At most music-related awards shows, Artist of the Year is generally one of the biggest awards given out.
The Dove Awards are no exception. Each year, the Dove Awards committee nominates the five artists who they believe were the most successful in the past 12 months for Artist of the Year, and this year’s nominees are one of the strongest groups ever.
Chris Tomlin: One of the most successful Christian artists of all time, Tomlin received his seventh Artist of the Year nomination. For someone who has been nominated for a staggering 32 Dove Awards, and six Grammys as well, nominations no longer come as a surprise. Tomlin, known for famous worship songs such as “How Great is Our God” and “Whom Shall I Fear,” will be vying for his third Best Artist Dove Award.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x5aEvl6Zdk
Francesca Battistelli: After the huge success of her previous two albums, My Paper Heart and Hundred More Years, Battistelli garnered her fourth nomination for Artist of the Year. Battistelli, who previously won the award in 2011, is known for such hits as “Free to Be Me” and “Strangely Dim.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKSQjSdU8VA
Lecrae: Lecrae has spent the last few years blowing up in the Christian nd mainstream music scenes. His 14 Dove Award nominations, including eight in the past two years, are evidence of that. Earlier this year, Lecrae won the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album for his wildly successful album Gravity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p9BwiOGVj8
Tamela Mann: Thanks to the strength of her recent album Best Days and the lead single “Take Me to the King,” Mann received her first ever Artist of the Year nomination for the Dove Awards. Mann, who is also an accomplished play and film actress, also notched a Grammy nomination for “Take Me to the King” this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU3qgPn3bGA
TobyMac: A veteran in the Christian music scene, TobyMac has been nominated for 40 Dove Awards, winning 14 of them, and eight Grammys, which he has won two of. TobyMac’s broad appeal has led to his great success in the music industry. This year sees his seventh Artist of the Year nomination, and he has won only once before.