The Gospel Music Association has released the list of the 47th Dove Award Nominees for 2016. SGNScoops extends our congratulations to each of the nominees. We are thankful that the greater Christian music audience is recognizing what we have known for almost 100 years: Gospel music with a Southern influence or Bluegrass/Country twang has a terrific message, accomplished vocalists and some of the best musicians of any genre.
Kudos to the multiple Dove Award nominees of our Southern Gospel family: Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, Gaither Vocal Band, Karen Peck and New River, and The Perrys. Also nominated were popular artists The Hoppers, The Booth Brothers, The Collingsworth Family, Mark Lowry, The Bowling Family, and Greater Vision.
SOUTHERN GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
“Jesus Changed Everything†– Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, (writers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey
“Jesus Gave Me Water†– Gaither Vocal Band, (writer) Lucie E. Campbell
“I am Blessed†– Karen Peck & New River, (writers) Karen Peck Gooch, Kenna West, Michael Farren
“Keep On†– Perrys, (writers) Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey
“Jesus, The One†– The Hoppers, (writer) Paula Stefanovich
SOUTHERN GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Still – Booth Brothers, (producers) Jason Webb, Lari Goss, Ronnie Booth, Michael Booth, Jim Brady
That Day Is Coming – Collingsworth Family, (producer) Wayne Haun
Happy People – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, (producers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Todd Collins
How We Love – Mark Lowry, (producers) Mark Lowry, Kevin Williams
Moments Like These – The Bowling Family, (producer) Mike Bowling
SOUTHERN GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, StowTown Records
Gaither Vocal Band,Gaither Music Group
Greater Vision, Daywind Records
Karen Peck & New River, Daywind Records
The Perrys, StowTown Records
Congratulations as well to our Bluegrass and Christian Country family. Multiple Dove Award nominees are Jimmy Fortune, Joey + Rory, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Shenandoah. Other Dove Award artist nominees include Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Flatt Lonesome, The Isaacs, Doug Anderson, Wilburn and Wilburn. Be sure to look at all the Dove award nominated writers, producers and others who work together to make these projects award-winning material.
BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
“He’s In Control†– Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, (writer) Steve Watts
“In The Heat of the Fire†– Flatt Lonesome, (writer) Kelsi Harrigill
“Life’s Railway to Heaven (with the Oak Ridge Boys)†– Jimmy Fortune, (writers) Eliza R. Snow, M.E. Abbey
“I’ll Fly Away†– Joey + Rory, (writer) Albert E. Brumley
“Leave It All on the Altar†– The Isaacs, (writers) Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither, Buddy Greene
BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
“Love Covered My Sin†– Doug Anderson, (writers) Wayne Haun, Randall Garland, Val Dacus
“Small Town Someone (Lunch)†– Jeff & Sheri Easter, (writers) Sheri Easter, Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox
“I Believe (with The Whites)†– Jimmy Fortune, (writer) Jimmy Fortune
“He Touched Me†– Joey+Rory, (writer) William J. Gaither
“Seconds Count†– Shenandoah ft. Karen Peck, (writers) Coy Fulmer, Doc Walley
BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY 
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Small Town, Celebrating 30 Years of Music and Marriage – Jeff & Sheri Easter, (producers) Madison Easter, Greg Cole, Jeff & Sheri Easter
Hits and Hymns – Jimmy Fortune (producer) Ben Isaacs
Hymns That Are Important To Us – Joey+Rory, (producers) Rory Lee Feek, Joe West
Good News Travels Fast – Shenandoah, (producers) Bud McGuire, Mike McGuire
Shoulders – Wilburn & Wilburn, (producers) Ben Issacs, Jonathan Wilburn, Jordan Wilburn
In the following Dove Award categories, we have highlighted the artists that are often referred to as Southern Gospel or Christian Country, or those who would be recognized by that industry.
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Bernie Herms
David Garcia
Kirk Franklin
Wayne Haun
Seth Mosley & Michael X O’Connor (Team)
INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
“Pieces†– Bethel Music & Amanda Cook, (writers) Amanda Cook, Steffany Gretzinger
“Let It Be Jesus†– Christy Nockels, (writers) Chris Tomlin, Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman
“Heaven’s Shore†– David Phelps, (writer) David Phelps
“O Praise the Name (Anastasis)†– Hillsong Worship (writers) Marty Sampson, Benjamin Hastings, Dean Ussher
“Till I Met You†– Laura Story, (writers) Laura Story, Christopher Stevens, Bryan Fowler
SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR                      Blessed Assurance: The New Hymns of Fanny Crosby – Various, (producers) Bobby Blazier, John Hartley
Let the Glory Come Down – Bill & Gloria Gaither and Friends, (producers) Geron Davis, Bradley Knight
Passion Salvations Tide Is Rising – Passion, (producers) David Crowder, Gabe Scott, Ed Cash, David Garcia, Ross Copperman, Seth Mosley, Nathan Nockels, Shama “Sake Pase, Joseph, Maurice “Jimi Cravity†Willis, Solomon Olds
The Passion: New Orleans – Various/The Passion Cast, (producers) Adam Anders, Peer Astrom
We Will Stand – Various, (producers) Michael Omartian, Dan Posthuma
MUSICAL OF THE YEAR
Bethlehem Morning, (creators) Russel Mauldin, Sue C. Smith
Jesus, Only Jesus, (creator) Craig Adams
That’s Where The Story Begins, (creators) Dave Clark, Gerald Crabb, Mike Harland
This Changes Everything, (creators) Marty Funderburk, Joseph Habedank
Under a Starry Sky (A Dramatic Musical for Christmas), – (creators) Joel Lindsey, Jeff Bumgardner
LONG FORM VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Come Alive – Bethel Music Kids, (director) David Noroña (producer) Kiley Goodpasture
Neon Porch Extravaganza LIVE – Crowder, (director) Nathan Corrona (producers) Shelley Giglio, Mike McCloskey
Youth Revival – Hillsong Y&F, (director) Jamin Tasker (producer) Ben Field
Hymns That Are Important To Us – Joey+Rory, (director) Daniel Grace (producer) Aaron Carnahan, Joel McAfee, Bill Gaither
#LetsGo – Planetshakers, (director) Pete Seamons, Peter John (producer) Russell Evans, Mike Pilmer, Joth Hunt, Josh Brown
CCM United – Various, (director) Michael Omartian (producer) Stephen Yake
Congratulations to each Dove Award nominee who has been recognized for talent, skill and ministry. To each artist whose name does not appear here, we applaud your hard work, diligence, and commitment to making quality music that uplifts the name of Jesus!
For the complete list of Dove Awards nominees click here.
For more Gospel music news click here.
