40th GMA Dove Awards
The 40th Annual 'GMA Dove Awards presentation was held on April 23, 2009 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 2008. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Rebecca St. James, Matthew West, and Lisa Kimmey.
Nominations were announced on February 20, 2009 by Lisa Kimmey, and Jackie Evans during a press conference at the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitor Information Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
Steven Curtis Chapman won two awards, including Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, while Tenth Avenue North won New Artist of the Year. Casting Crowns and Brandon Heath each won three awards. Other multiple winners include: Third Day, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and Michael W. Smith.
Performers
;Pre-telecast- Meredith Andrews
- Downhere
- J.R.
The following performed:
Artist | Song |
Mary Mary | "Get Up" |
Kierra Sheard | |
Francesca Battistelli | |
Steven Curtis Chapman | "Cinderella" |
Natalie Grant Group 1 Crew | "Make It Matter" |
Brandon Heath | "Give Me Your Eyes" |
MercyMe | "I Can Only Imagine" "Finally Home" |
Jonathan Nelson | |
Remedy Drive | "Daylight Is Coming" |
Chris Sligh | "Empty Me" |
Tenth Avenue North | "By Your Side" |
Third Day | "Revelation" |
Chris Tomlin | "I Will Rise" |
Kim Hopper Brian Free & Assurance Ronnie Milsap Jason Crabb Reba Rambo-McGuire Dony McGuire Destiny McGuire Sandi Patty Larnelle Harris | Tribute to Dottie Rambo: |
Blind Boys of Alabama Mac Powell | "Free at Last" |
Edwin Hawkins Donnie McClurkin Mandisa Phil Stacey Melinda Watts | "Oh Happy Day" |
Presenters
;Telecast ceremonyThe following presented:
- William Baldwin
- Chyna Vaughan
- Sinbad
- A.J. Styles
- Mandisa
- Phil Stacey
- Casting Crowns
- Fireflight
- Michael W. Smith – introduced Steven Curtis Chapman
- Kirk Franklin
- Richie McDonald
- Ronnie Milsap
- Tye Tribbett
- Jeremy Camp
- Martha Munizzi
- Mary Alessi
- DecembeRadio
- GRITS
- Jason Crabb
- Kim Hopper
- The Afters
- Canton Jones
- Isaiah D. Thomas
- Marty Magehee
- Mark Harris
- Wayne Watson
- Damita Haddon
- Mac Powell – introduced the "Oh Happy Day" tribute
- Carrie Prejean – introduced MercyMe
Awards
General
;Artist of the Year- Casting Crowns
- Steven Curtis Chapman
- Fireflight
- Marvin Sapp
- Third Day
- TobyMac
- Chris Tomlin
- Addison Road
- Francesca Battistelli
- Fee
- Jonathan Nelson
- Remedy Drive
- Chris Sligh
- Tenth Avenue North
- Casting Crowns
- David Crowder Band
- Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
- Mary Mary
- MercyMe
- Skillet
- Third Day
- Jeremy Camp
- Jon Foreman
- Ernie Haase
- Brandon Heath
- David Phelps
- Marvin Sapp
- Chris Tomlin
- Francesca Battistelli
- Brooke Fraser
- Karen Peck Gooch
- Natalie Grant
- Mandisa
- Sandi Patty
- Laura Story
- "Amazing Grace " – Chris Tomlin
- *Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin, songwriters
- "Cinderella" – Steven Curtis Chapman
- *Steven Curtis Chapman, songwriter
- "Empty Me" – Chris Sligh
- *Chris Sligh, Clint Lagerberg, Tony Wood
- "Give Me Your Eyes" – Brandon Heath
- *Brandon Heath, Jason Ingram, songwriters
- "I Will Not Be Moved" – Natalie Grant
- *Natalie Grant, songwriter
- "I'm Letting Go" – Francesca Battistelli
- *Francesca Battistelli, Tony Wood, Ian Eskelin, songwriters
- Mighty to Save – Hillsong Church
- *Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan, songwriters
- "Never Going Back to OK" – The Afters
- *Matt Fuqua, Josh Havens, Brad Wigg, Dan Muckala, songwriters
- "Reason Enough" – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
- *Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey, songwriters
- "You Reign" – MercyMe
- *Bart Millard, Barry Graul, Steven Curtis Chapman, songwriters
- Steven Curtis Chapman
- Brown Bannister
- Ed Cash
- Ian Eskelin
- Wayne Haun
- Bernie Herms
- Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp
Pop
- "Cinderella" – Steven Curtis Chapman
- "Give Me Your Eyes" – Brandon Heath
- "I Will Not Be Moved" – Natalie Grant
- "I’m Letting Go" – Francesca Battistelli
- "This Is Home" – Switchfoot
- Bebo Norman – Bebo Norman
- Fall & Winter – Jon Foreman
- My Paper Heart – Francesca Battistelli
- Relentless – Natalie Grant
- Revelation – Third Day
Rock
- "Better Man" – DecembeRadio
- "For The Love Of The Game" – Pillar
- "Lost" – Red
- "Shine Like The Stars" – Stellar Kart
- "The Hunger" – Fireflight
- "Find You Waiting" – DecembeRadio
- "Keys To The Kingdom" – Group 1 Crew
- "Never Going Back To OK" – The Afters
