2007 Dove Award Winners
04-26-2007
by Kevan Breitinger

Like most of you reading this report, I personally did not attend GMA Week in Nashville this year. I came on staff only a week before, and have been so focused on getting up to speed with my editorial and technical responsibilities that attending GMA was an impossibility. And it may be a fortuitous one, as I have the opportunity to stand back from the hype and consider the Dove Awards from afar, as do most of our readers.

We live in a cynical age, when Leno and Letterman amuse us nightly with sarcastic commentary and potshots at politicians, entertainers, and current events. It’s easy, and in some regard even healthy, to laugh at the day’s foibles and quirks, to vent our misgivings in laughter. But irony and sarcasm can be a double-edged sword, and twist ever so easily into mockery and snobbery when not accompanied by respect. And respect is not a commodity valued in a culture of criticism.

What does this have to do with the Dove Awards, and wait a minute: aren’t you a music CRITIC?!  Yes, shrewd reader, I am. But I bring this up because of the atmosphere of condescension and disparagement that I, and perhaps some of you, have noticed creep into many Dove conversations. And before you pick up that tomato and take aim, let me say that I agree that GMA sometimes muddies the waters with mixed motives, that the Christian music industry could benefit greatly by a reordering of their business/ministry structures, and that I am not some Pollyanna in a gingham dress and pigtails. There are real spiritual issues in the CM industry that must be addressed, prayerfully and methodically, by all the players, including fans.   But that is another conversation for another time.

I do not negate that position by acknowledging that the more than 4,000 members of GMA have the right to recognize achievement for work well done, especially when it glorifies Christ and His Kingdom.  So for the purposes of this discussion, I can happily rejoice with the following artists who have been recognized for significant achievements in their field.  My own personal observation is that many of them labor greatly to be faithful to a higher calling in Christ, to be an instrument of encouragement, exhortation, and yes, entertainment, to all people. It’s an accomplishment that seems worthy of respect to me.

Song of the Year:  My Savior, My God (Aaron Shust)

Songwriter of the Year:  Aaron Shust

Male Vocalist of the Year:  Chris Tomlin

Female Vocalist of the Year:  Natalie Grant

Group of the Year:  Casting Crowns

Artist of the Year:  Chris Tomlin

New Artist of the Year:  Aaron Shust

Producer of the Year: Ed Cash

Hip Hop Song of the Year:  Never Look Away (KJ-52)

Rock Song of the Year:  Breathe Into Me (Red)

Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year:  Me And Jesus (Stellar Kart)

Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year:  Praise You In This Storm (Casting Crowns)

Inspirational Song of the Year:  Find Your Wings (Mark Harris)

Southern Gospel Song of the Year:   Give It Away  (Gaither Vocal Band)

Bluegrass Song of the Year:  My Cross (Lewis Family)

Country Song of the Year:  Jonah, Job and Moses (Oakridge Boys)

Urban Song of the Year:  Imagine Me (Kirk Franklin)

Traditional Gospel Song of the Year:  Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus (Crabb Family)

Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year:  Turn It Around (Israel & New Breed)

Worship Song of the Year:  Holy Is The Lord (Chris Tomlin)

Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year:  Remixed:KJ-52 (KJ-52)

Rock Album of the Year:  DecembeRadio (DecembeRadio)

Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year:  Good Monsters (Jars of Clay)

Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year:  See The Morning (Chris Tomlin)

Inspirational Album of the Year:  Bless the Broken Road: The Duets Album (Selah)

Southern Gospel Album of the Year:  Give It Away (Gaither Vocal Band)

Bluegrass Album of the Year:  Flyin' High (Lewis Family)

Country Album of the Year:  Precious Memories (Alan Jackson)

Urban Album of the Year: This Is Me (Kierra "Kiki" Sheard)

Traditional Gospel Album of the Year:  Mighty Wind (Andre Crouch)

Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year:  It's Not Over (Karen Clark Sheard)

Instrumental Album of the Year: End of the Spear Soundtrack

Children’s Music Album of the Year:  VeggieTales Worship Songs

Spanish Language Album of the Year:  Si Alguna Vez (Alejandra)

Special Event Album of the Year: Passion: Everything Glorious

Christmas Album of the Year:  Christmas Offerings (Third Day)

Praise and Worship Album of the Year: See The Morning (Chris Tomlin)

Musical of the Year:  Everything Glorious

Youth/Children’s Musical of the Year:  A King Is Coming To Town

Choral Collection of the Year:  I’m Amazed  (Carol Cymbala - Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir)

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year:   Beyond Measure (Jeremy Camp)

Short Form Music Video of the Year:  Work (Jars of Clay)

Long Form Music Video of the Year:   Time Again...Amy Grant Live (Amy Grant)