Dove Award Nominations

Up-and-comers managed to hold their own against veteran acts as the nominees for the 38th annual Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards were announced February 20th.

Newcomers Aaron Shust and Leeland each garnered five nominations in categories including song of the year, male vocalist of the year and new artist of the year.

Last year’s winner of artist of the year, Chris Tomlin, leads the pack with nine nods, followed by Jars of Clay with six and The Crabb Family with five.

Ties in voting for the artist of the year category resulted in a field of seven nominees this year instead of the usual five, with Tomlin, Jars of Clay, The Crabb Family, Stellar Kart, Casting Crowns, TobyMac, and Third Day all being tapped for the award.

Dove statuettes will be presented April 25th at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. The show will be broadcast in national syndication in May.