The administrators and staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com are proud to announce the nominees for the 2023 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards which will take place on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. As in years past, the nominees were chosen by the staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com and select media representatives. Fans can vote for their favorites in several categories HERE.
“We are so excited about another awards celebration,” mentioned Chris Unthank, Editor-In-Chief of AbsolutelyGospel.com. “Bev McCann and the Nashville 37201 team helped us keep this tradition going last year, and we are so excited that they are now keeping this awesome program alive for many years to come!”
In addition to the standard Southern Gospel-based categories, the AGM Awards are opening up five new categories as AbsolutelyGospel.com continues to expand into the world of Positive Country. AGM will award artists and writers in the following categories: Positive Country Single of the Year, Positive Country Music Video of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Bluegrass Artist of the Year.
President of AbsolutelyGospel.com Bev McCann stated, “We are excited about introducing a few Positive Country Awards this year. We are going to be doing several changes this year with Absolutely Gospel, and we are so excited that we get to share and grow with you. Our family has been growing every month on our website and other media outlets. We are excited to see what all God has in store for the new beginnings of a new year for AbsolutelyGospel.com.”
She continued, “The reason for our newly added categories is that God’s music has a variety, and we have seen a growth in the Positive Country world of music. I never want to miss out on something God is doing and in the middle of. So, here we are right in the middle of all that God is doing in the world of Christian music. We hope you will join in with us and welcome this newly added portion to our Award Show. We are excited to be hosting our 22nd year of Absolutely Gospel Music Awards, bigger and better each year. Get your ticket, as it is going to be a night full of fun and great music. And you get to dress up!! Yes, formal ladies and gents. Get your best out for Jesus this year. We are going to celebrate the goodness of our Lord!”
As far as nominations go, two artists landed a phenomenal 10 nominations this year – last year’s big winner Karen Peck & New River and three-peat Male Vocalist of the Year Joseph Habedank. Both artists landed in Song of the Year and Fan Favorite Artist of the Year this year.
The Sound followed behind with eight nominations, including mentions in Song of the Year and Album of the Year. Brian Free & Assurance landed an impressive seven nods including a Male Vocalist of the Year nomination for lead-singer Bill Shivers.
Seven artists earned six mentions for their work in 2022 – The Perrys, Guardians Quartet, Booth Brothers, Scotty Inman, Jim and Melissa Brady, The Nelons, and Becky Isaacs Bowman. Tribute Quartet, Gold City, and Mylon Hayes Family all earned a solid five nominations. Next in line was Greater Vision, Shellem Cline, and Anne Wilson with four nominations apiece.
3 Heath Brothers, Todd Tilghman, The Isaacs, High Road, The Freemans, Barry Lee White, Riley Clemmons, Cody Johnson, and CAIN all landed three nods. Several artists earned double nominations, including Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, The Inspirations, Kelly Crabb, Southbound, Jimmy Fortune, The Kingsmen, Chosen Road, The Old Paths, Angie Primm & Friends, Scott Mac Brown, and John Berry.
Another perennial favorite, producer/songwriter Wayne Haun is the most nominated industry professional this year, taking a fantastic 11 nominations for his work this past year, including mentions in Producer of the Year and a career-first nod for Songwriter of the Year (Professional). Singer/songwriter Kenna Turner West tallied eight nods for her songwriting, and Barry Weeks followed behind with seven mentions for his production and songwriting credits in 2022.
Karen Peck Gooch and songwriter Sue C. Smith earned an impressive six nods as well. John Darin Rowsey, Jason Cox, and Trey Ivey landed five individual nominations, while Lee Black, Jim Brady, and Roger Talley had four mentions each. Industry professionals earning triple nominations included Dave Clark, The Sound’s Jacob, Levi, and Rob Mills, Joel Lindsey, Val Dacus, Tony Wood, Gerald Wolfe, Daniel Riley, Ricky Free, Rebecca J. Peck, Ben Isaacs, and Matthew West.
Voting for the awards in several category will run from Wednesday, February 1, 2023 through Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
This year’s performers and hosts for the live show are still being confirmed. The Awards Celebration will take place on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at the Capitol Theater in Lebanon, Tennessee at 6:00 p.m. Tickets will be available to purchase soon.