- "Unbreakable" – Fireflight
- "Washed by the Water" – Needtobreathe
- Comatose Comes Alive – Skillet
- For The Love Of The Game – Pillar
- Satisfied – DecembeRadio
- Southern Hospitality – Disciple
- To Know That You're Alive – Kutless
- Daylight Is Coming – Remedy Drive
- Expect the Impossible – Stellar Kart
- Hello – After Edmund
- Never Going Back to OK – The Afters
- Unbreakable – Fireflight
Rap/Hip-Hop
- "Beautiful Morning" – GRITS, featuring Pigeon John
- "Do Yo Thang" – KJ-52
- "Joyful Noise" – Flame, featuring Lecrae & John Reilly
- "Pull Your Pants Up!" – Dooney “Da Priest”
- "So Beautiful" – Manafest, featuring Trevor McNevan
- Citizens Activ – Manafest
- Ordinary Dreamers – Group 1 Crew
- Pull Your Pants Up! – Dooney “Da Priest”
- Rebel – Lecrae
- Reiterate – GRITS
Inspirational
- "A New Hallelujah" – Michael W. Smith
- "For The Glory Of You" – Mark Harris
- "Bless The Lord" – Laura Story
- "Come Thou Fount" – Jadon Lavik
- "Dependence" – Jamie Slocum
- After The Rain – Aaron & Amanda Crabb
- Great God Who Saves – Laura Story
- Infinite Grace – Women of Faith Worship Team
- Roots Run Deep – Jadon Lavik
- Songs For The Journey – Sandi Patty
Gospel
- "Big Mighty God" – The Mike LeFevre Quartet
- "I Believe God" – Brian Free & Assurance
- "Reason Enough" – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
- "Welcome To The Family" – Booth Brothers
- "Yahweh" – The Hoppers
- Ephesians One – Karen Peck & New River
- I Just Wanted You To Know – Kim Hopper
- Lovin' Life – Gaither Vocal Band
- On The Way Up – HisSong
- Room For More – Booth Brothers
- "Cry Your Last Tear" – Bishop Paul S. Morton & the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Mass Choir
- "Deliverance" – Lillie Knauls
- "Free At Last" – The Blind Boys of Alabama
- "God Is Good" – Regina Belle
- "Souled Out" – Hezekiah Walker & LFC
- "Take It Back" – Dorinda Clark-Cole
- A New Day – Paul Porter
- After 40 Years... Still Sweeping Through the City – Shirley Caesar
- Cry Your Last Tear – Bishop Paul S. Morton & the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Mass Choir
- Do It! – Dottie Peoples
- Down In New Orleans – The Blind Boys of Alabama
- "Favor Of God" – Martha Munizzi
- "Great Grace" – Alvin Slaughter
- "How Great Is Our God" – LaRue Howard
- "My Name Is Victory" – Jonathan Nelson
- "Shall We Gather at the River?" – Take 6
- "Waging War" – CeCe Winans
- Change the World – Martha Munizzi
- Stand Out – Tye Tribbett & G.A.
- The Sound – Mary Mary
- The Standard – Take 6
- Thy Kingdom Come – CeCe Winans
Country & Bluegrass
- "Did I Make A Difference" – The Oak Ridge Boys
- "Good Side Of Goodbye" – Living Waters Trio
- "I Saw God Today" – George Strait
- "I Wish" – Point of Grace
- "Jesus and John Wayne" – Gaither Vocal Band
- Around the Bend – Randy Travis
- Home For Now – Living Waters Trio
- Hymned Again – Bart Millard
- I Turn to You – Richie McDonald
- Runaway Train – Crabb Revival
- "Help Is On The Way" – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
- "I See a Crimson Stream" – Janet Paschal
- "The Old White Flag" – Triumphant Quartet
- "They’re Holding Up The Ladder" – Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Lewis Family, and The Easter Brothers
- "What Will I Wear" – Kim Hopper
- Bluegrass Worship – Various artists
- Help Is On The Way – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
- Hymns From Chigger Hill – Chigger Hill Boys & Terri
- I Don’t Regret A Mile – Larry Sparks
- Pickin’, Praisin’, & Singin’: Hymns From The Mountain – Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad
- We Are Family – Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Lewis Family, and The Easter Brothers
- What A Journey – Paul Williams & The Victory Trio
Praise & Worship
- "A New Hallelujah" – Michael W. Smith
- *Michael W. Smith, Debbie Smith, Paul Baloche, songwriters
- "Breathe On Me" – Natalie Grant
- *Natalie Grant, songwriter
- "Jesus Messiah" – Chris Tomlin
- *Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash, songwriters
- "Mighty to Save" – Hillsong Church
- *Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan, songwriters
- "You’re Not Alone" – Meredith Andrews
- *Meredith Andrews, songwriter
- A New Hallelujah – Michael W. Smith
- Great God Who Saves – Laura Story
- Hello Love – Chris Tomlin
- Opposite Way – Leeland
- The Invitation – Meredith Andrews
Urban
- "Declaration " – Kirk Franklin
- "Get Up" – Mary Mary
- "Love Him Like I Do" – Deitrick Haddon with Ruben Studdard and Mary Mary
- "No Looking Back" – Damita
- "Not A Slave" – J.R.
