by Taylor McKnight | Oct 25, 2020 | Arts and Entertainment, News, News Slider
In a normal October, the red carpet would be rolling out and leading into Allen Arena for the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards. This is not a normal October. The 51st GMA Dove Awards will not be hosted at Lipscomb; in fact, there will be no venue hosting the Dove Awards, as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the awards show to be completely virtual, with planners trying to package it differently than a typical awards show. The gospel awards show has taken place in Lipscomb’s Allen Arena for the past seven years, and the organizers hope to be able to come back to Allen Arena in 2021. Doves producer Justin Fratt said organizers wanted to take a different approach for this year’s awards to stand out from other virtual awards shows and to maintain the relevance and power of this event. “When planning, we were thinking about what would be different, but still very compelling,” said Fratt. “We didn’t want to do it like others — we’ve seen awards shows utilizing Zoom. This will be a musical feature that celebrates the music and the message.” The planning started in the spring, and the show was recorded in mid-September at TBN studios in Hendersonville. It took three weeks to record the show, said Fratt, adding there are performances and interviews with artists, who will share stories of faith and how gospel music has gotten them through these trying times. As far as the Dove Awards’ plans to return to Lipscomb next year: it looks like it’s a go. “As long as we can, we would love to gather again at...
by Mckenzi Harris | Nov 5, 2019 | Arts and Entertainment, BREAKING NEWS, News Slider
Gospel artist Kirk Franklin says he will boycot future Dove Awards, the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and the Gospel Music Association (GMA), until “tangible plans are put in place to protect and champion diversity.” The GMA has responded by beginning a process to reconcile with Franklin and other stars who have announced support for him. The GMA Dove Awards, an annual show that recognizes achievement in the Christian music industry, took place on Lipscomb University’s campus for the seventh consecutive year on Oct. 16. Franklin’s boycott, that he announced early in November, is in response to the network removing comments during his Artist of the Year award acceptance speech. Franklin spoke of the death of a 28-year-old black woman who died after a Fort Worth police officer shot through her window Oct. 12. “A young girl by the name of Atatiana Jefferson was shot and killed in her home by a policeman, and I am just asking that we send up prayers for her family and for his,” Franklin said. “And asking that we send up prayers for that 8-year-old little boy that saw that tragedy.” That moment, along with others, was edited out of the 50th Annual Dove Awards television broadcast. In response, Franklin took to social media and posted a video calling for a boycott of the show. He said the ultimate goal of the boycott is “reconciliation and accountability.” “It is important for those in charge to be informed,” he said. “Not only did they edit my speech, they edited the African-American experience.” Franklin said that this isn’t the first time the GMAs have chosen to...
by Erika Plunkett, Mckenzi Harris & Kathryn Farris | Oct 16, 2019 | BREAKING NEWS, Galleries, News Slider
The glitz and the glam of GMA’s Dove Awards made their return to the Lipscomb campus for the seventh consecutive year on Tuesday night. The 50th annual award show played host to some of the biggest names in Christian entertainment, all in the name of worship and praise. TobyMac and Ledger opened the show with“The Elements,” a snowy performance that kicked off a night of celebration filled with a half-century worth of performances and appearances from artists both new and legendary. Lauren Daigle leads the pack with six nominations and three wins The most highly nominated artist of the night, Lauren Daigle, took home the awards for artist of the year, song of the year and pop/contemporary album of the year. Daigle has skyrocketed as a crossover artist; her single “You Say” has dominated both Christian and All-Genre charts. “To say how is it feeling? I’m really genuinely pinching myself and I’m also just amazed that God’s doing this,” Daigle said after winning her big award. Gallery by Mckenzi Harris. Kirk Franklin uses Dove Awards platform to call attention to police brutality Singer Kirk Franklin took home the award for gospel artist of the year, but during his acceptance speech he” addressed a recent police brutality tragedy. “A young girl by the name of Atatiana Jefferson was shot and killed in her home by a policeman,” said Franklin. “I am just asking that we send up prayers for her family and for his and asking that we send up prayers for that 8-year-old little boy that saw that tragedy.” Video by Mckenzi Harris, Kathryn Farris and Erika Plunkett Dove...
by Kathryn Farris | Oct 12, 2019 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
It’s that time of year again — a white tent has been placed outside Allen Arena, and weekly parking email warns of an expansive list of closed parking spots for Tuesday evening when Lipscomb will host the 50thannual Dove Awards. It’s Lipscomb’s seventh year hosting the GMA Dove Awards, and as usual, several genre heavyweights will be in attendance. This year’s guest list includes artists like Lauren Daigle, Amy Grant, Hillsong Worship and MercyMe. Performances are expected from the five new artist of the year nominees Riley Clemmons, Austin French, Kelontae Gavin, Josh Baldwin and Aaron Carter. The nominations for major category song of the year shine a light on writers and performers like Francesca Battistelli’s “The Breakup Song” and Lauren Daigle’s “You Say.” Daigle’s song “You Say,” co-written by Jason Ingram and Paul Mabury, recently broke the record for the longest No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart. Presenters will include comedian John Crist, Kathy Lee Gifford, for KING & COUNTRY and Lipscomb alum Pat Boone. Lumination will bring you full coverage of the big event, so check back Tuesday evening. Till then, check out last year’s coverage here. Photo by Ben...
by Ben Davis | Oct 18, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, Galleries, News Slider
Lipscomb welcomed some of the biggest names in Christian music for the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards Tuesday for a night of celebrating music and worshiping God. For King and Country kicked off the evening with a performance from their new album Burn the Ships, which just reached No. 7 on the Gospel Music Chart. Joel and Luke Smallbone spoke on the inspiration for the album and how important it is to know when to move on. Despite the heavy topic, the pair hope to create a dynamic show. “Art is meant to be creative and lawless and exciting,” Joel Smallbone said. “Hopefully with the show and with the record you feel that sense.” Ready the full story here. « ‹ of 3 ›...
