Hendersonville, TN – The top names in Christian music gathered at the Allen Arena at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN, in celebration of the 47th Annual GMA Dove Awards. The festivities began Tuesday afternoon with the pre-telecast show held in Collins Auditorium, followed by red carpet interviews leading into the televised show.
Karen Peck & New River shined with two wins for the evening, including Southern Gospel Song of the Year for the radio hit, “I Am Blessed,†written by Karen Peck, Kenna West and Michael Farren. Karen Peck & New River was also named Southern Gospel Artist of the Year. Daywind Music Publishing received a Dove for Country Song of the Year, “Small Town Someone,†written by Jason Cox, Kenna West and Sheri Easter, and recorded by Jeff & Sheri Easter. That’s Where The Story Begins was recognized as Musical of the Year, written by Dave Clark, Gerald Crabb and Mike Harland, and released through Daywind Publishing and LifeWay Worship.
Several Daywind artists were featured performers during the ceremonies.  Dove Award nominees, The Bowling Family, entertained the audience for the pre-telecast show with their upbeat song, “Praise God He Is Alive,†and presented several awards during the event. A highlight of the televised ceremony was the Southern Gospel segment featuring Gerald Wolfe’s Gospel Music Hymn Sing. The audience was encouraged to sing along as Gerald Wolfe led a medley of the most beloved hymns of the church. Featuring crowd-pleasing performances by the Isaacs, Joseph Habedank, the Kingdom Heirs and Karen Peck, the choir also included popular artists such as the Jim Brady Trio and the Mylon Hayes Family, as well as instrumentalists Stan Whitmire, Sandy Payton and Ben Wolfe. The audience itself was a major part of the sound of the segment with attendees standing, singing, and worshipping the entire time.
The 47th Annual GMA Dove Awards will air on TBN on Sunday, October 16th, 2016, at 9 pm CST. Check your local listings for additional information on airings.
