For the second year in a row, Chris Tomlin led all nominees for the 38th Annual Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards with nine nominations, including Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.

Other leading nominees announced Tuesday for gospel music's best in 2006 were Jars of Clay with six and The Crabb Family with five. Newcomers Aaron Shust and Leeland had five each.

The big winner with five GMA Dove Awards last year, including Male Vocalist of the Year and Artist of the Year, and both Song of the Year and Worship Song of the Year for “How Great Is Our God,” Tomlin is also up for 2007's Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for “Made to Worship,” Praise & Worship Album of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for See the Morning and Special Event Album of the Year for Passion: Everything Glorious.

“I am so humbled to receive these GMA Dove nominations,” Chris Tomlin, who received 10 nominations in 2006, said in a statement. “I will continue to try to write songs that give people a voice to worship God.”

Closing out GMA Music Week, this year's awards will be held April 25 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The show will be televised in national syndication in May.

Backstreet Boy and contemporary Christian artist Brian Littrell will co-host the show with singers Natalie Grant and Donnie McClurkin. Comedian Thor Ramsey will host the Dove's opening ceremonies, where most of the awards will be presented.

For a full list of nominees, visit www.gmamusicawards.com/categories.