Coordinates	42°5′7″N76°48′33″N
name	Dove Award
description	Outstanding achievements in the Christian music industry
presenter	Gospel Music Association
country	United States
year	1969
website	http://www.doveawards.com/ }}

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards are presented annually by the Gospel Music Association for outstanding achievements in the Christian music industry. The awards are usually presented during a ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee, that features performances by a number of the industry's newest and most successful artists. From 2004-2006, they were officially called the GMA Music Awards, but have since returned to the better known title of Dove Awards.

The awards were established in 1969, and represent a wide variety of musical styles, including metal, pop, rock, rap & hip hop, country, gospel, and praise & worship.

The 42nd GMA Dove Awards took place on April 20, 2011 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. It will be broadcast on gmc.

Date and location

The GMA Dove Awards awards were originally held in September, during the National Quartet Convention. They were not held in 1979 (except for the GMA Hall of Fame) as they were moved to April 1980, for Gospel Music Week, where they've been held annually since. The only exception was the 1999 awards, which were moved to late March.

The first two awards ceremonies (1969 and 1970) were held in Memphis, Tennessee, but were then moved to Nashville, where they've been held until 2010. A GMA press release revealed that the 42nd Dove Awards will be held in Atlanta's historic Fox Theatre on April 20, 2011. This will be the first time the awards have ever been presented outside of Tennessee.

The 2012 Dove Awards will be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Categories

The 2008 Awards included:

Song of the Year

Songwriter of the Year

Male Vocalist of the Year

Female Vocalist of the Year

Group of the Year

Artist of the Year

New Artist of the Year

Producer of the Year

Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year

Rock Recorded Song of the Year

Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year

Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year

Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year

Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year

Country Recorded Song of the Year

Urban Recorded Song of the Year

Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year

Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year

Worship Song of the Year

Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year

Rock Album of the Year

Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year

Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year

Inspirational Album of the Year

Southern Gospel Album of the Year

Bluegrass Album of the Year

Country Album of the Year

Urban Album of the Year

Traditional Gospel Album of the Year

Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year

Instrumental Album of the Year

Children's Music Album of the Year

Spanish Language Album of the Year

Special Event Album of the Year

Christmas Album of the Year

Praise & Worship Album of the Year

Musical of the Year

Youth/Children's Musical of the Year

Choral Collection of the Year

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year

Short Form Music Video of the Year

Long Form Music Video of the Year

Issues and criticisms

Some critics argue that the GMA Dove Award voters tend to be musically conservative and biased in favor of traditional gospel and pop artists over other genres. Another common criticism is that most GMA Dove Awards tend to go to either well-established acts that receive heavy radio airplay, or those that fall into the aforementioned categories. Evidence for such claims includes the fact that Steven Curtis Chapman won the "Songwriter of the Year" award 9 out of 10 years and "Male Vocalist of the Year" 7 of 12 years, with some of those wins coming in years when he released no new material (however, these often include years when he had multiple hit singles as well as years where he co-wrote songs with other artists).

Since the voters are all GMA members and usually work in the industry, critics charge they would more than likely tend to vote for whichever bands have the most "buzz" at the moment or are associated with their area of the industry, as with most award voterships. Supporters of the GMA contend that this is likely less prevalent than in secular awards due to Christians placing a high value on ethical behavior. However, once in a while the GMA would hand out an award that would suggest otherwise, such as the year Inspirational singer Carman won an award for Rap Song of the Year for a novelty song called "R.I.O.T"

The 1971 voting scandal

An indication that gospel music was fast approaching professionalism was a bona fide scandal over the 1971 GMA's Dove Awards. The incident involved one of gospel music's premier groups, the Blackwood Brothers, who had captured nine out of fourteen awards. They were accused of having conducted an extensive campaign to enlist new members to the GMA and to encourage members to vote for particular award nominees in the Dove Award balloting. Though no specific bylaw of the organization had been broken, the tactic created an industrywide concern over "voting irregularities and ethical ballot influence and solicitation." The GMA Board voted to nullify the entire process, thereby invalidating all the awards, except for the GMA Hall of Fame inductees, that had been presented at the October 8, 1971 banquet held in Nashville, in which the Gospel Music Association formed a committee to adjust the voting process with "safeguards to prevent any future irregularities in Dove Awards balloting." James Blackwood issued a statement in support of the organization's decision and strongly urged all other participants in the Dove Awards to subscribe and adhere to the code of ethics to be set forth by the Gospel Music Association.

The Michael English scandal

Shortly after the 1994 show, Male Vocalist winner Michael English admitted to an extramarital affair with Marabeth Jordon, a member of former Group winner First Call. Although English returned his awards to the GMA after news of his affair became public the week following the awards presentation, the GMA declined to reissue his awards to another winner. English's name remained on the winner's list against his stated wishes.

