Path MEGAzine got the chance to attend the 43rd Annual Dove Awards in Atlanta, GA this year and it was packed with the best in Christian and Gospel music.
The Dove Awards took place in Atlanta’s landmark Fox Theatre, Thursday April 19, and included a pre-show as well as red carpet entrances by top names such as Kirk Franklin, Natalie Grant, and Montell Jordan.
Comedian Chonda Pierce and actor David Mann from Tyler Perry’s sitcom “Meet the Browns” served as hosts for the awards ceremony.
One of the most prestigious awards of the night went to Jason Crabb for Male Vocalist of the year, who also earned Artist of the year. Crabb said that he was thrilled to take part in Thursday’s awards ceremony. “I’m so excited to be here, said the “Sometimes I Cry” singer. “It just blows my mind,” he added of his big win. 
Mary Mary takes pictures in the press room
Christian hip-hop singer Lecrae garnered two Dove Awards during the ceremony. He was recently named by Jeremy Lin as his favorite rapper and is one of today’s rising stars. The Grammy-nominated rapper received Dove Awards for Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year with “Hallelujah,” and Rap/Hip Hop Album of the year with “The Overdose.”
Number one selling Gospel artist of all-time, Kirk Franklin, earned his 15th and 16th Dove Awards Thursday. The singer took home awards for Contemporary Gospel Album and Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year. 
Montell Jordan [Left] with Publisher Kris Patrick [Right]
The 43rd annual Dove Awards saw several performances by both old and new artists. Jamie-Grace, who earned the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, performed her hit song “Hold Me,” while R&B soul singer Angie Stone shared the stage with Gospel singers Yolanda Adams, Crystal Lewis, and Karen Peck in a tribute to Whitney Houston.
Natalie Grant’s performance of her hit song “Alive” earned the singer a standing ovation on the night. Additionally, she garnered her fifth Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year.
The GMA Dove Awards will be nationally televised on GMC TV on April 24 at 8 p.m. EST and 10 p.m. EST. 
Fred Jerkins [Left] with Publisher Kris Patrick [Right]
PATH on-air personality Christin Gordon with Wes Morgan
Kris Patrick on the red carpet
Below are the Full list of nominees and Dove Awards winners.
Song of the Year – Blessings; Laura Story; Laura Story; New Spring Publishing (ASCAP), Gleaning Publishing (ASCAP)
Male Vocalist of the Year – Jason Crabb
Female Vocalist of the Year – Natalie Grant
Group of the Year – NEEDTOBREATHE
Artist of the Year – Jason Crabb
New Artist of the Year – Jamie-Grace
Producer of the Year – Ed Cash
Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year – Hallelujah; Rehab Deluxe Edition; Lecrae; LeCrae Moore, Charles Cornelius, Joseph Prielozny, Nelson Chu; Reach Records
Rock Recorded Song of the Year – Dark Horses; Vice Verses; Switchfoot; Jonathan Foreman, Tim Foreman; Credential Recordings/lowercasepeople/Atlantic
Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year – Slumber; The Reckoning; NEEDTOBREATHE; Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart; Atlantic Records
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year – Blessings; Blessings; Laura Story; Laura Story; Fair Trade Services, LLC
Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year – Hope Of The Broken World; Hope Of The Broken World; Selah; Carl Cartee, Jennie Riddle; Curb
Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year – Celebrate Me Home; Blue Skies Coming; Perrys; Joel Lindsey, Wayne Haun; Daywind
Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year – Mama’s Teaching Angels How to Sing; Naturally; The Isaacs; Dottie Rambo; Gaither Music Group
Country Recorded Song of the Year – Good Things Are Happening; Reach Out; Karen Peck & New River; Wayne Haun, Sonya Isaacs; Daywind
