2010 Dove Awards Nominations

The Gospel Music Association announced nominations for 23 of 43 categories today in Nashville.

Jars of Clay, Skillet and Crabb are up against Casting Crowns, Francesca Battistelli, Mary Mary and tobyMac for artist of the year. TobyMac is the only previous artist of the year nominated.

Casting Crowns, Jars Of Clay and Skillet are also up for group of the year with competition in that category from Gaither Vocal Band, Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, needtobreathe and Dove’s Awards 2009 new artist award winner, Tenth Avenue North.

This year’s new artist nominees include Jonny Diaz, Kari Jobe, Revive, Sidewalk Prophets, Bluetree, Crystal Akin and Brian Courtney Wilson.

Male Artists of the Year nominees include Jeremy Camp, Jason Crabb, Michael English, Brandon Heath, Bebo Norman, Mark Schultz, Donnie McClurkin and Smokie Norful.

Huan was nominated for producer of the year, song of the year, Southern gospel recorded song and bluegrass recorded song. He also earned two nods for Southern gospel album of the year for his contribution to The Perrys’ Almost Morning and Janet Paschal’s Treasure. The producer has 11 awards under his belt.

The 41st edition of the Dove Awards take place April 21 at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House.

The event is being hosted by Natalie Grant and MercyMe frontman Bart Millard.

MercyMe has previously received multiple Dove Awards. Grant has picked up the award for female vocalist of the year four times in a row and has once again been nominated in the category, along with Francesca Battistelli, Karen Peck Gooch, Heather Headley, Mandisa, Dawn Michele and Laura Story.

“Hosting the GMA Dove Awards is a real honor,” Grant said. “I am, and have always been, a fan of Christian music and to help shine a brighter spotlight on the message of the music that’s changing lives by honoring the artists that create it, will be a tremendous privilege. I love that it’s not a night of competition, but an evening of giving honor and celebrating one another. It’s really more like a family gathering that I look forward to ever year.”

In addition to performances by MercyMe and Grant, the Dove Awards will also feature appearances by Casting Crowns, tobyMac, Donald Lawrence and Jason Crabb. More artists will be announced soon.

Fans will once again get to take part in the Dove Awards by voting online for artist of the year and new artist of the year.

Tickets to the Dove Awards are on sale now, ranging in price from $25 to $200. Tickets can be purchased through the Grand Ole Opry’s Web site, by calling 1-800-SEE-OPRY or in-person at The Opry Box Office and the Ryman Auditorium Box Office.

If you can’t make it down to the Grand Old Opry House you can catch the award show on Gospel Music Channel’s (GMC) television network, April 25 from 8 p.m.-10 p.m.

Click here for the Dove Awards’ Web site.

Click here for GMC’s Web site.