The legendary quintet received a nod for Song of the Year for their hit “Greatly Blessed, Highly Favored,” written by Bill Gaither and Larry Gatlin, as well as two nominations for their current, chart-climbing radio single, “Glorious Freedom,” written by Harold Lillenas and Alfred Judson and arranged by the Gaither Vocal Band. Found on their latest recording, Pure and Simple (Gaither Music Group), “Glorious Freedom” is nominated for both Southern Gospel Performance of the Year and Southern Gospel Song of the Year.
Pure and Simple, produced by Bill Gaither, Ben Isaacs, Michael English and David Phelps, is nominated for Southern Gospel Album of the Year; and the song “Come to Jesus,” also found on the release, has earned a nod for Bluegrass Song of the Year. Featuring iconic tenor David Phelps, “Come to Jesus” was written and previously recorded by Mindy Smith.
Phelps, nominated for 11 DOVES this year, is also nominated as a solo artist for “The Dream,” which is nominated for Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year, and Classic (Gaither Music Group) up for Inspirational Album of the Year. Other honors include his roles as co-producer for Classic and Pure and Simple as well as his co-production on “Glorious Freedom” and “The Dream.”
“I’m so honored as a solo artist and as a member of the Gaither Vocal Band to be nominated for these DOVES…how amazing!” commented David. “I think it’s so cool that both of these projects were kind of a ‘back to the basics’ effort for all of us. The Gaither Vocal Band album is about highlighting the harmonies that we love and have long been known for, and Classic is about celebrating my love for and roots in classical music. I’m so grateful to have been shown such overwhelming affirmation for these labors of love!”
Classic, produced by Phelps and Gaither, finds Phelps showcasing the seemingly endless breadth of his vocal range and a depth, vocally and lyrically, unprecedented by a man already considered a premier tenor. The songs, also released on DVD, include such standards and classics as “What a Wonderful World,” “O Mio Babbino Cara,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “Panis Angelicus” and others.
Both Classic and Pure and Simple are distributed on CD and DVD through Capitol Christian Distribution and are available through digital stores and at retail stores everywhere. The releases are positioned heavily at retail, through catalog placement and through direct tv campaigns on networks including PBS, DISH TV, DIRECTV, AT&T U-verse, GAC, RFD, TBN, FamilyNet, CTS, CTN, TCT, TLN, FFE Airtime 1, Grace, Legacy, Miracle and Vision as well as on Gaither.com and Gaither TV (available onRoku, Google and the Internet).
Bill Gaither also received five nods for co-producing the Classic, Pure and Simple andSome People Change (Michael English) projects in addition to co-producing the songs “Glorious Freedom” and “The Dream.” Gaither is also honored for his songwriting with a nomination as co-writer of “Greatly Blessed, Highly Favored,” nominated for Song of the Year.
Group member and soloist Michael English received three additional nominations that include Southern Gospel Album of the Year (Some People Change), Southern Gospel Performance of the Year [“Stubborn (Psalm 15)”] and Southern Gospel Song of the Year [“Stubborn (Psalm 15)”]. He is also nominated as co-producer of Some People Change, Pure and Simple, “Glorious Freedom” and “Stubborn (Psalm 15).”
The 44th Annual GMA DOVE Awards presentation will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2013, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville. It will be televised nationwide exclusively on UP TV.
About the Gaither Vocal Band
The Gaither Vocal Band has been making music since the early 80s when four men gathered around a piano before a Bill Gaither Trio concert and began harmonizing on the quartet classic “Your First Day in Heaven.” More than a quarter century later, the list of men who have comprised the Gaither Vocal Band over the years reads like a “Who’s Who” among gospel music’s best-loved male voices. The groundbreaking success of the Gaither Vocal Band continues to raise the standard in male harmony. The group is now comprised of Bill Gaither, Wes Hampton, David Phelps, Michael English and Mark Lowry.
About David Phelps
Contemporary and classical singer, songwriter, arranger and producer David Phelps is one of the most celebrated vocalists in the music business. Long renowned as a consummate vocalist—a lyric tenor with an astounding three-octave range—Phelps released his first classical crossover solo album entitled Classic in 2012, which hit the Billboard“Classical Crossover Albums” chart peaking at the number five spot and staying within the top 15 spots on the chart for weeks. Phelps, who tours internationally as a solo artist in addition to his performances with the Gaither Vocal Band, has performed at Carnegie Hall, the White House and many other venues and churches around the world. He has won two GRAMMY ® Awards and four GMA DOVE Awards, released more than 20 recordings and been a central part of the top-selling Gaither Homecoming video series and tv specials
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