GMA Dove Awards 2013 Souvenir Journal

OCTOBER 15, 2013 ALLEN ARENA LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY NASHVILLE, TN

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Table of Contents

2 Welcome

Warm words of welcome from the GMA Executive Director, Jackie Patillo

4 Production Credits

Thanks to the team behindthe-scenes for making this night so special.

6 Meet Our Hosts Who better to lead an evening celebrating impact than our hosts, Amy Grant & Kirk Franklin

8 Appearing Tonight

Check out the performers for tonight’s show.

10 Award Nominees

The complete list of nominees for the 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards

16 GMA Balloting This year, the GMA made several important changes…find out what and why.

24 Song of the Year Nominees

Hear the stories behind this year’s diverse Song of the Year nominees.

38 Artist of the Year Our nominees embody the spirit of this year’s Dove Awards theme, Celebrate the Impact: Francesca Battistelli; Lecrae; Tamela Mann; TobyMac; Chris Tomlin

48 Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)" by Matt Redman; "Need You Now (How Many Times)" by Plumb; "Redeemed" by Big Daddy Weave; "The Dream"

by David Phelps; "The Proof of Your Love" by for King & Country; "Where I Belong" by Building 429

50 Southern Gospel Performance of the Year "Glorious Freedom" by Gaither Vocal Band; "Sometimes I Wonder" by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound; "Stubborn (Psalm 151)" by Michael English; "What The Blood Is For"

by Jason Crabb; "Why Can’t We" by The Isaacs

52 Gospel Performance of the Year

"Awesome" by Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago; "Break Every Chain" by Tasha Cobbs; "It's Not Over (When God Is In It)" by Israel & New Breed (feat: James Fortune & Jason Nelson); "Let The Church Say Amen"

by Andraé Crouch (feat: Marvin Winans); "Take Me to the King" by Tamela Mann

54 New Artist of the Year

Take a peak at five artists whose broad impact foreshadows the future of Christian music: Capital Kings; Colton Dixon; for King & Country; Rhett Walker Band; Tasha Cobbs

56 GMA Special Awards

Learn more about this year’s recipients of the Impact Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Grady Nutt Humor Award and Outstanding Mainstream Contribution to Gospel Music

58 About GMA

The Board of Directors, Organizational Members and Staff of the Gospel Music Association

The Dove Awards is broadcast exclusively on UP. Tune in October 21 at 8pm EDT!

Advertising Partners Food for the Hungry Universal Kia LifeWay Worship The Dove Foundation International Crisis Aid ChristianRadio.com Cantinas Ranch Foundation ASCAP 94 FM The Fish Dream Home Construction, LLC Kraft CPAs, PLLC Adams & Reese, LLP Mocha Club One Life Provident Distribution SESAC TodaysChristianMusic.com Xulon Press CCM Magazine 760 AM The Gospel MediaShout Street Tuxedo Salem Church Products JCTV/JUCE TV Rapzilla.com Gary Ross, New York Life City National Bank Thomas Nelson GMA Resource Central Walt Disney World Candlelight Processional UP BMI

IFC 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 43 45 47 47 56 57 59 60 61 62

A WARM WELCOME

From Our Executive Director Dear Friends,

G

Celebrate the

Celebrate the

Impact

reetings from the Gospel Additionally, we’re excited to announce a Music Association and series of new initiatives in the next year welcome to the 44th Annual that we believe will encourage health and GMA Dove Awards! growth within the personal and professional Congratulations to all of lives of our members. These Biblicallyour nominees. This night is for based initiatives will be focused on encouryou and the team that supports you! We aging the development of the believer’s hope you will feel the love in the room heart, soul, mind and strength (Mt. 22:37). as well as our deep appreciation for the These initiatives will range from creating sacrifices you and your families make to community among our tour wives to creatspread the gospel through music. ing financial planning resources. Just reThis has been an incredible year for cently we partnered with PanCoast Benefits gospel music on the road, the airwaves to offer a variety of healthcare solutions and the small and big screens. Doors that are easier to understand and workable are opening wider for Christian/gospel with just about any individual’s or family’s artists to appear on mainstream TV, need. In addition, our site (www.GospelMuincluding reality shows and talk show sic.org) boasts a variety of discounts on appearances. Many of our artists are products and services used every day. playing to sold-out arenas across the But change doesn’t happen overnight country in addition to the multi-artist or alone, so we’re grateful for those who event, WinterJam, shattering its attenhave linked arms—believing that the sum is dance record set just the year before. greater than its parts. Together we will conInspirational films are hitting theaters tinue to build on the great history we have across the nation featuring our artists and press into the future as a united front.

The Gospel Music Association is and their music in growing numbers.

Still, in the middle of such great privileged to act as the umbrella for opportunity, there is need—need for a this community, celebrating God’s goodness through numerous genres united community that shares joy, pain, plenty and loss as well as a common vision for further growth and advancement.

As many of you may know, it has been 18 J ac k i e Pat i l l o, e x e c u t i v e Di r e c t o r o f t h e G o s Pe l M u s ic a s s o c i at io n months since our last of music. The Dove Awards stage reflects Dove Awards celebration in Atlanta. It a remarkable display of God’s diverse was important for us to take the time to kingdom and exceptional creativity like listen and lay aside traditional deadlines no other. Tonight gospel, contemporary, to realign our priorities and establish southern gospel, bluegrass, rap, hip new goals led by the needs of this hop artists will showcase a solidarity that community.

To that end, we have made several transcends style.

The mission of the Gospel Music changes to the Dove Awards, the most Association is to expose, promote and notable of which include bringing the event celebrate the gospel through music. Your back to Nashville (after spending the last very presence plays a great part in the extwo years in Atlanta) and our new October ecution of that goal. Thank you for coming date (in its recent history the Awards and adding your voice to this celebration. have been held in the spring). Thanks to Dr. Randy Lowry, President of Lipscomb In His Service, University and his vision, we are celebratJackie Patilllo ing here in the beautiful Allen Arena and Executive Director, enjoying the immense hospitality of the Gospel Music Association Lipscomb staff.

The mission of the Gospel Music Association is to expose, promote and celebrate the gospel through music.

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GOSPELMUSIC.ORG

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TRULY HEARTFELT

SpecialThanks OUR PRESENTERS

Candace Cameron Bure, Julie & Rusty Bulloch, Isaac Carree, Jon Foreman, Bone Hampton, Brandon Heath, Dr. Bobby Jones, Montell Jordan, Lecrae, Mark Lowry, Mandisa, David Mann, Bart Millard, Joyce Meyer, Chonda Pierce, Jaci Velasquez, Rick Warren PRODUCTION & STAFF Dove Telecast

Executive Producer: Jackie Patillo Producer: Scott & Julie De Vos, De Lux Productions Producer: Michael Johnson, Encore Entertainment Director: Curtis Stoneburger Talent Producer: Ken Johnson Production Manager: Chuck Farthing Associate Producer: Justin Fratt Associate Producer: Sara Foster Stage Manager: Todd Ortmeier Stage Manager: Dustin Reynolds Lighting & Scenic Design: Scott Moore Talent Manager: Ken Johnson Writer: Scott Dunn Video: Nic Dugger Lighting Tech: LifeWay Media Front of House: Russ Long Logistics Manager: Alexandra Mohilowski Seat Filler Coordinator: Fredrick Barr

UP

Charles Humbard, President & CEO Brad Siegel, Vice Chairman Rex Humbard, Executive in Charge of Production Julia Lucas, Production Manager Tammi Weed, Director, Music & Talent

LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY

Dr. Randy Lowry, Danny Taylor, Kim Chaudoin, Darrell Duncan, Mindy Fernandez, Walt Leaver, Naomi Lutz, Deby Samuels, Jamie Shankland, Barry Thompson Dove PreTelecast

Producer: Paul Wright III Production Assistant/Stage Manager: Ashley Ramps Visual Media Production/Design Manager: Cassie Thompson Visual Media Production: Alan Rasmussen Audio Engineer: Corey Cross Asst. Audio Engineer: Laurence Cross MC/Voice Overs: Erik Garcia Publicity: Jules Wortman, Wortman Works Event Coordinator: Crystal Varenkamp Program Book Publisher & Sales: Roland Hairston Award Certification: KraftCPAs PLLC Trophy Models

Advantage Talent Development

PROGRAM BOOK

Gospel Today Roland Hairston, Publisher TIC Media Group

Heidi Holmon, Art Director

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SPECIAL MENTIONS Honorable Mention

Glitz Bridal & Formal Salon Marketing & Production Partners

Capitol Christian Distribution - Greg Bays Capitol CMG - David Sylvester, Hudson Plachy De Lux Productions - Scott & Julie De Vos The Dove Foundation Word Entertainment - Josh Thompson, Lauren Summerford Roland Hairston and Horizon Concepts TKO Marketing Retail Partners

Family Christian Stores Lifeway Christian Resources Mardel Christian & Education Munce Group WalMart Sponsor Partners

760AM The Gospel 94FM The Fish Adarga Entertainment All Access Coach Leasing Cantinas Ranch Foundation CCM Magazine The Christian Post Compassion International Food for the Hungry International Crisis Aid Lipscomb University MediaComplete Mocha Club Salem Communications SESAC St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Thomas Nelson TodaysChristianMusic.com Universal Kia UP World Vision Label Partners

Capitol Christian Music Group Centricity Music Curb Records Daywind Records Fair Trade Services Gaither Music Gotee Records Integrity Music Provident Music Group Reach Records Word Entertainment

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MEET OUR HOSTS

The theme of the 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards is “Celebrate the Impact” and over the last 30 years, fewer artists have had more of an impact on the public’s perception of Christian and gospel music than tonight’s hosts.

Their professional accomplishments are staggering. Between the two of them, more than 40 million records have been sold, but more importantly, millions of people have been reached with messages from God’s Word through music.

We present your hosts for the evening: Kirk Franklin and Amy Grant.

KirkFranklin Dove Awards: 16

From the time Kirk Franklin exploded onto the national stage as a fresh-faced 23-year-old, it was clear that he would be special but no one could have predicted that he would go on to reform the entire genre. His funky ear-to-the-streets sounds meshed with Christ-exalting lyrics and showmanship set the stage for today’s contemporary gospel artists. He was the bridge from the era of James Cleveland to…well, the era of Kirk Franklin.

Franklin continues to break the ceilings of limitation of what gospel music can do and where gospel artists can go. He has opened doors for the genre in television, book publishing, film, live events and touring, most recently masterminding LiveNation’s first gospel tour, “The King’s Men.” Perhaps, what shines most about Kirk Franklin is his insistence on including people and going places with the gospel

message that others are unwilling to.

We first saw it when he partnered with Salt-N-Pepa’s Cheryl “Salt” James to create the hit song, “Stomp” on the triple-Platinum selling God’s Property.

Despite scathing ridicule for being “too secular,” the next year he released a chart topping single, “Leon on Me” with Mary J. Blige, Bono of U2, Crystal Lewis and R. Kelly. He has even gone on Oprah to talk about his fight to overcome a pornography addiction.

Kirk Franklin models what it means to “Go,” as he is fond of saying on his daily Twitter encouragements to more than 700,000.

Today, Franklin is the producer and host of the highly rated BET show, “Sunday Best” and the musical co-host of GSN's “The American Bible Challenge” with Jeff Foxworthy. He is also a devoted husband (Tammy) and father of four.

AmyGrant Dove Awards: 23

Amy Grant’s musical journey started many years ago when, as a 10-year-old Church of Christ girl, she was allowed to take private piano lessons. As a teenager, she picked up the guitar and started performing at her all-girls school, Harpeth Hall. Eventually, producer Chris Christian heard a demo tape of her songs that she had recorded for her parents with the help of producer Brown Bannister and by her 16th birthday, Amy Grant was signed to Myrrh/Word Records.

Her 15 albums have yielded more than 30 million records sold making her the best-selling Christian artist of all time, but her success has not come without its share of difficulty and ridicule. After becoming a Christian contemporary star on the strength of worship songs including "Sing Your Praise to the Lord" and "El Shaddai", Grant’s eight-year career began to take a shift as her music was embraced by a broader—read “secular”—audience behind the crossover hits “Find a Way” and “Stay

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for Awhile” which enjoyed great AC success. Still, no one could have predicted the success of a song inspired by her newborn child but interpreted in a million, no—five million ways. Grant’s “Baby Baby” single on the album Heart in Motion sold more than five million records making it the #1 Christian album of all time.

When her 2013 release, "How Mercy Looks From Here" debuted at #1 on Billboard's Christian Albums chart, she extended her record for the most #1 Christian albums to 16. After a lifetime of music, marked by extraordinary success, perhaps the highest compliment to Amy Grant is that she can still be best described as “real.” Her friendly smile and easy demeanor are trademark and her impact is undeniable.

