TobyMac, once known for being in the group dc Talk, and now known as a mega-selling rap artist and smash producer won Artist Of The Year and Casting Crowns singer Mark Hall collected four trophies at Wednesday’s 39th Annual Dove Awards, which celebrate the best in gospel music.
“Are you kidding? This is crazy, man. I thought I was Mr. Pre-Televised awards,” joked TobyMac, known in the real world as Toby McKeehan. “God has been faithful time and again to surround me with people that sharpen me and that make me better.”
In addition to Artist Of The Year, an award he also won in 1996 as a member of dc Talk, TobyMac took home Dove Awards for Rock/Contemporary Album for “Portable Sounds” and Short-Form Video for his hit “Boomin.” “Portable Sounds” debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart when it was first released.
Mark Hall, who was the night’s leading nominee with six nominations, won Song Of The Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song Of The Year for “East To West,” which he co-wrote with Bernie Herms. He was also individually nominated for Special Event Album Of The Year for the multi-artist worship project “Glory Revealed,” as well as Inspirational Recorded Song Of The Year for “By His Wounds.”
Hall’s band, Casting Crowns, also had four nominations and won three for Group Of The Year, Best Pop/Contemporary Album Of The Year for “The Altar and the Door,” and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song Of The Year for “East To West.”
Some of the other winners of the night included:
- Chris Tomlin won Male Vocalist Of The Year
- Natalie Grant won Female Vocalist Of The Year
- Brandon Heath won New Artist Of The Year
- Cindy Morgan won Songwriter Of The Year
- Ricky Skaggs and the Whites won Bluegrass Recorded Song Of The Year for “Salt of the Earth”
- Israel & New Breed won Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for “A Deeper Level”
- Chris Tomlin won Worship Song of the Year for “How Great Is Our God”
- Disciple won Rock Album Of The Year for “Scars Remain”
- Skillet won Rock Recorded Song of the Year for “Comatose”
A complete list of winners as well as all of this year’s nominees can be found here.
The evening’s performers included American Idol alum Phil Stacey, Chris Sligh and Mandisa with Amy Grant in a musical tribute to Michael W. Smith. A lot of former American Idol contestants have found a home in the Christian music ranks.
Switchfoot played “This is Home,” a song from the soundtrack of the upcoming film The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
The Doves closed with a salute to the Grand Ole Opry stage, where the show was held. Charlie Daniels led the house through a rousing version of the hymn “I’ll Fly Away.”
The Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards were broadcast live on XM Satellite radio and on the Gospel Music Channel. In past years the awards were syndicated and shown later on tape.
I just have to say, I’m completely stoked about the wins for TobyMac. I’m a huge fan of his music and I think he’s hands down, absolutely one of the best producers in music, of any genre. I listen to his stuff all the time and “Portable Sounds” is a great album.
I went to high school with the lead singer of Skillet. Just call me name-dropper Randy Jackson!
Sweet. Did you know him? Date him? Promise you’d always be his if he gave us an exclusive interview? Anything? Just checking.
Are you kidding? I never dated anyone before Mike.
Damn straight
Am I blind? How is this today posted but doesnt register on the right side?
Also, I went to school with Kurt Schilling, even had him in some of my classes and argued with him about baseball… but in prep for Jasons question, no I didnt date him either
I’m a huge TobyMac fan. Also – just about everything Gotee Records has had a hand in. Wife and I saw John Reuben in concert just last year.
@Jina – That’s too bad. No, really. That’s too bad.
@Cap’n – That’s weird, about it not being in the Latest Posts…not so much about you not dating Curt Schilling…I wouldn’t think you’d get a guy that good…
@BIM – Haven’t had a chance to see John Reuben, but I have seen dc Talk several times and TobyMac, but not in a long time. Gotee has some sweet stuff.
Capn, I had the same problem, I saw a comment for it, but didn’t see the post listed anywhere until this morning
I’m not sure what happened, but I fixed it by changing the timestamp on it.
Maybe you guys needed to put another quarter in it for it to register? I’m just trying to help ya out…
LOL
I yelled “NO WHAMMYS!” when I pressed the Publish button. I thought that was good enough.
Jason with the game show throw back LOLOL….
“NO WHAMMYS” – hilarious
Good for TobyMac and Casting Crowns. It was also nice to see the previous Idol contestants performing as well for Smitty. Not a huge Amy Grant fan, but whatever…
The Trousered Ape’s last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
Toby Mac Rocks! We recently saw him with Jeremy Camp, who is also awesome. Check ‘em out if they make it to your town.
Scotty Dub’s last blog post..Casual Dress Friday: Summer Movies
I’ve seen DC Talk a couple of times, but never Toby as a solo artist. I actually am more of a K-Max fan, but I love Toby’s work as well and would love to see him.
The Trousered Ape’s last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
I would have pegged you for a K-max fan.
Yep – he’s got that great tenor voice with a fantastically distinct style and phrasing. Love his work, but I know it is an acquired taste as well.
The Trousered Ape’s last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
@Ape, I always thought you were more of a K-fed fan…
Apeslap for Cap’n…that’s terrible, just terrible…
The Trousered Ape’s last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
All the dc Talk boys rock. Tait should have a new album out soon.
Good thing I attended the Kirk school of Cap’n dodging…
I like Tait better with the group than as a solo artist. To me, he’s just a Christian version of Hootie and the Blowfish…maybe, Taitie and the Jesusfish?
The Trousered Ape’s last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
for some reason I am pictruing Cuba Gooding jr. saying “Nooo, I am not Hootie…”
I always switched the first letters in their name around so, instead of being Hootie and the Blowfish, it becames Bootie and the Hofish…
Sorry Jason & Mike – I totally hi-jacked this thread…my bad.
The Trousered Ape’s last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
@ Cap’n – anything would be better than Cuba yelling “Michael, I’m wearing your underwear…”