Gospel singer and songwriter CeCe Winans was among the top winners at the 48th Annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards.
The “Wagging war” hit singer walked away with two out of three nods; Gospel Artist of the Year and Contemporary Gospel Urban Worship Album of the Year. In addition to her nominations, Winans’ son Alvin Love III and Tommy Sims also received a nod for Producer of the Year.
MercyMe, Zach Williams, the Gaither Vocal Band, Tamela Mann and Reba McEntire who have been in the industry for decades received top honors on Tuesday evening as well.
The Dove Awards, hosted by Kari Jobe and Tasha Cobb Leonard, was held at David Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
Winans on receiving her first award commented on the youthful talent that had also been in her category: Kirk Franklin, Travis Greene, Tasha Cobb Leonard and Tamela Mann.
“They have all blessed my soul. I’m honored to be in this category with them,” said Winans, who thanked her son, Alvin Love III. “He is the visionary behind my latest record, Let Them Fall in Love, and I think it’s my best work yet. So thank you for telling me what to do. I had to submit to him as a mom and that was rough, but it turned out amazing.”
From the stage, she also expressed gratitude to be “representing Jesus in a world that needs Jesus.”
“Jesus is still the answer for every problem,” she said.
Acclaimed writer producer Bernie Herms, whose has worked with everyone from Casting Crowns to Barbra Streisand won two honors — producer of the year and songwriter of the year (non-artist). Casting Crowns won the Dove for contemporary Christian artist of the year.
Jaci Velasquez, who won the best new artist in 1997 and female vocalist in 1999 and 2000, earned her fourth Dove in the Spanish language album of the year category for Confio.
For a complete list of winners, visit www.doveawards.com.