Definition of gospel music

In 1998, due to controversy caused by two popular singles by Amy Grant and Sixpence None the Richer, the GMA published a new definition of gospel music. According to the definition, to be considered eligible for the Dove Awards, gospel music must have lyrics that are:

Prior to the definition, the only qualified music was that sold in Christian Booksellers Association affiliated stores. The new standards resulted in complaints by some fans and artists after thirteen entries were disqualified as being too secular in the 1999 Dove Awards.

The rules were rescinded afterwards, and many groups disqualified by the rulings in 1999 were winners in 2000.

The controversy grew in 2004 when Switchfoot and Stacie Orrico were major winners with music that was predominantly secular in nature. Switchfoot also drew criticism with an endorsement contract with Budweiser beer. Some considered the Budweiser deal inappropriate for artists nominated for a GMA Dove Award.

This controversy continued in 2006, as top pop artists who are not in the genre won major awards, as Carrie Underwood and Brian Littrell were major GMA Dove Award winners. Also, rumors were circulating about the possible nomination of Kanye West's rap track "Jesus Walks"; this song was not nominated due to the illicit content of the song and the record.

The 2004 television non-broadcast

In 2004, a major fiasco occurred with the GMA Music Awards (the first year with the name change), with a taped broadcast that never aired. The GMA contracted to screen the awards live in selected Regal Cinema multiplexes, with United Paramount Network to broadcast taped coverage five weeks later. However, when GMAMA co-host Deion Sanders announced on May 15, 2004 that he was leaving Viacom's ''The NFL Today'', intending to join ESPN's ''NFL Countdown'', UPN cancelled the broadcast of the awards.

The GMA Music Awards coverage did not air for eight months, finally broadcast in late December 2004 on Pax (now Ion Television).

Charles Humbard, the son of the late pastor Rex, and his Gospel Music Channel signed an agreement in 2008 to air the Dove Awards live, making it the first Dove Awards television broadcast in four years. However, after two years, the awards were not broadcast live in 2010, owing to changes in the channel's change to airing mostly television reruns.

See also

Christian pop culture

Australian Gospel Music Awards

Gospel Music Association of Canada Covenant Awards

Bibliography

References

External links

GMA Dove Awards official website

GMA Dove Awards In The Press Room / ThoughtQuotient Video Podcast

Backstage photos at the 1999 Dove Awards

ThoughtQuotient.com BackStage at the 2006 GMA Music Awards

Category:Contemporary Christian music Category:Gospel music awards Category:Culture of Nashville, Tennessee

de:GMA Dove Award hu:Dove Award nl:Dove Award pt:GMA Dove Awards ru:GMA Dove Award simple:GMA Dove Awards zh:聖鴿獎

Coordinates	42°5′7″N76°48′33″N
name	Kari Jobe
birth name	Kari Brooke Jobe
background	solo_singer
born	April 06, 1981Waco, Texas, United States
origin	Southlake, Texas, United States
instrument	Vocals
genre	Contemporary Christian music, worship music
occupation	Singer-songwriter, associate worship pastor
years active	2003–present
label	EMI
associated acts	Gateway WorshipThroneroom WorshipMatt Maher
website	www.karijobe.com }}

Kari Brooke Jobe (April 6, 1981) is an American Christian singer and songwriter.

Biography

Jobe was born Karie Jobe in Waco, Texas to parents Mark Douglas and Caroline "Sandy" (Nee Bragg) Jobe and was raised in Watauga, Texas and Hurst, Texas; she has two other siblings, Kristen and Caleb. Jobe first began singing at the age of 3 years, http://www.karijobe.com/kari.php and became a Christian at the age of 2. As she grew older, she attended Oral Roberts University, Christ For The Nations Institute and Dallas Baptist University and got her degree in pastoral studies and psychology.

After graduation, Jobe was asked to work as an associate worship pastor for Gateway Church in Southlake, TX, Jobe’s church of six years, which she accepted. She works alongside her father, Mark, in the church and has traveled internationally on mission trips to lead worship. Jobe is also a member of Gateway Worship, a Christian worship band associated with Gateway Church. Their live album, ''Wake Up The World'', debuted at #2 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart in 2008.

Aside from being a worship leader and pastor, Jobe released her first major-label self-titled debut album in February 2009 by Integrity Music/Columbia Records/Gateway Create. The album shot to #67 on the ''Billboard'' 200 list, and #1 on iTunes' Christian music chart. and #3 on Billboard's Christian music chart. Alongside ''Kari Jobe'' is the album ''Le Canto'', a Spanish-language version of the album. Prior to releasing ''Kari Jobe'', Jobe has released a compilation album titled ''Kari Jobe'', a live concert album titled ''Throneroom Worship: Live Acoustic Worship'' and a Christmas album titled ''Bethlehem''.

