Steven Curtis Chapman Wins Six Dove Awards

Steven Curtis Chapman won six times Thursday night at the Gospel Music Association’s 26th annual Dove Awards, including as best artist, songwriter and male vocalist.

Chapman also won for best contemporary song and contemporary album for “Heaven in the Real World.” He shared a sixth award with several other artists for best praise and worship album, “Coram Deo II.”

Chapman said he was overwhelmed at the “opportunity to do music that gives people hope.” Other winners were 4Him for best group, Clay Crosse as best new artist and Twila Paris for female vocalist. Paris also won best song honors, for her “God is in Control.”

Chapman has won the songwriter award seven years in a row. He has twice before won male vocalist and three times artist of the year. Michael English, last year’s artist and male vocalist winner, has left Christian music. English returned six Dove awards won last year after his extramarital affair was revealed. Although he is trying to launch a pop career, English was still nominated in one category this year, best long-form music video for “The New Young Messiah.” He did not win, losing to “Mouth in Motion” by comedian Mark Lowry.

Only seven of 33 awards were handed out during the two-hour broadcast on The Family Channel from the Grand Ole Opry House.

DC Talk won for best rap song, “Luv Is A Verb,” and country singer Charlie Daniels’ album, “The Door,” won for best country album.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ANNUAL DOVE AWARD WINNERS Song of the Year: “God is in Control.” Writer-performer, Twila Paris Songwriter of the Year: Steven Curtis Chapman Male Vocalist of the Year: Steven Curtis Chapman Female Vocalist of the Year: Twila Paris Group of the Year: 4HIM Artist of the Year: Steven Curtis Chapman New Artist of the Year: Clay Crosse Producer of the Year: Charlie Peacock Rap Recorded Song of the Year: “Luv is a Verb.” Writers Toby McKeehan, Mark Heimermann, George Cocchini. Performer, DC Talk Metal Recorded Song of the Year: “Come Unto the Light.” Writers Scott Wenzel, David Zaffiro, Jimmy Lee Sloas. Performer, Whitecross Rock Recorded Song of the Year: “Shine.” Writers Peter Furler, Steve Taylor. Performer, Newsboys Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year: “Heaven In The Real World,” Steven Curtis Chapman Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year: “I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb,” Ray Boltz Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: “I Bowed On My Knees.” Writer (public domain). Artist, Gaither Vocal Band Country Recorded Song of the Year: “Love Will.” Writers Connie Harrington, Carolyn Arends. Performer, Michael James Contemporary Black Gospel Recorded Song: “God Knows,” Angelo and Veronica Petrucci Traditional Black Gospel Recorded Song of The Year: “He’s Working It Out For You.” Writer Michael E. Mathias. Performer, Shirley Caesar. Metal Album of the Year: “Scarecrow Messiah,” Bride Rock Album of the Year: “Going Public,” Newsboys Contemporary Album of the Year: “Heaven In The Real World,” Steven Curtis Chapman Inspirational Album of the Year: “Find It On The Wings,” Sandi Patty Southern Gospel Album of the Year: “High And Lifted Up,” The Cathedral Quartet Country Album of the Year: “The Door,” Charlie Daniels Contemporary Black Gospel Album of the Year: “Join the Band” - Take 6 Traditional Black Gospel Album of the Year: “Live at GMWA” Shirley Caesar, O’Landa Draper & the Associates Choir, The Rev. Milton Brunson & The Thompson Community Singers Instrumental Album of the Year: “Strike up the Band” - Ralph Carmichael Big Band Praise & Worship Album of the Year: “Coram Deo II” Out of the Grey, Steve Green, Margaret Becker, Charlie Peacock, Steven Curtis Chapman, CeCe Winans, Bob Carlisle Musical Album of the Year: “Living on the Edge” - Michael W. Smith Choral Collection Album of the Year: “A Christmas Suite” - David T. Clydesdale Children’s Music Album of the Year: “Yo Kidz 2: The Armour of God” - Carman Recorded Music Packaging of the Year: “Heaven In The Real World,” Karen Philpott, R.J. Lyons, Gerhart Yorkovic, E.J. Carr Short Form Music Video of the Year: “I Will Be Free,” Cindy Morgan Long Form Music Video of the Year: “Mouth In Motion,” Mark Lowry Associated Press