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Backstage At The Doves: The GMC Blog
Backstage At The Doves: The GMC Blog
Backstage At The Doves: The GMC Blog
GospelMusicChannel.com takes you behind-the-scenes on Dove's big night
By Andy Argyrakis and Melissa Riddle for GospelMusicChannel.com
It's Gospel Music's biggest night of the year, the 40th Annual Gospel Music Dove Awards, held this year at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. Hopefully, you're at home watching it LIVE on Channel 338 on Direct TV or on your local cable channel, 8 PM ET (Our TiVos is programmed and waiting, are yours?!).
Oh, and if you're a Twitterer, a Tweet or a Twit, you can get up-to-the-minute Twitters on all things 'Dovely,' too at http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/twitter
If so or if not, we're here backstage to bring the Dove Award experience even closer, with details and more details on all the action you won't see in front of the camera.
So... get comfortable, keep your TV tuned to GMC, keep your lap top open and stay with us for an insiders look backstage at the Doves. You never know what's going to happen backstage.
6:05 pm -This from Andy A: The Dove Awards pre-show is officially underway and backstage is buzzing with winners giving thanks and offering up reactions over their victories. Outside of acceptance speeches, there are plenty of chances to chat with artists about their current activities and behind the scenes tidbits.
One of the early awards went to DecembeRadio, who took home “Rock Album of the Year.” The group gave a shout out to Gospel Music Channel for debuting its latest video “Look For Me,” while also sharing a quick comment about its current tour with Newsboys. “It’s cool to see a band we grew up watching on such a personal level behind the scenes,” ventures lead guitarist Brian Bunn. “We’ve been learning something new every day and are really blessed to be out here with them.”
6:10 pm - Pre-show in full swing here at the Dove Awards... Melissa here, backstage in the press-pit with Andy Argyrakis. KJ-52 just won the Dove for "Do Yo Thang,' Rap/Hip Hop recorded song of the year... Told a great story about a drug runner in his city who had been given one of KJ's CDs... recently came to Christ. That's the power of Gospel music at work, right there.
6:25 pm - Steven Curtis Chapman accepts pre-show Dove for "Songwriter of the Year," says tearful thank you to fans and friends for 'your prayers, love and support,' says "It's true, it's all true. All we've hoped and prayed for ... is true. God is faithful..." Goes on to talk about the mystery of God and how he wants to dive deeper into that... It's going to be amazing to what else God will do with Steven going forward...
6:38 pm - This from Andy A: Besides celebrating his win, KJ-52 fans will also be happy to know his next studio CD is on the way later this summer with a very special catch. “We’re going to give away one record to everyone who buys a record,” he promises. “The second is meant to be an evangelistic piece to give to friends as an encouragement. People are swapping songs for free already, so why not equip them?”
6:49 pm - Melissa here: Newly 'Doved "Producer of the Year" Bernie Herms, aka Mr. Natalie Grant, giving props to production master David Foster and arranger-d'jour Ron Huff as big influence in his professional life... Very cool fedora, Bernie, who was commended from the press pit for his 'piano skills' as showcased on Christmas at Union Station... on GMC...
7:01 pm - Andy: With the show officially underway, the performers are being unveiled at lightening speed. Mary Mary’s early throw down of “Get Up” scores thunderous applause thanks to its pulsating dance grooves and carpe-diem appeal, while Third Day adds some good old fashioned southern-inspired classic rock into the title track from its latest CD Revelation. In between song segments, backstage co-hosts Rebecca St. James and Lisa Kimmey are quick to remind viewers they have 30 more minutes to cast their vote in the fan-friendly categories “Artist of the Year” and “New Artist of the Year.”
7:20 pm - So many votes the site is being slammed... technical issues... but hey! LET THE PEOPLE BE HEARD... we'll catch up eventually...
7:40 pm - Casting Crowns backstage, fresh from concerts in Korea... fewer pounds for Mark Hall, introduces new drummer... whose name I missed because I'm arm wrestling my laptop to get online... argh!
