The GMA Dove Awards Song of the Year is one of the two main categories which have been given since the 1st GMA Dove Awards in 1969. The following is a list of the winning songs and the songwriter(s) who received the award.
Winners of the Gospel Music Association Dove Award for Songwriter of the Year are:
Southern gospel music is a genre of Christian music. Its name comes from its origins in the Southeastern United States whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music. Sometimes known as "quartet music" for its traditional "four men and a piano" set up, southern gospel has evolved over the years into a popular form of music across the United States and overseas, especially among baby boomers and those living in the Southern United States. Like other forms of music the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of southern gospel varies according to culture and social context. It is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or as an entertainment product for the marketplace.
George Wilson Younce was an American bass singer, known for performing with Southern gospel quartets, especially The Cathedrals.
Russell Taff is an American gospel singer and songwriter. He has sung a variety of musical styles throughout his career including: pop rock, traditional southern gospel, contemporary country music, and rhythm and blues. He first gained recognition as lead vocalist for the Imperials (1976–81). One of his best-known performances is the song "Praise the Lord". He has also been a member of the Gaither Vocal Band, and occasionally tours with Bill Gaither in the Gaither Homecoming concerts. As a solo artist and songwriter, Taff is known for the 1980s anthem "We Will Stand".
The Cathedral Quartet, often simply known as The Cathedrals, was an American southern gospel quartet that performed from 1964 until retiring in December 1999. The group's final line-up consisted of Glen Payne (lead), George Younce (bass), Ernie Haase (tenor), Scott Fowler, and Roger Bennett.
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound is a Southern gospel quartet founded in 2002 by Ernie Haase, former Cathedral Quartet tenor, and Garry Jones, former Gold City pianist. As of January 2020, the group consists of Dustin Doyle (baritone), Devin McGlamery (lead), Paul Harkey (bass) and Ernie Haase (tenor). As of June 2015, when Doug Anderson departed the group, Haase was the only member left remaining from the group's inaugural vocal lineup. The lineup of the band has changed several times. The group has released 23 albums and 9 DVDs, which feature other Christian artists.
Michael English is an American Christian singer and record producer. Initially, he was a member of his family's singing group, and later a member of The Gaither Vocal Band. During his solo career, he recorded eight studio albums. English's highest-charting solo single was "Your Love Amazes Me", which reached No. 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart in 1996.
Greater Vision is an American Southern gospel music trio founded in 1990. It is one of Southern gospel's most popular trios and have been noted for their prolonged commercial and musicals success spanning over two decades. As of 2017, the group is made up of Gerald Wolfe, Rodney Griffin, Chris Allman and Jon Epley. Over the last several years, this trio has consistently been named Southern gospel's top male trio, winning The Singing News Awards, Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, and have placed numerous top songs on the Southern Gospel Charts and Radio.
The Singing News Favorite Group award is awarded in the yearly Singing News Fan Awards ceremony held at the National Quartet Convention every September. It is awarded to the Southern gospel group which readers of the Singing News Magazine judge to be the best group on the road.
The Song of the Year award is awarded yearly in the Singing News Fan Awards ceremony to honor the Southern gospel song Singing News magazine readers select as their favorite that year.
The Favorite Lead Singer award is awarded yearly in the Singing News Fan Awards ceremony to honor the male Southern gospel singer Singing News magazine readers select as their favorite lead singer for a quartet or trio vocal ensemble.
The Horizon Individual award is awarded yearly in the Singing News Fan Awards ceremony to honor the individual new on the Southern gospel scene that Singing News magazine readers select as their favorite that year.
The 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 25, 2007 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 2006. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Brian Littrell, Natalie Grant, and Donnie McClurkin. This was the first year in which the awards were called the "GMA Dove Awards" since the 2006 edition was called the "GMA Music Awards".
Squire Enos Parsons Jr., is a Southern Gospel singer and songwriter. He was born in Newton, West Virginia, to Squire and Maysel Parsons, and was introduced to music by his father, who was a choir director and deacon at Newton Baptist Church. Squire's father taught him to sing using shaped notes.
The 40th Annual 'GMA Dove Awards presentation was held on April 23, 2009 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 2008. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Rebecca St. James, Matthew West, and Lisa Kimmey.
Charles F. "Rusty" Goodman was an American singer/songwriter in the Southern Gospel Music industry. He was a prolific composer whose many songs included "Standing in the Presence of the King", "Leavin' On My Mind", "Home", "John the Revelator", "Touch the Hand of the Lord", "Had it Not Been" "I Believe He's Coming Back" "Look for Me" and "Who Am I?" His songs have been covered by many of the top artists in the music industry including Elvis Presley, The Imperials, J. D. Sumner & The Stamps Quartet, The Speers, The Happy Goodman Family, Michael English and Gaither Vocal Band.
The 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards presentation was held on April 20, 2011, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. The show was broadcast on GMC on April 24, 2011, hosted by Sherri Shepherd from The Newlywed Game.
A Tribute to the Cathedral Quartet is a CD/DVD released by Christian gospel quartet Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. The album is a tribute to the legendary gospel group The Cathedral Quartet with whom tenor singer Ernie Haase performed from 1990 to 1999. The album was released on October 25, 2010 by Spring House Music.
Gary McSpadden is an American pastor, singer, songwriter, producer, television host and motivational speaker. He has musical roots in quartet music and Southern gospel with The Statesmen, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Imperials, The Bill Gaither Trio, and The Gaither Vocal Band. McSpadden's songs include "Jesus Lord To Me”, “Hallelujah Praise The Lamb”, and “No Other Name But Jesus”. He has produced albums for numerous groups. In 1987, he co-hosted PTL Today after Jim Bakker resigned. McSpadden went on to produce television programs, including the "Jubilee" concert series filmed at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. He also produced and starred in several live music shows in the Branson area during the 1990s and 2000s.
