Louder Than The Music

Christian music's biggest night, the GMA Dove Awards took place last night, 20th April 2011, at the historic Fox Theater in Atlanta, the first time the show has taken place outside Nashville in 40 years. Amongst the biggest winners of the night were Francesca Battistelli and Chris August who both took home three Dove Awards.

Francesca Battistelli won the awards for Artist Of The Year, Female Vocalist Of The Year and Pop/Contemporary Song Of The Year for 'Beautiful, Beautiful' from her 'My Paper Heart' album. Chris August won the New Artist Of The Year, Male Vocalist Of The Year and Pop/Contemporary Album Of The Year for 'No Far Away'.

There were two wins each for NEEDTOBREATHE (Group Of The Year and Contemporary Song Of The Year for 'Something Beautiful'), Group 1 Crew (Rap/HipHop Song Of The Year for 'Walking on the Stars' and Rap/HipHop Album Of The Year for 'Outta Space Love') and Meredith Andrews (Worship Song Of The Year for 'How Great Is The Love' and Praise & Worship Album Of The Year for 'As Long As It Takes').

The evening included a special performance by Third Day of their latest single 'Children Of God' featuring guest performances from Steven Curtis Chapman and Mark Hall from Casting Crowns - with all three artists in this heartwarming segment having adopted children of their own. The Dove Awards ceremony will be broadcast on The Gospel Music Channel on Sunday 24th April.

2011 Dove Award Winners (Partial List):
Song Of The Year - 'Sometimes I Cry' Jason Crabb
Male Vocalist Of The Year - Chris August
Female Vocalist Of The Year - Francesca Battistelli
Group Of The Year - NEEDTOBREATHE
Artist Of The Year - Francesca Battistelli
New Artist Of The Year - Chris August
Producer Of The Year - Ian Eskelin
Rap/HipHop Song Of The Year - 'Walking on the Stars' Group 1 Crew
Rock Song Of The Year - 'Start Again' Red
Contemporary Song Of The Year - 'Something Beautiful' NEEDTOBREATHE
Pop Song Of The Year - 'Beautiful, Beautiful' Francesca Battistelli
Inspirational Song Of The Year - 'Joseph' Jason Crabb
Worship Song Of The Year - Tie: 'How Great Is The Love' Meredith Andrews, Jacob Sooter, Paul Baloche; 'Our God' Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves, Chris Tomlin
Rap/HipHop Album Of The Year - 'Outta Space Love' Group 1 Crew
Rock Album Of The Year - 'Horseshoes & Handgrenades' Disciple
Contemporary Album Of The Year - 'Tonight' TobyMac
Pop Album Of The Year - 'No Far Away' Chris August
Special Event Album Of The Year - 'Passion: Awakening'
Praise & Worship Album Of The Year - 'As Long As It Takes' Meredith Andrews
Short Form Music Video Of The Year - 'SMS (Shine)' David Crowder*Band
Long Form Music Video Of The Year - 'Until the Whole World Hears...Live' Casting Crowns