CCMMagazine.com
April, 2003
By Jessie Hahn
Well, Christian music’s "biggest night of the year" has passed once again, and all we’re left with are the memories (and the delayed broadcast on PAX and TBN). The 34th Annual Dove Awards came and went pretty much without a hitch last Thursday. Despite a fantastic set (shared earlier in the week with CMT’s "Flameworthy Awards"), the show seemed less provocative than last year’s. The highs weren’t as high, and the lows (be they fashion or performance) weren’t as low. Still, Jessie Hahn is here to give you an insider’s view of the night!
Before the televised portion of the festivities began, three musical pioneers were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Two of them (Pat Boone and the Blind Boys of Alabama) probably don’t mean much to most CCM readers, though they certainly have made significant contributions to Christian music over the years. The third—Amy Grant—has undisputedly had the most widespread influence of any contemporary Christian artist to date. Last year Grant marked 25 years in Christian music, with lifetime sales of 24 million albums. It’s probable that many of the people in the audience—myself included—now work in the industry primarily because they grew up listening to Grant’s music. It was a special moment filled with Amy’s legendary warmth, humor and humility. For those who couldn’t be there to see it in person—well, sorry!
Once the "real" part of the show got started, flashes of fun broke through periodically to help keep us all awake. (Hey, the entire evening lasts a yawn-inducing four and half hours, so don’t judge.) Bebo Norman’s performance of "Great Light of the World" demonstrated why he was deservedly nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, even though he eventually lost out to Michael W. Smith (yawn), who also took home the Artist of the Year trophy (oops, sorry, yawning again). The Rock ‘n’ Roll Worship Circus jolted many of us back to attention with their, umm, interesting lyrics ("It’s the blood of Jesus, baby, that sets us free"). Nicole C. Mullen, who gave birth to a baby in January, appeared amazingly flab-free while sporting a floppy hat that truly stood out. Third Day caused us to smile through our yawns as they beat out MercyMe and accepted their third consecutive Group of the Year trophy with a T.G.I. Friday’s follow-up to last year’s "Shoney’s" joke. Souljahz rocked-and-rapped the house after winning two awards during the pre-show and seemed likely to win New Artist of the Year, except that they didn’t: Paul Colman Trio did. (Huh.)
Another New Artist nominee, Daily Planet, got smirks all around with their retro powder-blue tuxedos and goofy hats. A very-pregnant Nichole Nordeman (the night’s biggest winner with seven Doves) gave a great performance of Song of the Year "Holy." Leigh Nash from Sixpence looked lovely and lacy in her black number, while co-host CeCe Winans gave a stunning performance in a stunning rose-colored gown. The woman is a pro, plain and simple. Audio Adrenaline gave the best faux-Britrock performance of the night with "Ocean Floor," while Joy Williams and Ashley Clevland rocked the house, girl-style. Vince Gill and Amy Grant performed a rollicking version of "Nothing But The Blood of Jesus," but what really got people talking is that Amy had put in hair extensions sometime since she accepted the Hall of Fame award earlier in the night.
The night closed out with two memorable performances: Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams singing a phenomenal version of "The Prayer" (originally performed by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion), and Michael W. Smith and friends singing, well, "Friends."
Those of you watching from home unfortunately miss some of the funniest moments of the night, which were the video clips of past Dove moments played during commercial breaks. Early clips of dc talk, Michael W. Smith, Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris and others got enthusiastic receptions from the audience that rivaled some of the evening’s performances!
All in all, it was another Dove night to remember. The awards will be televised Saturday, April 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on PAX. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will also air the show on Friday, April 25 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, and Saturday, April 26 at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. Be sure to tune in!
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