From her self-titled album, "I'm Singing" debuted at #13 on Billboard's Christian singles chart. Jobe's second single, "Healer" was released in 2009 and debuted at #33 on Billboard's Soft A/C chart. She released the single "Adore Him" in 2009, the song appearing as part of Integrity Music's compilation album ''Worship and Adore: A Christmas Offering''.

Kari Jobe won two Dove Awards for Special Event Album of the Year and Spanish Language album and was nominated for New Artist of the Year.

Discography

Studio albums

''Bethlehem'' (2007)

''Kari Jobe'' (2009)

''Le Canto'' (2009)

Live albums

''Throneroom Worship: Live Acoustic Worship'' (2004)

Compilation albums

''Kari Jobe'' (2005)

''Worship and Adore: A Christmas Offering'' (2009)

''WOW Worship: Purple'' (2010)

Singles

"I'm Singing" (2008)

"Healer" (2009)

"Adore Him" (2009)

"You Are For Me" (2010)

Albums with Gateway Worship

''Unbreakable'' (2003)

''Masterpiece'' (2004)

''Drawing Closer: Songs from Gateway Devotions'' (2006)

''The Battle: Songs from Gateway Devotions'' (2007)

''First: Songs from Gateway Devotions'' (2008)

''Living for You'' (2006)

''Wake Up the World'' (2008)

Featured vocals

''Glory'' with Klaus Kuehn and Elizabeth Clark

"Pure" with Gateway Worship

"Revelation Song (Spanish Version)" with Danilo Montero

''Glory Revealed II The Word Of God In Worship'': "To You Be the Glory" with Matt Maher

"Whom Shall I Fear" with Lincoln Brewster

''Prepare The Way'' with Klaus Kuehn

Awards and nominations

! Year	! Association	! Category	! Result
	Dove Awards	Best New Artist of the Year
Dove Awards	Spanish Language Album of the Year (''Le Canto'')
Dove Awards	Special Events Album of the Year (''Glory Revealed II: The Word of God in Worship'') [Split win with Matt Maher])

References

External links

Official website

Kari Jobe's Gateway Church biography

Kari Jobe's Revelife page

Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:People from Waco, Texas Category:Musicians from Texas Category:Columbia Records artists Category:American singer-songwriters Category:American Christians Category:American female singers Category:Spanish-language singers Category:Christian ministers Category:American country singers Category:Baptists from the United States Category:Contemporary Christian music Category:Dallas Baptist University alumni Category:Oral Roberts University alumni Category:Gateway Worship members:D Category:American performers of Christian music

Coordinates	42°5′7″N76°48′33″N
name	Casting Crowns
background	group_or_band
origin	Daytona Beach, Florida, USA
genre	Contemporary ChristianChristian rockSoft rock
years active	1999–present
label	Sony BMG/Beach Street/Reunion (U.S.)Sony Music Philippines (Philippines)
website	castingcrowns.com
current members	Mark Hall (lead vocals)Juan DeVevo (lead guitar)Hector Cervantes (rhythm guitar)Melodee DeVevo (violin, backing vocals)Megan Garrett (piano)Chris Huffman (bass guitar)Brian Scoggin (drums)
past members	Andy Williams (drums)
notable instruments	}}

Casting Crowns is a Grammy Award and Dove Award winning Contemporary Christian/Christian Rock band. Casting Crowns was started in 1999 by youth pastor Mark Hall at First Baptist Church in Downtown Daytona Beach, Florida as part of a youth group. He now serves as a lead vocalist. Later they moved to Stockbridge, Georgia and more members joined creating the band now known as Casting Crowns. Some members of the band currently work as ministers for Eagles Landing First Baptist Church in Stockbridge, Georgia.

History

Formation and self-titled debut

Christian rock group Casting Crowns began as a student worship band in Daytona Beach, FL, in 1999. Led by singer, songwriter, and youth pastor Mark Hall, the group initially included guitarists Juan DeVevo and Hector Cervantes and violinist Melodee DeVevo. The group relocated to Stockbridge, GA, in 2001, adding Chris Huffman on bass, Megan Garrett on keyboards and accordion, and drummer Andy Williams. This augmented version of Casting Crowns released two independent albums on CD, both of which were well received in the Atlanta area. Both independent albums were efforts on the part of Mark Hall and the rest of the group as outreach projects for youth in the area. The group won the GMA regional songwriters competition at Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, Florida in both the "Best Song" and the "Best Artist" categories in 2004. Although the group was not searching for a record label, one of the group's albums found its way into the hands of Mark Miller, lead singer for country group Sawyer Brown, who was struck by Casting Crowns' driving pop/rock style and Hall's vocal delivery of his hard-hitting but devout songs. Miller signed Casting Crowns to his fledgling Beach Street Records, a division of Reunion Records with distribution by the Provident Label Group, making Casting Crowns the first artist signed to Beach Street Records.