Amy and her husband, country singer, Vince Gill, live in Franklin TN with their five children.

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THE

PERFORMERS

APPEARING Tonight

AMYGRANT

ANDYMINEO

CAPITALKINGS

CHONDAPIERCE

FRANCESCABATTISTELLI GAITHERVOCALBAND

MICHAELW.SMITH

SIDEWALKPROPHETS

BIGDADDYWEAVE

BRIAN&JENNJOHNSON

COLTONDIXON

DAILEY&VINCENT

ERNIEHAASE& SIGNATURESOUND

FOR KING AND COUNTRY

JASONCRABB

KARENPECK

KB

KRISTIANSTANFILL

NEEDTOBREATHE

TAMELAMANN

BARTMILLARD

TASHACOBBS

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NEWSBOYS

THEISAACS

RHETTWALKERBAND

TOBYMAC

TRIPLEE

SON

Y

ILL

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AND THE NOMINATION GOES TO...

44TH ANNUAL GMA DOVE AWARD Nominations CATEGORY 1

Song of the Year

Song, Artist, Writer, Publisher. Dove Award given to songwriter and publisher.

“10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”, Matt Redman, (writers) Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin, (publisher) ThankYou Music (PRS)//Sixsteps Music/WorshipTogether.com Songs/ Said and Done Music (ASCAP)// Shout! Publishing (APRA) “All I Can Do (Thank You)”, Mikeschair, (writers) Mike Grayson, Ben Glover, David Garcia, (publisher) Curb Congregation Songs(SESAC)// Strength to Shout(SESAC)//9t One Songs/ Ariose Music(ASCAP)// Universal Music Brentwood Benson Publishing(ASCAP)//D Soul Music(ASCAP) “Break Every Chain”, Tasha Cobbs, (writer) Will Reagan, (publisher) United Pursuit Music/Will Reagan Music (ASCAP)

Celebrate the

Impact

“Forgiveness”, Matthew West, (writer) Matthew West, (publisher) Songs of Southside Independent Music Publishing/External Combustion Music/Songs for Delaney (ASCAP) “From My Rags To His Riches”, Devin McGlamery featuring Dailey & Vincent, (writers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey, (publisher) Universal Music Brentwood Benson Songs/Hefton Hill Music/ PsalmSinger Music/Ernie Sig Sound Music (BMI) “Greatly Blessed, Highly Favored”, Gaither Vocal Band, (writers) Larry Gatlin, Bill Gaither, (publisher) Spring House Music Group “Hold On”, Canton Junction, (writer) Gerald Crabb, (publisher) Christian Taylor Music, a div. of Daywind Music (BMI)// Gerald Crabb Songs (BMI) “I’m Learning”, Aaron & Amanda Crabb, (writers) Lee Black, Michael Fordinal, Kenna West (publisher) Universal Music Brentwood Benson Publishing (ASCAP)//House of Blacks Music (ASCAP)

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“Live Like That”, Sidewalk Prophets, (writers) Dave Frey, Ben McDonald, Ben Glover, (publisher) Dayspring Music, LLC(BMI)//9t One Songs, Ariose Music(ASCAP) “Need You Now (How Many Times)”, Plumb, (writers) Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, Luke Sheets, Christa Wells, (publisher) Curb Congregation Songs(SESAC)//Shoecrazy Publishing(SESAC) //Platy Songs (SESAC)//Kiss Me Not Publishing (SESAC) “Not For a Moment (After All)”, Meredith Andrews, (writers) Meredith Andrews, Jacob Sooter, Mia Fieldes, (publisher) Word Music, LLC(ASCAP)//Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing, HBC Worship Music(ASCAP)//Shout! Publishing (APRA) “One Thing Remains”, Kristian Stanfill, (writers) Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Jeremy Riddle, (publisher) Bethel Music Publishing(ASCAP)//Christajoy Music (BMI)//Mercy Vineyard Publishing(ASCAP) “Redeemed”, Big Daddy Weave, (writers) Mike Weaver, Benji Cowart, (publisher) Word Music, LLC/Weave Country /Howiecowie Publishing (ASCAP) “Sometimes I Wonder”, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, (writers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey, (publisher) Ernie Sig Sound Music; PsalmSinger Muisc; Universal Music Brentwood Benson Songs; Hefton Hill Music (BMI) “Take Him To The Place”, Aaron & Amanda Crabb, (writers) Aaron Crabb, Amanda Crabb, (publisher) 6th Generation Music (BMI)//Trust In Him Music/Christian Taylor Music, a div of Daywind Music (BMI) “Take Me to the King”, Tamela Mann, (writer) Kirk Franklin, (publisher) Aunt Gertrude’s Music

“The Proof of Your Love”, for King & Country, (writers) Joel Smallbone, Fred Williams, Luke Smallbone, Ben Glover, Mia Fieldes, Johnathan Lee, (publisher) Warner Tamerlane, Kilns Music, Shankel Songs(BMI)//WB Music Corp.,Method To The Madness, Shankel Songs(ASCAP)//Universal Music Brentwood Benson Tunes, JLee Publishing(SESAC)//Who Sings That Music(ASCAP)//Shout Publishing(ASCAP)// 9t One Songs, Ariose Music(ASCAP) “What The Blood Is For”, Jason Crabb, (writers) Ronnie Freeman, Tony Wood, (publisher) Universal Music Brentwood Benson Publishing (ASCAP)//Lehajoes Music (ASCAP)//Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing (ASCAP)//Songs From Exit 71 (ASCAP) “Where I Belong”, Building 429, (writers) Jason Roy, Jason Ingram, (publisher) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Havery Publishing (BMI)// West Main Music/Windsor Hill Music (SESAC) “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)”, Chris Tomlin, (writers) Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Scott Cash, (publisher) sixsteps Songs/ Worship Together Music/A Thousand Generations Publishing/ Alletrop Music/McTyeire Music (BMI)

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AND THE NOMINATION GOES TO...

“Why Can’t We”, The Isaacs, (writers) Rebecca Isaacs Bowman, Sonya Isaacs, Jimmy Yeary, (publisher) R.I.Bowman Music (BMI)//Sonya Isaacs Music/ Nashvistaville Songs (BMI)// EMI Blackwood Music Inc/Beattyville Music/Great Day A This Music (BMI)

“What The Blood Is For”, Jason Crabb, Gaither Music Group, (producers) Jay DeMarcus, Ed Cash, Wayne Haun “Why Can’t We”, The Isaacs , Gaither Music Group, (producer) Ben Isaacs CATEGORY 5

CATEGORY 2

Songwriter of the Year

Dove Award given to songwriter and publisher.

“Awesome”, Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, EMI, (producer) Rick Robinson

CATEGORY 3

“It’s Not Over (When God Is In It)”, Israel & New Breed (feat. James Fortune & Jason Nelson), Integrity/ Columbia, (producers) Aaron Lindsey, Israel Houghton

Song, Artist, Label, Producer. Dove Award given to artist, label and producer.

“10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”, Matt Redman, EMI Records, (producer) Nathan Nockels “Need You Now (How Many Times)”, Plumb, Curb, (producer) Matt Bronleewe “Redeemed”, Big Daddy Weave, Fervent/Curb, (producer) Jeremy Redmon “The Dream”, David Phelps, Gaither Music Group, (producers) David Phelps, Bill Gaither

Impact

Song, Artist, Label, Producer.

Dove Award given to artist, label and producer.

Ben Glover Benji Cowart Matt Redman Toby McKeehan Wayne Haun

Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year

Celebrate the

Gospel Performance of the Year

“The Proof of Your Love”, for King & Country, Fervent/Curb, (producer) Ben Glover “Where I Belong”, Building 429, Essential Records, (producer) Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp CATEGORY 4

Southern Gospel Performance of the Year

Song, Artist, Label, Producer. Dove Award given to artist, label and producer.

“Glorious Freedom”, Gaither Vocal Band, Gaither Music Group, (producers) Bill Gaither, Ben Isaacs, Michael English, David Phelps “Sometimes I Wonder”, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, StowTown Records, (producer) Wayne Haun “Stubborn (Psalm 15)”, Michael English, Curb Records, (producer) Jay DeMarcus

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“Break Every Chain”, Tasha Cobbs, EMI, (producer) VaShawn Mitchell

“Let The Church Say Amen”, Andrae Crouch (feat. Marvin Winans), Riverphlo “Take Me to the King”, Tamela Mann, TillyMann Music Group, (producer) Kirk Franklin CATEGORY 6

Artist of the Year

Artist, Label. Dove Award given to artist and label.

Chris Tomlin, sixstepsrecords Francesca Battistelli, Fervent Lecrae, Reach Records Tamela Mann, TillyMann TobyMac, ForeFront Records CATEGORY 7

New Artist of the Year

Artist, Label. Dove Award given to artist and label.

Capital Kings, Gotee Records Colton Dixon, Sparrow Records for King & Country, Fervent Rhett Walker Band, Essential Records Tasha Cobbs, EMI Gospel

Recorded Song Nominations CATEGORY 9

Rap / Hip Hop Song of the Year

Song, Artist, Writer. Dove Award given to artist and songwriter (if other than the artist).

“Caught Dreaming”, Andy Mineo (feat. for King &Country), (writers) Andy Mineo, Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Jeremy S.H. Griffith, Courtney “J.R.” Peebles “Dangerous”, Group1Crew, (writers) Manwell Reyes, Blanca Callahan, Chuck Butler, Tony Wood “Hope”, Da T.R.U.T.H (feat. Flame & Trip Lee), (writers) E. Lambert, M. Gray, W. Barefield “I’m Good”, Trip Lee (feat. Lecrae), (writers) William L. Barefield III, Lecrae Moore, Carl Justin Luzi “Tell The World”, Lecrae feat.

Mali Music, (writers) Lecrae Moore, Kortney Pollard, Torrance “Street Symphony” Esmond, Charles Dunlap, Lincoln Morris CATEGORY 10

Rock Song of the Year

Song, Artist, Writer. Dove Award given to artist and songwriter (if other than the artist).

“Perfect Life”, RED, (writers) Anthony Armstrong, Michael Barnes, Randy, Armstrong, Joe Rickard, Jasen Rauch, Jason McArthur, Johnny Andrews “Resuscitate Me”, Remedy Drive, (writer) David Zach “Sick Of It”, Skillet, (writer) John L. Cooper, Scott Stevens “Strike Back”, We As Human, (writers) Justin Cordle, Scott Stevens “Who We Are”, RED, (writers) Anthony Armstrong, Randy Armstrong, Mike Barnes, Joe Rickard, Rob Graves, Jasen Rauch, Jason McArthur CATEGORY 11

CATEGORY 8

Producer of the Year

Dove Award given to producer.

Ben Isaacs Ed Cash Jay DeMarcus Matt Bronleewe Wayne Haun

Rock / Contemporary Song of the Year

Song, Artist, Writer. Dove Award given to artist and songwriter (if other than the artist).

“Afterlife”, Switchfoot, (writers) Tim Foreman, Jon Foreman “Keep Your Eyes Open”, NEEDTOBREATHE, (writers) Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart

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AND THE NOMINATION GOES TO...

“Never Gone”, Colton Dixon, (writers) Andy Dodd, Adam Watts, Gannin Arnold, Colton Dixon “Reckless”, Jeremy Camp, (writers) Jeremy Camp, Andy Dodd “When Mercy Found Me”, Rhett Walker Band, (writers) Rhett Walker, Jeff Pardo CATEGORY 12

Pop / Contemporary Song of the Year

Song, Artist, Writer. Dove Award given to artist and songwriter (if other than the artist).

“10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”, Matt Redman, (writers) Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin “All I Can Do (Thank You)”, MIKESCHAIR, (writers) Mike Grayson, Ben Glover, David Garcia “Need You Now (How Many Times)”, Plumb, (writers) Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, Luke Sheets, Christa Wells “Redeemed”, Big Daddy Weave, (writers) Mike Weaver, Benji Cowart “The Proof Of Your Love”, for King & Country, (writers) Joel Smallbone, Fred Williams, Luke Smallbone, Ben Glover, Mia Fieldes, Johnathan Lee CATEGORY 13

Inspirational Song of the Year

Song, Artist, Writer. Dove Award given to artist and songwriter (if other than the artist).

Celebrate the

Impact

“It Must Be You (Moses)”, Selah, (writers) Nichole Nordeman, Bernie Herms

“Hold On”, Canton Junction, (writer) Gerald Crabb

“Break Every Chain”Tasha Cobbs, (writer) William Reagan

“Sometimes I Wonder”, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, (writers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey

“Clean This House”, Isaac Carree, (writers) Ronnie Jackson, Isaac Carree, Phillip Cornish

“Stubborn (Psalm 15)”, Michael English, (writers) Don Schlitz, Brett James “What the Blood Is For”, Jason Crabb, (writers) Ronnie Freeman, Tony Wood CATEGORY 15

Song, Artist, Writer. Dove Award given to artist and songwriter (if other than the artist).

