According to The BelleReport.com
Gospel star Marvin Sapp wins first solo artist Dove Award,
Dedicates it to his late wife, MaLinda Sapp
The singing preachers, including Grand Rapids pastor and gospel music star Marvin Sapp, perform at the 42nd annual Dove Awards on Wednesday in Atlanta.
Atlanta, GA — Grand Rapids pastor and gospel music artist Marvin Sapp won his first ever solo artist Dove Award Wednesday in Gospel Music Association ceremonies in Atlanta.
Sapp, 44, was awarded the Dove for contemporary gospel recorded song of the year for his hit “The Best In Me.”
“I dedicated it to my wife, MaLinda,” said the pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church on Burton SE.
Sapp had three other award nominations, including male vocalist of the year. That category was won by the upstart Chris August, who also took home Doves as the year’s top new artist and for his debut album “No Far Away.”
Singer-songwriter Francesca Battistelli won the crowning award as artist of the year, and repeated last year’s win as top female vocalist.
“I don’t have words for tonight yet. I’ll try tomorrow,” she tweeted following the ceremonies.
The 42nd annual awards were marked by several dynamic performances, including a “singing pastors” segment featuring Sapp, Donald Lawrence, Smokie
Norful, Bishop Paul S. Morton and Deitrick Haddon. All are church pastors as well as recording and performing artists.
In a show of unity, they joined together on the song “Undivided,” receiving a standing ovation.
“We were so embraced by the gospel music community here,” noted Sapp, who won four Stellar music awards earlier this year.
“To me, the impression was that it looked like heaven with people of all races and colors and creeds,” Sapp said by phone from backstage at Atlanta’s Fox Theater.
The overall song of the year was “Sometimes I Cry,” co-written and performed by Jason Crabb.
The female trio Point of Grace won three Doves among the 43 categories.
The awards are chosen by the 2,000 members of the Gospel Music Association, with fan voting allowed on the overall top artist and new artist categories.
Click here for a full list of the 2011 Dove Award Winners!
