Hendersonville, TN (April 21, 2011) – The 42nd annual GMA Dove Awards celebrated another great year in Gospel music last night at the historic Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.  Hosted by Sherri Shepherd, the sold out crowd enjoyed performances by some of the top artists in the industry, including Chris Tomlin, Kirk Franklin, Steven Curtis Chapman, Natalie Grant, Jason Crabb, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound and many more.  The top winners of the night were Francesca Battistelli, Chris August, Point of Grace and Jason Crabb, with each receiving three Dove Awards.  The final award of the evening, Song of the Year, was presented to Jason Crabb’s, “Sometimes I Cry,†written by his father, Daywind songwriter, Gerald Crabb and published through Christian Taylor Music.  Gerald was also awarded overall Songwriter of the Year: a category in which fellow nominees included Chris August, Jason Ingram, Joel Lindsey and Wayne Haun.
The Pre-Show Ceremony, held on Wednesday afternoon in the Fox Theatre’s Egyptian Ballroom, was hosted by Jason Crabb and featured performances by Guy Penrod, Nicole C. Mullen, and others. Highlights of the afternoon included an impromptu moment when Jason Crabb invited his brother, Aaron, and Karen Peck Gooch to join him on stage for an incredible rendition of “Through the Fire†that brought the crowd to its feet. Brian Free sang his hit song, “Never Walk Alone,†during a special segment honoring industry professionals and artists who have passed away this year, including his own mother and father.
The 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards will be televised on the Gospel Music Channel, Easter Sunday, April 24th, at 8:00 p.m ET.
Daywind Music Group is based in Hendersonville, TN and is distributed worldwide through New Day Christian Distribution. Daywind is home to such great artists as Legacy Five and the Perrys, and writers such as Kenna West and Marty Funderburk, among others. For more information on Daywind Records, visit daywindrecords.com.