“Come to Jesus”, Gaither Vocal Band, (writer) Mindy Smith “He Washed My Soul”, The Little Roy & Lizzy Show, (writers) Wayne Haun, Jamie Helms, Ruby Moody, Ron Haun “Living in the Kingdom of God”, Dailey & Vincent, (writer) Jamie Dailey “Peace That Covers All The Pain”, Dailey & Vincent, (writers) Wayne Haun, Caleb Scott Collins “Standing in the Need Prayer”, Oak Ridge Boys, (writer)Traditional, Arr. by Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban & Ben Isaacs CATEGORY 16

Country Song of the Year

Song, Artist, Writer. Dove Award given to artist and songwriter (if other than the artist).

“Satisfied”, Jason Crabb, (writers) Tony Wood, Ronnie Freeman “Take Him to the Place”, Aaron & Amanda Crabb, (writers) Aaron Crabb, Amanda Crabb

“God’s Up to Something”, Jason Crabb, (writers) Terry Allen Dennis, Garret W. Parris

“The Other Side”, No Other Name, (writers) Michael Boggs, Jason Cox

“I Get To”, Oak Ridge Boys, (writers) Sherrie Austin, Steven J. Williams, Wil Nance

CATEGORY 14

Southern Gospel Song of the Year

Song, Artist, Writer. Dove Award given to artist and songwriter (if other than the artist).

“Glorious Freedom”, Gaither Vocal Band, (writers) Harold Lillenas, Alfred Judson, arr. Gaither Vocal Band

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“Go Get It”, Mary Mary, (writers) Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Warren Campbell “I Love You”, Jonathan McReynolds, (writer) Jonathan McReynolds

Bluegrass Song of the Year

“From My Rags To His Riches”, Devin McGlamery with Dailey & Vincent, (writers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey

“When Love Whispers Your Name”, Beyond The Ashes, (writers) Ernie Haase, Joel Lindsey

“Full Tank”, Ben Tankard, (writer) Ben Tankard

“I’m Learning”, Aaron & Amanda Crabb, (writers) Lee Black, Michael Fordinal, Kenna West “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”, Guy Penrod, (writers) Elisha A. Hoffman, Anthony J. Showalter CATEGORY 17

Contemporary Gospel/ Urban Song of the Year

Song, Artist, Writer. Dove Award given to artist and songwriter (if other than the artist).

CATEGORY 18

Traditional Gospel Song of the Year

Song, Artist, Writer. Dove Award given to artist and songwriter (if other than the artist).

“It’s Not Over (When God Is In It)”, Israel & New Breed, (writers) Israel Houghton, Ricardo Sanchez, Aaron Lindsey “Just Believe”, Cathedral of Praise (feat. Michelle Prather), (writers) Phil Hughley, Deitrich Listenbee “Life and Favor”, John P. Kee and New Life (feat. James Fortune, Isaac Carree, Lejuene Thompson), (writer) John P. Kee “Awesome”, Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, (writer) Charles Jenkins “Take Me To The King”, Tamela Mann, (writer) Kirk Franklin CATEGORY 19

Praise & Worship Song of the Year Song, Artist, Writer. Dove Award given to songwriter and publisher “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”, Matt Redman, (writers) Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin “Beautiful Things”, Gungor, (writers) Michael Gungor, Lisa Gungor “One Thing Remains”, Kristian Stanfill, (writers) Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Jeremy Riddle “Redeemed”, Big Daddy Weave, (writers) Mike Weaver, Ben Cowart “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)”, Chris Tomlin, (writers) Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Scott Cash

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AND THE NOMINATION GOES TO...

Album Nominations CATEGORY 20

Rap / Hip Hop Album of the Year

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

Dangerous, KJ-52, (producers) KJ-52, Aaron Sprinkle, Tedd T., Elvin Shahbazian Fighter, Manafest, (producers) Adam Messinger, Seth Mosley, Josh Macintosh Gravity, Lecrae, (producers) Heat Academy, Joseph Prielozny, J.R., The Watchmen, Dru Castro, Uford Ebong, Tyshane, Thainnacircle, DJ Khalil, Zach Crowell, Dirty Rice, DJ Official, Rudy Currence Heroes For Sale, Andy Mineo, (producers) Joseph Prielozny, Dirty Rice, J.R., Gawvi, Groc, Jeremy S.H. Griffith, Andy Mineo, J.R., Alex Medina, D-Flow, 808, Elite, Tyshane, Thainnacircle, Skrip, TheBridge, Heat Academy, Chris “Morganism” Morgan The Good Life, Trip Lee, (producers) G-Styles, Dirty Rice, CJ Luzi, Alex Medina, Andre Atkinson, Mark Mims, Maurice Tonia, Joseph Prielozny, Ndelible, Tony “Stone” Shepherd CATEGORY 21

Rock Album of the Year

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

Celebrate the

Impact

Cold Hard Want, House of Heroes, (producer) Paul Moak

GMA Balloting Eligibility Period:

Nov 1, 2011 - April 30, 2013

This year, the GMA made several important changes to the Dove voting process to encourage the viability and integrity of the awards.

• Addition of three new categories to division one:

- Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year - Southern Gospel Performance of the Year - Gospel Performance of the Year

• Addition of film category in division five, honoring their artistic excellence and impact on culture:

- Inspirational Film of the Year

• In an effort to place increased emphasis on our musical genres and broaden inclusion as well as meet industry standards the following categories have been removed:

- Male Artist of the Year - Female Artist of the Year - Group of the Year

• The following categories have been combined due to a lack of submissions:

- Urban Recorded Song of the Year & Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year have been merged to create Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year - Urban Album of the Year & Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year have been merged to create Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album of the Year.

• Revision of criteria for the Artist of the Year category. In a best effort to most accurately reflect artists that have quantifiably had an impact on our culture, the following criteria have been added to the voting process for this specific category:

- Artists included on the first round ballot shall be determined to be the top 20, highest-selling artists according to SoundScan plus TEA sales.

New Horizons, Flyleaf, (producer) Howard Benson NOW, Fireflight, (producer) Jasen Rauch Release The Panic, RED, (producer) Howard Benson The End Is Where We Begin, Thousand Foot Krutch, (producers) Aaron Sprinkle, Trevor McNevan CATEGORY 22

Rock / Contemporary Album of the Year

Come To The River, Rhett Walker Band, (producer) Paul Moak Give Us Rest or (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys]), David Crowder*Band, (producer) David Crowder*Band

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

Reckless, Jeremy Camp, (producers) Jeremy Camp, Andy Dodd

A Messenger, Colton Dixon, (producers) Red Decibel (Adam Watts, Andy Dodd & Gannin Arnold), David Garcia

Run, Sanctus Real, (producers) Christopher Stevens, Jason Ingram, Seth Mosley

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CATEGORY 23

Pop/ Contemporary Album of the Year

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

Burning Lights, Chris Tomlin, (producers) Jason Ingram, Ed Cash, Dan Muckala Crave, for King & Country, (producers) Shaun Shankel, Matt Hales, Ben Glover Eye On It, TobyMac, (producers) David Garcia, Toby McKeehan, Christopher Stevens, Jamie Moore, Telemitry

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AND THE NOMINATION GOES TO...

Need You Now, Plumb, (producers) Matt Bronleewe, Paul van Dyke

Lord In The Morning, The Little Roy & Lizzy Show, (producers) Kevin Ward, Wayne Haun, Lizzy Long

OBB, OBB, (producer) Justin Ebach

Sing Me A Song About Jesus, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, (producer) Doyle Lawson

CATEGORY 24

Inspirational Album of the Year

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

The Gospel Side Of Dailey & Vincent, Dailey & Vincent, (producers) Darrin Vincent, Jamie Dailey

Classic, David Phelps, (producers) David Phelps, Bill Gaither

This Is My Crowd, Marksmen Quartet, (producer) Mark Wheeler

Hear My Prayer: 14 Devotional Hymns of Prayer, Christopher Phillips & Jaimee Paul, (producer) Jack Jezzro Hymns For The Christian Life, Keith & Kristyn Getty, (producers) Charlie Peacock, Ed Cash, Fionan De Barra Light for the Lost Boy, Andrew Peterson, (producers) Ben Shive, Cason Cooley Love Is Stronger, Jason Crabb, (producers) Jay DeMarcus, Ed Cash, Wayne Haun CATEGORY 25

Southern Gospel Album of the Year

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

A Tribute to the Songs of Bill & Gloria Gaither, Booth Brothers, (producers) Nick Bruno, Ronnie Booth, Michael Booth, Jim Brady

Celebrate the

Impact

Canton Junction, Canton Junction, (producers) Michael Sykes, Aaron Crabb Glorious Day, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, (producer) Wayne Haun Pure and Simple, Gaither Vocal Band, (producers) Bill Gaither, Ben Isaacs, Michael English, David Phelps Some People Change, Michael English, (producers) Jay DeMarcus, Bill Gaither, Benjy Gaither

CATEGORY 27

Country Album of the Year

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

A Thousand Little Things, Point Of Grace, (producer) Ian Eskelin Back Home Again, Oak Ridge Boys, (producer) Ben Isaacs Eyes Wide Open, Jeff & Sheri Easter, (producers) Jeff & Sheri Easter, Greg Cole, Madison Easter Hymns, Guy Penrod, (producers) Guy Penrod, Pete Greene Mercy, Aaron & Amanda Crabb, (producers) Aaron Crabb, Ben Isaacs

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

Deep Roots, Steven Curtis Chapman, (producers) Brent Milligan, Steven Curtis Chapman

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Praise & Worship Experience, Marvin L. Winans , (producer) Marvin L. Winans The Best of Both Worlds, Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, (producers) Rick Robinson, Charles Jenkins Bishop Jerry L. Maynard Presents The Cathedral of Praise Choir, Cathedral of Praise Choir, (producers) Phil Hughley, Elvin Negron CATEGORY 30

Instrumental Album of the Year

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

100 Piano Hymns, Gerald Wolfe, (producer) Gerald Wolfe All Things Bright and Beautiful: Hymns for the Seasons, Andrew Greer, (producer) Andrew Greer Full Tank, Ben Tankard, (producer) Ben Tankard Glory, Michael W. Smith, (producer) David Hamilton, Michael W. Smith October Baby:Original Score, Paul Mills, (producer) Paul Mills

CATEGORY 28

CATEGORY 31

Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album of the Year

Anthony Brown & group therAPy, Anthony Brown & group therAPy, (producers) Anthony Brown, Justin Savage Full Tank, Ben Tankard, (producer) Ben Tankard Grace, Tasha Cobbs, (producer) VaShawn Mitchell Shake Heaven, Montell Jordan & Victory World Church, (producer) Montell Jordan Worship Soul, Anita Wilson, (producers) Rick Robinson, Anita Wilson

CATEGORY 26

Bluegrass Album of the Year

Life And Favor, John P. Kee & New Life, (producer) John P. Kee

CATEGORY 29

Traditional Gospel Album of the Year

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

Best Days, Tamela Mann, (producers) Myron Butler, David Mann, Tamela Mann

Children’s Music Album of the Year

Crazy Noise, Hillsong Kids Jr., (producers) Luke Munns, David Wakerley Gospel Sunday School Songs, Cedarmont Kids, (producers) Mike Gay, Sue Martin Gay Kids Music, Go Fish, (producers) Jamie Statema, Darren Rust Look Up, Gateway Next (Anna Byrd, Dara Maclean, Kiley Stephenson, Josh Coad, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, Grace Kane, Matt Birkenfeld, Joshua Fewell, Valerie Hayes and Clay Collins), (producer) Josh Alltop Pure-n-HeartKid: Live Praise and Worship Experience, Pure N Heart Kids, (producer) Alphaeus Anderson

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CATEGORY 32

Spanish Language Album of the Year

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

Dia De Redencion, Martin Smith, (producer) Martin Smith Donde Te Encuentro, Kari Jobe, (producer) Ed Cash, Matt Bronleewe Global Project Español (con Marcos Witt, Alex Campos, Marco Barrientos, Marcela Gandara), Hillsong, (producers) Andrew Crawford, Steve McPherson, Toni Romero Jesus En El Centro, Israel & New Breed, (producers) Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, Coalo Zamorano Mas Profundo, Christine D’Clario, (producers) Paul Mabury Mi Corazon Canta: Cantos de Alabanza Songs of Praise Vol. 1, Mark Gutierrez, Omar Galarza, Lily Cruz, John Montes, Christine D’Clario, Aaron Encinas, Aaron Barbosa, Harry Samuel, Alfonso Hernandez, (producer) Phil Sillas CATEGORY 33

Special Event Album of the Year

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

Celebrate the

Impact

Jesus, Firm Foundation: Hymns of Worship, Mike Donehey, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mark Hall, Mandisa, Nichole Nordeman, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Matt Maher, Kari Jobe, Building 429, Newsboys, Matthew West, Andy Cherry, Hillsong, Brandon Heath, (producers) Jason Ingram, Christopher Stevens, Mark A. Miller, Matt Bronleewe, Seth Mosley, Peter Kipley

Fortune & FIYA, Jennifer Hudson, Ricky Dillard & New G, Kierra Sheard, Donald Lawrence & Co., Vashawn Mitchell, Earnest Pugh, Myron Butler, Richard Smallwood, Wess Morgan, Smokie Norful, Anita Wilson, John P. Kee, Martha Munizzi, The Soul Seekers, Mali Music & Together We Stand Community Choir, Andrae Crouch, forever Jones, (producers) Stephen Lynn Smith, Ken Pennell CATEGORY 34

Christmas Album of the Year

Musical of the Year

Album, Arranger/Creator. Dove Award given to creator.

