This has been a pretty exciting year for me. Now based out of Nashville for NRT, I was thrilled when I was asked to make the drive down to Atlanta to cover this year’s Dove Awards. The Doves are special to me because I grew up on Christian music, so it was the first music awards show that I consistently watched every single year. As I reflect on how the Doves have changed over the past six or seven years, I definitely was able to get an even more in-depth perspective from actually being there.
If one thing certainly stands out about the Doves, it’s the noticeable progression that the Gospel Music Association is taking to truly emphasize the “gospel” music aspect of things. That’s not to discredit gospel/R&B music and its power, but merely to say that traditionally, the Doves have always been more about the standard CCM genres (worship/rock/singer-songwriter genres) as opposed to gospel music. Eyebrows definitely were raised when the awards show chose to move from Nashville (the home of Christian music) to the more gospel-oriented Atlanta, also the home of network partner, GMC (formally the Gospel Music channel). The interesting part is that the Stellar Awards, a show specifically created to honor gospel/R&B oriented music, is held annually in Nashville. Does anything seem backwards about that? And with some of the biggest nominated names in the Christian industry noticeably absent this year--Steven Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns, Switchfoot, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Gungor and Matthew West, to name a few--it makes us wonder how much longer this direction will continue to take root in its new location.
Those factors aside, it was still an interesting and exciting night in Atlanta. The awards, which sadly are pre-recorded each year, took place on Thursday, April 19, at the beautiful Fox Theatre. Here’s how it works: as a member of the press, one of the theatre ballrooms is lined with chairs facing a stage, where outlets ranging from Christian sites like NRT to local news outlets and national newspapers take their places to ask questions and photograph artists as they step off stage from either performing, presenting or accepting an award. We get a few minutes with each artist before they are ushered off the stage and back to their seats.
This year’s awards didn’t go without its highlights, as the press room was graced with some great artists. Lecrae, who won multiple Doves, created a stir when he answered a question about collaborating with a mainstream artist sometime, to which he ultimately concluded he “wouldn’t have a problem with.” New Artist of the Year Jamie-Grace won the press room over with her humble, personable attitude, noting that her purpose as an artist is to get across one simple message: “You are beautiful; don’t ever change.”
Also in the mix this year was former lead singer of The Imperials, Russ Taff, to whom a tribute was performed by fellow gospel artists Jason Crabb, Donnie McClurkin and Wess Morgan. Speaking as legends do, Taff impressed the media with his genuine personality. When he was asked to sum up his life at the moment, Taff responded, “I met Jesus, and now I’m the person I always wanted to be.” Michael Tait also made waves with the press; “Age doesn’t matter, it’s relevance that matters,” said Tait when asked about his thoughts on the youth in the industry (he then attempted a nonchalant exit from the press room but was instead swarmed by photographers).
Other Christian favorites showed some love to the press as well. New Artist nominees Beyond the Ashes posed for pictures during the pre-show, while an always-beaming Mandisa graciously answered more questions than any other artist and reminded us of why we all love her. Artist of the Year Jason Crabb also stopped by, and if anyone deserved the award, it was him, not only for his music, but also for his personality. Other artists should take note of his constant Christ-like attitude.
Christian music’s biggest night certainly gave us plenty of great moments to talk about. What is ultimately essential to remember is the reason for which these artists make music. Laura Story, who won multiple Doves during the night, summed it up best during her visit to the press room: “We don’t care who takes home the metal trophies; we all do this for the glory of God.” Well said, Laura.
And with all that said, we wait to see what happens next year...
Jason Crabb In The Press Room
