Chris Tomlin and TobyMac have each received six nominations for the 42nd Annual Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards, while producer Wayne Haun topped all nominees with seven nods for the second year in a row.

Nominations in 18 of 43 categories of the awards were announced yesterday during a press conference at Atlanta's historic Fox Theatre, which was hosted by GMA Chairman and President Ed Leonard and artist including Francesca Battistelli, Bishop Paul S. Morton, LeCrae, Mandisa, Sisters, Third Day and Carlos Whittaker.

The winners will be announced Wednesday, April 20 at the Fox Theatre—the first time the show will take place outside of Nashville. To be hosted by Sherri Shepherd, co-host of ABC's The View, the show will air Easter Sunday, April 24, on the Atlanta-based Gospel Music Channel.

Jason Crabb and Chris August nabbed five nominations each, while Francesca Battistelli, Marvin Sapp and Israel Houghton each received four nods.

Tomlin was nominated for Worship Song of the Year and Song of the Year for "Our God"; Special Event Album of the Year and Praise & Worship Album of the Year for Passion: Awakening (sixstepsrecords/EMI CMG Distribution); Male Vocalist of the Year; and Artist of the Year.

TobyMac received nods for Artist of the Year; Song of the Year for "Get Back Up"; Rock Recorded Song of the Year for "Showstopper"; Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for "Tonight"; Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for "Get Back Up"; and Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year for Tonight (Forefront Records/EMI CMG).

Besides Tomlin, Male Vocalist of the Year nominees were Chris August, Doug Anderson, Jason Crabb, reigning two-time winner Brandon Heath, Israel Houghton and Marvin Sapp.

Female Vocalist of the Year: Audrey Assad, Natalie Grant, Britt Nicole, Janet Paschal, Kerrie Roberts, Laura Story and Francesca Battiselli—who won last year.

In addition to TobyMac and Tomlin, Artist of the Year nominees were Francesca Battistelli, Jason Crabb, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Natalie Grant and Marvin Sapp.

New Artist of the Year: Audrey Assad, Chris August, Forever Jones, John Mark McMillan, No Other Name, Kerrie Roberts and Kristian Stanfill.

Besides "Our God" and "Get Back Up," Song of the Year nominations went to "All of Creation" by MercyMe; "Beautiful, Beautiful" by Francesca Battistelli; "Hold My Heart" by Tenth Avenue North; "Lead Me" by Sanctus Real; "Let the Waters Rise" by Mikeschair; "Love Come Calling" by Triumphant Quartet; "Sometimes I Cry" by Jason Crabb; and "Starry Night" by Chris August.

Group of the Year: Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Gaither Vocal Band, MercyMe, Mikeschair, Sidewalk Prophets and Tenth Avenue North.

In addition to Male Vocalist of the Year, Houghton was nominated for Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for "You Hold My World"; Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for Love God. Love People. (Integrity Music/Provident-Integrity Distribution); and Special Event Album of the Year for One Voice: Every Tribe, Tongue & Nation (EMI Gospel/EMI CMG). Houghton was honored with a GRAMMY earlier this week in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category for Love God. Love People.

Haun is up for Producer of the Year; Song of the Year and Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year ("Love Came Calling"); Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year ("I Feel a Song Coming On"); Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year ("Mountaintop"); Country Recorded Song of the Year ("Run and Tell"); and Southern Gospel Album of the Year for A Tribute to The Cathedral Quartet by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (Gaither Music Group/EMI CMG).

Click here for a full list of Dove Award nominees.

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