Changed by a Baby Boy, (arranger) Lari Goss Christ The Redeemer, (creators) Joel Lindsey, Jeff Bumgardner, Daniel Simpson, (arranger) Daniel Semsen Grace, (arranger) Travis Cottrell, Deborah Craig-Claar

Christmas, Francesca Battistelli, (producer) Ian Eskelin

Repeat the Sounding Joy, (creators) Wayne Haun, Dave Clark

Feels Like Christmas, Collingsworth Family, (producer) Wayne Haun

The Story-The Musical, (creators) Nichole Nordeman, Bernie Herms, David Hamilton, Deborah Craig-Claar

JOY, Steven Curtis Chapman, (producer) Brent Milligan, Steven Curtis Chapman

CATEGORY 37

Youth/Children’s Musical of the Year

Noel, Josh Wilson, (producers) Matt Bronleewe, Josh Wilson

Album, Arranger/Creator. Dove Award given to creator.

We Have A Savior, Hillsong, (producers) Matt Crocker

Blast Off!, (creators) Celeste Clydesdale, David T. Clydesdale

CATEGORY 35

A Rockin’ Royal Christmas, (creators) Celeste Clydesdale, David T. Clydesdale

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

Spend Awhile on the Nile, (creators) Christy Semsen, Daniel Semsen

Praise & Worship Album of the Year

All Sons and Daughters: Live, All Sons and Daughters, (producer) Paul Mabury Burning Lights, Chris Tomlin, (producers) Jason Ingram, Ed Cash, Dan Muckala

Live From New York, Jesus Culture with Martin Smith, (producer) Jeremy Edwardson Passion: Let The Future Begin, Chris Tomlin, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Redman, Brett Younker, Kari Jobe, Crowder, Christy Nockels, (producer) Nathan Nockels

Passion: White Flag, Kristian Stanfill, Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, David Crowder*Band, Matt Redman, Charlie Hall, (producer) Nathan Nockels

Passion: White Flag, Kristian Stanfill, Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, David Crowder*Band, Matt Redman, Charlie Hall, (producer) Nathan Nockels

Worth It All, Meredith Andrews, (producer) Paul Mabury

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CATEGORY 36

Album, Artist, Producer. Dove Award given to artist and producer (if other than the artist).

Passion: Let The Future Begin, Chris Tomlin, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Redman, Brett Younker, Kari Jobe, Crowder, Christy Nockels, (producer) Nathan Nockels

WOW GOSPEL 2012, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Isaac Carree, Marvin Sapp, Deitrick Haddon, Jessica Reedy, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Kim Burrell, 21:03, Israel Houghton, Lecrae, Fred Hammond, James

Nominations

The Secret of Snowflake County, (creators) Christy Semsen, Daniel Semsen The Star Factor, (creators) Christy Semsen, Daniel Semsen CATEGORY 38

Choral Collection of the Year

Album, Arranger/Creator. Dove Award given to creator.

A Merry Clydesdale Christmas, (arranger) David T. Clydesdale Carry Your Name, (arranger) Cliff Duren Ready to Sing: The Songs of Bill and Gloria Gaither Vol 2, (arranger) Russell Mauldin Season of Joy, (creators) Daniel Semsen, Deborah-Craig-Claar When The Stars Burn Down, (creators)Travis Cottrell, Autumn Hardman, Ryan Taubert

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CATEGORY 39

CATEGORY 40

CATEGORY 42

Album, Artist, Creative Team. Dove Award given to art director, graphic artist, photographer and illustrator.

Album, Director, Producer. Dove Award given to artist, director (if other than the artist), producer (if other than the artist).

Title, Director, Producer. Dove Award given to director and producer. In cooperation with The Dove Foundation

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year

Short Form Video of the Year

Christmas, Francesca Battistelli, (art director) Shane Tarleton, (graphic) Mat Goodwin,(illustrator) Alexis Ward, (photography) Eli McFadden Eye On It, TobyMac, (art director) Jan Cook, (graphic) Eddy Boer, Sarah Sung, (illustrator) Wendy Palau, (photography) Lee Steffen, (creative director) Boerhaus Give Us Rest or (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys]), David Crowder* Band, (art directors) Shelley Giglio, Leighton Ching, Jan Cook, (photography) Reid Rolls, (creative director) Leighton Ching, Toni Crowder JOY, Steven Curtis Chapman, (art directors) Tim Parker, Beth Lee, (photography) Russ Harrington, Camille Blinn, (creative director) Tim Parker Light for the Lost Boy (Special Edition), Andrew Peterson, (photography) Laura Dart, (creative director) Katie Moore True Defiance (Deluxe Edition), Demon Hunter, (art director) Invisible Creature, Inc., (illustrator) Angryblue/ Justin Kamerer, (photography) Caleb Kuhl, (creative director) Ryan Clark for Invisible Creature, Inc. The Struggle, Tenth Avenue North, (art director) Beth Lee, Tim Parker, (illustrator) Rembrandt Van Rijn, (photography) Parker Young, (creative director) Tim Parker

Build Your Kingdom Here, Rend Collective, (director) Greg Fromholz, (producer) Tiny Ark Eye One It, TobyMac (feat. Britt Nicole), (director) Eric Welch, (producer) Eric Welch Gold, Britt Nicole, (director) Josh Forbes, (producer) PJ Sodaski Keep Your Eyes Open, NEEDTOBREATHE, (director) Eric Ryan Anderson, (producer) Bo Rinehart The Proof of Your Love, for King & Country, (director) Ben Smallbone, (producers) Ben Smallbone, Ben Stansbury CATEGORY 41

Long Form Video of the Year

Title, Artist, Director, Producer. Dove Award given to artist, director (if other than the artist), producer (if other than the artist).

All Sons & Daughters Live, All Sons & Daughters , (director) Rhetorik, (producer) Rhetorik Cornerstone, Hillsong Live, (producers) Reuben Morgan, Andrew Crawford Hillsong UNITED: Live in Miami, Hillsong UNITED, (producers) Andrew Crawford, Joel Houston, Jad Gillies Jesus At The Center, Israel & New Breed, (director) Russell B. Hall, (producers) Iz and Linz

Celebrate the

Impact

Revealing Jesus, Darlene Zschech, (director) Micah Bickham, (producer) Israel Houghton

Inspirational Film of the Year

Amazing Love: The Story of Hosea, (director) Kevin Downes, (producers) Daryl LeFever, Rich Christiano Christmas With A Capital C, (director) Helmut Schleppi, (producers) Michael Scott, James Chankin, Peter Yoder Courageous, (director) Alex Kendrick, (producer) Stephen Kendrick Jerusalem Countdown, (director) Harold Cronk, (producers) James Chankin, Michael Scott, Matthew Tailford, David A.R. White Love Begins, (director) David S. Cass Sr., (producers) Erik Heiberg, Lincoln Lageson MONUMENTAL: In Search of America’s National Treasure, (director) Duane Barnhart, (producers) Duane Barnhart, Kirk Cameron, Angela Alvarez October Baby, (directors) Andrew & Jon Erwin, (producers) Dan Atchison, Justin Tolley, Jon Erwin, Andy Erwin The Bible, (directors) Tony Mitchell, Crispin Reece, Christopher Spencer, (producers) Lightworkers Media, Hearst Productions Travel The Road: Season One, (directors) Will Decker, Tim Scott, (producers) Will Decker, Tim Scott Seven Days In Utopia, (director) Matt Russell, (producers) James Berman, Mark G. Mathis

For a complete list of past winners,

visit DoveAwards.com/past-winners/ or scan this QR code with your smartphone.

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SONG OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Song of the Year

Nominees “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”

“All I Can Do (Thank You)”

The hymn-like combination of simple melodies and profound truth has made “10,000 Reasons” an instant congregational favorite in churches of every denomination around the world.

Songwriter, Matt Redman says that the timeless song was composed in less than an hour—“My friend, Jonas Myrin had an idea for a chorus melody and immediately the lyrics started to flow.”

Redman says the verses of the song are his effort to list some of the blessings God gives us, as the psalmist did in Psalm 103 (“He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases.

He redeems your life from the Pit; He crowns you with faithful love and compassion.”).

“In the verses of this song, we tried to make a little list of our own,” says Redman. The result is one of the most powerful worship anthems today.

Now 10 years into music-making, this bunch of dorm buddies turned band continues their signature blend of sing-a-long hooks with hard-hitting messages. MIKESCHAIR’S “All I Can Do (Thank You)” comes from a place of introspection about prayer that lead singer Mike Grayson describes this way: “I have a tendency to always look for the next thing coming up and I rarely rejoice in what God has done and what He has me in now. This song reminds me that I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to stop and say thank you.”

As for the unique band name, it is a reminder of God’s providence and of their humble beginnings in a dorm room at Nashville’s Belmont University where lead singer, Mike Grayson could often be found making music from “Mike’s Chair.”

Written by Matt Redman & Jonas Myrin Performed by Matt Redman on 10,000 Reasons

Written by Mike Grayson, Ben Glover, David Garcia; Performed by MIKESCHAIR on All or Nothing LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“Break Every Chain” Written by Will Reagan; Performed by Tasha Cobbs on Grace

“All I can do is thank you for this life I never deserved…All I can do, is say thank you”

at such notable events as T.D. Jakes’ Woman, Thou Art Loosed!

Tasha says that the song ministered to her so powerfully when she first heard it that she listened to it all night. When it was time to record, she told her producer, Vashawn Mitchell, “We have to do this song!”

Originally written in 2009 and released in 2010 by Will Reagan and the United Pursuit Band, this powerful song has spread like wildfire across the country having been recorded LY R I C S P O T L I G H T: by numerous artists and sung in sanctuaries around the world.

The impact of the song reverberates from the dynamic truth echoed in the chorus, “There is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain.” Gospel vocalist Tasha Cobbs delivers a powerful rock-tinged version of this worship favorite. In recent months, Cobbs has spread the infectious chant throughout the airwaves and arenas

“There is power in the name of Jesus, To break every chain, Break every chain, Break every chain”

LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, Oh my soul, Worship His holy name”

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SONG OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Song of the Year

Nominees

“Forgiveness”

Written by Matthew West; Performed by Matthew West on Into the Light

LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“The prisoner that it really frees is you, forgiveness”

Renee Napier was the mother of four children until her 20-year-old daughter Meagan was fatally struck and killed by a 24-year-old drunk driver, Eric Smallridge. Killed as well, was Meagan’s friend, Lisa Dickson. Eric survived the accident and was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Following the ordeal, Renee began to speak out against the dangers of drunk driving.

Eventually, God showed Renee that she had not really forgiven Eric.

Renee went to visit Eric in prison to share with him that she had now forgiven him even though he confessed that he couldn’t forgive himself. She even went on to get his prison sentence cut in half to 11 years! Through Renee’s and her family’s example of love, grace and forgiveness, Eric came to faith in Jesus Christ.

Matthew says that her story challenged him to examine his own heart. After reading thousands of letters of true stories for his latest album, Matthew chose to share Renee’s story through the song, “Forgiveness.”

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“From My Rags To His Riches”

Written by Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey; Performed by Devin McGlamery featuring Dailey & Vincent on Love is a Verb Joined by Bluegrass powerhouse, Dailey & Vincent, the soulful tenor of Devin McGlamery gives life to a great tune from the pen of southern gospel mainstay Ernie Haase and celebrated songwriters, Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey.

The song celebrates the wonder of salvation with poignant imagery and clever lyrics. This is McGlamery’s first solo effort but fans will recognize his distinct voice as lead singer of Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. Prior to joining EHSS, he had a five-year stint as lead and tenor for southern gospel’s Karen Peck & New River.

