TobyMac, Kirk Franklin, Mandisa, Take 6, The Crabb Family, MercyMe and Chris Tomlin are among the first performers announced for the 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards, today announced John W. Styll, president and CEO of the Gospel Music Association and executive producer of the Doves. Michael W. Smith, Brenda Lee and Bob & Larry from VeggieTales are among those slated as presenters.

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 national 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. The awards show will then be televised in national syndication in May. Tickets are now on sale for the awards and can be purchased at www.TicketMaster.com. Ticket prices range from US$55 to $200.

The more than a dozen musical performances will range from rousing soulful gospel to infectious hip-hop to powerful quartet harmonizing to rock n’ roll to inspiring modern worship, representing all the top Dove Awards nominees and reflecting all the diversity in gospel/Christian music. Several special Dove moments are planned including the show opener with TobyMac performing with Kirk Franklin and Mandisa and a multi-artist segment from the new Glory Revealed project and a performance from the soundtrack of the film, Amazing Grace. The list of artists confirmed to perform is:

• TobyMac
• Kirk Franklin
• Mandisa
• Brian Littrell (of the Backstreet Boys)
• Mac Powell (of Third Day)
• Mark Hall (of Casting Crowns)
• Steven Curtis Chapman
• Chris Tomlin
• Stellar Kart
• The Crabb Family
• Take 6
• Aaron Shust
• MercyMe
• Brian Free & Assurance
• DecembeRadio
• Leeland
• Red
• Family Force 5

Presenters will include teenage activist Zach Hunter, child actor Grayson Russell, country music legend Brenda Lee as well as artist Michael W. Smith, New Artist of the Year nominee Ayiesha Woods and songwriter/producer Ian Eskelin. Hosting the 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be Littrell, Donnie McClurkin and Natalie Grant. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon.

The 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be produced by Steve Gilreath Television for the sixth straight year. Dove Awards will be handed out in 43 categories. Many of the awards will be presented during opening ceremonies beginning at 5:30 p.m., while all the performances and seven awards will be presented during the broadcast portion of the Doves beginning at 8 p.m.

Securing first-run syndication through broadcast network affiliates and independent stations nationwide is Central City Productions/Timeless International which also produces and syndicates the Stellar Awards. More than 120 television stations, including seven of the top ten Nielsen markets, that have already cleared the GMA Dove Awards for the 2007 broadcast. Following the broadcast syndication, The Gospel Music Channel will have the cable premiere of the GMA Dove Awards. Canadian broadcast rights are pending.

The American Bible Society is the Designated Charity for the Dove Awards. Founded in 1816 and headquartered in New York City, the mission of the American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so that all people may experience its life-changing message. The American Bible Society Web site is www.Bibles.com.

For more information on the Dove Awards, visit www.DoveAwards.com.