The 2002 Dove Awards were held April 25 at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House.
The show was televised live on Pax TV. Third Day, Michael W. Smith, Nicole C.
Mullen, Toby McKeehan and Bart Millard were among the winners.
Steven Curtis Chapman received Doves, including Pop Contemporary Album of the
Year for DECLARATION. Steven said that the album was a reflection of a
“different season of life” also addressing “so many unanswered questions” in
these uncertain times.
Jars of Clay performed the worshipful “I Need You” on the show. The band later
commented on their new album THE ELEVENTH HOUR. Dan said that producing the
album themselves gave them more of an opportunity to “say the things spiritually
that we want to say”. Now that the Jars take their wives and kids on the road,
Matt commented that this year has brought the “most amount of vomiting on the
road”.
Kevin Max introduced the rock band, Superchic(k). They gave an energetic and
exciting performance of “Barlow Girls”, taped earlier in the evening at Opry
Mills mall.
Bart Millard from MercyMe won the Song Of The Year for the beautiful song “I Can
Only Imagine”. Bart commented that the award was a “huge honor, very surreal”.
For the future he said that the band would continue “to keep Christ the center
of attention”. MercyMe also performed that song toward the end of the show.
Plus One were presenters this year. They also spoke about their new album,
OBVIOUS. Their goal on this record was more writing and creative input from
band members. Nate Cole said that OBVIOUS was “a lot more comfortable… more
us”
When asked about their clothing and hairstyles, Gabe said that (with his
current hairstyle) he was told several times that he looked like Rod Stewart.
The band also commented on their ever-changing wardrobe, “we look at a lot of
fashion magazines”.
Female Vocalist of the Year, Nicole C. Mullen performed “Call On Jesus”. She
later offered advice for worship leaders. “Keep it real, stay true… worship
God from a pure and sincere heart”. When asked about her future, Nicole said,
“I want to be at the center of God’s will”.
Artist of the Year, Michael W. Smith also won a Dove for Praise and Worship
Album of the Year, WORSHIP. Michael said that he is “extremely grateful” for
everything in his life now. He also commented that the last year has been the
“best 12 months of my life in terms of music”. Group of the Year, Third Day
joined Michael to announce that they are going to tour together in the fall and
play arenas. The tour will be called “Come Together and Worship”. Their
friendship and vision for unity among Christians inspired the concept.
Lead singer Mac Powell also won the Dove for Male Vocalist of the Year. Third
Day was asked to offer advice for young bands. They said, “Avoid Bus Food”.
When the band started out 10 years ago, they would tend to eat a lot of junk
food on the bus after the show and wake up sick the next morning. Seriously,
they also said that bands and artists should be “doing what God’s called you to
do…it’s not for everyone (to be in the business). Guys in the band now have
kids and said that they’re taking a little time off to have “time to have more
babies”.
More Dove Award info!
Bonus Dove Award Photo Gallery!
2002 Dove Award Winners
More GMA Journal and GMA Updates at:Gospel Music Week
Special thanks to Kristie Torres for her help uploading photos.
