April 23: East Texans dominate Dove Awards in 2008, 2009

Published 5:00 am Thursday, April 23, 2020

Dove Awards

April 23 was the date of the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards in 2008 and 2009. On both years, East Texans were among the most honored Christian music artists.

In 2008, Grand Saline native Chris Tomlin won Male Vocalist of the Year and Worship Song of the Year (“How Great is Our God”). Tomlin also was a finalist for Artist of the Year and his “Amazing Grace – My Chains Are Gone” was up for Song of the Year and Worship Song of the Year.

David Crowder Band, featuring Texarkana native David Crowder, won Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year (“Everything Glorious”) and Praise and Worship Album of the Year (“Remedy”) and was a nominee for Group of the Year, Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (“Remedy”), Worship Song of the Year “Everything Glorious”) and Video of the Year (“Foreverandever, etc.”).

MercyMe, a vocal group once based in Greenville, was a nominee for Song of the Year (“Bring the Rain”). Paul Baloche, of Lindale, was a nominee for Praise and Worship Album of the Year (“Our God Saves”). 

In 2009, Tomlin was a nominee for Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year (“Amazing Grace – My Chains Are Gone”), Worship Song of the Year (“Jesus Messiah”) and Praise and Worship Album of the Year (“Hello Love”).



MercyMe was a nominee for Group of the Year and Song of the Year (“You Reign”) and David Crowder Band was a nominee for Group of the Year. The Oak Ridge Boys, featuring Lamar County native Duane Allen, was up for Country Song of the Year (“Did I make a Difference”). 

As a writer, Baloche was a nominee for Worship Song of the Year (“A New Hallelujah“).

In the Spotlight

— 2011: Journalist Bill Moyers, who grew up in Marshall, is a guest on the “Tavis Smiley” talk show.

— 2009: Terrell native Jamie Foxx stars in “The Soloist.”

— 2009: Terrell native Jamie Foxx is a guest on “Up Close with Carrie Keagan.”

— 2003: Journalist Bill Moyers, who grew up in Marshall, hosts the PBS special “America’s First River: Bill Moyers on the Hudson.”

— 2002: Greenville native Drew Cook has a small part in “Almost Time.”

— 1998: At the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, Rockwall native Nicole C. Mullen wins Song of the Year honors for her contribution to writing “On My Knees.”

— 1997: At the Academy of Country Music Awards:

  • Atlanta native Tracy Lawrence is nominee for Song, Record and Album of the year for “Time Marches On”; 
  • Troup native Paul Leim is a nominee for Percussionist of the Year.

— 1993: Honey Grove native Bill Erwin appears in the TV movie “At Home with the Webbers.”

— 1988: “I’ll Always Come Back” by K.T. Oslin, who attended Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, hits No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

— 1983:  The Oak Ridge Boys, featuring Lamar County native Duane Allen, score a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with “American Made.”

— 1972: Tyler native Sandy Duncan is a presenter at the Tony Awards.

— 1971: Mount Vernon native Don Meredith is a guest on “The Mike Douglas Show.” 

— 1964: Honey Grove native Bill Erwin is seen in an episode of “Kraft Suspense Theatre.”

— 1962: Classical pianist Van Cliburn, who grew up in Kilgore, is a guest on “To Tell the Truth.”

— 1955: Clarence Lung, who spent the final part of his life in Quitman, appears in an episode of “Science Fiction Theatre.”

— 1946: Clarence Lung, who spent the final part of his life in Quitman, appears in “Lost City of the Jungle.”

— 1937: Kaufman native Ted Healy appears in “Good Old Soak.”