April 25: Grand Saline’s Chris Tomlin wins Gospel Music Association’s Artist of the Year in 2007

Published 5:00 am Saturday, April 25, 2020

Chris Tomlin is a Grand Saline native and 1992 TJC graduate. 

East Texas natives were winners at Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards on this date in 2007. 

Grand Saline native Chris Tomlin won Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. His “See the Morning” was the  Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year and Praise and Worship Album of the Year and “Holy is the Lord” was Worship Song of the Year.

Tomlin’s “Made to Worship” was a finalist for Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year and Worship Song of the Year.

Also: 

  • MercyMe, a vocal group once based in Greenville, was a nominee for Group of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (“Coming Up to Breathe”);
  • David Crowder Band, featuring Texarkana native David Crowder, was a nominee for Group of the Year;
  • Paul Baloche, of Lindale, was a nominee for Inspirational Album of the Year (“A Greater Song”);
  • The Oak Ridge Boys, featuring Lamar County native Duane Allen, won Country Song of the Year (“Jonah, Job and Moses”). 

In the Spotlight



— 2018: Longview native Forest Whitaker announces he will star in and serve as the executive producer of “The Godfather of Harlem,” a series on Epix.  

— 2014: Elkhart native Tye Sheridan has a guest role on “Last Man Standing.”

— 2014: Terrell native Jamie Foxx is a guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and appears on “Entertainment Tonight.” 

— 2010: At the Gospel Music Association Dove Award:

  • Grand Saline native Chris Tomlin is a nominee for Song of the Year and Worship Song (“I Will Rise”) and Christmas Album (“Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship”).
  • The David Crowder Band, featuring Texarkana native David Crowder, win Praise & Worship Album (“Church Music”) and are a nominee for Rock/Contemporary Album (“Church Music”) and Rock/Contemporary Song (“How He Loves”);
  • The Oak Ridge Boys, featuring Lamar County native Duane Allen, win Long-Form Video (“A Gospel Journey”) amd are a nominee for Southern Gospel Song (“Live With Jesus”); 
  • Paul Baloche of Lindale was a nominee for Worship Song (“Hosanna”)..

— 2009: Longview native Neal McCoy is featured on the “On the Road Weekly” TV show.

— 2009: MercyMe, a vocal group once based in Greenville, hits No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart with “10.” 

— 2008: Jacksonville native Deborah Yates is seen as a tango dancer in “Deception.” 

— 2002: At the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards:

  • The Oak Ridge Boys, featuring Lamar County native Duane Allen, win Country Album of the Year (“From the Heart”); 
  • MercyMe, a  group once based  in Greenville, wins Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary song of the Year (“I Can Only Imagine”).
  • Rockwall native Nicole C. Mullen is a nominee for Song of the Year (“Call on Jesus”), Female Vocalist of the Year, Artist of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (“Call on Jesus”), Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (“Talk About It”) and Short Form Music Video (“Call on Jesus”).
  • Paul Baloche, a Lindale resident, is a nominee for Song of the Year (“Above All”). 
  • Tyler native Shaun Groves is a nominee for Song of the Year (“Welcome Home”) and New Artist of the Year.

— 1996: At the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, The Cathedrals, led by Glen Payne, of Royse City, are a nominee for Southern Gospel Album (“A Reunion”) and Southern Gospel Song (“Oh, Come Along”).

— 1994:  Linden native Don Henley is a guest on “Sally Jessy Raphael.”

— 1992: Atlanta native Tracy Lawrence’s “Today’s Lonely Fool” peaks at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

— 1989: Groesbeck native Joe Don Baker begins a recurring role on the TV series “In the Heat of the Night.”

— 1986: Quitman native Sissy Spacek stars in the romantic drama “Violets Are Blue” with Kevin Kline.

— 1980: Nick Nolte, John Heard and Quitman native Sissy Spacek star in “Heart Beat.”

— 1970: Wood County native Ray Price has the No. 8 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with “You Wouldn’t Know Love.”

— 1966: Tyler native Richard Bradford appears in “The Chase” starring Marlon Brando.

— 1964: Panola County native Jim Reeves’s “Welcome to My World” peaks at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

— 1962: DeKalb native Dan Blocker appears in a guest role on “The Bob Newhart Show.”

— 1957: DeKalb native Dan Blocker has a guest role on “Sergeant Preston of the Yukon.”

— 1956: Palestine native Jack Pepper and Whitewright native Guy Wilkerson appear in “Lucy Gallant” starring Jane Wyman.”

— 1956: Honey Grove native Bill Erwin appears in an episode of “Screen Directors Playhouse.”

— 1947:  Whitewright native Guy Wilkerson appears in “The Sea of Grass” starring Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. 

— 1942: Marshall native Henry Roquemore appears in “Sauce for the Gander.”

— 1941: Marshall native Henry Roquemore appears in “Moon Over Burma.”

— 1941: Blooming Grove native Georgia Carroll appears in Ziegfeld Girl” starring James Stewart and Judy Garland..