YMZ is backstage at the 40th Annual Dove Awards. Updates will be posted as winners, performers and presenters visit the press area. Each image can be enlarged by simply clicking on it.

The Afters win Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year for “Never Going Back To OK”, a song inspired by Brad’s brother who had a 15 year addiction to meth. He has since entered rehab and has now turned his life around.

“Mighty To Save” wins Worship Song of the Year. Ben Fielding (left) and Reuben Morgan (centre), co-songwiters, together with and Steve McPherson (right)

The Blind Boys Of Alabama pick up Traditional Recorded Gospel Song and Traditional Gospel Album of the Year for Down In New Orleans. Although they may not be able to swing a hammer to help build houses, they wanted to bring encouragement to the people of New Orleans with their voices.

DecembeRadio win Rock Album. Producer Scotty Wilbanks, Third Day’s keyboard player, is to the right

Group 1 Crew wins Rap Hip Hop Album of the Year. They hope that their new album will break into the mainstream to save some souls.

Rap Hip Hip Song for “Do Yo Thang”. New album will be buy one, get another one to give away as a ministry tool. His sends Bible studies via his iPhone

The photo that his is taking will be posted on his Twitter page

Seventh Day Slumber and their Dove Award for Spanish Language Album for Rescacatame. They did not expect to win so they did not write a speech. The most important thing to the band is to be know as great husbands, fathers and men of God. New album will be a Spanish version of their latest album.

Martha Munizzi. Contemporary Gospel Album for Change The World. Father won a Dove Award in 1977. She was a young girl then and got stabbed by the award.

Winner for Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song, LaRue Howard

Laura Story who won Inspirational Album of the Year for Great God Who Saves. Martin (right) is doing great health-wise and is super proud of his wife.

Aline Barros and her International Award. By wining Dove and Latin Grammy® Awards, she has been given the opportunity to reach the mainstream Spanish radio audience.

Downhere performed during the pre-show. The upcoming Christmas album will have downhere originals and traditional songs. It will be self-produced. The name of the band came from a song that was written after they lost a friend in a jet ski accident.

One for Canada! Edmonton native boy Bernie Herms wins Producer of the Year

Point of Grace with Cindy Morgan (right) win Country Song for “I Wish”. Their new album will be produced by Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift)

tobyMac Long Form Video of the Year with co-producers Tameron Hodge (left) and Eric Welch (right). Toby had a chance to watch Tait’s first show with the newsboys in Detroit and feels that his vocal style fits the band very well.

Casting Crowns win Group of the Year. Mark Hall admits that his has a Twitter issue. He also lost 16lbs in his weight loss challenge with Bart Millard of MercyMe. Very surprised to win as Hall expected Third Day to win.

The band recently from their second trip to North Korea with GRS, an organization that helps build relationships via the arts. It was new drummer Brian Scoggin’s (second from right) first show.

Mary Mary and their Dove Award for Urban Song of the Year

The group that performed the tribute to Dottie Rambo. Jason Crabb, Kim Hopper, Reba Rambo, Dony McGuire, Destiny McGuire, Brian Free and Larnelle Harris

Chynna Vaughn featuring Chynna Phillips and Vaughn Penn will be on tour with Bluetree and Newsong in September. Their music is described as “Earthy God pop” with themes of love, forgiveness and the grace of God.

Triple Dove Award winner Brandon Heath. The “Give Me Your Eyes” video was shot in Birmingham, Alabama. 125 extras on the shoot. Going to Uganda next month and will then will join Leeland in Cambodia. “Follow You” fall tour with Leeland and Francesca Battistelli. He credits producer Dan Mukala getting him started as an artist. He likes to write songs that people can relate to

Female Vocalist of the Year for the fourth consecutive Year, Natalie Grant. The Home Foundation has recently set up a shelter in Greece. Even here in Nashville, the police just broke up a brothel with 12 girls just a few miles from her home.

Miss California U.S.A. Carrie Prejean addresses the controversy that occurred during the recent Miss U.S.A. pageant. She wants people to never compromise one’s belief and she hopes to be an inspiration to others.

New Artist of the Year Tenth Avenue North. They wrote this record not to win awards but to tell people the truth.

When the band was walking towards the stage, guitarist Jeff Owen heard Sandi Patty yelling his name. Here Jeff explains that his mother help deliver Patty’s children.

Gospel Music Channel’s Angel Award recipient Jars Of Clay with Blood:Water Mission Director Jena Nardella

Presenter Sinbad is most proud of never going to rehab and doing a reality show. His daughter is a member of Press Play. Sinbad’s father is a preacher and one of the coolest cats he knows. His says that his best work is yet to come.

Presenter and American Idol® alum Phil Stacey cites Rich Mullins as one of his main musical influences. His new record, Into The Light, has a theme of encouragement.

The press room rises to our feet as Steven Curtis Chapman enters. He is encouraged by the people that God puts in his life like Geoff Moore, Bart Millard, and others. He delivered an emotional acceptance during the live broadcast. Being on tour with Michael W. Smith has been a great healing process. The Psalms have become so much more real to him as he can relate to what King David experienced. The family is “doing great” while they “learn the ‘new’ normal. They are more certain of the hope that they have.

That’s it for now. More images from GMA Music Week to follow.

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