7:50 pm - Andy: Winner of “Long Form Music Video” TobyMac headed backstage to bask in the glow of the award, but also give props to fans for supporting his live shows from the DC Talk days through the solo years. He also took the opportunity to give an opinion on longtime group mate Michael Tait joining Newsboys after having personally seen the new configuration a few hours from Detroit. “I thought he was amazing and truly killed it,” he affirms. “The vocal passion he emotes fits perfectly with the Newsboys worship concert experience. I’m very proud of my friend and am very happy for him!”
7:55 pm - Speaking of shout outs, Natalie Grant also was abundant in her salutes to fellow nominees (like Brooke Fraser and Francesca Battistelli) when accepting the award for “Female Vocalist of the Year.” She was also particularly poignant when giving props to Gospel Music Channel saying “thank you for giving a face to this industry- we are so thankful!”
8:00 pm - Jars of Clay honored with Gospel Angel Award for their work with 'Blood Water Mission'... I can't imagine a more nobel endeavor than giving clean water to people in AIDs-ravaged countries in Africa. Way to go, Jars.
7:55 pm - Speaking of shout outs, Natalie Grant also was abundant in her salutes to fellow nominees (like Brooke Fraser and Francesca Battistelli) when accepting the award for “Female Vocalist of the Year.” She was also particularly poignant when giving props to Gospel Music Channel saying “thank you for giving a face to this industry- we are so thankful!”
8:00 pm - GMA Hall of Fame... inductees announced... Dixie Hummingbirds, Lari Goss, Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones, Dolly Parton, Michael W. Smith
8:02 pm - Tribute to Dottie Rambo ... launched by 30-year vet Sandi Patty singing "We Shall Behold Him," followed by Kim Hopper, "The Hills of Home," Brian Free & Assurance singing... Rambos singing "Mama's Teaching Angels How To Sing" "I Go to the Rock... Larnelle, Jason Crabb, Ronnie Milsap, brought the audience to their feet... SCC shaking his head when Jason Crabb ... such amazing songs by a prolific woman...
8:03 pm - Andy here: Mary Mary was also thankful and humble for taking home the “Urban Recorded Song” award behind “Get Up,” a song they say is meant to encourage the church to share the Good News with the world. But the duo clearly has other ministry intentions on their minds beyond merely musical spectrums, including time as judges and executive producers on BET’s “Sunday Best,” a forthcoming book with Simon & Schuster, a beauty and skin care line, plus a designer T-shirt collection.
8:10 pm - The entire entourage of the Dottie Rambo tribute is in the press pit... Jason Crabb bounds off the stage to hug GMC.com's Deborah Evans Price... Larnelle Harris comments on his recent concert at Brigham Young University... "What a wonderful opportunity to share what God has done in my heart... If you don't have any black friends, you need to get some. If you need to get some Morman friends, you need to get some."
8:21 pm Jason Crabb talked about new record, June 30... produced by Tommy Sims, Norro Wilson... "I think a lot of people are going to be surprised... the music allows me to be myself."
8:23 pm - Brandon Heath's "Give Me Your Eyes" just named "Song of the Year"... No big surprise, really. It was/is a big, big song...with a big, big message.
8:28 pm - 10th Avenue North named "New Artist of the Year"... lead singer Mike Donehey accepts saying, "One day we'll lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus'. This one too."
8:34 pm - Andy here: Another twosome popped backstage in the form of Chynna & Vaughan (the former of whom is best known for time in secular supergroup Wilson Phillips). The born again believer and her duet partner promise as Vaughan calls “an earthy God-pop record,” supported on tour with Newsong and Bluetree. Chynna cited the period with her previous group as “a real whirlwind, though now I feel like I have matured and spread my wings.”
8:43 pm - With three trophies in hand, Brandon Heath teased he could juggle some Doves, though he instead simply sat them down before sharing his surprise for such an overwhelming reception. After performing the compassion-centered “Give Me Your Eyes,” he explained why he wanted to make a music video in support of that top selling track. “I told the label to do a music video because I think the song speaks volumes,” he contends. “If you put a visual to it, it’s much more impactful because we’re so reliant on visual aids these days and we need every possible medium to get the message out.”