Before KPNR, Devin spent five years with the Dixie Melody Boys, another popular gospel group he started touring with when he was just 17!

LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“From my rags to his riches, He made an even trade”

“Greatly Blessed, Highly Favored”

Written by Larry Gatlin, Bill Gaither Performed by Gaither Vocal Band on Greatly Blessed, Highly Favored In true Gaither Vocal Band form, this song features the tight harmonies and straight-ahead gospel lyrics that generations of fans have come to expect from this stalwart group. In less than three minutes, this short composition belts out an assuring chorus that gets feet tapping and hands clapping.

Commenting on the impact of the song, Bill Gaither says, “We really do feel ‘greatly blessed’ that this song has found a special place in the hearts of listeners. No matter what the economy is doing, or what is going on in Washington, or how much turbulence is going on around us, somehow it helps to remember that God’s love for His children never wavers. We’re imperfect… but forgiven.

That alone is reason to celebrate.”

LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“Greatly blessed and highly favored, imperfect but forgiven, Child of God”

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SONG OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Song of the Year

Nominees

“Hold On”

Written by Gerald Crabb; Performed by Canton Junction on Show Me Your Way Some things are more fun with friends— just ask singer/songwriter Aaron Crabb; award-winning bass vocalist Tim Duncan; singer, pastor and author Matthew Hagee; and acclaimed vocalist Shane McConnell. As a foursome, Canton Junction combines great solo talents into one voice that is introducing a new sound to southern gospel music.

Indeed, the group’s name literally means “the crossroads of different subjects or regions into one gathering point.”

The Crabb family patriarch, Gerald, wrote “Hold LY R I C S P O T L I G H T: On” and explains the song this way: “It’s a song about patience— something that most everybody struggles with. The ole good book still says, ‘Those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength!’ It’s tough but sometimes we just have to wait!”

“Hold on, a little longer, the answer is on the way”

“I’m Learning”

Written by Lee Black, Michael Fordinal, Kenna West; Performed by Aaron & Amanda Crabb on Mercy “We heard it and immediately thought, ‘That’s just us.’” say lovebirds Aaron & Amanda Crabb.

“We’re learning life as we live it and learning the things that matter and the things that don’t,’ Aaron says.

Since The Crabb Family band mutually decided to pursue other endeavors, Aaron & Amanda have stayed busy serving as worship leaders at San Antonio’s Cornerstone Church and making music as a duo. One of the things they are learning is this: “The most important thing is your family and your relationship with God because relationships with people and things on this earth one day are going to pass away, but He will be forever. “

LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“One thing’s for certain, I’m not perfect but I’m learning”

“Live Like That”

Written by Dave Frey, Ben McDonald, Ben Glover; Performed by Sidewalk Prophets on Live Like That After winning the 2010 Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, the Sidewalk Prophets have continued to live up to the hype with their universally praised sophomore effort, Live Like That.

The title track is a rocking and poetic number that picks up where their pensive smash hit, “The Words I Would Say,” leaves off, challenging readers to think about the essence of life.

In the song, lead singer Dave Frey reflects, “Sometimes I think, What will people say of me, When I’m only just a memory…” In the end, this song encourages listeners to live intentionally and to affect the world for good.

LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“I want to live like that, and give it all I have, so that everything I say and do points to You”

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SONG OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Song of the Year

Nominees

“Need You Now (How Many Times)”

“Not For a Moment (After All)”

After struggling for many years with painful panic attacks and debilitating anxiety, Plumb wrote and recorded this powerful song in October, 2011 in preparation for her new album which was to release a few months later. However, personal challenges caused her to hit “rock bottom” derailing her album release and her life. Amidst financial challenges, a marital separation and major career decisions, Plumb says that the words of her album, recorded months prior seemed prophetic—the lyrics spoke to where she was during that dark time in her life.

Six months later, she and her husband had reconciled and Plumb says that the ministry of Christian music made more of an impact on her than at any other time in her life.

In a pay-it-forward kind of way, her song, “Need You Now” is helping other people walk through the most difficult seasons of their lives.

Where is God when bad things happen? The lead single from Meredith Andrews newest release has connected with thousands of listeners, offering hope to this age-old question and climbing to No. 4 on Billboard’s Christian Soft AC/ Inspirational chart.

Andrews co-wrote the song with her husband, Jacob Sooter and friend, Mia Fieldes. She recalls this about the writing process: “We talked about the constant faithfulness and goodness of God and the fact that He is Sovereign in every detail of our lives. We all got pretty emotional as we reminded ourselves that God is Who He says He is and He is with us every moment of our lives even when we don’t feel that that is true.

“Shortly after writing ‘Not For A Moment,’ Jacob and I walked through a really hard season with both of our families. We experienced loss and heartache and I’m pretty sure we asked the Lord ‘why’ at least a thousand times, yet He remained constant and good and sovereign and as we walked through those dark days, He brought these lyrics to our minds and hearts.”

Written by Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, Luke Sheets, Christa Wells; Performed by Plumb on Need You Now

LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“How many times have you given me strength to just keep breathing…

God, I need you now.”

Written by Meredith Andrews, Jacob Sooter, Mia Fieldes; Performed by Meredith Andrews on Worth It All

LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“I was held in Your arms, carried for a thousand miles to show, not for a moment did You forsake me”

“One Thing Remains”

Written by Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Jeremy Riddle Performed by Kristian Stanfill on Passion: White Flag What do you get when more than 40,000 college kids get together to worship Jesus—Passion! Recorded live from the 2012 Passion Conference, this congregational worship anthem originally sung in the services of Bethel Church in Redding, CA has reminded worshippers around the world of the unending love of God. The songs authors, Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford and Jeremy Riddle are all regular contributors to Bethel Music projects.

Stanfill cultivated his musical chops as a high school kid teaching himself how to play LY R I C S P O T L I G H T: guitar while leading worship near his hometown, Marietta, GA. Today, he serves at Passion City Church (Pastor Louie Giglio) in Atlanta.

“Constant in the trial and the change, this one thing remains…Your love never fails”

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SONG OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Song of the Year

Nominees

“Redeemed”

Written by Mike Weaver, Benji Cowart Performed by Big Daddy Weave on Love Come to Life After years of struggling with personal acceptance and self worth, frontman Mike Weaver says the Holy Spirit confronted him asking, “Why don’t you let me show you the way that I see you?” In the privacy of his garage, Mike says that God flooded his heart and mind, showing Him the way that He sees him. The result was not only a moving song that has touched millions of people but also a profound new sense of worth and value for Weaver.

“God LY R I C S P O T L I G H T: redefined humility for me that day,” says Weaver.

“God showed me that real humility is simply agreeing with whatever He says about anything and, as a child of God—someone who has been ransomed by the blood of Jesus—when God looks at me, He sees me as redeemed.”

“I am redeemed, You set me free, so I’ ll shake off these heavy chains…”

“Sometimes I Wonder”

Written by Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey; Performed by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound “Most of our songs are statements of faith, but this song is about some of the questions we have,” says Ernie Haase.

Working with longtime collaborators Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey, the three songsmiths began to talk about the passing of several loved ones and found that they had common questions.

Haun suggested they transfer their discussion to a song and so it was that “Sometimes I Wonder” was born.

Haun chimes in, “There’s so much wonder to Heaven. There’s so much mystery about it and as humans we’re curious. The older I get, the more I notice and am affected by people who are facing things like cancer and heart attacks. When you lose someone, it raises questions and it’s not that we’re questioning God, we just wonder, ‘Do they see me?’”

LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“Do you wish we were there with you?...Oh, sometimes I wonder”

“Take Him To The Place”

Written by Aaron & Amanda Crabb Performed by Aaron & Amanda Crabb on Mercy “Take Him to the Place,” is a beautiful ballad penned by Aaron & Amanda Crabb that was inspired during a trip to Israel. Amanda remembers writing a prayer and placing it on the Western Wall. In her pray she said, “God I want to be creative again for your glory. I want to write songs. I want fresh ideas.”

She recounts the moments that followed, “I stuck the prayer in the wall, put my hand on the wall and just said a quiet prayer. I backed away because the Jews believe you never turn your back to the presence of God. As I’m walking backwards, I started hearing these lyrics for the next two hours as I was walking in Jerusalem.”

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LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“Doesn’t matter where you’ve been, or whatever you have faced…Just take him to the place”

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SONG OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Song of the Year

Nominees

“Take Me to the King”

Written by Kirk Franklin; Performed by Tamela Mann on Better Days Few artists have had the range of success Tamela Mann has enjoyed.

Her sincerity and amazing talent have opened doors for her to shine on stage, on TV, in movies and in the recording studio. An original member of the genrebusting group, Kirk Franklin and the Family, Mann reunited with Franklin, to score one of the biggest hits of the year, “Take Me to the King,” which peaked at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Songs chart.

“This song says what a lot of people are thinking but not saying,” says Mann. “It touches the heart of people because people are tired. They don’t know how they are going to make it.

They’re praying and saying, ‘Lord, do you hear me?’

But God is still on the throne and we just have to pray, trust and stand on the Word of God. He is in control.

You can take it all to the King.”

LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“Take me to the King, I don’t have much to bring, my heart is torn in pieces, it’s my offering”

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“The Proof of Your Love”

Written by Joel Smallbone, Fred Williams, Luke Smallbone, Ben Glover, Mia Fieldes, Johnathan Lee; Performed by for King & Country on Crave Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone hit a nerve with their second single “The Proof of Your Love.” The song issues a challenge to make our lives the proof of God’s love in a cynical, unloving world.

Reflecting on the impact of the song, Luke says, “It’s strange because a year ago, nobody knew the songs and now people come up and say, ‘That song you wrote really impacted my life.’ It’s incredibly powerful and really cool.”

In preparation for their debut album, the brothers wrote nearly 100 songs over a four-year period! Joel says, “Proof of Your Love” was one of the last songs we wrote for the record.

“We wanted to find the centerpiece and heartbeat of this record and of what we want to say as musicians.”

In his own words, that centerpiece is this “We are best as humans when we love God, others and ourselves well.”

LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“So let my life be the proof, the proof of Your love, let my love look like You, and what You’re made of ”

“What The Blood Is For”

Written by Ronnie Freeman, Tony Wood; Performed by Jason Crabb on Love Is Stronger One of the most heralded, dynamic and versatile voices in Christian music, Jason Crabb’s latest solo album, Love Is Stronger features this soaring ballad complete with a 40-piece orchestra under the direction of producer Wayne Haun.

At times tender and remorseful and then powerful and reaching, this masterful song reminds listeners that the blood of Christ cleanses from sin time and time again. Fans across the country have truly connected with the powerful message this song presents—when Jason sings it live, there’s seldom a dry eye in the place!

LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“That’s what the blood is for, it cleans the dirty man I am, makes it possible stand before you Lord, that’s what the blood is for.”

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SONG OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Song of the Year

Nominees

“Where I Belong”

Written by Jason Roy, Jason Ingram Performed by Building 429 on Listen to the Sound Started nearly 15 years ago, Building 429 continues to bring the truth through music to audiences around the world. Their song, “Where I Belong” encourages Christians to look through the challenges of life to see that we are on a journey to our eternal home.

Band co-founder and “Where I Belong” co-writer Jason Roy sets up the song this way: “If you watch the news for more than 10 minutes at a time, you see a lot of crazy stuff going on in the world. People want to know, ‘Where is God now?’”

While doing a group Bible study, Roy was challenged to think more deeply about the implications of the fact that Earth is not our perfect home but that there is another place for the faithful.

“Living with that thought process makes everything look different. I know that I’m not home yet. I will not live for the things that this world has to offer.

What our souls long for the most is a place of peace—a place called home.”

“Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)”

Written by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Scott Cash; Performed by Chris Tomlin on Burning Lights Sometimes what we mistakenly call coincidence has God’s fingerprints all over it. Such is the incredible story behind the lead single from Chris Tomlin’s latest album, Burning Lights.

Chris says, “The record was really finished but I just had this thought, ‘I should write a song with my friend Ed Cash.’” The two longtime collaborators had written songs before including the modern worship standard, “How Great is Our God.” Chris continues, “I sent him a text, ‘Hey, Are you around? I feel like we are supposed to write a song together,’ and immediately Ed wrote back.” The night before, Ed’s wife had asked him to pray with her as she was in a spiritual fight.

Picking up his guitar, Ed began to sing a chorus—“I know who goes before me…”

And the rest is music history.

LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“I know Who goes before me, I know Who stands behind, the God of angel armies, is always by my side”

“Why Can’t We”

Written by Rebecca Isaacs Bowman, Sonya Isaacs, Jimmy Yeary Performed by The Isaacs on Why Can’t We Written by sisters, Becky and Sonya LY R I C S P O T L I G H T: Isaacs along with Sonya’s husband, country artist, Jimmy Yeary, “Why Can’t We” is everything audiences have come to love from The Isaacs for nearly 20 years. On this, the title track of their latest release, the group’s signature harmonies shine as Ben Isaac’s upright bass strums along under a beautiful string arrangement.

The verses of the song juxtapose the story of a man who can’t forgive himself with another person who won’t offer forgiveness. In the end, Jesus Christ is pictured as our model of forgiveness.

“It’s easy to hold a grudge,” says Sonya. “It’s easy to hold onto a hurt.

You may have every reason not to forgive someone but if you want to be Christ-like, you have to forgive. He was the perfect example of that.”

“If He can let it go and set the debtor free, if He can keep forgiving you and me, why can’t we”

LY R I C S P O T L I G H T:

“All I know is I’m not home yet, this is not where I belong, take this world and give me Jesus”

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ARTIST OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Francesca Battistelli What comes from the heart touches the heart—this maxim best explains the deep connection listeners feel to the transparent songwriting and honest performances of Francesca Battistelli. “What I tend to write naturally is songs from my life,” she says.

Battistelli’s songs have become the soundtrack to millions of lives, helping people to laugh when life makes us want to cry. With an earthy blend of wit, wisdom and faith, her head on approach to life and music has impacted non-believers and believers alike, which is very important to Battistelli.

Since picking up her guitar to write Christian music as a teenager, she has sought to “bring something authentic to the scene that even non-Christians could listen to.”

It’s a dream she has long since fulfilled. Not only did her debut album, My Paper Heart produce four major hits on the Christian charts—”I’m Letting Go,” “Free To Be Me,” “It’s Your Life” and “Beautiful Beautiful”— her music spread like wildfire on TV shows including ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, NBC’s The Biggest Loser, FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance, TLC’s Jon & Kate Plus 8, MTV’s The Hills and the Style Network’s Running in Heels.

My Paper Heart was the biggest-seller for a debut Christian artist in nearly a decade and the longestrunning #1 for a female artist in Billboard Christian Album Chart history. The album has been certified Gold by RIAA. Her record-breaking sales only tell one side of the F R A N C ESCA’ S broad impact of Francesca Battistelli. This powerful story reveals another: “I was on tour with MercyMe signing autographs after the show,” she begins. “A girl came up with nothing to sign. She just shook my hand and told me she’d heard ‘It’s Your Life’ on the finale of Jon & Kate Plus 8. She said, ‘I really liked the song and so I went and found your record. It helped “I want Jesus to shine in everything I do, me to come to know Christ.’ She said, ‘Thank you’ so people meet Him when they hear my music.” and squeezed my hand and walked away. I stood there with my mouth hanging open…My dream is that people who would never turn on a Christian radio station would maybe hear a song and like it and “I meet someone whose life has been changed by the find the album and make a turn to God. That hapmusic they hear on one of my CDs or at a concert.” pened at least once and I love that.”

Her latest album, Hundred More Years: Deluxe Edition released March 12, 2013.

ImpactMotivators #1 What impact do you hope to make on the world through your music? #2 I am reminded why I do what I do, every time...

#3 When a person tells me that my music has touched them…

“It’s a surreal, incredible feeling, and I’m so grateful every time it happens.”

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ARTIST OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Lecrae William Carey. Hudson Taylor. Lecrae?

No one can know whether the annals of history will record the impact of hip hop artist Lecrae alongside that of great Christian missionaries of the past, but in his own way, Lecrae has embedded himself into a culture that is foreign to the gospel with aims of reaching many people for Christ—and its working.

The popular emcee has defied every expectation of a “gospel rapper;” his September 4, 2012 release Gravity sold 72,473 units in its first week, charting at #3 on Billboard’s Top 200; he won the Grammy for Best Gospel Album in 2013; Pepsi picked his single “Round of Applause” as one of three “must hear” songs alongside Justin Timberlake and will.i.am; he is the first and only Christian artist to be spotlighted on the BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher, rapping alongside hip hop’s elite.

Lecrae’s example and influence have attracted the admiration of several mainstream hip hop personalities including David Banner, B.o.B., Big K.R.I.T. and Don Cannon who have collaborated with him on videos, songs and mix tapes. But, there’s a hidden impact that Lecrae is making which doesn’t show up on CDs or sales charts.

One example is the story of rapper No Malice (formerly Malice of the Clipse) who reached out to Lecrae to help LECRAE’S him navigate a change of heart that led to a new walk of faith. No Malice’s story has gone public but there are many discussions about life and faith that Lecrae is able to have because of his place in the R&B and rap world. And that’s exactly how Lecrae wants it. He relocated to Atlanta several years ago so that he could better impact the culture he feels called to reach.

Not content to impact culture through music alone, “I want to change the way people see the world; Lecrae’s Reach Records founded ReachLife Ministries I want them to see things from God’s lenses.” which has produced discipleship resources for urban contexts including the “Man Up” CDs and conferences which address social issues such as fatherlessness and the first Unashamed Conference, which engaged “I read letters from people who have been impacted.” the label’s band of followers in deeper conversations about what it means to unashamedly live out the gospel every day.

ImpactMotivators

#1 What impact do you hope to make on the world through your music? #2 I am reminded why I do what I do, every time...

#3 When a person tells me that my music has touched them…

“It humbles me. It makes me realize God’s doing something far bigger than me.”

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ARTIST OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Tamela Mann Tamela Mann is one of those special people who make you feel like you’ve known them for 20 years after just 20 minutes. Even if she weren’t blessed with an amazing voice, her warm, sincere and friendly way would cause her to succeed anywhere because everyone who gets to know Tamela Mann comes to love her—including the millions of people she has impacted through music, theater, film and television.

Released on August 14, 2012, her fourth solo project, Best Days, has stayed in the top 5 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums charts for more than a year on the strength of the runaway song, “Take Me to the King” which reunited Mann with Kirk Franklin. As a part of Kirk Franklin & the Family, Tamela lived out her dream, “I always wanted to sing; it was my heart’s desire,” she says.

After nearly 10 years with Franklin, the group disbanded leaving Tamela disappointed and unsure about what was next. “I cried when it was over because I felt like that was my purpose and my call,” she recalls. “But, God has the master plan. I thought it was the end, not knowing that I was going into acting which would be a new platform for me.”

After performing in one of David E. Talbert’s gospel stage plays, Tamela and her husband, David Mann TA M E L A’ S met an upstart playwright working on his second play—Tyler Perry. Perry asked David and Tamela to join the small cast including a new character named, “Madea” and so it began. Together, Perry and the Manns have worked on seven plays, four movies What impact do you hope to make and the hit series, Meet the Browns in which Tamela on the world through your music? played, “Cora,” the daughter of “Downtown Leroy S. “I want to bring hope, joy and encourageencourage Brown,” played by her husband David. Tamela’s role ment to people through my music.” in the 2012 film Sparkle set her opposite Whitney Houston, in Houston’s final film appearance.

I am reminded why I do Tamela Mann’s theater, TV and film experience have what I do, every time... set the stage perfectly, bringing her genuine personality “…someone tells me a testimony about how my music has blessed them or encouraged them.” and exceptional talent before the world. Her efforts as a solo artist have won numerous awards including an When a person tells me that NAACP Image Award and a 2011 Dove Award for her my music has touched them… album, “The Master Plan.”

“It brings tears to my eyes because I’ve always In personal news, Tamela had her dream wedding prayed to be able to share the message of hope this year, as she and David renewed their vows in through my music. I’ve always wanted to share celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary. my heart with people through my songs.”

ImpactMotivators #1

#2

#3

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ARTIST OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

TobyMac Perhaps the only label big enough to fit the iconic TobyMac is boundless. Since his days with DC Talk, he has never fit neatly in a box. His creativity and passion for diversity have consistently caused the Christian music industry to re-examine itself artistically, spiritually and morally over the last 25 years.

As an artist, TobyMac has always been in the vanguard for Christian music, but even after 25 years in music, he is still a trendsetter. Life and experience, mixed with decades of crafting hits in the studio and rocking thousands of stages, have created this version of TobyMac—every bit as passionate as the college student who co-founded DC Talk in 1988, but lots more effective in bringing the good news to the world with his hip hop-influenced pop sound.

Spiritually and morally, TobyMac and DC Talk challenged predefined notions about race, rap and rock. What could possibly keep rockers, Michael and Kevin and rapper, TobyMac together? Over the course of ten years, these men showed us that the common mission of reaching people for God brings people together and creates what TobyMac has reintroduced to the world as a “DiverseCity.” Through their example and non-profit, E.R.A.C.E. Foundation, the work of racial reconciliation forges ahead.

TobyMac’s August 28, 2012 release of Eye On It serves as an exclamation point on a career that has already been revolutionary. Eye On It debuted at #1 TOBYMAC’S on Billboard’s Top 200 making TobyMac only the third artist from the Christian charts to capture that pinnacle.

Fans line up around the country to see TobyMac and DiveseCity’s energetic show. This winter, TobyMac will again headline the wildly successful “Hits Deep Tour,” slated to visit twice as many cities this year as it did last year.

In addition to being a A-list artist, TobyMac has also made deposits in the next generation through his label, Gotee Records, home to an impressive lineup of young artists as diverse as their founder. Through “Gospel/Christian artists are an important part of society and our voice needs to be heard, Gotee, TobyMac has introduced more than 30 acts to for all the right reasons.” the Christian music scene since 1994.

On the personal side, TobyMac and his wife Amanda “The most amazing feeling for any live in Franklin, TN with their five children ranging from artist/songwriter is to take a song that age 15 to age 7.

ImpactMotivators

#1 “Every line I write, I’m thinking about how to serve humankind, whether they’re people who share in the faith I have or not.”

#2

#3

came form your heart and have the audience sing every word along with you.

That is a sweet humbling moment.”

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ARTIST OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Chris Tomlin The songs of Chris Tomlin were sung more than 3,000,000 times last year in churches across America.

Around the world, Christian Copyright Licensing International reports that 128 songs that Tomlin wrote or co-wrote were used in churches earning him the title, “Most Sung Artist on the Planet,” in one CNN report.

Tomlin’s songwriting catalog is a veritable hymnal for the last 10 years of congregational worship—without any help, most church attendees can sing along to any of the following modern worship standards: “Famous One,” “Holy Is the Lord,” “How Great is Our God,” “Indescribable,” “Forever,” “Everlasting God,” “God of this City.”

Tomlin’s songs have become intertwined with today’s worship experience, which is all he ever hoped for. Tomlin shares, “I pray that the songs rise way past me and are no longer attached to me, and they just become songs that are in the fabric of the Church, the people.”

As a high school student in Texas, Tomlin began to write worship music. He continued to perfect his craft in college. While a worship leader at a local church, he met an impassioned young leader with a heart to reach college students, Louie Giglio who asked him to join the vision of the Passion Conference. Passion has become one of the most anticipated and impactful perennial events since it began in 1997. Twenty music recordings have been released; most recently, Passion: Let the Future Begin, on which Tomlin wrote or performed on half of CHRIS’ the tracks.

This year, Passion attracted more than 60,000 people and helped to push Tomlin’s January 8, 2013 debut of Burning Lights to #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, becoming only the fourth album in contemporary Christian music to hit that watermark with 73,000 units sold.

What impact do you hope to make In the face of such success and influence, it is easy on the world through your music? to imagine that Tomlin would become isolated and “My hope is to write songs that help people find their voice in worship to God.” eccentric. Instead, he continues to co-write most of his songs, believing that a good song can become great I am reminded why I do when you let others in on it. He also remains humbled by what I do, every time... the broad impact he’s had. He reflects, “To think that you “I get a glimpse of how God is using were inspired to put words and a melody together and these songs in His church.” somehow it reaches someone in their deepest valley or highest peak, and everywhere in between, is so special.”

When a person tells me that Chris and his wife Lauren live in Atlanta with their twomy music has touched them… year-old daughter, Ashlyn. He is an active part of the “It is truly humbling to me. Songs become soundtracks for our lives and I count it a Passion City Church plant, started by Giglio five years ago. privilege to be a small part of that.”

ImpactMotivators #1

#2

#3

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“OF THE YEAR” NOMINEES

Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year Nominees “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”

O

by Matt Redman

EMI Records | Producer: Nathan Nockels

ne day, history may record the name Matt Redman alongside those of Charles Wesley and Isaac Watts. Like other great English hymn writers before him, Redman skillfully weds singable melodies with great doctrinal truths that aid congregants in public worship and private devotion. His smash hit, “10,000 Reasons” has sold nearly 700,000 units and been embraced around the world as an ode to the majesty of God. “It was a really special moment,” says Redman of the less than one hour that it took to write this ethereal song.