Mark Miller took the group into the studio along with co-producer Steven Curtis Chapman, himself a popular artist on the CCM musical scene. The resulting eponymous album, ''Casting Crowns'', was released in 2003 on the Beach Street imprint. The album quickly made them one of the fastest selling debut artists in Christian music history. The album's third single, "Voice of Truth", spent a record-breaking fourteen consecutive weeks at #1 beginning in 2003. The album was certified platinum in 2005.

''Lifesong'' and ''Lifesong Live'' (2005-2006)

''Lifesong'' followed in 2005, debuting at #9 on the ''Billboard'' 200 Albums Chart. The album had three singles: “Lifesong”, “Praise You in this Storm”, and “ Does Anybody Hear Her?”. "Lifesong" spent nine weeks in the top spot, with "Praise You in This Storm" remaining at #1 for seven weeks. Apart from being successful in the charts, ''Lifesong'' earned Casting Crowns their first Grammy Award for their work on the album in 2006.

In 2006, the group released ''Lifesong Live'', which included live performances of songs from their studio album ''Lifesong''.

''The Altar and the Door'' and ''The Altar and the Door Live'' (2007-2008)

The band's third studio album ''The Altar and the Door'' debuted at #2 on the ''Billboard'' 200 Albums Chart and #1 on the Hot Christian Albums chart upon its release in August 2007. Ten weeks after the album’s release date, it was certified gold by the RIAA. On September 27, 2007 the band embarked on the ‘Altar and the Door’ tour with Leeland and John Waller . The tour was highly successful, grossing $4.4 million ticket sales. Casting Crowns broke their own record in 2007 when the single "East to West" from ''The Altar and the Door'' hit sixteen consecutive weeks at #1. The song ended up enjoying the top spot for a total of nineteen weeks, now their most successful single to date. "Slow Fade" was also released as a single, and was included in the soundtrack of the Kirk Cameron film ''Fireproof''.

In 2008, Casting Crowns scored their eighth number one hit with "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", a track from their newly-released Christmas album entitled ''Peace on Earth''.

''Until the Whole World Hears'' (2009-2011)

In early 2009, drummer Andy Williams left to pursue a further calling with blessings from the band. The drummer was replaced with Brian Scoggin and his red locks of hair, an irony Mark mentions on tour.

Casting Crowns was one of the only American bands to ever have been invited to North Korea. They attended the 2009 April Spring Arts Festival in Pyongyang where they performed with The Annie Moses Band. This was Casting Crowns second time invited to the Festival sponsored by Global Resource Services, the first time being in 2007. On August 30, 2009 Casting Crowns performed on Huckabee, Mike Huckabee's political show.

Casting Crown's fourth major studio album, ''Until the Whole World Hears'', was released on November 17, 2009, debuting at #4 on the Billboard 200 and selling over 167,000 copies in its first week alone, setting a new record for the highest Christian album debut in history. It was certified gold within 4 weeks. The title track and first single from the album became the groups ninth #1 single in January 2010. Before the album was released, the band went on tour with Matt Redman for the fall Until The Whole World Hears Tour. They went on the first spring leg of the tour with Kutless, and toured with Tenth Avenue North on the second spring leg.

In April 2010, Casting Crowns won the Dove Award for Artist of the Year, their first ever win in that category. A music video for the title track of ''Until the Whole World Hears'' was posted on the band's YouTube page on August 23, 2010.

The track ''Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)'' was released as a single in 2011 and reached #1 on Billboard Christian Songs during the week of April 23, 2011.

''Come to the Well'' (2011-present)

Casting Crowns' latest song, "Courageous", was released was released as a single on July 19, 2011. The music video for the song was released on June 14, 2011 and promotes the upcoming Christian film ''Courageous''. The song will be featured on their upcoming album, ''Come to the Well'' which will be released on October 18, 2011.

On July 26, 2011, the group received their first ever gold certification for a single, for the song 'Who Am I' from their debut record.

Ministry

Casting Crowns frontman Mark Hall calls the band's work a ministry akin to what the world would call "preaching to the choir." In keeping with The Great Commission, Hall describes their music as a "ministry of discipleship."

Four members of Casting Crowns currently minister at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, GA where they play during the Contemporary Worship service on Sunday mornings. They do the band part-time around their full-time work of mentoring teenagers at the church. They often tour from Thursday- Saturday so that they can be home for church on Sunday morning and Wednesday night.

