‘Electricity in the air’ for Gospel Music Association’s showcase event in Atlanta, says new leader

The new chairman of the Gospel Music Association (GMA) says the organization’s showcase event—held for the first time outside of Nashville—was a resounding success.

Mitchell Solarek told Christian Retailing that the 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards, held April 20 at Atlanta’s historic Fox Theatre, was sold out, and attendance was up 50% from last year’s show. 

“From a press perspective, we have not had that kind of coverage as long I can remember,” said Solarek, who took over as chairman for Ed Leonard after his term ended in April. “It was great to drive into downtown Atlanta and see welcome banners hanging from street poles welcoming the Dove Awards. 

“The governor of Georgia attended the show,” added Solarek, president of Maximum Artist Management. “There was so much support from the city and state that you could feel the electricity in the air. … I could not have been happier with the results of the move to Atlanta this year.”

Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Jason Crabb and Point of Grace were the big winners during the Dove Awards—pulling down three Doves apiece at the event.

For the second year in a row,  Battistelli took home Female Vocalist of the Year honors, and she also won the fan-voted Artist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for “Beautiful, Beautiful.” Battistelli was the first female vocalist in 19 years to win the Artist of the Year.

“I’m on cloud nine right now,” Battistelli said after the show, the Associated Press reported. “I’m standing here ... speechless. This is totally humbling.” 

A first-time nominee, August was named New Artist of the Year and Male Artist of the Year, and was recognized with the Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for No Far Away (Fervent Records/Word Distribution). 

Crabb won Song of the Year for “Sometimes I Cry”; Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year for “Joseph”; and Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” His father, Gerald Crabb, won Songwriter of the Year.

Point of Grace took home Country Album of the Year for No Changin’ Us (Word Records/Word); Christmas Album of the Year for Home for the Holidays (Word Records/Word); and Country Recorded Song of the Year for “There Is Nothing Greater Than Grace.”

For the second year in a row,
Needtobreathe won Group of the Year and Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for “Something Beautiful.”

Solarek said that the organization has not yet decided on the location for next year’s event. GMA has been trying to bounce back since the association experienced a financial crisis in 2009 that “threatened its very existence,” according to Leonard.

 GMA posted a profit last year for the first time in three years, reduced a total debt of $921,000 to a manageable amount and sold its Nashville facility for $697,000 in October 2010. 

In addition, the association will hire an executive director rather than a president, as part of a new management model. 

“The debt is significantly lower than what it was at this time last year,” Solarek said. “We are in a much more stable position than we have been in the past.”