[1]NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–A Grand Ole Opry cast member, a popular country music newcomer and the singing stand-in for George Clooney were among the winners at the seventh annual Christian Country Music Awards Nov. 1 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.
Southern Baptist and country music star Bryan White was one of the show’s performers.
The show, which was broadcast on the ETC network and carried by most PAX network affiliates, celebrated country music with a Christian message or a positive theme. The aforementioned artists — stalwart Jack Greene, new Sony act and Angels in Waiting singer Tammy Cochran and O Brother, Where Art Thou? vocalist Dan Tyminski (of Man of Constant Sorrow fame) — emerged victorious, as did lesser-known, gospel-based Christian country acts The Fox Brothers, John Steed and Kim Ford.
John Berry, who co-hosted the show with Crystal Gayle, was named mainstream country artist of the year.
“To have this show come together, it’s a great thing,” Gayle told The (Nashville) Tennessean. “A few years ago, I had a gospel album called Someday that came out, and when I did the video, the stations wouldn’t play it. They said it was too Christian. The way I feel is that anything we can do to give something uplifting to this world, we need it. Country music used to be a little more open to different things, and maybe this can help get it back that way.”
A complete list of winners:
[2]— Entertainer of the Year: The Fox Brothers.
— Male Vocalist of the Year: John Steed.
— Female Vocalist of the Year: Kim Ford.
— Vocal Duo of the Year: SAMSON.
— Vocal Group of the Year: The Fox Brothers.
— Trio of the Year: The Babcocks.
— Song of the Year: I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow; Soggy Bottom Boys; Arranger: Carter Stanley; Mercury Records.
— Mainstream Country Artist of the Year: John Berry.
— New Artist of the Year: Clifton Jansky.
— Musician of the Year: Dennis Agajanian.
— Radio Personality of the Year: Robby Lynn Steptoe, KAYD.
— Radio Station of the Year: KAYD, Beaumont, Texas.
— Video of the Year: Angels in Waiting; Tammy Cochran; Sony-Epic; directors Tammy Cochran & Deb Haus.
— Pioneer Award: Jack Greene.
— Living Legend Award: Margo Smith.
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