This year, Chris Tomlin (sixstepsrecords), Francesca Battistelli (Word Label Group), Lecrae (Reach Records), Tamela Mann (TillyMann) and tobyMac (ForeFront Records) are all up for the Artist of the Year award at the 44th Annual Dove Awards. With their styles being so different, between the five, several of the major genres within Christian music are being represented. Worship, pop / contemporary, rap, urban gospel and rock / hip hop are all sharing some of their best and brightest.
On Tuesday, October 15, we'll find out who won. In the meantime, congrats to all of the nominees.
The Tale of the Tape:
CHRIS TOMLIN
2013 Nominations: 9
Artist of the Year
Song of the Year - "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)"
Praise & Worship Song of the Year - "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)"
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year - Burning Lights
Special Event Album of the Year - Passion: Let The Future Begin
Special Event Album of the Year - Passion: White Flag
Praise & Worship Album of the Year - Burning Lights
Praise & Worship Album of the Year - Passion: Let The Future Begin
Praise & Worship Album of the Year - Passion: White Flag
Previous Dove Wins: 18 - including Artist of the Year wins in 2006 and 2007.
FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI
2013 Nominations: 3
Artist of the Year
Christmas Album of the Year - Christmas
Recorded Music Packaging - Christmas
Previous Dove Wins: 5 - including an Artist of the Year win in 2011.
LECRAE
2013 Nominations: 5
Artist of the Year
Rap / Hip Hop Song of the Year - "I'm Good" - Trip Lee f/ Lecrae
Rap / Hip Hop Song of the Year - "Tell the World"
Rap / Hip Hop Album of the Year - Gravity
Special Event Album of the Year - WOW Gospel 2012
Previous Dove Wins: 2
TAMELA MANN
2013 Nominations: 5
Artist of the Year
Song of the Year - "Take Me to the King"
Gospel Performance of the Year - "Take Me to the King"
Traditional Gospel Song of the Year - "Take Me to the King"
Traditional Gospel Album of the Year - Best Days
Previous Dove Wins: 1
TOBYMAC
2013 Nominations: 5
Artist of the Year
Songwriter of the Year
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year - Eye On It
Recorded Music Packaging - Eye On It
Short Form Video of the Year - "Eye On It"
Previous Dove Wins: 13 - including an Artist of the Year win in 2008.