Gospel Music Association Names Final Nominees

The Gospel Music Association has announced the following as the FINAL nominees for the 41st GMA Dove Awards.  I have included some of the major awards but since there are over 40 different categories, if you wish to see the rest, follow this link.

Category 1  Song of the Year song title; writer; publisher (award to the writer and publisher)

• “Born To Climb”; Jeff & Sherri Easter; Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey; Bridge Building Music, Psalm Singer Music, Hefton Hill Music (BMI)
• “By Your Side”; Tenth Avenue North; Essential Publishing
• “Free To Be Me”; Francesca Battistelli; Francesca Battistelli; Word
• “God Is There”; Diamond Rio; Marty Roe, Jimmy Olander, Bernie Herms; Ole, Warner Chappell, Word Music
• “I Will Rise”; Chris Tomlin; Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher, Jesse Reeves; worshiptogether.com Songs, sixstepsMusic, Spirit and Song.com, Vamos Publishing, Thank You Music
• “Let The Waters Rise”; MIKESCHAIR; Sam Tinnesz, Mike Grayson, Ben Glover
• “Revelation Song”; Phillips, Craig & Dean; Jennie Lee Riddle; Jennie Lee Riddle, Gateway Create Publishing, Integrity’s Praise Music
• “Somebody Like Me”; Jason Crabb; Neil Thrasher, Michael Boggs; 2009 Sweet Summer Music, Kobalt Songs, Crosstown Uptown Music, Major Bob Music, Upsurge Music (ASCAP)
• “Two Hands”; Jars of Clay; Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Stephen Mason, Matt Odmark, Jeremy Lutito, Gabe Rushchival;Dudie Music, Chigostick Music, Bridgebuilding, Pogostick Music
• “Why Can’t All God’s Children Get Along”; Karen Peck & New River; Stephen Hill; Christian Taylor Music (BMI), Dingo Bat Music (BMI)

Category 3  Male Vocalist of the Year

• Jeremy Camp
• Jason Crabb
• Michael English
• Brandon Heath
• Donnie McClurkin
• Smokie Norful
• Bebo Norman
• Mark Schultz

Category 4  Female Vocalist of the Year

• Francesca Battistelli
• Karen Peck Gooch
• Natalie Grant
• Heather Headley
• Mandisa
• Dawn Michele
• Laura Story

Category 5  Group of the Year

• Casting Crowns
• Gaither Vocal Band
• Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir
• Jars of Clay
• NEEDTOBREATHE
• Skillet
• Tenth Avenue North

Category 6  Artist of the Year

• Francesca Battistelli
• Casting Crowns
• Jason Crabb
• Jars of Clay
• Mary Mary
• Skillet
• tobyMac

Category 7  New Artist of the Year

• Crystal Aikin
• Bluetree
• Jonny Diaz
• Kari Jobe
• Revive
• Sidewalk Prophets
• Brian Courtney Wilson

Category 8  Producer of the Year

• Ed Cash
• Ian Eskelin
• Wayne Haun
• Bernie Herms
• Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp

Category 9  Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year

Song; album; artist; writer; label

• “America”; America; Tracy Edmond; Tracy Edmond, Ken White; Curb Records
• “End Of My Rope”; Five-Two Television; KJ-52; Jonah Sorrentino, Aaron Sprinkle; BEC Recordings
• “Go On”; The Forecast EP; B.Reith; Brian Reith; Gotee Records
• “Lost”; The Big Picture; Da’ TRUTH; Emmanuel Lambert Jr, Freddy Washington Jr; Cross Movement Records
• “Movin’”; Ordinary Dreamers; Group 1 Crew; Group 1 Crew, Jeremy James, Byron Chambers, Christopher Stevens; Fervent Records

Category 10  Rock Recorded Song of the Year

Song; album; artist; writer; label

• “Bring Me To Life”; Welcome To The Masquerade; Thousand Foot Krutch; Trevor McNevan, Steve Augustine, Joel Bruyere; Tooth & Nail
• “Fight Inside”; Innocence & Instinct; Red; Jasen Rauch, Rob Graves, Jason McArthur, Bernie Herms; Essential
• “Hero”; Awake; Skillet; John L. Cooper, Korey Cooper; Atlantic, Ardent, INO Records
• “Mess of Me”; Hello Hurricane; Switchfoot; Jonathan Foreman, Tim Foreman; Credential Recordings
• “Mystery of You”; Innocence & Instinct; Red; Jasen Rauch, Anthony Armstrong, Rob Graves, Jason McArthur; Essential Records

