The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced today the nominees in 44 categories for the 47th Annual GMA Dove Awards. The awards show will take place on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at Lipscomb University's Allen Arena in Nashville at 6:30 p.m. CST. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will exclusively air the awards show on Sunday, October 16, reaching over 100 million viewers in the U.S., plus global and multi-platform distribution. Voting for the final winners will run August 23 through August 30.
Lauren Daigle leads artist nominations with six, followed by Hillsong UNITED and Chris Tomlin with five. Anthony Brown, Bill Gaither, Danny Gokey, Jonathan McReynolds, Kirk Franklin, Matthew West and Tasha Cobbs tally four nods each. Songwriter Jason Ingram scores seven nods, including "Song of the Year." To see the full list of nominees, visit the Dove Awards website here.
GMA executive director Jackie Patillo, artists CeCe Winans and Jason Roy (Building 429) and radio personalities Wally from WAY-FM and Doug from the "Family Friendly Morning Show" participated in the nominee press conference from the campus of Lipscomb University.
"Congratulations to all of this year's Dove Award nominees!" Patillo stated. "We celebrate the outstanding achievement, hard work and creative excellence you have poured into this life-changing music."
Patillo continued, "Our theme this year is 'Love. Amplified.,' a phrase we believe encompasses the collective power & impact of our music. At a time when so much of the world is divided and hostility is in the air, we will turn up the volume of love and the hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ."
TBN Chairman Matt Crouch said that the faith-and-family network is thrilled once again to serve as the exclusive broadcast partner for the GMA Dove Awards. "The Dove Awards set the standard for excellence in the field of Gospel and Christian music," he said. "And as always, TBN is excited to share with our global audience this incredible evening honoring those who create the music that brings hope and changes lives."
The nominees in the following categories were revealed at the press conference today:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
for KING & COUNTRY
Hillsong UNITED
Lauren Daigle
Lecrae
TobyMac
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Hollyn
Jordan Feliz
Stars Go Dim
Travis Greene
We Are Messengers
TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Everyday Jesus -- Anthony Brown & group therAPy
We Give You Praise -- Chicago Mass Choir
WAP New Era -- James Hall Worship & Praise
Powerful -- Japan Mass Choir
Level Next-- John P. Kee
RAP/HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Uncomfortable -- Andy Mineo
Therapy Session -- NF
Church Clothes 3 -- Lecrae
This Time Around -- Tedashii
Forward -- Flame
ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Cities -- Live In New York City -- Anberlin
Sound Of The Saints -- Audio Adrenaline
Dead Man Walking -- John Tibbs
The Wonderlands: Sunlight & Shadows -- Jon Foreman
Surrender -- Kutless
POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
"My Story" -- Big Daddy Weave
"Just Be Held" -- Casting Crowns
"Good Good Father" -- Chris Tomlin
"Tell Your Heart To Beat Again" -- Danny Gokey
"The River" -- Jordan Feliz
"Trust In You" -- Lauren Daigle
SOUTHERN GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
"Jesus Changed Everything" -- Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
"Jesus Gave Me Water" -- Gaither Vocal Band
"I Am Blessed" -- Karen Peck & New River
"Keep On" -- Perrys
"Jesus, The One" -- The Hoppers
WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR
"No Longer Slaves" -- (writers) Jonathan David Hesler, Brian Johnson, Joel Case
"Good Good Father" -- (writers) Pat Barrett, Anthony Brown
"Touch the Sky" -- (writers) Joel Houston, Dylan Thomas, Michael Guy Chislett
"We Believe" -- (writers) Travis Ryan, Richie Fike, Matt Hooper
"Even So Come" -- (writers) Jess Cates, Jason Ingram, Chris Tomlin
The GMA Dove Awards celebrate the contributions of artists from every style of Christian/Gospel music. Nominees are determined by over 1,500 professional members, and winners will be voted on by the entire GMA membership of nearly 2,500. For more information, visit www.doveawards.com. To purchase tickets to the show, click here.
