NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Jars of Clay, Nicole C. Mullen, Steven Curtis Chapman, MercyMe, Delirious, Point of Grace, tobyMac, Third Day and Rebecca St. James are among the performers confirmed for the Gospel Music Association’s 33rd Annual Dove Awards telecast April 25 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn., according to GMA President Frank Breeden.
An all-star Voices of Hope performance of “In God We Trust” along with New Artist of the Year nominees Sara Groves, Shaun Groves, downhere, Joy Williams and ZOEgirl also will perform.
“With this outstanding lineup of artists, the Dove Awards will showcase the depth of diversity and talent in Christian and gospel music,” Breeden said. “Nearly every style of music will be represented in this telecast including pop, rock, urban, hip-hop, Southern Gospel and modern worship. We believe the show will make for an entertaining and moving evening.”
Grammy and Dove award-winning Jars of Clay will perform a network broadcast debut of their new single “I Need You.” Female Artist of the Year nominee and Australian native Rebecca St. James and U.K. modern worship and rock band Delirious will add an international flavor to the show.
Steven Curtis Chapman will come to the Dove Awards with nine nominations and a chance to add to his tally of the most awards earned by any artist. TobyMac (of dcTalk), Nicole C. Mullen who is the reigning Songwriter and Female Vocalist of the Year and reigning Artist and Group of the Year Third Day are also multiple nominees this year. MercyMe, the best-selling new artist of 2001, was recently #1 on the Billboard Heatseeker chart with their debut album “Almost There.” Host Yolanda Adams, who recently won the first American Music Award for Inspirational Pop music artist, will also perform at the Doves.
“In God We Trust,” created as a Christian music industry unified response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, features Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, dcTalk, Rachael Lampa, Jaci Velasquez, Avalon, Anointed and Selah.
Breeden also announced that GMA is producing a Dove Awards live concert and viewing party open to the public at Nashville’s OpryMills, located next to the Opry House. The event will feature concert performances, and the producers plan to tie the viewing party into live telecast.
Several promotional activities are planned for the Dove Awards including a Dove pre-party concert featuring teen group Jump5 at the Atlanta-area Discover Mills in Lawrenceville, Ga., on April 18. Mills TV at the Mills shopping centers across the United States also will air Dove Award promotional advertisements.
PAX TV’s broadcast will mark the first time the Dove Awards will be live on a national broadcast network. Another first, FamilyNet TV will air the two-hour pre-show during which more than 35 Dove Awards will be presented. The live pre-show telecast, sponsored by Sparrow Records’ Dove Hits 2002, also will feature backstage interviews and will direct viewers to PAX TV for the Dove subsequent night of award presentations.
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(BP) logo posted in the BP Photo Library at http://www.bpnews.net. Photo title: 33rd ANNUAL DOVE AWARDS.
