band, Donnie McClurkin, Jaci Velasquez and Mary Mary
with Kirk Franklin. Presenters included Music Producer David Foster, Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts, Actress
Cassidy Rae, Country Music legends Barbara Mandrell and the Oak Ridge Boys and the Peasall Sisters from “O
Brother Where Art Thou?”
“This was an amazing night for gospel music,” said Frank Breeden, president of the Gospel Music Association
(GMA) and executive producer of the Dove Awards. “I can’t remember a more exciting show with so many stand-out
performances, and with so many different artists being honored with Dove trophies. We’ve always been proud of our
diversity; tonight we truly celebrated it. We are excited for the rest of the country to share in this unique television event
when it premiers May 4.”
Dove Award winners in the major categories included Steven Curtis Chapman, taking home the Male Vocalist
honors, his 45th Dove, continuing his reign as the all-time Dove Award winner. Singer/Songwriter Nichole Nordeman, won
her first Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year, and the New Artist of the Year went to Foster’s teen sensation group,
Plus One.
Third Day and its individual band members went home with a total of 15 statuettes. In addition to the Artist and
Group honors, the band won Dove Awards for Praise & Worship Album for Offerings: A Worship Album, Rock Recorded
Song for “Sky Falls Down,” and Special Event Album for their participation on City On A Hill. Each member of the band,
Mac Powell, Mark Lee, Tai Anderson, Brad Avery and David Carr, won individual Dove Awards for writing on Rock
Recorded Song and for production credits on Praise & Worship Album.
Other multiple Dove winners included Mary Mary, who won Doves for Urban Recorded Song, “Shackles (Praise
You),” which is from their Urban Album of the Year, Thankful. Sisters Erica Atkins and Trecina Atkins, who make up
Mary Mary, also won individual awards as songwriters on their Urban Song. Michael W. Smith grabbed three Doves; his
This Is Your Time album won for Pop/Contemporary Album, which Smith also produced. Smith’s third award came for his
part in creating Friends 4Ever, the winner of Youth/Children’s Musical Dove. Bill Gaither’s Gaither Vocal Band won
Doves for Southern Gospel Recorded Song, “God Is Good All The Time,” and Southern Gospel Album, I Do Believe.
Gaither was producer on the album and also won for producing the Long Form Video, “A Farewell Celebration” by the
Cathedrals.
Besides emotional and heartfelt acceptance speeches, one of the more stirring moments of the Dove Awards show
came when the GMA honored its official charity, Feed the Children’s founders’ Larry and Frances Jones with the GMA
Humanitarian Award. The Jones’ were joined on stage by Maria Topalovich, a young Bosnian amputee who received
prosthetics and renewed ability to walk from Feed the Children’s charitable efforts. Feed the Children is the fifth largest
relief organization in the world and earlier in the week, held a food collection in Nashville during the annual Gospel Music
Week convention.
The Dove Awards are scheduled for several additional television airings after the national premier on WGN Cable on
May 4. PAX TV network will offer the broadcast in major markets such as Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Boston,
Detroit, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago and Nashville, Tenn.
dick clark productions, inc. served as consulting producer of the 32nd Annual Dove Awards and four-time Dove
Award producer, Bob Gordon, was producer. Multiple Grammy Award winner Michael Omartian served as music director.
Director on the show was Clay Jacobsen, Gregg Horne, set designer and Michael Carver, lighting designer.
Founded in 1964, the 5,000-member Gospel Music Association is dedicated to educating the public and the music
industry concerning the mission and role of gospel music in today’s world. The Gospel Music Association produces the
Dove Awards, which recognizes achievement in all genres of Gospel music and is the premiere television awards show for
the contemporary Christian and Gospel music industry.
For the complete list of winners, see Dove Winners List.
