The Tennessean
April 28, 2002
By MELONEE McKINNEY
NASHVILLE - Last Thursday's Dove Awards boasted roughly 20 performances, broadcast live from the Grand Ole Opry House. Williamson Countians not only opened (Stephen Curtis Chapman) and closed (Michael W. Smith) the show, local residents were sprinkled throughout the night's events.
Even a majority of the audience made the trek north from Williamson County. Sitting among the chatty crowd felt more like sitting at Starbuck's in Cool Springs as people from all walks of ''the biz'' visited about things that had nothing to do with the Doves.
Commercial breaks for the live telecast of the Christian music industry's premier event were like social hour. It was the only chance some people had to catch up with those in the industry they know, but hardly ever get to see. The telecast would go to a break, people would jump up, dash across the room, shake hands, hug, exchange a laugh and dash back to their seats just in time for the house lights to dim.
Performers included the county's own Rebecca St. James, Jars of Clay, Nicole C. Mullen, Smith, Shaun Groves, Toby McKeehan, Point of Grace and of course, members of the Tennessee Choral Academy, based in Franklin. The Williamson County teen-age girls sang arm in arm with the ladies of Point of Grace, several of whom live here.
Franklin's McKeehan, or TobyMac, had a big night that clearly reaffirmed his solo efforts, away from band dc Talk, have been worthwhile. He took home statues for Producer of the Year, Rap/Hip Hop/Dance Recorded Song for Somebody's Watching Me, and Rap/Hip Hop/Dance Album for Momentum.
McKeehan also added flavor and color to the lineup of Dove performances.
He performed J Train, an up-tempo hip-hop, rap groove with a message, and brought the crowd to its feet thanks to a little help from the ever-charismatic Kirk Franklin and a host of kids who sang, danced, flipped and did their best break-dancing head spins.
If there had been a Dove for the wardrobe that best suits the personality wearing it, TobyMac would have taken that, too, thanks to his red fur fedora and circa 1974 white three-inch wide belt worn over faded jeans.
The quote of the night had to come from Grassland-based producer Monroe Jones, who was nominated along with McKeehan for Producer of the Year. Jones is known for producing the likes of Third Day, Groves and Chris Rice.
After McKeehan was announced the winner, Jones, who has been nominated in this category before, said bluntly, ''I am Susan Lucci.''
Jones did share a Dove with Third Day for rock album for Come Together.
The Dove, again if there were one, for most genuine acceptance speech coming out of Williamson County would have gone to Smith, who stood in tears as the crowd saluted him with a standing ovation after being named Artist of the Year by presenter and friend Amy Grant.
Smith credited his latest album, Worship, and said he felt so honored that the album could be used to help people heal after Sept. 11.
Smith also took home awards for Inspirational Recorded Song for Above All, Instrumental Album for Freedom and Praise and Worship Album for Worship.
Champan, who is notorious for multiple Dove nominations every year, didn't come back to Franklin empty-handed this year either. He took home Pop/Contemporary Album for Declaration.
For anyone wanting more information, inside scoop and behind-the-scenes chatter, Starbuck's will be open all week.
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