By Naomi Richard
After a 2-year production run in Atlanta, Georgia, the Gospel Music Association (GMA) returned to Nashville, Tennessee. The awards were held at the Lipscomb Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University with a sold out crowd.
“We are so happy to have the Dove Awards return to Nashville. Many of us live here and it makes it nice to have it so close. I live only a mile away,” commented Jason Crabb.
Jackie Patillo, GMA Chief Executive Officer, had this to say, “We are so happy to be home. Our partnership with Lipscomb University has made the transition so smooth. We have such great support and partnerships here. I’m also very pleased with the media turn out.”
As a member of the media, I was very impressed with the entire Nashville production. For me, the press room was set up and operational with all of our needs met. There were even engineers available to assist with any technical problems.
For the third year in a row, GMA added a red carpet experience for the artists. We also had a Dove Award pre-show where non-televised Doves were awarded, and then of course there was the main televised taping, to be aired on the Up Network.
The red carpet consisted of Christian Artists being photographed and interviewed by television personalities, radio, magazine and newspaper. Celebrities walking the carpet included fan favorites such as Kari Jobe, Ben Tankard, The Isaacs, David and Tamela Mann, Rick Warren, Jason Crabb, Uncle Reece, Earnest Pugh, Lecrae, Tasha Cobbs, Britt Nicole and Colton Dixon to name a few
Backstage we were able to speak with many of the artists and here’s what they shared from our backstage moments.
Chris Tomlin
Q. Does the Recording Academy (Producers of the Grammy Awards®) need to add additional categories for Christian and Gospel Music?
A. Absolutely. We need more categories and we need to be a part of the televised broadcast. Christian music is the music of the world.
Rick Warren
Q. How are you doing since the loss of your son?
A. We’re doing better. We want to thank all of you for your support and prayers. So many reached out to us and it meant so much. I took sixteen weeks off when it happened, and I had sixteen guest preachers come to minister. Many of the artists here tonight came out to sing for us. It was such a blessing. I felt overwhelmingly loved and I am forever grateful.
Tasha Cobbs
Q. With the overwhelming success of your current project and with the visibility you’ve been given, how are you staying grounded?
A. I’m from a very small country town in Georgia. I can never forget where I’ve come from and I just get so excited to see where God has taken me! All the travel, all of the engagements, all the doors opened have just been amazing. I want people to feel Jesus like I feel him. I give it all I have. Jesus Culture originally recorded the song, Break Every Chain. I felt that I could perform it from my personal testimony. I brought it to VaShawn Mitchell, my producer, and we agreed to put it on the project. The rest is history!
Sheri Easter
Q. How is your health and how does it feel to win Country Music Album of the Year?
A. I am a 5-year cancer survivor. To be a real anointed Christian artist, you have to go through the tough stuff. On our latest project, we were blessed to have our son Madison work with us. He was 14 years old when he started writing music. We are blessed to work with he and his wife. We are so proud of him (Madison and Shannon)
TobyMac
Q. Can you tell us about the new music video you’ve been working on?
A. It is a performance driven ride with high energy. It’s going to be fun and filled with passion. As far as my music, every time I write, I’m thinking about how to serve humankind, whether they’re people who share in the faith I have or not!”
“I also need to say something about the movie, “I’m In Love With a Church Girl.” It’s going to be amazing and you don’t want to miss it. Israel [Houghton] has outdone himself with the music. Please take an unbeliever with you to see it.”
Lecrae
Q. What impact do you hope to make on the world through your music?
A. I want to change the way people see the world. I want them to see things from God’s lenses.
In general, we had a great time in Nashville celebrating Christian music and film this year. The audience was charged, the performances were at their best, the production was superb and the Holy Spirit filled the place!
###All Photos Except for the photo of Kirk Franklin and Amy Grant are used by permission and belong to gospelnewsroom contributor Naomi Richard.
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