|
Written by Staff
|
|
Friday, 24 April 2009 11:39 AM America/New_York |
-
 Dubbed as “Gospel music's biggest night,” the Dove Awards are the time when the industry gets all dressed up to celebrate the year's achievements – group of the year, artist of the year, etc.. I've spent many years killing time backstage, waiting on winners to grace the press conference stage so we can ask them questions that range from the production of the album to what they think of Y2K.
-
- Some of my favorite backstage memories include a surprise birthday phone call to my mom from her former heartthrob and current superstar dad Billy Ray Cyrus, chatting with a pre-Passion of the Christ Jim Caviezel and chasing down a perfect shot of Whitney Houston.
- This year, however, I was a spectator, watching the awards on the Gospel Music Channel from the comfort of my couch. And, like pro sporting events, although you miss the “being there” party atmosphere (and the giant chocolate chip cookies from catering), you get a better bird's eye view through television.
- Judging from the opening, there was an emphasis in introducing new viewers to gospel music. Many of the top artists opened by giving short statements about what gospel music means to them (you almost thought the Time-Life logo was going to follow). Newcomers found some music to get excited about, like Brandon Heath's performance of his hit single “Give Me Your Eyes,” MercyMe's country-tinged medley of “I Can Only Imagine” and “Finally Home” and Natalie Grant's electrifying urban spin on “Make It Matter” with Group 1 Crew. Who would have guessed the queen of Adult Contemporary could pull that off? Sign me up for the remix album!
- Another surprise, at least for me, was the appearance of Chynna (Wilson Phillips) Phillips along with husband William Baldwin. Phillips is currently launching a Christian vocal group, Chynna Vaughn. Joining those two were other recognizable faces like Miss California USA Carrie Prejean and Sinbad, who should be drafted to write all the jokes next year.
- An ovation for Prejean, who made headlines last week for her remarks on gay marriage, marked one of the more politically-charged moments in the history of the show (President Obama also got a shout out from rap group GRITS). It's something ripe for future discussion, I'm sure, but it was clear from the response that her beliefs were more at home with this crowd.
- Although there were technical snafus (dead mikes, questionable camera shots, poor mixes) that aren't completely foreign to a live show, what ultimately dragged the Doves down was the past. In a night designed to garner new listeners, those tuning in may have landed on songs their mother (or grandmother) used to sing.
- Don't get me wrong - I'm all for honoring the heritage and legends of gospel music but last night was a little overbalanced. For every emerging new group or artist, there were shadows of the past. It felt like Benjamin Linus from ABC's LOST was at the wheel, scattering us all over various time periods. Longtime Dove favorite Sandi Patty sang “We Shall Behold Him” in a Dottie Rambo tribute, The Blind Boys of Alabama belted out “Free at Last” with Mac Powell and Edwin Hawkins delivered a rousing “Oh Happy Day.” Those hoping the Doves would make an effort to attract a younger audience were probably disappointed.
 - Still, the highlight of the evening was the industry's embracing of favorite son Steven Curtis Chapman and his family, whose lives have drastically changed since last year's show. Chapman received a standing ovation after performing the emotional “Cinderella” and later, upon receiving Artist of the Year, expressed his thanks for the support they've received since the tragic death of daughter Maria Sue. More than any other moment in recent history, it was truly a time when the industry transformed into family.
- A final benefit from watching at home? At 10:15 p.m., or whenever the show ended, instead of waiting and playing the guessing game of which artists are coming backstage and how long will they be there, I cued up the latest episode of Survivor
 and finished the night. Next year I may even have a giant chocolate chip cookie on hand, just for old times' sake.
|