Category 11  Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year

Song; album; artist; writer; label

• “Always”; Hello Hurricane; Switchfoot; Jonathan Foreman; Credential Recordings
• “Can’t Take Away”; MIKESCHAIR; MIKESCHAIR; Sam Tinnesz, Mike Grayson, Jason Ingram; Curb Records
• “How He Loves”; Church Music; David Crowder*Band; John Mark McMillan; Sparrow Records/sixsteps Records
• “Lay ‘Em Down”; The Outsiders; NEEDTOBREATHE; Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart; Atlantic Records
• “You Gave Me A Promise”; Unbreakable; Fireflight; Dawn Richardson, Justin Cox, Glenn Drennen, Wendy Drennen, PheeShorb, Rob Hawkins; Flicker

Category 12  Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year

Song; album; artist; writer; label

• “City On Our Knees”; Tonight; tobyMac; Toby McKeehan, Jamie Moore, Cary Barlowe; ForeFront Records
• “Free To Be Me”; My Paper Heart; Francesca Battistelli; Francesca Battistelli; Fervent Records
• “Let The Waters Rise”; MIKESCHAIR; MIKESCHAIR; Sam Tinnesz, Ben Glover, Mike Grayson; Curb Records
• “My Deliverer”; Freedom; Mandisa; Chad Cates, Jason Walker, Tony Wood; Sparrow Records
• “Until The Whole World Hears”; Until The Whole World Hears; Casting Crowns; Mark Hall, Bernie Herms, Jason McArthur, Roger Glidewell; Beachstreet

Category 13  Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year

Song; album; artist; writer; label

• “Hold On To Jesus”; Live At Oak Tree: Austins Bridge; Austins Bridge; Justin Rivers, Jason Baird; Daywind
• “Hosanna”; You Deliver Me; Selah; Brenton Brown, Paul Baloche; Curb Records
• “Jesus Saves”; Jesus Saves Live; Travis Cottrell; Travis Cottrell, David Moffitt; Indelible Creative Group
• “Since The World Began”; Glory Revealed II: The Word of God in Worship; Matt Maher, Amy Grant, Ed Cash, Mac Powell; Mac Powell, Trevor Morgan; Reunion
• “The Only Hope”; Bebo Norman; Bebo Norman; Bebo Norman; BEC Recordings

Altered Minds Tour Review

On the night of Thursday, October 1st The ALTERED MINDS TOUR came to The Calvary Wesleyan Church in Harrington, DE. Or should I say this hip-hop, rock powerhouse line-up of music ministers had 240 Delaware Ave jumping and shouting, praising the Lord on high! This was only the first stop of the tour, so there are many more towns and cities that well be blessed and minds altered.

As soon as the lights fell dim, the spirit grew thick. Suddenly the sound of MIKESCHAIR erupted through the speakers as they opened the tour and the highly anticipated night began. AFTER EDMUND followed with an electrifying performance with a light show that definitely didn’t leave you hanging. The alternative punk rock brought a level of intensity and creativity that was unforgettable! Following the rock performance sliced the genres in half without missing a beat . . . . Literally! DJ Official kept the beat bumping and hype as the ministers rotated and intermissions came about throughout the evening. As well as throwing scratches and mixes behind the emcee’s.

Next up to bat was the heavy hitter of the Reach Records outfit TEDASHII. His highly anticipated album ‘Identity Crisis’ dropped earlier this year and is one of the years best albums. Complete with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as well as punch-lines, metaphorical charm and creativity. Tedashii definitely brought his “A game” and he came with such an intensity and passion that easily set the stage for the headlining LECRAE. Although Tedashii was technically opening up for his fellow record label brother he showed exactly what God has put on his mind by speaking from his heart. Between the two, they spoke the ‘word’ as much or more than they rapped! This was a direct reflection of their music ministries, where ministry definitely comes through more than the music. With that being said the crowd grew anxious as the beat rolled and Tedashii introduced Lecrae to accompany him on a song. The build up was intense and best believe the lyrical duo delivered. Then Lecrae stood alone center stage and he and DJ Official did a compilation of Lecrae songs (old and new) as the crowd chanted along waiving their hands, pumping their fists! This powerful musical minister did a few songs then spoke the ‘Good News’ to his listeners. Again like Tedashii he spoke and prayed as much or more than the rapped. That within itself is a testament of their way they are representing the Lord through Gospel Hip-Hop.

Not only did this group of extreme ministers put on an outstanding show, but they also stayed around afterward signing autographs, talking, goofing, ministering and simply being a part of the kid’s lives. Another way they are being bold, showing Gods love in a practical way as well as Altering Minds!