8:34 pm - Andy here: Another twosome popped backstage in the form of Chynna & Vaughan (the former of whom is best known for time in secular supergroup Wilson Phillips). The born again believer and her duet partner promise as Vaughan calls “an earthy God-pop record,” supported on tour with Newsong and Bluetree. Chynna cited the period with her previous group as “a real whirlwind, though now I feel like I have matured and spread my wings.”
8:48 pm - More from Andy: Though Natalie Grant is also extremely dedicated to the message in her music, she also took time to talk about her Home Foundation, which was started in 2005 following a human trafficking outreach trip to India. “[The Home Foundation’s growth] has proved to me once again that God takes the ordinary and once again does the extraordinary,” she affirms. “We’ve built orphanages, safe houses and set up a domestic shelters program. There’s not one faith based shelter in the U.S. yet, though the government says there are 350,000 victims in the U.S.- it’s happening everywhere.”
8:50 pm - Following Grant’s appearance backstage, “New Artist of the Year” winners Tenth Avenue North took to the podium to express appreciation and humble amazement over the honor. Considering its award was voted upon by fans, the group was especially appreciative for such widespread listener support. “We credit one fan in particular- Chris Neilson- for starting a vote for Tenth Avenue North website,” champions bassist Scott Sanders. “He told a bunch of people- his whole church congregation- and he’s awesome. He may be president some day!”
9:05 pm - The show's running a bit over... things are buzzing back stage, and artists are being funneled into the press pit...Right now, it's "New Artist of the Year: Tenth Avenue North, who gave a lot of credit to their superfan, Chris (didn't catch his last name), who started a web site that led to their Dove victory...
9:12 pm - 50+ time Dove Award winner, Steven Curtis Chapman accepts (once again) the Dove for "Artist of the Year," with his wife Mary Beth by his side. "Our hope is not in this life... Let this hope make us bold."
9:22 pm - Finale on the show... can't hear it... no feed in the press room... but it looks amazing on TV. Guess I'll have to catch the encore presentation.
9:27 pm -Tonight's "Gospel Angel" Award winner Jars of Clay's Dan Haseltine in the press pit talking about BloodWater Mission... founded in 2004 with a few thousand in donations. In the last four years, raised 6-7 million $, and built wells to supply clean water for 500,000 people last year, 90% of donations are under $100... "We recognize there is so much life in the desert. Things that don't matter dissolve and things that do matter, live," Haseltine says.
9:29 pm - Comedian Sinbad backstage with his daughter who is now in a Gospel group... 'My best stuff is ahead of me' Daughter had been attending the Dream Center in L.A. for six months, when her dad came out to see it. "It was a different kind of church for me. It was a new season..." "Tell 'em how good of a father I was... I never spanked... Tell 'em," he says, nudging his daughter. "He was wonderful," she says, with a 'what else can I say' look on her face.
9:38 pm - Former American Idol Phil Stacey is back stage now... nice suit... paying homage to Christian music's Rich Mullins as one of the most influential people in his life. Stacey includes Mullins' "Hard to Get" on his new album, Into the Light, the 'culmination of years of ministry... I'm not one of those guys who likes to listen to his own stuff, but the music on this one is on 'repeat' in my headphones... "
9:55 pm - And if this year’s broadcast had a primary example of stepping out of a comfort zone, it was Steven Curtis Chapman, who came backstage with his wife and sons at the end of the evening (after he took home “Artist of the Year” and “Songwriter of the Year”). In response to his family’s tragedy last year, he boldly proclaimed “Scripture hasn’t just become more precious, but it’s become the air that I breathe. There have been some mornings where I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get out of bed, but now when I read the Bible, it’s become my oxygen.” With that, the Chapman family posed for pictures, thanked the industry for its unceasing support and ended the evening in a spirit of unconditional faith that brought the Dove Awards’ enduring message of hope full circle.