Members

Current

Mark Hall – lead vocals and songwriter (1999–Present)

Hector Cervantes – lead guitar and background vocals (1999–Present)

Juan Devevo – guitar and background vocals (1999–Present)

Chris Huffman – bass (2001–Present)

Megan Garrett – piano, keyboards, backing vocals (2001–Present)

Melodee Devevo – violin, backing vocals, cello (1999–Present)

Brian Scoggin – drums (2009–Present)

Former

Andy Williams - drums (2001–2009)

Books

''Lifestories'' by Mark Hall

''Your Own Jesus'' by Mark Hall

Producers/Executive Producers

Steven Curtis Chapman - Producer for album ''Casting Crowns''

Mark A. Miller - Producer for albums ''Casting Crowns'', ''Lifesong'', ''The Altar and the Door'', and ''Until The Whole World Hears''

Terry Hemmings - Executive Producer for album ''Lifesong'', ''The Altar and the Door'', and ''Until The Whole World Hears''

Discography

Studio albums

2003: ''Casting Crowns''

2005: ''Lifesong''

2007: ''The Altar and the Door''

2008: ''Peace on Earth''

2009: ''Until the Whole World Hears''

2011: ''Come to the Well''

Live albums

2004: ''Live from Atlanta''

2006: ''Lifesong Live''

2008: ''The Altar and the Door Live''

2010: ''Until the Whole World Hears... Live''

Music videos

''American Dream''

''Does Anybody Hear Her''

''Slow Fade''

''Until the Whole World Hears''

''Courageous''

Achievements

Career sales have exceeded 5 million records.

Voted CCM Readers' Choice Awards "Favorite Band", "Favorite New Artist" and "Favorite Album" in 2005.

"Lifesong" voted "Inspirational Single of the Year" by online music fans in the 2005 CCMSingles.Net Awards.

"Praise You in this Storm" was the fifth most played song of 2006 according to R&R; magazine

"East To West" voted "AC Single of the Year" and "Inspirational Single of the Year" by online music fans in the 2007 CCMSingles.Net Awards.

Casting Crowns was the most played artist on Christian Radio in 2007, according Radio & Records Weekly charts (12/10).

Casting Crowns is the second fastest Christian band in history to have their first two albums certified platinum, the fastest being Jars of Clay.

;GMA Dove Awards

Year	! Award	! Result
!rowspan="4"	New Artist of the Year
Song of the Year ("If We Are the Body")
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("If We Are the Body")
!rowspan="7"	Artist of the Year
Group of the Year
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Who Am I")
Worship Song of the Year (“Who Am I”)
!rowspan="5"	Artist of the Year
Group of the Year
Song of the Year ("
Pop Contemporary Album of the Year (''[[Lifesong">Lifesong (song)
Pop Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Lifesong")
Pop Contemporary Album of the Year (''[[Lifesong'')
!rowspan="4"	Artist of the Year
Group of the Year
Song of the Year ("Praise You In This Storm")
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Praise You In This Storm")
!rowspan="6"	Artist of the Year
Group of the Year
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year ("The Altar and the Door")
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("East to West")
Praise & Worship Song of the Year ("Praise You In This Storm")
!rowspan="5"	Artist of the Year
Group of the Year
Short Form Music Video of the Year ("Slow Fade")
Long Form Music Video of the Year (''The Altar and the Door Live'')
!rowspan="3"	Artist of the Year
Group of the Year
!rowspan="2"	Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (''Until the Whole World Hears'')
Long Form Music Video of the Year (''Until the Whole World Hears... Live'')

;Grammy Awards

Year	! Award	! Work
! rowspan=1	Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year	''Lifesong''

Partnerships and Endorsements

Partnerships

Jumpstart Resources

World Vision

Covenant Eyes

Endorsements

Gibson Guitars

Avalon Guitars

Vesper Guitars

Audix Microphones

Westone In Ear Monitors

Pro Mark Drum Sticks

Ultimate Microphone Stands

Paul Reed Smith Guitars

Istanbul Agop Cymbals

C&C; Drums

References

External links

Casting Crowns official site

Jump Start Resources web site -- this web site was created by Mark Hall as a source of materials for Christian youth leaders on low budgets. The web site is given on the CD tray label of the British version of the first album.

Casting Crowns ''Artist Profile'' on Christian Music Review

''The Altar and the Door'' album review on Christian Music Review

Casting Crowns on WorshipSong

The Altar & The Door Tour 2009 concert review from NewReleaseTuesday.com

Category:American pop music groups Category:Christian rock groups from Florida Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Musical groups established in 1999 Category:Musical septets Category:People from Volusia County, Florida Category:Sony BMG artists

da:Casting Crowns de:Casting Crowns es:Casting Crowns fr:Casting Crowns it:Casting Crowns nl:Casting Crowns pl:Casting Crowns pt:Casting Crowns simple:Casting Crowns sk:Casting Crowns sv:Casting Crowns

Coordinates	42°5′7″N76°48′33″N
name	Jason Crabb
background	solo_singer
birth date	March 03, 1977
instrument	Vocals, guitar
genre	Christian, Southern Gospel, Gospel
occupation	Singer, record producer
years active	–Present
associated acts	The Crabb Family
website	http://www.jasoncrabb.com/index.php
notable instruments	}}

Jason Crabb is the oldest of the Crabb sons and the lead male vocalist for the group The Crabb Family. His debut solo album, ''Jason Crabb'', won a 2010 Grammy. The album was also nominated for a Dove Award for Country Album of the Year at the 41st GMA Dove Awards.

