GMA & 2011 Dove Award Nominees- Southern Gospel’s Presence

For over 40 years, the Gospel Music Association has produced an awards program to honor Christian music and all of its entities. The Dove Awards are presented in April of each year honoring the previous year’s efforts in songs, albums, artists, producers, and arrangers. Unlike the Grammy Awards, Southern Gospel music has received more recognition for its efforts.

Here are the categories of which artists/producers/arrangers of major Southern Gospel following are nominated:

Song of the Year: “Love Came Calling” (Triumphant Quartet); “Sometimes I Cry” (Jason Crabb)

Male Vocalist: Doug Anderson (Ernie Haase & Signature Sound); Jason Crabb

Female Vocalist: Janet Paschal

Group of the Year: Gaither Vocal Band; Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

Artist of the Year: Jason Crabb; Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

Producer: Wayne Haun

Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year: “I Feel a Song Coming On” (Ryan Seaton); “Joseph” (Jason Crabb)

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: “Better Day” (Gaither Vocal Band); “Faithful One” (Booth Brothers); “I Thirst” (Ernie Haase & Signature Sound); “Live with Jesus” (Oak Ridge Boys); “Love Came Calling” (Triumphant Quartet)

Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year: “I’m Goin’ to Make Heaven My Home” (Lewis Tradition); “Workin’ on a Road” (Jeff & Sheri Easter)

Country Recorded Song of the Year: “Are You the One?” (Guy Penrod); “God’s Gonna Ease My Troublin’ Mind” (Oak Ridge Boys); “Living in the Arms of Mercy” (Hoppers); “Run and Tell” (Bowling Family)

Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: “Go Tell It on the Mountain” (Jason Crabb)

Inspirational Album of the Year: A Cappella (Brian Free & Assurance); Acoustic Sunday (Kevin Williams); The Stage Is Bare (Ryan Seaton)

Southern Gospel Album of the Year: A Tribute to the Cathedral Quartet (Ernie Haase & Signature Sound); Greatly Blessed (Gaither Vocal Band); Never Walk Alone (Brian Free & Assurance); Shine (Bowling Family); Something’s Happening (Hoppers)

Bluegrass Album of the Year: Light on My Feet, Ready to Fly (Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver); Singing from the Heart (Dailey & Vincent)

Country Album of the Year: Breathe Deep (Guy Penrod); Expecting Good Things (Jeff & Sheri Easter); Times like These (Austins Bridge); Turn up the Music (Crawford Crossing)

Instrumental Album of the Year: Joy Comes in the Morning (Stan Whitmire)

Christmas Album of the Year: A Sentimental Christmas (Russ Taff); The Isaacs Christmas (Isaacs)

Choral Collection of the Year: Big Mighty God (Lari Goss); National Quartet Convention Collection (Marty Hamby)

Long Form Music Video of the Year: A Tribute to the Cathedral Quartet (Ernie Haase & Signature Sound); Count Your Blessings (Bill & Gloria Gaither and Homecoming Friends).

After looking over this list, I will posting more commentary about the nominations, awards program, and likelihood of Southern Gospel winners.