Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, and Point of Grace will be among the Christian music artists vying for the coveted Artist of the Year title at this year's Dove Awards show.

Nominees for the 39th Annual Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards were announced at a press conference Thursday in Nashville, Tenn.

The annual awards show, a Christian version of the Grammys, celebrates the very best of Gospel and Christian music by recognizing talented singers, bands and songwriters with a Dove Award – considered Christian music's highest honor. Awards are also given to the top albums, music videos, and musicals in a plethora of genres.

In addition to Artist of the Year, Mark Hall of Casting Crowns received five other nods in this year's Dove Awards. For Male Vocalist of the Year, Hall will be contending with Switchfoot's frontman Jon Foreman, Mark Schultz, tobyMac and last year's winner Chris Tomlin, among others. His band is up for Group of the Year and their hit single "East to West" has a chance for song of the year. Casting Crowns was named Group of the Year last year.

Other notable nominations include Chris Tomlin, the David Crowder Band and tobyMac who have five nominations each.

The GMA Board of Directors this year increased the number of nominees from five to seven in categories honoring the Top Artist, New Artist, Group, Male Vocalist and Female Vocalist.

“Gospel and Christian music artists share an expressed intent to honor God through music and the freedom to create their art without stylistic boundaries. This year’s Dove nominations are a testament to that," said GMA President and CEO John W. Styll.

It "has been a challenge in the past for the artist categories to fairly represent and celebrate the breadth and depth of our music’s diversity," he added. "We believe our goal was accomplished with this year’s nominations."

Another change to this year's program includes a live broadcast for the first time in six years of the Dove Award show. The Gospel Music Channel will also become the exclusive television home for the annual awards show. The announcement was made at Thursday's press conference.

The American Bible Society will be the presenting sponsor of the 2008 telecast, which will air live on Gospel Music Channel on April 23 at 8 p.m. ET.

Dove Award winners will be announced at the annual awards show, which takes place at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jon Foreman
Mark Hall
Marvin Sapp
Mark Schultz
tobyMac
Chris Tomlin
Gerald Wolfe

Female Vocalist of the Year
Amy Grant
Natalie Grant
Mandisa
Krystal Meyers
Christy Nockels
Sandi Patty
Darlene Zschech

Group of the Year
Casting Crowns
The Clark Sisters
David Crowder Band
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Hillsong United
Point of Grace
Selah

Artist of the Year
Casting Crowns
The Clark Sisters
Natalie Grant
Point of Grace
Skillet
tobyMac
Chris Tomlin

New Artist of the Year
33 Miles
Austins Bridge
Group 1 Crew
Brandon Heath
Mandisa
Rush of Fools
DeWayne Woods

On the Web: The complete nominations list at www.doveawards.com.


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