The nominees for the 2023 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards are listed below:
S O U T H E R N G O S P E L C A T E G O R I E S
SONG OF THE YEAR:“All the Praise” – LeFevre Quartet (T.R. Collins, M.Neale)“Answer Is Jesus” – Karen Peck & New River (K.P.Gooch, L.Black, K.T.West)“Child of the King” – Joseph Habedank (J.Habedank, D.Clark, D.Koch)“God Is Real” – The Sound (J.Mills, L.Mills, R.Mills, S.C.Smith, B.Weeks)“He’s Got a Way” – Southbound (C.Brown, J.Braselton, S.J.Elbe)“John 3:16 Is Calling Out to You” – The Perrys (J.Lindsey, V.Dacus)“Looks Like Jesus” – Brian Free & Assurance (with Jimmy Fortune) (S.C.Smith, K.T.West, B.White)“Not For Long” – Guardians Quartet (K.P.Gooch, J.D.Rowsey, S.C.Smith)“Room Full of Stories” – Booth Brothers (J.Brady, B.Weeks, T.Wood)“That Heavenly Home” – Tribute Quartet (J.W. Acuff)“The Church of the Great I Am” – The Kingsmen (K.T.West, J.Cox, B.Blackwood)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:2:22 – Karen Peck & New River (W.Haun)Come On In – Guardians Quartet (J.D.Rowsey, W.Haun)God Is Real – The Sound (B.Weeks)Into the Deep – 3 Heath Brothers (R.Talley)John 3:16 – The Perrys (W.Haun)Meet Me At the Cross – Brian Free & Assurance (R.Free)Once & For All: The Songs of Doug Riley – Gold City (D.Riley)Speak Jesus – Booth Brothers (B.Weeks)Steady & Sure – Mylon Hayes Family (T.Ivey)Think About There – Greater Vision (G.Wolfe, T.Ivey)
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST:Chosen RoadFields of GraceHeart 2 HeartScotty InmanJay Stone SingersTodd Tilghman
MALE VOCALIST:Jim Brady (of Booth Brothers/Jim & Melissa Brady)Joseph HabedankScotty InmanChris Jenkins (of Gold City)Levi Mills (of The Sound)Bill Shivers (of Brian Free & Assurance)
FEMALE VOCALIST:Becky Isaacs Bowman (of The Isaacs)Melissa Brady (of Jim & Melissa Brady)Karen Peck Gooch (of Karen Peck & New River)Wendy Hayes (of Mylon Hayes Family)Libbi Perry Stuffle (of The Perrys)Lauren Talley
MALE GROUP:Booth BrothersBrian Free & AssuranceGold CityGuardians QuartetThe InspirationsThe SoundTribute Quartet
FEMALE GROUP:High RoadKelly Crabb & the Bowling SistersLori Jonathan TrioThe PowellsSistersSweetwater Revival
MIXED GROUP:The ErwinsThe HoppersJim & Melissa BradyKaren Peck & New RiverMylon Hayes FamilyThe NelonsThe Perrys
SONGWRITER (ARTIST):Lee Black (of Legacy Five)Jim Brady (of Booth Brothers/Jim & Melissa Brady)Karen Peck Gooch (of Karen Peck & New River)Joseph HabedankScotty InmanJohn Darin Rowsey (of Guardians Quartet)Kenna Turner West
SONGWRITER (PROFESSIONAL):Chris BinionDave ClarkJason CoxWayne HaunJoel LindseyRebecca J. PeckSue C. SmithNathan Woodard
PRODUCER:Les ButlerJeff CollinsRicky FreeWayne HaunBen Isaacs (of The Isaacs)Trey IveyRoger Talley
MUSICIAN:Autumn Nelon Clark (of The Nelons)Kim Collingsworth (of Collingsworth Family)Sarah Davison (of High Road)Matthew Gooch (of Karen Peck & New River)Jacob Mills (of The Sound)Gordon MoteJosh Singletary (of Tribute Quartet)Gerald Wolfe (of Greater Vision)
TRADITIONAL SINGLE:“I Have to Thank God for Everything” – The Inspirations (R.J.Peck)“John 3:16 Is Calling Out to You” – The Perrys (J.Lindsey, V.Dacus)“Just As Sure” – Mylon Hayes Family (R.J.Peck, L.Peck)“Not For Long” – Guardians Quartet (K.P.Gooch, J.D.Rowsey, S.C.Smith)“Not My Will” – Tribute Quartet (A.Walker)“The Church of the Great I Am” – The Kingsmen (K.T.West, J.Cox, B.Blackwood)
TRADITIONAL RECORDING:Come On In – Guardians Quartet (J.D.Rowsey, W.Haun)John 3:16 – The Perrys (W.Haun)Music To Your Ears – The Old Paths (R.Talley)Once & For All: The Songs of Doug Riley – Gold City (D.Riley)Steady & Sure – Mylon Hayes Family (T.Ivey)Think About There – Greater Vision (G.Wolfe, T.Ivey)
PROGRESSIVE SINGLE:“Answer Is Jesus” – Karen Peck & New River (K.P.Gooch, L.Black, K.T.West)“Child of the King” – Joseph Habedank (J.Habedank, D.Clark, D.Koch)“God Is Real” – The Sound (J.Mills, L.Mills, R.Mills, S.C.Smith, B.Weeks)“He’s Got a Way” – Southbound (C.Brown, J.Braselton, S.J.Elbe)“Liar, Liar” – Brian Free & Assurance (J.Cox, J.Habedank, J.Tomlin)“Scars In Heaven” – The Nelons (J.M.Hall, M.West)“Welcome” – Jim & Melissa Brady (J.Brady, M.Farren, T.Wood)