When the song was recorded, Redman says it was an equally awe-inspiring moment, “I had a sense of ‘You’re not making anything happen here but you’re helping to pull out of the people what’s already in them.’”

Redman continues, “Sometimes you put the

right song in there and you give people a way of speaking to [what they are feeling]—you give them a chance to explode with their praise.”

Redman has previously won six Dove Awards including two for Worship Song of the Year (2005, 2011). His newest project, “Your Grace Finds Me” released on September 24, 2013 and is already garnering rave reviews.

“Need You Now (How Many Times)” by Plumb Curb | Producer: Matt Bronleewe

Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, best known as Plumb, has enjoyed a diversely successful career having had multiple #1 singles and albums in the Christian, Mainstream and the Dance worlds. Her latest studio album, Need You Now is her sixth. The title single “Need You Now” soared to #1 on iTunes Christian, also hitting #1 on multiple formats and charting for over a year on the Billboard Christian Radio Charts. The single’s remix even hit the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot Dance Charts showing the breadth of Plumb’s fan base.

The painful life experience that birthed “Need You Now” dates back to Plumb’s adolescence. “Need You Now was born out of anxiety and panic attacks I had as a teenager,” explains Plumb. “I’ve

learned over the years that no matter how many times I’ve cried out to God, for whatever reason, He never grows tired. He never leaves us alone or gives us more than we can carry because he loves us. No matter what we’ve done.

I’m so thankful this song that has helped me, can give hope to others as well.”

Plumb won the Dove Award for Modern Rock Album of the Year in 2000 and is currently headlining a 20+ city tour.

“Redeemed”

by Big Daddy Weave

Fervent/Curb | Producer: Jeremy Redmon

Sometimes our sweetest victories come from the bitterest places in our lives. Such is the case for Mike Weaver, founding member of Big Daddy Weave and writer of the hit song “Redeemed.”

“Redeemed” is the most successful track of the group’s career, spending 12 weeks at #1 on Christian radio charts and selling over 250,000 units.

The song was birthed out of Weaver’s personal struggle with self worth. One day, while hanging out in his garage, Weaver says the Holy Spirit asked, “Why don’t you let me show you the way that I see you?” What followed was an intimate time with the Lord that left Weaver a changed man.

His words reflecting how God sees His children have connected with audiences around the country and become the inspiration for a new devotional book that released in August 2013.

Big Daddy Weave is currently headlining the “The Only Name Tour” and has received one Dove Award (2010).

PLUMB

M AT T R E D M A N

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MICHAEL ENGLISH

B I G DA D DY W E AV E

BUILDING 429

F O R K I N G & C O U N T RY

DAV I D P H E L P S

“The Dream”

by David Phelps

Gaither Music Group Producers: David Phelps, Bill Gaither

What can’t David Phelps sing! The gifted tenor, famous for belting out passionate vocal performances as part of the Gaither Vocal Band takes on classical, patriotic and inspirational favorites in the solo album, Classic. The performance was captured live at the historic Franklin Theater in Franklin, TN and broadcast as a PBS special.

The track, “The Dream” is an angelic arrangement complete with a choir and orchestra. Phelps turns in an inspiring and worshipful performance flawlessly hitting notes that showcase his powerfully unique voice. His electrifying vocal performance on this CD is not to be missed!

Phelps is the winner of four Dove Awards.

“The Proof of Your Love” by for

King & Country

Fervent/Curb | Producer: Ben Glover

Newcomers, for King & Country have reverberated through the Christian music scene with rousing live performances that caused one critic to hail them as “Australia’s answer to Coldplay.” The Aussie-born Nashville transplants started on the indie scene before being signed to their first major label deal in 2009.

In preparation for their album, brothers, Luke and Joel Smallbone wrote nearly 100 songs! “We want to be known for writing music that is authentic, real and from the heart,” says Joel. “Music has been a very therapeutic thing for us. There’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears that went into this record and what spurred us on is this whole idea that we can make a difference. That music, our music, can have the power to impact someone’s life for the better.”

The single “Proof of Your Love” spent more than 30 weeks on Billboards Christian Music charts, peaking at #8.

“Where I Belong”

by Building 429

Essential Records Producers: Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp

Over the past eight years, the 2005 New Artist of the Year Dove Award winners, Building 429 has cemented their band as a fixture in Christian music. Their contemplative lyrics and accessible rock sound have touched the hearts of millions of listeners.

The band has always maintained a heavy touring schedule, which has allowed them to reach tens of thousands of fans in person each year.

Building 429 is currently headlining the “United We Stand Tour.”

Jason Roy is the band’s lead singer and principle songwriter. Roy says the song, “Where I Belong,” was written in response to a Bible study that brought to the fore the reality that this earth is not the eternal home for believers.

“Where I Belong” became one of the band’s biggest hits to date, spiking to #1 on Billboard’s National Christian Audience chart and maintaining that spot for a record 15 weeks straight. The song went on to be named Billboard’s #1 Christian Radio Song of 2012.

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“OF THE YEAR” NOMINEES

Southern Gospel Performance of the Year Nominees “Glorious Freedom”

by Gaither Vocal Band

Gaither Music Group | Producers: Bill Gaither, Ben Isaacs, Michael English, David Phelps

A

t 77 years old, Bill Gaither is continuing to add great music to his 57-year career! The Gaither Vocal Band began more than 30 years ago as four guys having fun around a piano and since then, the GVB sound has become a staple in Christian music. No matter who the talented lineup has been over the years, the Gaither Vocal Band has always been synonymous with great southern gospel music.

True to form, the group’s most recent album, “Pure and Simple” features the GVB sound front and center with production help from Ben Isaacs.

One of the songs that has captured the hearts of fans is “Glorious Freedom.”

Penned in 1917 by influential hymnist Haldor Lillenas, the Gaither Vocal Band breathes life into these 100 year old lyrics about the

freedom believers have in Jesus Christ. Singing lead is longtime GVB vocalist David Phelps whose range and passionate delivery are on full display during the songs spirited finale.

The Gaither Vocal Band has won 16 Dove Awards ranging from 1992 to 2011.

“Sometimes I Wonder” by Ernie

Haase & Signature Sound

StowTown Records | Producer: Wayne Haun

With energy to spare, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound are one of the most entertaining and refreshing groups in southern gospel as evidenced by the huge demand for their two DVD releases—”Dream On” which debuted at #1 on the Contemporary Christian Music Video Chart and 2010’s A Tribute to the Cathedral Quartet which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Music Video chart.

Incorporating heavy doses of choreography and layered quartet harmonies to their performances, EHSS delivers a show that fans can’t get enough of. The group also delivers significant ministry between songs and after the show with fans.

Under the hand of master producer, Wayne Haun, “Sometimes I Wonder” takes the listener on a journey where questions are asked

about what life might be like on the other side, across the Jordan. The tender ballad has resonated with those who have lost loved ones, including Haase himself whose father-in-law, quarter pioneer George Younce of The Cathedrals died in 2005.

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound have won two Dove Awards for “Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year” (2008, 2009) and a Dove Award for “Southern Gospel Album of the Year” in 2008. Wayne Haun has won 19 Dove Awards since 2000.

“Stubborn (Psalm 151)”

by Michael English Curb Records | Producer: Jay DeMarcus

With a tenor voice as dynamic as any, the talent and his testimony of Michael English are truly unforgettable. Longtime fans will remember that nearly 20 years ago, English’s world came crashing down in a very public way after he confessed to a marital affair shortly after winning four Dove Awards. The tailspin that followed included homelessness, drug addiction and hopelessness, but God has been forgiving and gracious to English. Personally and professionally, he has been given a second chance and he is making the most of it.

As a returned member of the venerable Gaither Vocal Band and a busy solo artist in his own right, English is back on the road, in churches and on stages doing what he loves—singing God’s praises. His

E R N I E H A A S E & S I G N AT U R E S O U N D

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MICHAEL ENGLISH

JASON CR ABB

GAITHER VOCAL BAND

T H E I S A AC S

latest solo album, Some People Change, celebrates God’s redemptive work in the lives of His people.

One of the standout tracks titled, “Stubborn (Psalm 151) was produced

by Rascal Flatt’s Jay DeMarcus. The song describes a Pauline struggle between the good and evil desires inside a believer. English’s personal story adds loads of credibility to every lyric and his skillful crafting of every note has hit home for thousands of listeners.

English is the recipient of 15 Dove Awards.

“What the Blood is For”

by Jason Crabb

Gaither Music Group | Producers: Wayne Haun

Over the past 15 years, Jason Crabb’s unmistakable sound has brought him from the 3,400 person town of Beaver Dam, KY to the world. “What I’ve always loved about Jason’s vocal performance is the passion you hear and feel from the first note of each song,” shares producer Wayne Haun.

“Passion” is the perfect word to describe the vocal presentation of Jason Crabb. A beloved member of the entire music community, avid Jason Crabb

fans can be found in every color and stripe from his southern gospel roots to contemporary gospel to country and beyond due to his God-given ability to sing anything well and with conviction.

His single, “What the Blood Is For” was produced by southern gospel favorite, Wayne Haun and features a 40-piece orchestra complementing a rousing and signature performance from Crabb. The song’s lyrics are an affirmation of the efficacy of the blood of Jesus Christ to remove the stains of sin and to assure the struggling believer that he stand before God because, “that’s what the blood is for.”

Crabb is the winner of 11 Dove Awards including 2012’s Male Vocalist of the Year and Artist of the Year.

“Why Can’t We”

by The Isaacs

Gaither Music Group | Producer: Ben Isaacs

God works in mysterious ways—just ask Lily Isaacs, matriarch and co-vocalist of The Isaacs.

Lily was born to Jewish Holocaust survivors in Germany just after World War II and moved to New York City in 1949. One year after marrying Joe

Isaacs, a bluegrass musician from Kentucky, she attended the funeral of her brother-in-law in Ohio. It was the first time she’d ever stepped foot in a Christian church; it was also the night she was saved.

Joe and Lily began singing in their local church and as their children were born, the kids started singing too planting the seeds for what became the family band, The Isaacs. Over the years, they have delighted fans around the world with their tight harmonies and bluegrass instrumentation, in the process becoming a favorite at the Grand Ole Opry.

Reflecting on the message of the track, “Why Can’t We?” producer and co-vocalist Ben Isaacs says, “People may forgive, but we don’t often forget, and we find it hard to let go. Musically, I think the track marries this song perfectly...sometimes you only get close to that during a recording.” The track was penned by fellow group members and sisters Becky and Sonya Isaacs along with Sonya’s husband, Jimmy Yeary.

The Isaacs have won five Dove Awards.

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“OF THE YEAR” NOMINEES

Gospel Performance of the Year Nominees “Awesome”

by Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago

C

EMI | Producer: Rick Robinson

harles Jenkins is the avant-garde leader and successive pastor of Chicago’s Fellowship MBC. After more than 10 years as pastor of the church founded by gospel pioneer Rev. Clay Evans, Jenkins revived the church’s 50-year musical legacy on the church’s first recording in years, The Best of Both Worlds. Jenkins says that the album’s title was a reflection of the project’s intention to offer the best of the traditional gospel sound made popular in Evans’ generation and the best of today’s congregational music.

The album’s lead single, “Awesome,” became a worship anthem, being sung in every place from Jay Z’s Made in America Music Festival to Andy Stanley’s Catalyst Conference to BET’s Celebration of Gospel.

The hit song is immediately sing-able, melding traditional gospel elements like call and response with the kind of vertical lyrics typical of CCM worship ballads.

The song enjoyed a 20-week run at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Song chart and was among the top selling Gospel songs for 2012.

“Break Every Chain”

by Tasha Cobbs

EMI | Producer: VaShawn Mitchell

The “overnight” success of Tasha Cobbs has been anything but instant. If you’ve ever heard her sing, you’ll know that there is a purity and power to her voice that’s been cultivated over years in the presence of God. A pastor’s kid, Cobbs served in her dad’s church in small town, Jesup, GA for many years before relocating to Atlanta. There she sang along with her pastor, gospel artist William Murphy, III on Sundays and on the road for more than three years. A rising star on the gospel indie circuit, it wasn’t long before she was given her first major label deal and partnered with “Nobody Greater” writer/producer VaShawn Mitchell to release Mercy.

The album’s runaway single, “Break Every Chain,” is a powerful war cry of a song that has arrested the ears and hearts of listeners and has been in the Top 10 on the gospel charts since it debuted in February, 2013.