Crabb was voted "Favorite Male Vocalist" at the first annual Harmony Honors Awards and "Favorite Young Artist" at the 2000 Singing News Fan Awards. In 2004, he was voted 2004 Gospel Music Male Vocalist of the Year. He has been nominated for many other awards during his career.

Some of his featured songs include "The Cross," "Greater Is He," "Please Forgive Me," "Through the Fire," "The Lamb, the Lion, and the King," "I Sure Miss You," "That’s No Mountain," "Please Come Down To Me," "I'd Rather Have Jesus," and many others.

Jason and his wife, Shellye, have two daughters, Ashleigh Taylor and Emmaleigh Love. The Crabb Family retired the group in 2007 to go their separate ways. Jason has worked extensively with the famed Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir as a soloist.

Jason is now a solo artist, signed to Spring Hill Music Group. His self-titled debut solo album was released on June 30, 2009. It reached #62 on the Billboard 200, #2 on the Billboard Christian albums chart, and #1 on on Nielsen SoundScan’s Southern Gospel albums chart. The album won a 2010 Grammy award for "Best Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel Album". On September 28, 2010, Spring Hill Music Group released Jason's second solo project, a Christmas album titled ''Because It's Christmas''.

Discography

Year	Album details	Peak		!width="40"	!width="40"	!width="40"
	align="left"	* Released: June 30, 2009	* Label: [[Spring Hill Music Group">Music recording sales certification
!width="40"	!width="40"	!width="40"	!width="40"
	align="left"	* Released: June 30, 2009	* Label: [[Spring Hill Music Group	Compact disc>CD	62	—	—	2
	align="left"	* Released: September 28, 2010	* Label: Spring Hill Music Group	Compact disc>CD	—	—	—	—

Awards

Jason Crabb has received several awards and nominations, both as part of a group and as a solo artist.

Dove Awards

Year	! Award	! Result
		!rowspan="1"	Male Vocalist of the Year
		!rowspan="1"	Male Vocalist of the Year
		!rowspan="5"	Artist of the Year
Male Vocalist of the Year
Song of the Year ("Somebody Like Me")
Country Recorded Song of the Year ("Somebody Like Me")
		!rowspan="5"	Artist of the Year
Male Vocalist of the Year
Song of the Year ("Sometimes I Cry")
Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year ("Joseph")

Grammy Awards

Year	! Award	! Result
!rowspan="1"

References

External links

Jason Crabb's official website

Jason Crabb's blog

Jason Crabb at Spring Hill Music

"Jason Crabb Among 2010 'Artists To Watch'", breathecast.com

Category:Living people Category:American gospel singers Category:1977 births

pt:Jason Crabb

Coordinates	42°5′7″N76°48′33″N
Name	Michael W. Smith
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Michael Whitaker Smith
Born	October 07, 1957 Kenova, West Virginia, USA
Origin	Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Instrument	vocals, Piano, Guitar
Genre	CCM, Christian rock, Pop rock
Occupation	Singer-songwriter, Musician, Recording artist, Composer, Actor
Years active	1983 – present
Label	Reunion Records, Provident Label Group
Associated acts	Amy Grant, Chris Rice, Steven Curtis Chapman
Website	www.michaelwsmith.com
Past members	}}

Michael Whitaker Smith (born October 7, 1957) is a Billboard top ten Billboard Hot 100 recording artist and Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in Contemporary Christian music. Smith also has achieved a considerable amount of success in the mainstream music industry. Smith is a three-time Grammy Award winner, and has earned 40 Dove Awards. Over the course of his career, Michael W. Smith has sold more than 13 million albums and recorded 29 No. 1 Hit songs, fourteen gold albums, and five platinum albums. Smith is an American Music Award recipient; he was also named one of ''People'' magazine's "Most Beautiful People".

Early life

Michael Whitaker Smith was born to Paul and Barbara Smith in Kenova, West Virginia. His father was an oil refinery worker at the Ashland Oil Refinery, one of the top ten largest oil refineries in the world, in nearby Catlettsburg, Kentucky and his mother was a caterer. He inherited his love of baseball from his father, who had played in the minor leagues. As a child, he developed a love of music through his church. He learned piano at an early age and sang in his church choir. At the age of 10, he had "an intense spiritual experience" that led to his becoming a devout Christian. "I wore this big cross around my neck," he would recall, "It was very real to me." He became involved in Bible study and found a group of older friends who shared his religious faith.

After his older Christian friends moved away to college, Smith began to struggle with feelings of loneliness and alienation. After graduating from high school, he gravitated toward alcohol and drugs. He attended Marshall University for a few semesters while developing his songwriting skills. He also played with various local bands around Huntington, West Virginia. During that time, his friend Shane Keister, who worked as a session musician in Nashville, encouraged him to move to Nashville, the Country Music capital, and pursue a career in music.

