The GMA Dove Awards first honored the Artist of the Year in 1981. This history will highlight the winning artist for each year.
2. 2008 - tobyMac
Forefront Records
In being named Artist of the Year, TobyMac reclaimed a title he earned in 1996 as a member of dcTalk. He was recognized for his latest CD, Portable Sounds, which debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart while his singles "I’m For You" and "Made To Love" earned him R&R’s Christian CHR Artist of the Year. The video for his song "Boomin" was named the Gospel Music Channel’s Video of the Year. At the 2008 Dove's, Portable Sounds was named Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year and "Boomin" got the Dove Award for Short Form Video of the Year.
3. 2007 - 2006 - Chris Tomlin
Courtesy of: Hoganson Media Photographer: Frank Mullen
Chris has held the title of Artist of the Year for 2 year now and yes, he's in the running for the 2008 Dove Awards Artist of the Year as well.
5. 2004 - MercyMe
INO Records
MercyMe = Artist of the Year, Group of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year - at least in 2004 they did!
6. 2003 - 2002 - Michael W. Smith
Reunion
Smitty went home with 5 Doves in 2002 and another 4 Doves in 2003.
8. 2000 - Steven Curtis Chapman
Sparrow Records
2000 saw Steven Curtis Chapman take home 6 Doves and a BMI Songwriter Of The Year award.
10. 1998 - Rich Mullins
Sbme Special Mkts
Rich was awarded the Artist of the Year award posthumously with his brother, David, accepting on his behalf. Another honor bestowed on Rich Mullins that night was when Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Phil Keaggy took part in a musical tribute to his music and ministry.
