Story by Becca Risley and Stephanie Schiraldi
Pop, hip-hop, Southern gospel and rock music rang out from the same Nashville stage Tuesday, Oct. 13, as the 46th annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards returned to Lipscomb’s Allen Arena for the third year in a row.
The event, co-hosted by Mary Mary gospel music star Erica Campbell and “Duck Dynasty’s” Sadie Robertson, returned to Nashville two years ago, and the GMA is in the third year of its contract with Lipscomb University. The theme of the awards show was “Better Together.”
Lipscomb University President Randy Lowry addressed the crowd with a word of thanks and welcomed the audience with a reminder – that the meaning of the Dove Awards goes far beyond honoring Christian music and musicians.
“You are here to share in the story of God’s redemption and hope,” Lowry said. “We will share that together in this arena and we will take it to the world.”
Click the play button below to hear how Lipscomb’s campus was affected by the awards show.
Lowry wasn’t the only Lipscomb face that appeared on stage. Eight Lipscomb students were given the opportunity to play on stage with award-winning artist Lauren Daigle.
“Lauren was so thankful and excited to be playing with live strings,” sophomore Jamie Pratt said. “I didn’t really grasp how cool this opportunity was until the eight of us were sitting behind her on the stage, looking into the crowd of so many influential musicians we were about to perform for. This was such a big night for Lauren, and it really was an honor to come behind her to help make it special.”
Along with Daigle, other performances included Building 429, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, David Crowder and Kari Jobe. Presenters for the night included Jaci Velasquez, Chonda Pierce, Natalie Grant, Bernie Herms and Tasha Cobbs.
The 46th Annual Dove Awards show will be aired on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) at 9 p.m. (Central time) on Sunday, Oct. 18.
Newcomer Lauren Daigle wins big during ceremony
During the show, Daigle swept each category she was nominated for, taking home three awards.
Daigle beat out several other newcomers for New Artist of the Year, and her song “How Can It Be” won Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year.
That track, along with another hit single “First,” spent 96 weeks among the 200 on the Billboard U.S. Christian chart, where it climbed to No. 78.
“I feel like this is the warm hug of the industry,” Daigle said. “I’m just blown away by everyone’s support. Tonight I’m going to remember the faithfulness of God – that this is just a symbol of His faithfulness through all the things He’s allowed me to do and the opportunities He’s allowed me to be a part of.”
Daigle is in the process of composing her next record and is on tour with Casting Crowns. She will tour in December with Chris Tomlin as well.
In other major categories, Lecrae won Artist of the Year, for KING & COUNTRY took home Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year, Mom’s Night Out won for Inspirational Film of the Year, Colton Dixon’s “Anchor” got Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year and The Talleys’ “Hidden Heroes” earned Southern Gospel Song of the Year.
Matt Maher won Songwriter of the Year and Seth Mosely took home Producer of the Year.
The Erwin Brothers produced Mom’s Night Out and said their children inspired them to take on the project.
“It’s a faith film, and it’s a comedy,” producer Andrew Erwin said. “We just felt like Christians like to laugh, too. I remember thinking that it’s such a relatable film.”
Lauren Talley said family also inspired the recording of “Hidden Heroes.”
“This song is very special to us, because our family has a personal connection to the subject matter,” Talley said. “My grandmother struggled for the last 10 years with Alzheimer’s disease, and my grandfather cared for her faithfully every day. We are so excited that this song is bringing a lot of attention to caregivers and the hard work that they do day in and day out.”
KING & COUNTRY members were unable to accept their award in person Tuesday evening but recorded an emotional video to share with the audience the meaning of their album RUN WILD. LIVE FREE. LOVE STRONG.
The pair met a woman in Destutt, California named Bridgette who spent several years of her life as an addict on the streets. According to singers Luke and Joel Smallbone, Bridgette turned her life around after hearing one of their songs.
“It was a complete paradigm shift for her,” Smallbone said. “Receiving an award is sometimes a little bit of a challenge for us, but what we’re so grateful for is those are the stories these awards resemble.”
With the theme of the evening being “Better Together,” several artists and representatives reflected on what it means to come together annually as a group of Christian artists.
“God called for us to be a unified group of people,” contemporary musician Kirk Franklin said. “We see each other and it’s like a family reunion. It’s time we stand together as a unit so people can see that we’re a strong, powerful group and we ain’t going nowhere.”
Photo galleries by Erin Turner and Ben Davis
Radio story by Haleigh Ker
Video by Aaron Schmelzer and Turner