Urban Recorded Song of the Year – Sweeter; The Love Album; Kim Burrell; Kathy Burrell, Shanachie Records
Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year – Hold On; Change The Atmosphere; Christ Tabernacle Choir; Wayne Haun, Steve Carey, Matthew Garinger; Vine
Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year – I Smile; Hello Fear; Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, James Harris, Terry Lewis, Fred Tackett; Verity
Worship Song of the Year – Your Great Name; Michael Neale, Krissy Nordhoff; Integrity’s Praise! Music (BMI), Two Nords Music (ASCAP)
Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year – Rehab: The Overdose; Lecrae; Lecrae, Torrance Esmond,Kadence, Tony
Rock Album of the Year – Vice Verses; Switchfoot; Neal Avron; EMI CMG
Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year – The Reckoning; NEEDTOBREATHE; Rick Beato, Greg Wells, NEEDTOBREATHE; Atlantic Records
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year – Blessings; Laura Story; Nathan Nockels; Fair Trade Services, LLC
Inspirational Album of the Year – Hope Of The Broken World; Selah; Jason Kyle, Todd Smith, Allan Hall, Bernie Herms; Curb Records
Southern Gospel Album of the Year – Reach Out; Karen Peck & New River; Wayne Haun; Daywind
Bluegrass Album of the Year – Grassroots Rambos; Rambo McGuire; Dony McGuire; Rambo McGuire Records
Country Album of the Year – Dreamin’ Wide Awake; Doug Anderson; Wayne Haun; StowTown
Urban Album of the Year – Church on the Moon; Deitrick Haddon; Fred Jenkins Deitrick Haddon, Cordell Walton, Blaze, AJ Encore, Ebony Eugene Suber, David Haddon, Calvin Frazier, Fred Jerkins III, wowJones; Verity Gospel Music Group
Traditional Gospel Album of the Year – Promises; Richard Smallwood; Steven Ford, Richard Smallwood, Donald Lawrence, Daniel Weatherspoon; Verity Gospel Music Group
Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year – Hello Fear; Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, Shaun Martin; Verity Gospel Music Group
Instrumental Album of the Year – Unfailing Love: 20 Worship Songs of Comfort and Peace; Stan Whitmire; Stan Whitmire; Green Hill Productions
Childrens Music Album of the Year – Groovy; Denver and the Mile High Orchestra; Jamie Statema, Denver Bierman and Darren Rust; Go Fish Kids Records
Spanish Language Album of the Year – Top 25 Cantos de Alabanza 2012; Various; Phil Sillas; Maranatha! Music
Special Event Album of the Year – The Story; Matthew West, Leigh Nash from Sixpence None the Richer, Mark Hall & Megan Garret from Casting Crowns, Brandon Heath, Bart Millard from Mercy Me, Michael Tait From Newsboys, Blanca Callahan from Group 1 Crew, Lecrae, Chris Tomlin, Peter Furler, Mandisa, Todd Smith from Selah, Michael W Smith, Jeremy Camp, Dan Haseltine from Jars of Clay, Matt Hammit from Sanctus Real, Steven Curtis Chapman, Natalie Grant, Mac Powell from Third Day, Nichole Nordeman, Amy Grant, Francesca Battistelli, Darlene Zschech; Bernie Herms, Brown Bannister; EMI, Provident, Word
Christmas Album of the Year – Oh For Joy; David Crowder*Band; David Crowder*Band; SixSteps/ Sparrow Records
Praise and Worship Album of the Year – And If Our God is For Us…; Chris Tomlin; Ed Cash, Dan Muckala; EMI CMG
Musical of the Year – Down From His Glory; Mike Speck;Lillenas Publishing Company
Youth/Childrens Musical of the Year – God of This City; Susie Williams, David Ebensberger & Luke Gambill; Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing
Choral Collection of the Year – Everlasting Praise 3; Mike Speck, Stan Whitmire;Lillenas Publishing Company
Recorded Music Packaging of the Year – Christmas In Diverse City; TobyMac; Jan Cook; Eddy Boer for Boerhaus; Lee Stephen, Ryan Lampa, Nick West; EMI CMG
Short Form Music Video of the Year – You Are More; Tenth Avenue North; Wes Edwards; Drew Langer; Ruckus Films; Reunion Records
Long Form Music Video of the Year – Fear Not Tomorrow; The Collingsworth Family; Curt Casassa; Jim Hammond; P&KC Music; P&KC Music
