The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards presentation was held on April 23, 2009 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 2008. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Rebecca St. James, Matthew West, and Lisa Kimmey.
Nominations were announced on February 20, 2009 by Lisa Kimmey, Dan Evans and Jackie Evans during a press conference at the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitor Information Center in Nashville, Tennessee.Nominations Announced for 40th GMA Dove Awards on CBN.com (February 20, 2008)GMA DOVE AWARDS NOMINATIONS FOR 2009 ANNOUNCED TODAY on GospelMusicUpdate.com
Steven Curtis Chapman won two awards, including Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, while Tenth Avenue North won New Artist of the Year. Casting Crowns and Brandon Heath each won three awards. Other multiple winners include: Third Day, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and Michael W. Smith.
Performers
Pre-telecastDOVE AWARDS CELEBRATES 40TH YEARS WITH GOOD NEWS on GospelMusicUpdate (April 24, 2009) Meredith Andrews Downhere J.R.
Telecast ceremony The following performed: Artist(s)Song(s)Mary Mary"Get Up"Kierra Sheard"Invisible"Francesca BattistelliSteven Curtis Chapman"Cinderella"Natalie GrantGroup 1 Crew"Make It Matter"Brandon Heath"Give Me Your Eyes"MercyMe"I Can Only Imagine" "Finally Home"Jonathan NelsonRemedy Drive"Daylight Is Coming"Chris Sligh"Empty Me"Tenth Avenue North"By Your Side"Third Day"Revelation"Chris Tomlin"I Will Rise"Kim HopperBrian Free & AssuranceRonnie MilsapJason CrabbReba Rambo-McGuireDony McGuireDestiny McGuireSandi PattyLarnelle HarrisTribute to Dottie Rambo:Blind Boys of AlabamaMac Powell"Free at Last"Edwin HawkinsDonnie McClurkinMandisaPhil StaceyMelinda Watts"Oh Happy Day"
Presenters
Telecast ceremony The following presented:DOVE AWARDS CELEBRATES 40TH YEARS WITH GOOD NEWS on GospelMusicUpdate (April 24, 2009)
William Baldwin Chyna Vaughan (Chyna Phillips and Vaughan Penn) Sinbad A.J. Styles Mandisa Phil Stacey Casting Crowns Fireflight Michael W. Smith – introduced Steven Curtis Chapman Kirk Franklin Richie McDonald Ronnie Milsap Tye Tribbett Jeremy Camp Martha Munizzi Mary Alessi DecembeRadio GRITS Jason Crabb Kim Hopper The Afters Canton Jones Isaiah D. Thomas Marty Magehee Mark Harris Wayne Watson Damita Haddon Mac Powell – introduced the "Oh Happy Day" tribute Carrie Prejean – introduced MercyMe
Awards
General Artist of the Year Casting Crowns Steven Curtis Chapman Fireflight Marvin Sapp Third Day TobyMac Chris Tomlin
New Artist of the Year Addison Road Francesca Battistelli Fee Jonathan Nelson Remedy Drive Chris Sligh Tenth Avenue North
Group of the Year Casting Crowns David Crowder Band Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Mary Mary MercyMe Skillet Third Day
Male Vocalist of the Year Jeremy Camp Jon Foreman Ernie Haase Brandon Heath David Phelps Marvin Sapp Chris Tomlin
Female Vocalist of the Year Francesca Battistelli Brooke Fraser Karen Peck Gooch Natalie Grant Mandisa Sandi Patty Laura Story
Song of the Year "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" – Chris Tomlin Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin, songwriters "Cinderella" – Steven Curtis Chapman Steven Curtis Chapman, songwriter "Empty Me" – Chris Sligh Chris Sligh, Clint Lagerberg, Tony Wood "Give Me Your Eyes" – Brandon Heath Brandon Heath, Jason Ingram, songwriters "I Will Not Be Moved" – Natalie Grant Natalie Grant, songwriter "I'm Letting Go" – Francesca Battistelli Francesca Battistelli, Tony Wood, Ian Eskelin, songwriters Mighty to Save – Hillsong Church Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan, songwriters "Never Going Back to OK" – The Afters Matt Fuqua, Josh Havens, Brad Wigg, Dan Muckala, songwriters "Reason Enough" – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey, songwriters "You Reign" – MercyMe Bart Millard, Barry Graul, Steven Curtis Chapman, songwriters
Songwriter of the Year Steven Curtis Chapman
Producer of the Year Brown Bannister Ed Cash Ian Eskelin Wayne Haun Bernie Herms Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp
