Brandon Heath performing at the 2009 Dove Awards. Heath will peform a medleythis year with Jars of Clay.
By Andy Argyrakis, senior music editor, gmclife.com
The countdown is officially on for the 2010 GMA Dove Awards on gmc Sunday, April 25 at 8/7 c. (To find out if gmc is available in your area, click here.) To whet your appetite, here are ten great reasons to tune in to Christian music's biggest night. If you want to find out who won and get a sneak peak at backstage, check out our blog and official wrap-up from Wednesday night's event.
1. Michael W. Smith and friends
One of Christian music's more notable undertakings this year was Michael W. Smith bringing an impressive group of artists together to record, "Come Together Now," a song for Haiti relief. (Two weeks prior, a large group of traditional gospel's biggest voices joined Kirk Franklin to record "Are You Listening? A Love Song for Haiti.") Smitty's "We Are the World"-style assembly will take to the stage in grand fashion. Expect him to lead a "to be announced" cast of collaborators to raise additional support for the still-urgent cause.
2. Donald Lawrence and Jason Crabb
Take one of gospel's best and brightest treasures and add a fresh-faced southern gospel superstar who just so happens to come from a blockbuster group (The Crabb Family) and you're bound to have a unique musical combination fit for a tribute to Andraé Crouch. The adoration and respect of today's artists for the gospel-to-pop crossover luminary will be showcased, and fans are sure to realize just how influential the singer/songwriter and producer/arranger has been to artists of all associations.
Next: TobyMac and the Diverse City Band
Related Coverage
2010 Doves: The Un-Nominated, Deserving
Top 10 2009 Dove Awards Moments
How the Doves Might Fly: winner predictions by the senior editorial team
Brian Courtney Wilson Debut CD Leads to Dove Nomination
Download free mp3s: Dove-nominated "Songs of the Year"
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3. TobyMac
Though his specific set list is still shaping up, it's officially on the books that TobyMac will take the stage with his Diverse City Band. And rumor has it, the chart-topping "Tonight," the title track of one of the GRAMMY winner's most explosive albums to date will be performed – another example of the relevance of this dynamic performer.
4. Natalie Grant and Jordin Sparks
No stranger to the Dove Awards, multiple "Female Artist of the Year" winner Natalie Grant is back in the line-up to exhibit her soaring pipes. Along for the ride during this once-in-a-lifetime duet segment will be American Idol alum turned solo star Jordin Sparks, who's also a vocal diva in her own right. Be sure to tune in to see what song they select.
5. Kari Jobe and Phillips, Craig & Dean
Even though the Dove Awards focuses on honoring artists, the ultimate goal of the evening is to offer praise to the Lord. Recorded separately by both of these prominent worship artists, they'll perform Jennie Lee Riddle's "Revelation Song," hands-down one of the most played and monumentally impactful tracks of the past year, together for the first time.
6. BeBe & CeCe Winans
While each of these gospel greats made major strides on their own, the brother/sister duo is best known for crossing over to the R&B charts throughout the 1980s and '90s. Adding even more anticipation to this reunion is the fact that they've been apart in collaborative contexts for over 15 years, though they're more than making up for lost time with the release of Still and this performance of "Grace," backed by the winner of Verizon's "How Sweet the Sound" choir competition.
7. Brandon Heath and Jars of Clay
Longtime pals from the Provident label group, this approachable singer/songwriter and one of Christian music's first groups to make the mainstream crossover, each have made a name for themselves thanks to an organic blend of acoustic rock and alternative pop. You'll see the guys with guitars share the stage during a special medley of "Love Never Fails" and "The Shelter," continuing in the program's tradition of one-of-a-kind collaborations.
Next: Red and Korn's Brian "Head" Welch
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8. Red and Korn's Brian "Head" Welch
Speaking of tag teams, hard rock music fans are in for a treat as alternative rockers Red join the even more heavy-handed former Korn guitarist to perform a blend of two scalding yet spiritual numbers. Thundering guitars and bellowing vocals are sure to collide when "Fight Inside" and "Death of Me" are merged together, surely bringing some additional mainstream attention to the program.
9. Casting Crowns
The group's sales speak for themselves and there's no ignoring Casting Crowns' ongoing popularity. Love them or not, a rendition of "Until the Whole World Hears" with a children's choir is sure to be nothing short of spine-tingling. Since the Mark Hall-led troupe is a perennial favorite at the Doves, they ought to consider hiring a babysitter to watch their trophies while they take the stage!
10. Surprise, surprise!
We can't let all the cats out of the bag, but let's just say there are even more curious collaborations on tap (with MercyMe and David Crowder*Band as the only hint we'll share until the actual show). Oh, and lest we not forget, the queen of Christian music Amy Grant released her first CD in seven years in the form of Somewhere Down the Road, which means anything is possible when it comes to the potential
performance list.
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About the Writer
Andy Argyrakis is a Chicago-based entertainment writer/photographer who appears in the Chicago Tribune, Illinois Entertainer, Daily Journal, Concert Livewire, Hear/Say Magazine and Image Chicago (to name few). His record label writing credits include Warner Brothers, Atlantic, Curb, EMI and Universal, with additional photo credits for Fuse TV, Live Nation, Nikon, Pollstar, Celebrity Access, Paste Magazine, MTV.com and Vibe.com. He's also the author/narrator of "Access Matthews" (an audio CD tracing the career of Dave Matthews Band) and spends considerable time on tour, including outings with Arlo Guthrie, The Guess Who, Madina Lake (on Linkin Park's Projekt Revolution) and Gospel Music Channel's very own "Gospel Dream" (where he served as season one judge).
Related Coverage
2010 Doves: The Un-Nominated, Deserving
Top 10 2009 Dove Awards Moments
How the Doves Might Fly: winner predictions by the senior editorial team
Brian Courtney Wilson Debut CD Leads to Dove Nomination
Download free mp3s: Dove-nominated "Songs of the Year"
