A week after the nominations for the 38th Annual Dove Awards were announced, artists are reflecting on this honour.

“Wow! I am so humbled to receive these GMA Dove nominations in recognition of this music,” says Chris Tomlin after receiving the news of his nine nominations which includes his second consecutive nod for Artist and Male Vocalist of the Year, as well as Song and Worship Song of the Year for Made To Worship from his current, best-selling album, See The Morning. ”In our world and culture of music that seems to be all about making a name for yourself, it’s an honor to carry the message of the everlasting God and His unending fame.  I will continue to try to write songs that give people a voice to worship God.”

Mark Hall from Casting Crowns notes, “All thanks to God for giving us songs and letting us sing them. We are blessed to be a part of an amazing group of people at Provident Music Group, and we thank them for their ministry to us.” The band’s impressive showing includes nods for Artist of the Year, Group of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Song, and Long Form Music Video, while lead singer Hall is nominated for Male Vocalist and Song of the Year for penning the group’s No.1 radio hit “Praise You In This Storm.”

Leeland received nominations in several categories including New Artist of the Year, Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song for Sound of Melodies, Worship Song of the Year for Yes You Have, Rock/Contemporary Album and Praise & Worship Album of the Year for Sound of Melodies. According to Leeland frontman, Leeland Mooring, “When I heard we were nominated for five categories, I thought someone was playing a joke on us. We are so honored to be nominated with so many artists that we have grown up listening to and respect. This is very surreal.”

Recognized for his hit anthem Our God Reigns in the Worship Song category, Brandon Heath notes, “I’m so thankful for this nomination!  To be mentioned in the company of these songs, artists, and friends is an incredible honor.”  He adds, “I wrote ‘Our God Reigns’ to worship our God at a difficult time in a scary world.  With today’s encouraging news, my response is still the same, to worship Him.”

After receiving nominations in the categories for Rock Album of the Year for End of Silence, Rock Recorded Song and Short Form Music Video for Breathe Into Me, Red guitarist Anthony Armstrong comments, “We could not be more excited that we received three Dove Award nominations. We have dreamed of this moment ever since we were going to Christian festivals as teenagers – and for it to be here for us, truly is a dream come true. We are very thankful for this opportunity.”

Nominated in the category of Pop/Contemporary Album for his critically-acclaimed Between the Dreaming and the Coming True, Bebo Norman shares, “During the making of Between the Dreaming and the Coming True, I was reminded of just how much I love the process of writing and recording music, and how amazing it is that I get to continue to do this. That, coupled with receiving this nomination for the work that Jason (Ingram) and I put in to producing this album, is one of the most rewarding experiences in my life, and for that, I am truly thankful.”

All Star United’s Ian Eskelin is being recognized this year for his contributions to pop-punk band Stellar Kart’s sophomore album, I Can’t Stand Sitting Down. The album’s track Me and Jesus, co-written by Eskelin, is nominated for Song of the Year and Rock/Contemporary Song. Additionally from the project, Activate, also co-written by Eskelin, is nominated for Rock Recorded Song. The record itself, which Eskelin produced, received a nod for Rock Contemporary Album. Separately, Eskelin co-produced Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Krystal Meyers’ current project, Dying For A Heart, as well making it a total of five nominations. “I was blown away and shocked to learn of my nominations. Thank you,” says Eskelin. “I’m honoured to be noticed for what I’m blessed to do everyday: Work with talented artists and express my faith in music.”

The Dove Awards is Christian/Gospel music’s biggest night of the year, where top artists from every style of gospel music come together for a night of music and celebration as the GMA bestows the industry’s highest honour; the Dove Award. Dove statuettes will be handed out on April 25th, 2007 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.