The alternative rock band Switchfoot and the Crabb Family, a Southern gospel group, were among the big winners of the Gospel Music Association’s annual awards Wednesday (April 13) in Nashville, Tenn. Switchfoot earned four Dove Awards as a group — including artist of the year — and an additional honor for lead songwriter Jonathan Foreman. The Crabb Family won in several categories, including Southern gospel, traditional gospel and country, garnering four awards as a group and several others for individual family members. "I love the fact that Switchfoot and the Crabb Family share top Dove Award honors this year because it powerfully reveals the variety of cultural expressions of the gospel through music," said John W. Styll, president of the Gospel Music Association, in a statement. "These two groups could not be more different culturally and musically, and yet the message of the gospel is evident in both of them." Movie mogul Mel Gibson was among the Dove Awards recipients this year, honored when "The Passion of the Christ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" was named instrumental album of the year. The 36th annual awards ceremony, officially called "The Annual GMA Music Awards," was held at the Grand Ole Opry House. It will be televised in national syndication in June.
Winners in some key categories were:
Artist of the Year: Switchfoot
Male Vocalist of the Year: Jeremy Camp
Female Vocalist of the Year: Nicole C. Mullen
Group of the Year: Casting Crowns
Songwriter of the Year: Mark Hall
Song of the Year: "Who Am I" by Mark Hall
New Artist of the Year: Building 429
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