GMA Dove Awards to return to Music City, Lipscomb community

GMA Dove Awards to return to Music City, Lipscomb community

Christian music artists, fans and community members will return to Music City this fall to unite for the 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards show, “Better Together.” “Since 1969, the GMA Dove Awards has honored the outstanding achievement and excellence of our music community,”  GMA executive director Jackie Patillo said in a press release. “We hope to bring much more light to our mission with this year’s ‘Better Together’ theme as we focus on unity, diversity and creativity and come together during this exciting time in our industry.” The awards show will be held under Lipscomb’s roof in Allen Arena for the third consecutive year on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The Gospel Music Association now calls Lipscomb home after holding the awards show in Atlanta. Most may know Nashville as home of country music, but it is now a hub for the Christian music industry as well. On Wednesday, Aug. 12, a press conference was held at which award nominations were announced and Mayor Karl Dean spoke about the importance of music in Nashville’s community. “Not only do we get to celebrate the diversity of the music in Nashville, but we also get to celebrate the fact that hundreds of music fans will be traveling here in October and they will get to see our city firsthand,” Dean said. “Music is one of the top econmic drivers we have. It is the city’s DNA and it is who we are.” Dean described the music industry as Nashville’s “econmic engine,” with 215 million people listening to Christian and Gospel music each month, for example. “Lipscomb, along with other campuses, is a huge part of the boom we’re...

Lumination’s 2014 Dove Awards preview: New Artist of the Year

For the second year in a row, Lipscomb is hosting the 45th Annual Dove Awards. On Tuesday, Oct. 7, the title for New Artist of the Year will be given to one of five artists. The nominees are as follows: 1 Girl Nation Andy Mineo Ellie Holcomb Hillsong Young & Free Love & The Outcome Andy Mineo seems to be a popular artist as he offers a different sound for those who listen to Christian music. Mineo’s popularity is distinct, as he has two songs nominated for Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year — “Stop The Traffic” and “You Can’t Stop Me.” Mineo’s album Never Land is also nominated for Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year. Hillsong Young and Free, not to be confused with Hillsong United, has become popular for the younger crowd. Their song “Alive” has been nominated for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year. In addition, their album We Are Young & Free has been nominated for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year and Praise and Worship Album of the Year. Contrary to the upbeat sounds of Andy Mineo and Hillsong Young and Free, Ellie Holcomb offers a more folk, singer-songwriter sound. Holcomb’s album As Sure As The Sun was nominated for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. Although she is not nominated for as many categories as the other artists listed, I think she could easily take away New Artist of the Year. Holcomb’s sound resonates more with me, and I would guess it does for many other college students as well. As I listen to her music, I imagine myself sitting in a coffee shop studying or fellowshipping with friends. Her...

The Dove Awards make Lipscomb their home for 2013 show

One of the biggest weeks in Contemporary Christian and Gospel music will be coming back home to Music City. After spending the last two years in Atlanta, the 44th annual Dove Awards will be back in Nashville, Tennessee on Oct. 15. The taping of the awards will be on the grounds of Lipscomb University in Allen Arena. The news regarding return of the Dove Awards broke March 19 on the Gospel Music Association website. Along with the move back to Nashville, the taping has been moved into the month of October where sales in Christian music are on the rise. The event has previously been held in the month of April. With moving back to Music City, GMA also announced that they have added a film category to the list of categories this year. This primarily comes from the rise in Christian filming production companies and quality films that have been released over the past few years. Last year, Jason Crabb, Laura Story, Lecrae, NEEDTOBREATHE, Switchfoot and Chris Tomlin were among the winners. The hosts, performers and nominees will be announced on Aug. 22, 2013. To be apart of the voting process, become a member and apply on the GMA website by March 30. For more information on the Dove Awards and other GMA Events, go to...
Ty Russell follows role model, mom Karen Kingsbury, while finding his own way in music industry

Ty Russell follows role model, mom Karen Kingsbury, while finding his own way in music industry

With his own song on iTunes and a mother who is known as “the queen of Christian fiction writing,” sophomore Ty Russell is ready to be a bright light for the entertainment industry. Russell’s mother, Karen Kingsbury, has written over 50 novels appealing to all ages. Russell said his mother travels a decent amount for book signings and conventions. And although some people may think that would have a negative effect on the family, Russell insists that it’s not a factor. “She puts family first. … Even if she is on a deadline and someone needs help with homework, she helps with the homework because she is a mom first,” he said. Russell said he looks up to his mother as his role model in many different ways. “It’s cool that she has a platform but is still so humble.” Transferring from a bigger campus in Virginia called Liberty University, Russell said he is ready to see what a small campus in a big city has in store for him. “I like to get plugged in and know the faces around me every day,” Russell said. Even though his family moved to Nashville in the summer of 2011, Russell still attended Liberty for the 2011-2012 school year. “It was weird coming home from school for Thanksgiving break to a new place,.” he said. Music City seems to be a central location for Russell and his plans for the future. After asking around to try to find a smaller Christian school, Russell said Lipscomb was the most popular response. “Everyone is so nice, warm and welcoming,” he said. “Everyone is...

SGA announces Mat Kearney to play Spring concert

Mat Kearney is set to headlinethe 2012 Spring concert at Lipscomb in Alumni Auditorium. Up and coming musician Kiernan McMullan will open at 7:30 p.m. this Friday, Mar. 2nd. Only Lipscomb students are permitted to attend the show and will be asked show their student I.D. upon entry. Kearney is a singer/songwriter based out of Nashville. He has had four songs in the top 20 thus far, and has toured with the likes of John Mayer, Sheryl Crow and the The Fray. Kearney also headlined the 2007 “You ‘Oughta Know” tour sponsored by VH1. Kearney’s latest album, Young Love, got up to No. 4 on the US Billboard charts and No. 1 on the Christian music charts. You can hear Mat’s music, watch videos and read his bio on his site, MatKearney.com. SGA has is giving students a playlist to become familiar with each artists’ music. Below are several songs from each artists that the folks involved in SGA are suggesting. Mat Kearney 1. Closer to Love 2. Nothing Left to Lose 3. Ships in the Night 4. Hey Mama 5. Undeniable 6. Down 7. Count on Me 8. Sooner or Later 9. Chasing the Light 10. She Got the Honey 11. Young Dumb and in Love 12. Bullet Kiernan McMullan 1. Borderline 2. Stick it Out 3. Cardboard Swords 4. That Afternoon 5. Fireworks 6. Ballad of a Shallow Man SGA is asking students to please RSVP to the event on Facebook. Above photo courtesy of Mike Coppola, Getty...