by Abigail Kopp | Oct 23, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
When Lipscomb hosted the 2021 Dove Awards this past Tuesday, excitement buzzed throughout campus. Students eagerly watched from the Bell Tower or the back steps of Swang just to get a glimpse at a possible celebrity. Even a few guests sat out and watched from afar before they got to see the Dove Awards for themselves a couple of hours later. A group of three, Jenny, Blake, and Hannah, came all the way from Alabama, visiting the Dove Awards for at least the fourth year now. Many students were excited at the thought to see celebrities as they gathered around Allen Arena to get a glimpse of the event coming up. Students came together to talk about their favorite songs, bands, and more, creating an exciting atmosphere around Allen Arena that started off the award show. Not only did the students have fun watching from outside, but a select few were able to participate in the event by serving wherever help was needed. Student-workers were a seemingly small group of people, but an immensely crucial part to the Dove Awards experience for the guests. One student worker, Mackenzie McConnell, was handing out brochures for the event in the halls of Allen Arena. She said she loved the ambiance of it all and was excited for the chance to see that celebrities were people, too. McConnell has been working for the Events Management Office since the beginning of the summer and said she even got to meet Michael W. Smith when she worked at a concert. Her favorite song by Michael W. Smith is his rendition of “Awesome God”. I...
by Camryn Given | Oct 20, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Before the 52nd annual Dove Awards began Tuesday night, performers and nominees arrived at Lipscomb’s own McQuiddy Gym. The artists arrived with their guests, wearing their best attire, as hundreds of students and other onlookers gathered to watch. After checking in, the artists were guided inside McQuiddy to the red carpet. Cameras flashed and questions were directed to artists such as LeCrae, Lauren Daigle and for KING & COUNTRY. Zach Williams brought along his two children, and Jenn Johnson, a lead singer of Bethel, made an appearance in a stunning green dress. Another fashion standouts were Pastor Mike Jr. in a satin teal suit. He is known for his music with hits such as “I Got It” and his passionate sermons. He talked about his emotions that came up from being back on a college campus. “I just feel like a college kid all over again,” Pastor Mike said. “I’m excited to be here.” His advice to Lipscomb students: “Take advantage of college and begin to grow your gift and become how God calls you to be.” In an interview with Ellie Holcomb and two other members from the recent Faithful project, it was referred to as “a memorable evening.” Holcomb shared her excitement for the 12-song collaboration album made to address how God speaks to women. A real surprise on the carpet was an appearance from Miss Tennessee, Tally Bevis. She wore a sparkling champagne-colored dress and the classic crown and sash for her title. “Celebrating 100 years of Miss America, 52 years of the Dove Awards — it’s a really exciting evening,” Bevis said. As many other...
by Taylor McKnight | Oct 25, 2020 | Arts and Entertainment, News, News Slider
In a normal October, the red carpet would be rolling out and leading into Allen Arena for the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards. This is not a normal October. The 51st GMA Dove Awards will not be hosted at Lipscomb; in fact, there will be no venue hosting the Dove Awards, as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the awards show to be completely virtual, with planners trying to package it differently than a typical awards show. The gospel awards show has taken place in Lipscomb’s Allen Arena for the past seven years, and the organizers hope to be able to come back to Allen Arena in 2021. Doves producer Justin Fratt said organizers wanted to take a different approach for this year’s awards to stand out from other virtual awards shows and to maintain the relevance and power of this event. “When planning, we were thinking about what would be different, but still very compelling,” said Fratt. “We didn’t want to do it like others — we’ve seen awards shows utilizing Zoom. This will be a musical feature that celebrates the music and the message.” The planning started in the spring, and the show was recorded in mid-September at TBN studios in Hendersonville. It took three weeks to record the show, said Fratt, adding there are performances and interviews with artists, who will share stories of faith and how gospel music has gotten them through these trying times. As far as the Dove Awards’ plans to return to Lipscomb next year: it looks like it’s a go. “As long as we can, we would love to gather again at...
by Mckenzi Harris | Nov 5, 2019 | Arts and Entertainment, BREAKING NEWS, News Slider
Gospel artist Kirk Franklin says he will boycot future Dove Awards, the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and the Gospel Music Association (GMA), until “tangible plans are put in place to protect and champion diversity.” The GMA has responded by beginning a process to reconcile with Franklin and other stars who have announced support for him. The GMA Dove Awards, an annual show that recognizes achievement in the Christian music industry, took place on Lipscomb University’s campus for the seventh consecutive year on Oct. 16. Franklin’s boycott, that he announced early in November, is in response to the network removing comments during his Artist of the Year award acceptance speech. Franklin spoke of the death of a 28-year-old black woman who died after a Fort Worth police officer shot through her window Oct. 12. “A young girl by the name of Atatiana Jefferson was shot and killed in her home by a policeman, and I am just asking that we send up prayers for her family and for his,” Franklin said. “And asking that we send up prayers for that 8-year-old little boy that saw that tragedy.” That moment, along with others, was edited out of the 50th Annual Dove Awards television broadcast. In response, Franklin took to social media and posted a video calling for a boycott of the show. He said the ultimate goal of the boycott is “reconciliation and accountability.” “It is important for those in charge to be informed,” he said. “Not only did they edit my speech, they edited the African-American experience.” Franklin said that this isn’t the first time the GMAs have chosen to...
by Erika Plunkett, Mckenzi Harris & Kathryn Farris | Oct 16, 2019 | BREAKING NEWS, Galleries, News Slider
The glitz and the glam of GMA’s Dove Awards made their return to the Lipscomb campus for the seventh consecutive year on Tuesday night. The 50th annual award show played host to some of the biggest names in Christian entertainment, all in the name of worship and praise. TobyMac and Ledger opened the show with“The Elements,” a snowy performance that kicked off a night of celebration filled with a half-century worth of performances and appearances from artists both new and legendary. Lauren Daigle leads the pack with six nominations and three wins The most highly nominated artist of the night, Lauren Daigle, took home the awards for artist of the year, song of the year and pop/contemporary album of the year. Daigle has skyrocketed as a crossover artist; her single “You Say” has dominated both Christian and All-Genre charts. “To say how is it feeling? I’m really genuinely pinching myself and I’m also just amazed that God’s doing this,” Daigle said after winning her big award. Gallery by Mckenzi Harris. Kirk Franklin uses Dove Awards platform to call attention to police brutality Singer Kirk Franklin took home the award for gospel artist of the year, but during his acceptance speech he” addressed a recent police brutality tragedy. “A young girl by the name of Atatiana Jefferson was shot and killed in her home by a policeman,” said Franklin. “I am just asking that we send up prayers for her family and for his and asking that we send up prayers for that 8-year-old little boy that saw that tragedy.” Video by Mckenzi Harris, Kathryn Farris and Erika Plunkett Dove...