Pop Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "Cinderella" – Steven Curtis Chapman "Give Me Your Eyes" – Brandon Heath "I Will Not Be Moved" – Natalie Grant "I’m Letting Go" – Francesca Battistelli "This Is Home" – Switchfoot
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year Bebo Norman – Bebo Norman Fall & Winter – Jon Foreman My Paper Heart – Francesca Battistelli Relentless – Natalie Grant Revelation – Third DayRock Rock Recorded Song of the Year "Better Man" – DecembeRadio "For The Love Of The Game" – Pillar "Lost" – Red "Shine Like The Stars" – Stellar Kart "The Hunger" – Fireflight
Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "Find You Waiting" – DecembeRadio "Keys To The Kingdom" – Group 1 Crew "Never Going Back To OK" – The Afters "Unbreakable" – Fireflight "Washed by the Water" – NeedtobreatheRock Album of the Year Comatose Comes Alive – Skillet For The Love Of The Game – Pillar Satisfied – DecembeRadio Southern Hospitality – Disciple To Know That You're Alive – Kutless
Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year Daylight Is Coming – Remedy Drive Expect the Impossible – Stellar Kart Hello – After Edmund Never Going Back to OK – The Afters Unbreakable – Fireflight
Rap/Hip-Hop Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year "Beautiful Morning" – GRITS, featuring Pigeon John "Do Yo Thang" – KJ-52 "Joyful Noise" – Flame, featuring Lecrae & John Reilly "Pull Your Pants Up!" – Dooney “Da Priest” "So Beautiful" – Manafest, featuring Trevor McNevan
Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year Citizens Activ – Manafest Ordinary Dreamers – Group 1 Crew Pull Your Pants Up! – Dooney “Da Priest” Rebel – Lecrae Reiterate – GRITS
Inspirational Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year "A New Hallelujah" – Michael W. Smith "For The Glory Of You" – Mark Harris "Bless The Lord" – Laura Story "Come Thou Fount" – Jadon Lavik "Dependence" – Jamie Slocum
Inspirational Album of the Year After The Rain – Aaron & Amanda Crabb Great God Who Saves – Laura Story Infinite Grace – Women of Faith Worship Team Roots Run Deep – Jadon Lavik Songs For The Journey – Sandi Patty
Gospel Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Big Mighty God" – The Mike LeFevre Quartet "I Believe God" – Brian Free & Assurance "Reason Enough" – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound "Welcome To The Family" – Booth Brothers "Yahweh" – The Hoppers
Southern Gospel Album of the Year Ephesians One – Karen Peck & New River I Just Wanted You To Know – Kim HopperLovin' Life – Gaither Vocal BandOn The Way Up – HisSong Room For More – Booth Brothers
Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Cry Your Last Tear" – Bishop Paul S. Morton & the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Mass Choir "Deliverance" – Lillie Knauls "Free At Last" – The Blind Boys of Alabama "God Is Good" – Regina Belle "Souled Out" – Hezekiah Walker & LFC "Take It Back" – Dorinda Clark-Cole
Traditional Gospel Album of the Year A New Day – Paul Porter After 40 Years... Still Sweeping Through the City – Shirley Caesar Cry Your Last Tear – Bishop Paul S. Morton & the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Mass Choir Do It! – Dottie Peoples Down In New Orleans – The Blind Boys of AlabamaContemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Favor Of God" – Martha Munizzi "Great Grace" – Alvin Slaughter "How Great Is Our God" – LaRue Howard "My Name Is Victory" – Jonathan Nelson "Shall We Gather at the River?" – Take 6 "Waging War" – CeCe Winans
Contemporary Gospel Album of the YearChange the World – Martha MunizziStand Out – Tye Tribbett & G.A. The Sound – Mary Mary The Standard – Take 6 Thy Kingdom Come – CeCe Winans
Country & Bluegrass Country Recorded Song of the Year "Did I Make A Difference" – The Oak Ridge Boys "Good Side Of Goodbye" – Living Waters Trio "I Saw God Today" – George Strait"I Wish" – Point of Grace"Jesus and John Wayne" – Gaither Vocal Band
Country Album of the YearAround the Bend – Randy TravisHome For Now – Living Waters Trio Hymned Again – Bart Millard I Turn to You – Richie McDonald Runaway Train – Crabb Revival
Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year "Help Is On The Way" – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver "I See a Crimson Stream" – Janet Paschal "The Old White Flag" – Triumphant Quartet"They’re Holding Up The Ladder" – Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Lewis Family, and The Easter Brothers"What Will I Wear" – Kim Hopper
Bluegrass Album of the Year Bluegrass Worship – Various artists Help Is On The Way – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Hymns From Chigger Hill – Chigger Hill Boys & Terri I Don’t Regret A Mile – Larry Sparks Pickin’, Praisin’, & Singin’: Hymns From The Mountain – Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain RailroadWe Are Family – Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Lewis Family, and The Easter BrothersWhat A Journey – Paul Williams & The Victory Trio
Praise & Worship Worship Song of the Year "A New Hallelujah" – Michael W. Smith Michael W. Smith, Debbie Smith, Paul Baloche, songwriters "Breathe On Me" – Natalie Grant Natalie Grant, songwriter "Jesus Messiah" – Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash, songwriters"Mighty to Save" – Hillsong ChurchBen Fielding, Reuben Morgan, songwriters"You’re Not Alone" – Meredith Andrews Meredith Andrews, songwriter
Praise & Worship Album of the YearA New Hallelujah – Michael W. SmithGreat God Who Saves – Laura Story Hello Love – Chris Tomlin Opposite Way – Leeland The Invitation – Meredith Andrews
Urban Urban Recorded Song of the Year "Declaration (This Is It)" – Kirk Franklin"Get Up" – Mary Mary"Love Him Like I Do" – Deitrick Haddon with Ruben Studdard and Mary Mary "No Looking Back" – Damita "Not A Slave" – J.R.
Urban Album of the Year Bold Right Life – Kierra SheardThe Fight of My Life – Kirk FranklinKingdom Business – Canton Jones No Looking Back – Damita Revealed – Deitrick Haddon
Others Instrumental Album of the Year A Treasury of Hymns – LaDonna Always There – Harold Rayford Born to Play – Barry D.The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (soundtrack) various artists – Harry Gregson-Williams (composer)Love Beyond All Measure – Stephen Petrunak The Breath of Life – Angella Christie
Children's Music Album of the YearAbsolute Modern Worship for Kids 4 – Various artistsAll God’s Animals – TJ McCloud David: Shepherd, Psalmist, Soldier, King! – Bible StorySongs Shout Praises Kids – I Am Free – Jeff Sandstrom, Kurt Goebel, Stephen Leiweke, and Jeremy Redmon Sleepytime Lullabies – Praise Baby Tell The World – Hillsong Kids
Spanish Language Album of the Year Abriras Las Puertas – Malin Alabanza y Adoracion: Del Corazon – Lucia Parker Mi Salvacion – Ingrid Rosario Refréscate! – Aline BarrosRescátame – Seventh Day SlumberSobrenatural – Marcos Witt Tengo Sed de Tí – Soraya Moraes
Special Event Album of the Year Billy: The Early Years Official Motion Picture Soundtrack (Arista Nashville/Essential Records) Country Bluegrass Homecoming Volume One (Gaither Music Group) How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites from the Grand Ole Opry (Sony BMG Nashville)Passion: God of This City (Sixsteps Records)Your Name (Integrity Music)
Christmas Album of the Year Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style – Gaither Vocal Band Christmas Songs – Fernando Ortega Home for Christmas – BarlowGirl O Holy Night – Sara GrovesPeace on Earth – Casting CrownsChoral Collection of the Year Cradle That Rocked The World – Geron Davis, Christopher Phillips, Jukka Palonen Glorious Day – David Moffitt, Sue C. Smith, Travis Cottrell He Still Leads – Christ Church Choir – Landy Gardner, Joy Gardner, Christopher PhillipsI’ll Say Yes – Carol CymbalaMake a Joyful Noise – Regi Stone
Recorded Music Packaging of the Year ...Is My Friend – Hawk Nelson Remedy Club Tour Edition – David Crowder BandRevelation – Third DayStorm the Gates of Hell (Deluxe Edition) – Demon Hunter The Tide Will Swallow Us Whole – Trenches
Musicals Musical of the Year Child of Wonder East to WestGod Bless the USA Savior The Risen Christ
Youth/Children's Musical An Island Christmas Angels We Have Heard It’s a Wonder-Full Life