SouthernGospelBlog.com

The nominations for the 39th Annual Dove Awards have been announced. The Hoppers, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Karen Peck & New River, Brian Free & Assurance, Janet Paschal, the Talley Trio, and Jeff & Sheri Easter picked up nominations in the Southern Gospel categories (Southern Gospel Song and Southern Gospel Album).

But what particularly caught my attention were the nominations in two of the highest-profile categories, Group of the Year and Male Vocalist of the year. Ernie Haase & Signature Sound was nominated for Group of the Year, while Gerald Wolfe picked up a nomination for Male Vocalist. While it hasn’t been unknown for  a group like the Crabb Family or a Gaither artist to pick up nominations in the major categories, seeing Gerald Wolfe’s name on the list for Male Vocalist was a particularly pleasant surprise.

Granted, the general consensus is that Southern Gospel acts won’t actually win those awards, but being on the short list is a pretty impressive honor nonetheless.

The Rick Hendrix Company is sending “When I Cry” to Southern Gospel radio stations as the Gaither Vocal Band’s next single. It is a ballad, building to a big bridge before coming back down to a mellow ending. The song, off of their upcoming and (to my knowledge) yet-to-be-titled project, is one that has “radio-friendly” written all over it and should do well for the group.