The GMA Dove Awards first honored the Artist of the Year in 1981. This history will highlight the winning artist for each year.
11. 1997 - Steven Curtis Chapman
Sparrow Records
Steven added 4 Doves, 6 CCM Readers Choice and a GRAMMY nomination to his list of kudos in 1997.
12. 1996 - dcTalk
Forefront Records
Not only were they the Artist of the Year winners, dcTalk was also the Rock Recorded Song of the Year winner in 1996.
13. 1995 - Steven Curtis Chapman
Sparrow Records
6 Doves is only the beginning of the list for 1995 awards in the life of Steven Curtis Chapman.
14. 1994 - Michael English
Curb Records
Michael English took home five Doves in 1994. He returned the awards later in the year after confessing to an extramarital affair.
15. 1993 - Steven Curtis Chapman
Sparrow Records
Steven Curtis Chapman took home a total of 15 awards in 1993, with 6 of those being Doves.
16. 1992 - Amy Grant
Courtesy of Word Records
Being the Artist of the Year was only one of Amy Grant's awards in 1992. She was also named the Junior Chamber of Commerce - Outstanding Tennessean that year.
17. 1991 - 1990 - Steven Curtis Chapman
Sparrow Records
In 1990, when Chapman won his first Artist of the Year award, you have to wonder if he had any idea that he would go on to win 5 more.
18. 1989 - Amy Grant
Courtesy of Word
Amy also took home the Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year award and the Short Form Music Video of the Year award in the last year of the 80s.
19. 1988 - 1987 - Sandi Patty
Word
The first woman to win the Artist of the Year award saw 1987 and 1988 as her fourth and fifth wins respectively.
20. 1986 - Amy Grant
Courtesy of Word Records
Only 17 Doves were awarded in 1986, so winning one was a huge kudo.
