Here’s today’s dispatch from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.

Good music. Tonight (10/21) at 8 PM ET, UP TV presents the 44th annual Dove Awards hosted by Amy Grant and Kirk Franklin. The Gospel Music Association event, broadcast live from Nashville’s Lipscomb University, will celebrate the year’s best in inspirational Gospel and Christian music.

This year’s show features performances by NEEDTOBREATHE, The Gaither Vocal Band, Jason Crabb, Michael W. Smith, Newsboys, Tamela Mann and TobyMac. Capital Kings, Colton Dixon, for King & Country, Passion Band featuring Kristian Stanfill and Brian & Jenn Johnson, Rhett Walker Band, Tasha Cobbs, Britt Nicole, Trip Lee, KB, Andy Mineo, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, The Isaacs and Karen Peck will also perform. Presenters will include Candace Cameron Bure, Rusty & Julie Bulloch (from UP’s recently-renewed Bulloch Family Ranch), Pastor Rick Warren, Joyce Meyer, Brandon Heath, Chonda Pierce, David Mann, Isaac Carree, Jaci Velasquez, Lecrae, Bart Millard, Mandisa, Montell Jordan, Jon Foreman, Mark Lowry and Bone Hampton.

This is the fifth year that UP (fka GMC TV) has telecast the awards program. Charles Humbard, the network’s founder and CEO, says “This year’s event promises to be spectacularly entertaining and inspiring as all the biggest names in Christian and Gospel music come together to celebrate all the various styles of this genre. There is no other network dedicated to showcase this prestigious musical celebration than UP. We promise an exhilarating evening of can’t-miss performances, laughs, surprises and entertainment the entire family will enjoy.”

Awards will be given out in 42 categories voted on by the GMA membership. Nominations go to recordings released during the eligibility period of Nov. 1, 2011 through April 30, 2013. This year, for the first time, the GMA has added a feature film category. The move comes in response to the rise in prominence and impact of inspirational films within the entertainment community.

To see the complete list of Dove Award nominees click here.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11