The nominees for the 41st annual Dove Awards were announced on Thursday.
Natalie Grant and Bart Millard will host the awards show on April 21st. Unlike last year, the awards will not be broadcast live– they will air on gmc on Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 8pm-10pm EST.
There are 43 categories and you guys don’t know most of the names in ‘em, so I’m not typing it all… sorry. BUT, you can visit http://www.gmclife.com/41st-dove-award-nominees for the full list.
In the meantime, a quick recap of some of the folks you’ll find there:
Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, Melinda Watts, Freddy Washington, Brian Courtney Wilson, Mali Music, Vickie Winans, Smokie Norful, Mary Mary, Crystal Aikin, Bishop Paul Morton, Hezekiah Walker, Heather Headley, Mandisa, B. Reith, Fred Hammond, Group 1 Crew, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., BeBe & CeCe Winans… see, there are just too many to name!
Ok, more Dove Awards info and discussion as the time draws nigh. Until then, tell me what you think about the nominee list!
I think it's SHAMEFUL that Mali Music got recognized by the Dove Awards folks and not the Stellar Awards folks...smh.
I know most of the names on that list and especially on the male vocalist side. Steven Curtis Chapman was shut out and that was unfortunate, but Donnie and Smokie have a chance of winning it, but this is Jason Crabb's year.
@v4C I'm just happy that somebody is finally recognizing Mali's talent. It's long overdue.
I'm curious about the cross over of certain artists between the two award shows (the Dove Awards and the Stellars). I'm presuming that the Stellar Awards began because of the lack of inclusion of gospel artists of color at the Dove Awards, right? I mean if I'm wrong, please constructively correct me.
@gayle, i agree. Steve Curtis Chapman had a really moving and sincere album. but i wonder if it was eligible?
@Tam Tam, actually the Dove awards are ALL inclusive (hip hop, christian contemporary, rock, pop, gospel, praise and worship, etc) So what seems to be a lack of black artists is merely because of a BIGGER pool that they are choosing from. And as we all know, the Christian Contemporary market is much broader than Black gospel. So with that, I think Stellars were simply just an avenue to celebrate black gospel music which has now broken into sub genres (hip hop, urban/traditional/contemporary gosple and NOW praise and worship)
Thanks, a.will. You note that the Dove Awards ARE all inclusive. I wonder if they WERE ALWAYS all inclusive? The Dove Awards are 41 years old. In the late 60s, early 70s, the (gospel) music industry was still rather segregated in terms of funding, distribution, audience. The Stellars are just 25 years old, yes? I would say the Stellars were more than just a simple avenue to celebrate Black gospel music. I think it really emerged because Black gospel artists weren't being recognized in that "bigger" pool. I wonder what it took for the Dove Awards to become more inclusive over the years? I wonder if the Dove Awards got criticized for their lack of inclusion?
@Tam Tam, i can't answer that. I'm honestly too young to know who won in the 70s or 80s. :-) But to say the Stellars were created because the Dove Awards shut black artists out? That may be INDIRECTLY true. I say that because its likely true of all black celebrated events. Black history month, BET Awards, NAACP, Black Congressional Caucus, etc... these things were created because for hundreds of years we were left behind in American social advancement. So it might not necessarily be because of the Dove Awards. The Stellars might have been inevitable. But again, Dove Awards were created to celebrate Christian music in general. So whether black artists were recognized back then? Not sure. But as long as i can personally remember, black artists have been included in their award shows. And i'm talking early 90s.
True, a.will. :-)
I am looking forward to it.
John W. Styll who was the former president of GMA before he stepped down last year, made it a point to have inclusion of gospel artists appearing on the show in recent years. There were winners of color in the top categories like Nicole C. Mullen and Ce Ce Winans. And the reason why the gospel artists don't win in the major categories is simple--the voters of GMA are dominated with the Salem Broadcasting stations (The Fish brand) and stations with the CCM format. Black gospel radio stations, their executives and on air personalities do not join these organizations or their participation is sparse because one thing--both generes do not embrace one another--but I also blame the body of Christ also because of the theory that "Sunday Morning is the segregated time in the world and that is unfortunate. I see that the Grammys and secular artists embrace one another but the gospel/CCM industry is the only industry that does not. They should be an example to the music industry. I'm glad some CCM recording artists took part in Kirk's Haitian project, but more should be done with artists to embrace one another because they are all brothers and sisters in the Lord.
I'm just glad to see Brian Courtney Wilson's name on the list as a nominee for New Artist of the year. Because the Dove organization encompasses a broader audience, my personal opinion is that the Dove nomination is a bigger 'nod'. And...if I have to say so myself, the voting process was much more organized and and seemed to actually have voting standards and regulations...unlike the 'Stellar mess' that went on this year. I mean, you actually had to have had some chart success to be considered for a nomination. You also had to be a music industry professional to vote. Big ups to ALL of the people of color that were recognized in this very large pool of christian artists. Can't wait to go to Nashville!
I think EJ should have a discussion about why there should be inclusion in Christian radio. You see, the majority of "Artist of The Year" nominees and the "Best New Artist" catagory are played on the "Fish Format" (Salem Broadcasting) and many of the artists of color are shut out because Christian radio is not inclusive to all. I wish that Christian radio should adopt the format that KIIS here in Los Angeles uses. This format has been successful in the ratings. And if all people of color join GMA, it would be more winners and they will repesent. I'm not trying to make it a racial issue, but someone should address it in relation to the Doves. At least the Grammys do have justice and include people.