In 1978, Smith moved to Nashville, taking a job as a landscaper to support himself. He played with several local bands in the Nashville club scene. He also developed a problem with substance abuse.

In November 1979, Smith suffered a breakdown that led to his recommitment to Jesus Christ. The next day he auditioned for a new Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) group, Higher Ground, as a keyboardist and got the job. It was on his first tour with Higher Ground, playing mostly in churches, that Smith was finally able to put the drugs and alcohol behind him.

Career

In 1981, Smith was signed as a writer to Meadowgreen Music, where he wrote a number of gospel hits penned for artists such as Sandi Patty, Kathy Troccoli, Bill Gaither and Amy Grant, to the effect that some of these popular worship songs can now be found in church hymnals. The following year, Smith began touring as a keyboardist for Grant on her ''Age to Age'' tour. He would eventually become Grant's opening act and recorded his first Grammy-nominated solo album: ''The Michael W. Smith Project'' (which he also produced), in 1983, on the Reunion Records label; a label started by Grant's brother-in-law, Dan Harrell, along with Michael Blanton. This album contained the first recording of his hit "Friends", which he co-wrote with his wife Deborah. They wrote it one afternoon for a friend who was moving away.

By the time Smith's second pop album was released in 1984, he was headlining his own tours. In 1986, Smith released ''The Big Picture'', produced by Johnny Potoker. Smith intros "Tearing Down the Walls" with an Amy Grant recording of "Emmanuel" played backwards via the CD search button. He has explained that he and Potoker were trying to come up with a different way to go into the song.

After the release of his 1988 effort, ''i 2 (EYE)'', Smith once again teamed up with Grant for her "Lead Me On World Tour". The following year, Smith recorded his first Christmas album.

In the mainstream

In 1990, Smith released ''Go West Young Man'', his first mainstream effort, including the mainstream crossover hit "Place in This World," which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1992, he released ''Change Your World'' (which included the No. 1 adult contemporary hit "I Will Be Here for You"), 1995's ''I'll Lead You Home'', and 1998's ''Live the Life''. Also in 1998, Smith released his second Christmas effort, ''Christmastime''. In 1999, Smith released "This Is Your Time" (about Cassie Bernall, one of the students killed during the Columbine massacre). In the music video for this song, the beginning shows a real video of Bernall talking about her religious beliefs and how she wanted to spread the word of God. Smith wrote the song with Wes King, the brother-in-law of Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris. Smith had been asked to perform at some of the memorial services that were held in honor of the victims.

In 1996, Smith opened his own record label, Rocketown Records, named for a song on ''The Big Picture''. He does not personally record on it. He states the label is driven by the artists, and the first artist signed was Chris Rice, who had written "Go Light Your World", a No. 1 hit song by Kathy Troccoli, in 1995. In 1999, Smith collaborated with Jim Brickman on "Love of My Life" from the album ''Destiny'', which went to No. 9 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks.

Nearly all of Smith's albums contain at least one instrumental track, and in 2000, Smith recorded his first all instrumental album, ''Freedom''. The following year, Smith released an all Christian music album, ''Worship'', on September 11. This album was followed by a sequel, ''Worship Again'' in 2002, recorded live at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. Both albums were recorded live in concert. (Both are also the only two albums to be composed almost entirely of songs he did not write himself). A ''Worship'' DVD, which comprised a selection of songs from both albums, was recorded live in Edmonton, Alberta at YC Alberta and released in 2002. It immediately topped the Billboard video charts and went gold in both the U.S. and Canada.

Smith won the Male Vocalist of the Year award at the GMA Music Awards in 2003.

Smith wrote a song entitled "There She Stands", inspired by the September 11, 2001 attacks. He performed this song live for the 2004 Republican National Convention, saying that President George W. Bush, whom he said is a fan and a family friend, had asked him to write a song about the attacks.

Smith's album, ''Healing Rain'', was released in 2004 and debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 200 Chart. The title track rose to No. 1 on the Radio & Records Charts and a music video for the song was released. The album nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, combines the pop style of his previous recordings with the religious feel of his two releases in that genre. A new album, ''Stand'', was released in November 2006.

In October 2007, he released ''It's a Wonderful Christmas''. On June 20, 2008, Smith recorded his third live Worship album at the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, titled ''A New Hallelujah''. It was released in October 2008. That same month he began a tour with Steven Curtis Chapman. In September 2010, he released ''Wonder'', and in October started touring with Third Day, tobyMac, and Max Lucado on the "Make A Difference" tour.

Other ventures

In 1994, Smith opened a teen club, named Rocketown, in Nashville, Tennessee (6th Avenue). Later in early 2003, the club was moved to a new location — a renovated warehouse in downtown Nashville. The venue offers a large dance floor, extensive indoor skate park, and a cafe hosting live acoustic music.

