CASPER
New member
ATLANTA – Francesca Battistelli continues her strong surge as Christian music's biggest star.
Battistelli won artist of the year at the 42nd annual Dove Awards held in Atlanta for the first time Wednesday night. She also went home with two more awards — best female vocalist and pop-contemporary recorded song.
Battistelli, 25, has surged recently with her second major label album, "Hundred More Years," which reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart last month.
"I'm on cloud nine right now," said Battistelli after the awards show, which airs Sunday on GMC, formerly known as the Gospel Music Channel. "I'm standing here ... speechless. This is totally humbling."
The awards show for gospel and Christian music left Nashville, Tenn., for the first time in its history. Organizers expected the new production in Atlanta to be just as successful.
The show's new location seemed to fit.
"I like having it in Nashville too, but we're definitely cool to have it right here in Atlanta," said Casting Crowns' frontman Mark Hall. "There's a lot going on here."
Other winners included Chris August, who was new artist of the year, best male vocalist and earned another award for pop-contemporary album. Singer Jason Crabb and the group Point of Grace also joined Battistelli in claiming three Doves apiece.
Crabb won song of the year for his heartfelt single "Sometimes I Cry." He also won inspirational recorded song and traditional gospel recorded song. His father Gerald Crabb won songwriter of the year.
"Who knew both of us would've come away with an award," Gerald Crabb said. "This was a big night for us."
Point of Grace took home country album of the year and Christmas album of the year and country recorded song of the year. The all-female trio comprised of Shelley Breen, Denise Jones, and Leigh Cappillino took the stage with legendary country singer Kenny Rogers to perform his newest inspirational country melody, "The Rock of Your Love."
Battistelli won artist of the year at the 42nd annual Dove Awards held in Atlanta for the first time Wednesday night. She also went home with two more awards — best female vocalist and pop-contemporary recorded song.
Battistelli, 25, has surged recently with her second major label album, "Hundred More Years," which reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart last month.
"I'm on cloud nine right now," said Battistelli after the awards show, which airs Sunday on GMC, formerly known as the Gospel Music Channel. "I'm standing here ... speechless. This is totally humbling."
The awards show for gospel and Christian music left Nashville, Tenn., for the first time in its history. Organizers expected the new production in Atlanta to be just as successful.
The show's new location seemed to fit.
"I like having it in Nashville too, but we're definitely cool to have it right here in Atlanta," said Casting Crowns' frontman Mark Hall. "There's a lot going on here."
Other winners included Chris August, who was new artist of the year, best male vocalist and earned another award for pop-contemporary album. Singer Jason Crabb and the group Point of Grace also joined Battistelli in claiming three Doves apiece.
Crabb won song of the year for his heartfelt single "Sometimes I Cry." He also won inspirational recorded song and traditional gospel recorded song. His father Gerald Crabb won songwriter of the year.
"Who knew both of us would've come away with an award," Gerald Crabb said. "This was a big night for us."
Point of Grace took home country album of the year and Christmas album of the year and country recorded song of the year. The all-female trio comprised of Shelley Breen, Denise Jones, and Leigh Cappillino took the stage with legendary country singer Kenny Rogers to perform his newest inspirational country melody, "The Rock of Your Love."
