By Chavon Panton
Lights, camera, action! The 48th Annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards was heaven on earth. Singers, producers and songwriters from in faith based music of all genres came out dressed to impress lastnight at the David Lipscomb University's Allen Arena in Nashville to celebrate one of the most prestigious event in Christendom. MercyMe, CeCe Winans, Zach Williams, the Gaither Vocal Band, Tamela Mann and Reba McEntire were among the top winners of the night. The show was hosted by Kari Jobe and Tasha Cobb Leonard who did a great job at entertaining the packed arena. Well, enough said, here is the a list of winners from the 2017 Dove Awards. The show will air Oct. 22 at 8pm CST on the CST network. GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
CeCe Winans, Pure Springs Gospel - WINNER
Kirk Franklin, Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA Records
Tamela Mann, TillyMann Music Group
Tasha Cobbs, Motown Gospel
Travis Greene, RCA Inspiration ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Chris Tomlin, sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records for KING & COUNTRY, Word Entertainment
Hillsong UNITED, Hillsong Music Australia/Sparrow Records
MercyMe, Fair Trade Services
WINNER
TobyMac, ForeFront Records NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bri (Briana Babineaux), Marquis Boone Enterprises/Tyscot Records
Micah Tyler, Fair Trade Services
Social Club Misfits, Capitol CMG Label Group
Steven Malcom, Word Entertainment
Zach Williams, Provident Label Group - WINNER CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL/URBAN RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
“Trust In You” – Anthony Brown & Group therAPy, (writer) Anthony Brown
“Never Have To Be Alone” – CeCe Winans, (writers) Alvin Love III, Dwan Hill
“Father Jesus Spirit” – Fred Hammond, (writers) Fred Hammond, Derek “DC” Clark, Shelton Summons
“My World Needs You” – Kirk Franklin, (writer) Kirk Franklin - WINNER
“Work It Out” – Tye Tribbett, (writers) Tye Tribbett, Jevon Hill TRADITIONAL GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
“You’re Bigger” – Jekalyn Carr, (writer) Allundria Carr
“Change Me” – Tamela Mann, (writer) Thomas Clay - WINNER
“Fix Me” – Tim Bowman Jr., (writers) Aaron W. Lindsey, Israel Houghton, Tim Bowman Jr. URBAN WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
“Victory Belongs To Jesus” – Todd Dulaney, (writer)
“Joy” – VaShawn Mitchell, (writers) Pat Barrett, Tony Brown - WINNER
“Everlasting God” – William Murphy, (writer) Fellowship Church CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL/URBAN ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Let Them Fall In Love – CeCe Winans, (producers) Alvin Love III, Tommy Sims - WINNER
Worship Journal Live – Fred Hammond, (producers) Fred Hammond, Calvin Rogers, Phillip Feaster,
One Way – Tamela Mann, (producers) Myron Butler, Tamela Mann, Kirk Franklin, Timbaland, Eric Dawkins, King Logan, Shaun Martin, David Mann
Secret Place – VaShawn Mitchell, (producers) VaShawn Mitchell, Thomas Hardin Jr.
Demonstrate – William Murphy, (producer) Aaron Lindsey TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The Journey LIVE – Donnie McClurkin, (producers) Donnie McClurkin, Trent Phillips, Tre’ Corley - WINNER
Azusa The Next Generation 2: Better Hezekiah Walker, (producers) Donald Lawrence, Hezekiah Walker
You Deserve It – J.J. Hairston Youthful Praise, (producer) J.J. Hairston For a complete list of winners, visit www.doveawards.com.