PROGRESSIVE RECORDING:2:22 – Karen Peck & New River (W.Haun)Decades of Love – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (W.Haun. B.Stritch, K.Krunk, E.Haase)I Feel Like Singing: Live at Daywind Studios – Angie Primm & FriendsInto the Deep – 3 Heath Brothers (R.Talley)Meet Me At the Cross – Brian Free & Assurance (R.Free)Speak Jesus – Booth Brothers (B.Weeks)
SOUTHERN ROOTS SINGLE:“Children Sing” – The Nelons (J.Clark, T.Wood)“Come Home Kind of God” – Endless Highway (S.Inman, J.Habedank, L.Black)“Every Miracle & Mystery” – Zane & Donna King (D.King, V.Dacus)“Faith, Hope, & Love” – High Road (K.Bearfield, S.Davison, K.T.West)“Give Him What You Got” – The Isaacs (S.I.Yeary, R.I.Bowman)“Make It Count” – The Sound (K.T.West, J.Cox, R.Mills)“The Glory” – The Freemans (L.Petree)
SOUTHERN ROOTS RECORDING:Anywhere Jesus Is – Scotty Inman (J.Swift)Breaking Boundaries – Sunday Drive (W.Haun)God Is Real – The Sound (B.Weeks)Pilgrim Journey – Lynda Randle (C.Morgan)Songs That Pulled Me Through the Tough Times – Becky Isaacs Bowman (B.I.Bowman, B.Isaacs)This Is My Song – Kelly Crabb (B.Johnson)
SPECIAL EVENT PROJECT:30th Anniversary Celebration: The Live Experience – Greater VisionDecades of Love – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (W.Haun. B.Stritch, K.Krunk, E.Haase)I Feel Like Singing: Live at Daywind Studios – Angie Primm & FriendsOnce & For All: The Songs of Doug Riley – Gold City (D.Riley)Songs That Pulled Me Through the Tough Times – Becky Isaacs Bowman (B.I.Bowman, B.Isaacs)Together – Joseph & Lindsay Habedank (L.Habedank)We Need a Little Christmas – The Nelons (J.Clark)
SOUTHERN MUSIC VIDEO:“Grow Up Slow” – Scotty Inman (A.Wagner)“Into the Deep” – 3 Heath Brothers“Looks Like Jesus” – Brian Free & Assurance (with Jimmy Fortune) (B.Free)“Scars In Heaven” – The Nelons (C.Baucom)“The Keepers” – Karen Peck & New River (C.Baucom)“When They See Me, They See You” – The Freemans (C.Freeman)
FAN FAVORITE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:Faith’s CallThe FreemansJim & Melissa BradyJoseph HabedankKaren Peck & New RiverMark209Mitchell WhisnantThe Old PathsTribute QuartetTriumphant Quartet
P O S I T I V E C O U N T R Y C A T E G O R I E S
POSITIVIE COUNTRY SINGLE:“2nd Opinions” – Casting Crowns (M.Hall, M.West)“Blessed” – Coffey Anderson (S.Squires, S.Hunley, B.McLamb)“Call 911 (The Church Is On Fire)” – Scott Mac Brown (S.M.Brown)“Comin’ to Jesus” – Barry Lee White (B.L.White)“Does Heaven Have a Dirt Road” – Shellem Cline (S.Cline, B.Weisman)“Godsend” – Riley Clemmons featuring Brett Young (R.Clemmons, E.Weisband, C.Wedgeworth, T.Tjornhom)“Live Like You” – John Berry (S.Dorff, J.Cassidy)“My Jesus” – Anne Wilson (A.Wilson, J.Pardo, M.West)“’Til You Can’t” – Cody Johnson (B.Stennis, M.Rogers)
POSITIVE COUNTRY MUSIC VIDEO:“Amen” – Jacob Bryant“Blessed” – Coffey Anderson“Home Wasn’t Build In a Day” – Todd Tilghman“Raised Up Right” – Drew Parker“Sunday Sermons” – Anne Wilson“That’s What We Do” – Shellem Cline (Walt East Visuals)“The Commission” – CAIN“’Til You Can’t” – Cody Johnson
POSITIVE COUNTRY FEMALE ARTIST:Riley ClemmonsLisa DaggsMadison Cain Johnson (of CAIN)Taylor Cain Matz (of CAIN)Bev McCannBrittany MorseEmily Ann RobertsAbby RobertsonAnne Wilson
POSITIVE COUNTRY MALE ARTIST:John BerryShellem ClineCorey FarlowCurtis GrimesBlake HelmsCody JohnsonZach RayJim SheldonTodd TilghmanBarry Lee White
BLUEGRASS ARTIST:Appalachian Road ShowChosen RoadDarin & Brooke AldridgeDonna UlisseJoe Mullins & the Radio RamblersMarty Raybon & Full CircleRicky Skaggs & Kentucky ThunderSouthern RaisedSteve Thomas & the Time Machine
For more information, visit AbsolutelyGospel.com.
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