The Inspirational Country Music Association (ICM) and Gospel Music Association Canada (GMAC) have presented their annual awards, while the Stellar Awards nominees have been announced.

The 17th Annual Inspirational Country Music Association’s Faith, Family & Country Awards took center stage Oct. 28 at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Awards were given in more than 20 categories with Ricky Skaggs honored as Entertainer of the Year and top Musician.

"I always try to entertain folks with good clean fun and stories from my youth," said Skaggs in accepting the Entertainer of the Year honor. "I always try to bring the gospel message of hope in Jesus Christ to our shows as well. I think now more than ever, people all over the country need hope.”

Big Machine Label Group’s Justin Moore won the Mainstream Inspirational Country Song honors for “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” while Jeff Bates received Mainstream Country Artist top honors.

Film honors went to Soul Surfer, the story of Bethany Hamilton’s encounter with God after losing her arm in a shark attack at age 13. Director Sean McNamara, who also co-wrote the screenplay, was on hand to accept the award.

Nashville Sunday Morning Music Group recording artist Johnny Lee Cook—who gained stardom on “Hee Haw”—took home the Comedian and Music Evangelist of the Year award.

The Legend/Pioneer Award was given to The Fox Brothers, a trio blending Christian and country music. The Fox Brothers have been honored twice as Entertainer of the Year and have eight consecutive Vocal Group of the Year wins.

Gospel Music Association Canada presented its awards during the 33rd Annual Covenant Awards ceremony in Calgary, Alberta, Oct. 28.

The Daniel Band received the Lifetime Achievement Award; Matt Maher was Male Vocalist of the Year and Ali Matthews Female Vocalist of the Year; and High Valley was Group of the Year and Artist of the Year.

The City Harmonic was named New Artist of the Year and garnered awards for Modern Worship Song of the Year and Recorded Song of the Year for hit single “Manifesto.”

Song of the Year went to downhere for “Let Me Rediscover You,” and the band also won Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Two at a Time.

Brian Doerksen took home four awards, including Praise and Worship Song of the Year for “Level Ground,” and rockers Hawk Nelson two, including Rock Song of the Year for “Crazy Love.”

Nominees for the 2012 Stellar Awards were announced Oct. 29 in Nashville on GMC Network. Vashawn Mitchell came on strong with 10 nominations, including the nod for Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and CD of the Year. Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin received six nominations; Deitrick Haddon, five; and Ernest Pugh and Rance Allen four.

John P. Kee will be honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award at the Jan. 14 event, to be held at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

For a complete list of winners, click here for the ICM awards, here for GMAC and here for the Stellar nominations.

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