Dove Awards to air live tonight Print
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Thursday, 23 April 2009 02:51 PM America/New_York
altSteven Curtis Chapman, Natalie Grant, Mary Mary, MercyMe, Third Day and Chris Tomlin are among the performers and presenters for the 40th Annual Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards--to air live tonight on the Gospel Music Channel.

Miss California, Carrie Prejean, who has been in the media spotlight for her answer regarding gay marriage during the Miss USA pageant Sunday night, has also been added as a presenter. She is scheduled to introduce the MercyMe song "I Can Only Imagine."

Closing out GMA Music Week, the awards will be held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, broadcasting 8-10 p.m. EST. Featuring a special tribute to gospel music legend Dottie Rambo, who was killed in a bus accident last year, the awards will be handed out in 43 categories. For the first time, the public was invited to vote online via www.gospelmusicchannel.com and www.doveawards.com in two categories--Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year.

Look for a special Christian Retailing Update tomorrow with the results of the GMA Dove Awards.