Smith is actively involved in volunteer service and is vice chair of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, which is chaired by Jean Case of the Case Foundation. He is also an avid spokesperson for sponsoring children through Compassion International. Smith finished work on a film directed by Steve Taylor entitled ''The Second Chance'' which was released on February 17, 2006 in selected theatres. In the movie, he stars as a pastor assigned to work in the inner city. The DVD of the movie was released in July 2006.

Personal life

Smith is married to Deborah "Debbie" Kay Davis (b. 1958) and has five children: Ryan Whitaker, Whitney Katherine Smith-Mooring (married to Jack Mooring (of the band Leeland)), Tyler Michael (keyboard player for the United Tour), Anna Elizabeth and Emily Allison. He resides in the Nashville suburbs and spends time at the Smith family farm.

Alderson-Broaddus College awarded Smith the degree Doctor of Music honoris causa in 1992.

Smith is the founding and visionary pastor of New River Fellowship in Franklin, Tennessee where he was the lead pastor from 2006 and 2008. Currently Smith and his wife remain involved members of the church.

Smith supports the Republican Party, and is personal friends with several prominent Republicans, including former President George W. Bush.

Discography

''See Michael W. Smith discography for a complete discography.''

Awards

;Grammy awards

1984 ''Michael W. Smith 2'' – Best Gospel Performance, Male

1995 ''I’ll Lead You Home'' – Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

2002 ''Worship Again'' – Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

;Grammy Nominations

1983 ''Michael W. Smith Project'' – Best Gospel Performance, Male

1986 ''The Big Picture'' – Best Gospel Performance, Male

1988 ''I 2(Eye)'' – Best Gospel Performance, Male

1989 "Holy, Holy, Holy" – Best Gospel Vocal Performance, Male (Track from Our Hymns, Word Gospel)

1990 ''Go West Young Man'' – Best Pop Gospel Album

1998 ''Live the Life'' – Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

2000 ''This Is Your Time'' – Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

2002 ''Worship'' – Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

2006 ''Healing Rain'' – Best Christian Pop Album

;Dove Awards

1985 Songwriter of the Year

1987 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year – ''The Big Picture'' (producer, artist)

1988 Long Form Music Video of the Year – "The Big Picture Tour Video" (artist)

1990 Short Form Music Video of the Year – "I Miss the Way" (artist)

1991 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year – ''Go West Young Man'' (producer, artist)

1992 Choral Collection of the Year – ''The Michael W. Smith Collection'' (artist)

1992 Musical Album of the Year – ''Change Your World'' (artist)

1992 Song of the Year – "Place in this World" (artist)

1993 Praise and Worship Album of the Year – ''Songs From the Loft'' (artist)

1993 Recorded Music Packaging of the Year - ''The Wonder Years'' (artist)

1994 Musical Album of the Year – ''Living on the Edge'' (artist)

1996 Songwriter of the Year

1996 Special Event Album of the Year – ''My Utmost For His Highest'' (artist)

1997 Special Event Album of the Year – ''Tribute: The Songs of Andre Crouch'' (artist)

1998 Children’s Music Album of the Year – ''Sing Me to Sleep Daddy'' (artist)

1998 Special Event Album of the Year – ''God With Us – A Celebration of Christmas Carols and Classics'' (artist)

1999 Artist of the Year

1999 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year – ''Live the Life'' (producer, artist)

1999 Producer of the Year

1999 Special Event Album of the Year – ''Exodus'' (artist)

2000 Short Form Music Video of the Year – "This is Your Time" (artist)

2000 Song of the Year – "This Is Your Time" (artist)

2000 Songwriter of the Year

2001 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year – ''This is Your Time'' (producer, artist)

2001 Youth/Children’s Musical Album of the Year – ''Friends 4 Ever'' (artist)

2002 Album of the Year – ''Worship'' (producer, artist)

2002 Artist of the Year

2002 Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year – "Above All" (artist)

2002 Instrumental Album of the Year – ''Freedom'' (producer, artist)

2003 Album of the Year – ''Worship Again'' (producer, artist)

2003 Artist of the Year

2003 Long Form Music Video of the Year – ''Worship DVD/Video'' (producer, artist)

2003 Male Vocalist of the Year

2008 Christmas Album of the Year

2009 Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year - A New Hallelujah

2009 Praise & Worship Album of the Year - ''A New Hallelujah''

References

External links

Michael W. Smith's official website

Michael W. Smith at the Internet Movie Database

Larry King">Transcript of February 10, 2006 interview with Larry King

Yamaha Corporation artist biography

Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:American film actors Category:American songwriters Category:American pianists Category:American composers Category:American guitarists Category:Christian religion-related songwriters Category:People from Huntington, West Virginia Category:People from Nashville, Tennessee Category:American Christians Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Tennessee Republicans Category:West Virginia Republicans Category:Contemporary worship music Category:American performers of Christian music Category:Musicians from West Virginia Category:Musicians from Tennessee

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