Louder Than The Music

The nominees for the Dove Awards 2010 were announced in Nashville yesterday. Organised by the Gospel Music Association (GMA), the Dove Awards are widely regarded as the most important award ceremony in Christian music. The nominees for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards were announced at a press conference held at Belmont University's Curb Café.

Jars of Clay, Skillet, Matt Maher and Jason Crabb all received six nominations each. Bernie Herms leads in total nominations with eight, including Producer of the Year. Producers and songwriters Jason Ingram (now part of the band One Sonic Society) and Wayne Haun follow with seven nominations each.

There are more than 40 categories in this year's Dove Awards. The nominations in the leading categories are as follows:

Artist of the Year:
Casting Crowns, tobyMac, Mary Mary, Jars of Clay, Francesca Battistelli, Skillet and Jason Crabb

Group of the Year:
Skillet, Casting Crowns, Gaither Vocal Band, Jars of Clay, Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, NEEDTOBREATHE, and Tenth Avenue North

New Artist of the Year Category:
Kari Jobe, Crystal Aikin, Bluetree, Jonny Diaz, Revive, Sidewalk Prophets and Brian Courtney Wilson

The winners of the 2010 GMA Dove Awards will be announced at the awards ceremony held on Wednesday 21st April at Nashville's famed Grand Ole Opry House. The show will be hosted by Natalie Grant and MercyMe's Bart Millard and will feature performances from artists including Casting Crowns, TobyMac, Natalie Grant, Donald Lawrence, Jason Crabb, MercyMe and many more.