Switchfoot, Crabb family big winners at Dove awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Christian rock group Switchfoot won artist of the year at Wednesday's Gospel Music Association awards show, one of four honors bestowed on the band during the night.

Besides artist of the year, Switchfoot won best rock or contemporary recorded song for "Dare You to Move," as well as the short and long form music video awards.

The band did not attend the show.

The Crabb family also won four Dove Awards -- for Southern gospel recorded song ("He Came Looking for Me"), country recorded song ("Forever"), traditional gospel recorded song ("Through the Fire"), and Southern gospel album ("Driven").

"Our goal is to reach all ages," Jason Crabb said. "We want to reach from the oldest to the youngest because they all need the message of Jesus Christ."

Casting Crowns won three awards -- group of the year, pop/contemporary recorded song ("Who Am I"), and inspirational recorded song ("Voice of Truth") -- while lead singer and songwriter Mark Hall won individual honors for song of the year and songwriter of the year.

"This is such an encouragement," Hall said. "There are so many people in the world who need hope and it's so cool to be a tiny part of that."

Hall said the idea for "Who Am I" came to him as he was driving home late one night with his wife and children asleep in the car.

"In the midst of my own little worship time, I stopped and wondered, 'Who am I to think I can just call up to God whenever I want, from the middle of nowhere, and expect Him to hear me.' ... That's where it started," Hall said.

It was the second consecutive year that the 35-year-old youth minister won the top songwriting honor at the Dove Awards.

Nicole C. Mullen won female vocalist and the urban album award for "Everyday People," whose title track is a cover of the Sly & Family Stone pop classic.

Mullen said she liked the message in the lyrics.

"I decided to do it as a reminder and as a challenge because we are all called to live together as everyday people," she said.

Jeremy Camp won awards for male vocalist and rock recorded song ("Stay"). Camp also was named top male vocalist last year.

"I don't even know what's been going on the past couple years of my life -- it's been a whirlwind," he said. "God has blown me away with numerous blessings."

The band Building 429 won in the new artist category, and "The Passion of the Christ: Songs" won for special event album.

Another album from the movie, "The Passion of the Christ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack," won for instrumental album.

"Thanks again to Mel Gibson for making this amazing film which God has used in amazing ways," said Steven Curtis Chapman, one of 21 artists on "The Passion of the Christ: Songs" album.

Co-host Israel Houghton won for contemporary gospel album and contemporary gospel recorded song with his group Israel & New Breed.

The night's leading nominee, Michael W. Smith, was shut out despite eight nominations.

Houghton shared hosting duties with Darlene Zschech, Chapman, Smokie Norful, Rebecca St. James and CeCe Winans.

Performers included Natalie Grant, BarlowGirl, Tonex, Casting Crowns, the Crabb Family, Selah, Bethany Dillon and Skillet.

ON THE NET

* www.gospelmusic.org

* www.doveawards.com

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Dove Awards list

DOVE AWARD WINNERS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Major winners at the Gospel Music Association's 2005 Dove Awards. Winners in 44 categories were announced Wednesday night. A complete nominations list is available at www.doveawards.com/.

* Artist: Switchfoot

* Song: "Who Am I," Mark Hall of Casting Crowns

* Songwriter: Mark Hall of Casting Crowns

* Male Vocalist: Jeremy Camp

* Female Vocalist: Nicole C. Mullen

* Group: Casting Crowns

* New Artist: Building 429

* Producer: Ed Cash