- Bold Right Life – Kierra Sheard
- The Fight of My Life – Kirk Franklin
- Kingdom Business – Canton Jones
- No Looking Back – Damita
- Revealed – Deitrick Haddon
Others
- A Treasury of Hymns – LaDonna
- Always There – Harold Rayford
- Born to Play – Barry D.
- various artists – Harry Gregson-Williams
- Love Beyond All Measure – Stephen Petrunak
- The Breath of Life – Angella Christie
- Absolute Modern Worship for Kids 4 – Various artists
- All God’s Animals – TJ McCloud
- David: Shepherd, Psalmist, Soldier, King! – Bible StorySongs
- Shout Praises Kids – I Am Free – Jeff Sandstrom, Kurt Goebel, Stephen Leiweke, and Jeremy Redmon
- Sleepytime Lullabies – Praise Baby
- Tell The World – Hillsong Kids
- Abriras Las Puertas – Malin
- Alabanza y Adoracion: Del Corazon – Lucia Parker
- Mi Salvacion – Ingrid Rosario
- Refréscate! – Aline Barros
- Rescátame – Seventh Day Slumber
- Sobrenatural – Marcos Witt
- Tengo Sed de Tí – Soraya Moraes
- '
- Country Bluegrass Homecoming Volume One
- How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites from the Grand Ole Opry
- Passion: God of This City
- Your Name
- Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style – Gaither Vocal Band
- Christmas Songs – Fernando Ortega
- Home for Christmas – BarlowGirl
- O Holy Night – Sara Groves
- Peace on Earth – Casting Crowns
- Cradle That Rocked The World – Geron Davis, Christopher Phillips, Jukka Palonen
- Glorious Day – David Moffitt, Sue C. Smith, Travis Cottrell
- He Still Leads – Christ Church Choir – Landy Gardner, Joy Gardner, Christopher Phillips
- I’ll Say Yes – Carol Cymbala
- Make a Joyful Noise – Regi Stone
- …Is My Friend – Hawk Nelson
- Remedy Club Tour Edition – David Crowder Band
- Revelation – Third Day'
- Storm the Gates of Hell – Demon Hunter
- The Tide Will Swallow Us Whole'' – Trenches
Musicals
- Child of Wonder
- East to West
- God Bless the USA
- Savior
- The Risen Christ
- An Island Christmas
- Angels We Have Heard
- It’s a Wonder-Full Life
- Lifesong
- The Christmas County Spelling Bee
Videos
- "Daylight" – Remedy Drive
- *Andy & Jon Erwin
- "Fan Mail" – KJ-52
- *Sam Sanchez
- "In the Valley of the Dying Sun" – House of Heroes
- *Danny Yourd, Steve Hoover
- "Movin’" – Group 1 Crew
- *Andy & Jon Erwin, Dan Atchison
- "Slow Fade" – Casting Crowns
- *Andy & Jon Erwin
- Alive and Transported – TobyMac
- *Eric Welch, Tameron Hedge and Dan Pitts
- Comatose Comes Alive – Skillet
- *Carl Diebold, Diebold, Paul Kerby, and Zachary Kelm
- Country Bluegrass Homecoming Volume One – Bill & Gloria Gaither
- *Doug Stuckey, Bill Gaither
- O Holy Night – David Phelps
- *David Phelps and Jimmy Abegg, Phelps, Abegg, Jim Chaffee, and Ben Pearson
- The Altar and the Door Live – Casting Crowns
- *Andy & Jon Erwin
Artists with multiple nominations and awards
- Seven: Chris Tomlin
- Five: Natalie Grant, Francesca Battistelli, Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman
- Four: Fireflight
- Two: TobyMac, Marvin Sapp
- Three: Casting Crowns, Brandon Heath
- Two: Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Michael W. Smith