CHARLES JENKINS

TA S H A COBBS

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ISR AEL HOUGHTON

ANDR AÉ CROUCH

TA M E L A M A N N

“It’s Not Over (When God Is In It)”

“Let The Church Say Amen”

Integrity/Columbia Producers: Aaron Lindsay, Israel Houghton

Riverphlo | Producer: Luther “Mano” Hanes

by Israel & New Breed (feat: James Fortune & Jason Nelson) The story behind this hope-giving song begins in a crowded San Diego restaurant. Feeling led to pray with a stranger, worship artist, Ricardo Sanchez made his way across the restaurant and introduced himself. After a short prayer, he quietly assured the young lady, “It’s not over.”

Immediately, he went to his hotel room and sung the chorus idea into his phone. After sharing the idea with songsmith and longtime collaborator, Israel Houghton, the men finished the song, “It’s Not Over.”

Sometime thereafter, Sanchez got a phone call no parent wants to receive—his son had jumped into the shallow end of a pool, breaking his neck. The doctors weren’t sure whether young Josiah would ever walk again.

Sanchez reflected on the words of that song and rejoices to report that, as verse two of the song says, “Here comes the sun piercing the clouds, You’re closer than you think you are, Closer than you’ve been before.”

Israel’s studio rendition of the popular song includes gospel faves James Fortune and Jason Nelson.

by Andraé Crouch (feat: Marvin Winans)

A once in a generation talent, Andraé Crouch is one of the most influential figures ever to record Gospel music. An entire generation of artists, songwriters and producers credit him as their musical hero. His songs and impact birthed the Urban Christian Contemporary music genre contextualizing the good news in a sound that—far from copycatting popular music styles of the day—was progressive and unique, attracting the biggest names in music to him.

His curriculum vitae as a producer includes iconic artists Michael Jackson, Madonna and Quincy Jones, just to name a few, and the prolific songwriter’s credits include “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” “Soon and Very Soon,” “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory),” and “I’ve Got Confidence,” recorded by Elvis Presley. Even at age 71, Crouch is said to still write upwards of 20 new songs per week!

Beautiful music flows from Crouch like a gift from God. Perhaps that is due to the prayers of his father, a COGIC pastor who laid hands on Andraé at age 11 and asked God to give his son the gift of music.

His 18th album, The Journey, includes the modern-day doxology, “Let the Church Say Amen” led by long-time friend and inimitable voice, Marvin Winans. The success of the song at radio has been phenomenal with 60 weeks at the top of the Gospel charts and recognition as Billboard’s Top Gospel Song of 2012.

“Take Me to the King”

by Tamela Mann

TillyMann Music Group | Producers: Myron Butler, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Kirk Franklin

Usually, a single comes and goes, but sometimes a single song takes on a life of its own! That’s what happened with Tamela Mann’s hit song, “Take Me to the King.”

The song was written and coproduced by David and Tamela’s old friend, Kirk Franklin. The three friends have known one another since high school when David and Kirk were twothirds of a gospel trio in Fort Worth, TX. As Kirk Franklin & The Family, they traveled the world together and fans took note of Tamela’s powerful voice on signature tracks “Now Behold the Lamb” and “Don’t Take Your Joy Away.”

Recording with Kirk again after all these years was a sort of “reunion” says Mann. The result has been a chart-busting ballad that has taken over gospel radio peaking at #1, and staying in the top 10 for more than a year.

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“OF THE YEAR” NOMINEES

New Artist of the Year Nominees Capital Kings

Colton Dixon

roving that Christian music can take on any instrumentation, the Capital Kings are introducing the good news to a new generation with a sound all their own—a sound marked by bangin’ bass, screaming synthesizers and syncopated electronic pulses.

The Washington D.C. natives, Cole Walowac and Jon White, had already created a buzz for their blazing remixes for popular artists including Group1Crew, Mandisa, Britt Nicole and Toby Mac when Gotee Records signed them and released their first EP, Capital Kings.

The album released on January 8, 2013 and debuted in the top five on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart.

The band’s success has also given them the opportunity to shine the light on an emerging underground of young music makers wielding the tools of electronic music to create a fresh sound for Christian music through their “U:Remix” competition.

In addition to success on the charts, the duo has had several notable performance opportunities including performing on the Pollstar named “Top 100 Tours”—Winter Jam. The band also performed during the halftime show at an Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) game, played their first international show in Trinidad and opened for the nationally embraced rock band, Neon Trees. Fans can catch them this fall as part of the 25-city “Hits Deep Tour.”

Continuing in a tradition of great Christian artists who got their break on the TV show, American Idol, Colton Dixon turned his shocking seventh place finish on AI C O LT O N D I X O N into motivation. Following his dismissal, Dixon went on a songwriting binge, collaborating on 13 new songs in 13 days.

Today, the 21-year-old is using his gifts as a vocalist, musician and songwriter to bring encouragement and hope to millions. His hit songs, “You Are” which peaked in the top 10 on Billboard’s US Christian Songs and “Never Gone,” which went to #1 are genre-blending ballads that mix the raw emotion of rock with the production polish of a pop hit.

“Never Gone” was performed live before more than 250,000 as part of the “American Idols LIVE! Tour 2012.” Dixon says being able to get to the chorus of the song where he could tell audiences in 46 cities, “Jesus never left you” was the highlight of the tour for him.

His unconventional styling and passionate delivery have helped listeners engage with his message. “For people to believe in what I’m singing, I have to believe it first,” he says.

This spring, Dixon hit the road with Third Day’s “The Miracle Tour” and this fall, he’ll be out as part of the “Hits Deep Tour.”

P

Gotee Records

Sparrow Records

FOR KING & C O U N T RY

C A P I TA L K I N G S

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TA S H A COBBS

R H E T T WA L K E R B A N D

IXON

for King & Country

Rhett Walker Band

Tasha Cobbs

Performing as for King & Country, brothers Joel and Luke are newcomers to the national stage but their upbringing in and around music prepared them to be the multiinstrumentalist dynamo that one reviewer called, “Australia’s answer to Coldplay.”

Perhaps comparisons to the touted British band seem premature until you see them live—you’ll see everything from a xylophone to a cajón to something they call “the magic box” (a piano accordion) all accompanying their soulish lyrics that touch on themes of hope, honesty and healing.

Their lead singles, “Busted Heart (Hold On to Me)” and “Proof of Your Love” both hit the top 10 on Billboard’s US Christian Songs and are indicative of the open emotion and high level of musicality that marks the entire record. With seven nominations, fK&C is one of the most nominated bands of this year’s Dove Awards.

In personal news, the band recently shared that Luke, who suffered from an undiagnosed digestive disorder for months, is doing much better.

Congrats are also in order for Joel who married Christian artist Moriah Peters this July. Rebecca St. James is one of their seven siblings.

Fans can catch fK&C this fall with “The Restart Tour.”

Growing up as a pastor’s kid in Aiken, SC, Rhett Walker darkened the door of his dad’s church every Sunday and Wednesday without fail. At 14, his parents got him a drum set and he began to play at the church, which was going fine until one day when they asked him to come off the drums to sing a song at church. Rhett recalls that when it was over he asked his mom, “What did you think?” and, as only a mother can, she said, “Well, you sang the song—the whole thing.”

Thankfully Rhett didn’t let a rocky start kill what has become a promising future in music. He found that he enjoyed singing and writing music with his guitar. His joy for songwriting continues to this day. In fact, the band wrote more than 50 songs for their first album, “Come to the River” which has spawned the fan favorites, “Come to the River” and the Grammynominated, “When Mercy Found Me.” This fall, the band has been on the road as the headliner for the “Come to the River Tour.”

Powerhouse vocalist Tasha Cobbs is a reflection of her upbringing in Jesup, Georgia where she was raised in a home surrounded by music and filled with worship. “My father is a Pastor and, all of my life, he and my mother raised my brother and me to be exactly who we are,” she affirms.

As a teenager, Cobbs served as a worship leader in her family’s church so when she moved to Atlanta, it wasn’t a stretch for her to connect with gospel recording artist/ pastor, William Murphy III with whom she toured and served as Worship Pastor at the dReam Center Church of Atlanta, which Murphy founded.

Cobbs recent success on the charts comes as no surprise to gospel die-hards. For the last several years Cobbs has been an indie favorite who traveled widely, however, having the national stage has advanced her mission, which she describes this way: “I know my assignment as a worship leader is to, without fail, lead God’s people into His presence. A national platform only gives me a greater opportunity to fulfill that purpose.”

After nearly 40 weeks on the Billboard’s Gospel Songs chart, Cobbs’ runaway hit, “Break Every Chain,” is still in the top 5.

Fervent

Essential Records

EMI Gospel

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2013 SPECIAL

AWARDS

Impact Award

Presented to an entity, other than an artist, which has made the most significant impact on the gospel music industry over the last two or three years.

2013 Recipient: SoundExchange

Past winners include SoundScan, CCLI, & ProTools

Lifetime Achievement Award

Presented to an entity, other than an individual, which has made a monumental achievement in the gospel music industry over the last 20 or more years.

2013 Recipient: New Day Christian Distributors

Past winners include The Gospel Music Workshop of America, the song “How Great Thou Art,” and the Gaither Organization (group of companies).

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Grady Nutt Humor Award

Presented in honor of Grady Nutt, who starred on TV’s “Hee Haw” for many years and was a beloved friend of Christian music. After he was killed in a tragic plane crash in 1982, the Grady Nutt Humor Award was created in his honor.

2013 Recipient: Bone Hampton

Past winners include Chonda Pierce, Mark Lowry, larknews.com and Veggie Tales’ Phil Vischer & Mike Nawrocki.

Outstanding Mainstream Contribution to Gospel Music

Presented to an entity outside of the Christian music industry that helped bring gospel music to a wider audience.

2013 Recipient: Alan Jackson

Past winners include Mel Gibson & The Passion of the Christ, Walmart, Time Life “Songs for Worship,” and Whitney Houston.

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ABOUT GMA

Meet the GOSpel MuSIc ASSOcIAtIOn Team GMA PERSONNEL ExECUTIVE dIRECTOR

Jackie Patillo

EVENT LOGISTICS & SPONSORShIP MANAGER

Justin Fratt

CUSTOMER SERVICE & MEMBERShIP COORdINATOR

Alexandra Mohilowski

BALLOT & TICkETING COORdINATOR

Jill Crabtree

MARkETING COORdINATOR

Kim Perrow

BOARd Of dIRECTORS ExECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Scott Brickell, BrickHouse Entertainment Charles Dorris, Charles Dorris & Associates Eric Eitel, MediaComplete Ed Harper, The Harper Agency Linda Klosterman, TKO Marketing Ed Leonard, Daywind Music Group Rod Riley, Word Entertainment

Organizational

Members PLATINUM MEMBERS

dIRECTORS

David Breen, Word Entertainment/25 Live Chris Erlanson, 168 Management Leslie Ferrell, Big Idea Entertainment Mike Harland, LifeWay Worship Chris Hauser, Hauser Promotions Brandon Heath, Artist/Songwriter Velvet Kelm, The {m} Media Collective Tim Marshall, Word Entertainment Michael Martin, ASCAP Mark Maxwell, Entertainment Attorney John Mullins, SESAC Judy Nelon, The Judy Nelon Group Mitch Peyser, Time Life Chonda Pierce, Comedian Deborah Evans Price, Freelance Journalist Howard Rachinski, CCLI Leslie Robert, BMI Martin Smith, David C. Cook Demetrus Alexander –Stewart

360 Musicworx BMI Capitol CMG HalMin Music Records JCTV Lee & Stacie Crisp Foundation LifeWay Worship Provident Music Group RayLynn Records SESAC GOLd MEMBERS

Affordable Book Keeping ASCAP CCLI Compassion International Daystar Gateway Create Publishing LifeBridge Worship RYFO StowTown Records

ACCOUNTING & BALLOTING

KraftCPAs PLLC

GRAPhIC dESIGN

Heather Peters

PERMANENT BOARd MEMBERS

Les Beasley, The Florida Boys John T. Benson III, Triad II Joe Moscheo

ACCOUNTING

Brian Smith, BriBiz Entertainment Business & Financial Services

LEGAL COUNSEL

Lynn Morrow, Adams and Reese LLP

PLATINUM MEMBERS

SILVER MEMBERS

Central South Distribution Control Track Hadley Music Group Karen Hornsby Ministries, Inc. Kingdom Agenda Ministries Lone Oak Entertainment Mike Atkins Entertainment - Stylos Records Music Famamanem Noah’s Dove Music Publishing Prince of Peace Productions Redeemed Records Inc. Sunset Gallery Music The Bellamy Group Victory World Outreach Word Entertainment SUPPORTING MEMBERS

Bristol Sessions PrazSung Loradon Music MediaComplete Watoto Hauser Promotions Lorkusa Jennifer

GOLD MEMBERS

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