Zoegirl nominated for best new artist

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A Jackson, Mo., native was among the list of nominations for a Christian music award this week.

Zoegirl, a female trio that includes Kristin Swinford, formerly of Jackson, was among the best new artist nominees announced Wednesday. Zoegirl is known for its upbeat dance music with some sounds of R&B.

Other best new nominees were Downhere, Sara Groves, Shaun Groves and Joy Williams.

Award categories ranged over a wide array of musical styles, including bluegrass, rap, Southern gospel and praise & worship.

The GMA is a trade organization to promote Christian music. Its 5,000 members nominate and vote for the Dove Awards winners.

Third Day, which won the top award at last year's Dove Awards, received six nominations, including another chance to win in the best artist category.

"It hopefully validates us in people's eyes," said Mac Powell, the lead singer of the Atlanta-based band. "It shows that we're not a flash-in-the-pan group."

Powell also got an additional nomination for best male vocalist.

Competing with Third Day for best artist are Steven Curtis Chapman, Nicole C. Mullen, Michael W. Smith and the platinum-selling rock group P.O.D.

Four artists tied for the most nominations, eight: Chapman, Mullen, Rebecca St. James and Toby McKeehan of the group dc Talk. McKeehan got three nominations under his real name and five under his solo pseudonym Toby Mac.

Nominations from the Gospel Music Association were announced in 41 categories at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts by Mullen, Nichole Nordeman and the five members of Third Day. Nominees for one remaining category, best songwriter, will be announced during the April 25 awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House.

Best male vocalist nominees are Powell, Chapman, Smith, David Phelps and Mark Schultz. Best group nominees are Avalon, P.O.D., Point of Grace, Selah and Third Day.

Mullen, St. James, Natalie Grant, CeCe Winans and Nordeman are up for best female vocalist.

"I'm really surprised because I haven't really done much recently," Nordeman said. "I've been in the studio and traveling and out of the public eye. ... There's definitely a sense of satisfaction that my peers nominated me anyway."

Artists who established themselves in other genres were tapped for nominations.

Lou Rawls was nominated for best traditional gospel album for "I'm Blessed." Johnny Cash was nominated for his part in "Soul Lift," a multiple-artist project that is up for best special event album. The Oak Ridge Boys were nominated for best country song for "Write Your Name Across My Heart."

Mannheim Steamroller was nominated for best instrumental album for "Christmas Extraordinaire." And actress Ann-Margret was nominated for best country album for "God Is Love: The Gospel Sessions."