The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced this week the nominees for the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards and as it stands now, writer and producer Wayne Haun leads with the most nominations (12) and artists Hillsong United, Lecrae, Mandisa and Matt Maher have 5 nominations apiece.

The Dove Awards are sort of like the American Music Awards for Christians. This year’s award show will be presented on October 7^th at Lipsomb University’s Allen Arena October 7 and will air on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

“To be announcing that the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards have a new home with TBN generates a lot of excitement for our organization,” said Jackie Patillo, Executive Director of the Gospel Music Association. “Not only do our organizations align in mission, but TBN will get the show and our music out to a greater audience than ever before.  With their global and multi-platform enabled technology, virtually everyone, anywhere will be able to watch this year’s show.” Last year’s presentation was aired in UPTV.

“Once again the GMA Dove Awards will bring together the best and brightest singers, songwriters, musicians, and professionals in Gospel and Christian music,” said Matthew Crouch, Vice President of the Trinity Broadcasting Network. “And TBN, the leader in Christian television and America’s most-watched faith channel, is honored to serve as the exclusive broadcast host for this night of unforgettable and life-changing music.”

Also this year, the Dove Award will be giving a special award for the Most Inspirational Film of the Year, whose new category started last year.

Here are the nominees for 21 of the most popular categories. For full list of nominees go to www.doveawards.com/nominees

Artist of the Year

• Casting Crowns
• Hillsong UNITED
• Lecrae
• Mandisa
• NEEDTOBREATHE
• Switchfoot

New Artist of the Year

• 1 Girl Nation
• Andy Mineo
• Ellie Holcomb
• Hillsong Young & Free
• Love & The Outcome

Song of the Year

• “Fix My Eyes” – for KING & COUNTRY
•  “Hello My Name Is” – Matthew West
•  “Hurricane” – Natalie Grant
•  “I Can Trust Him” – The Perrys
• “Lord I Need You” – Matt Maher
•  “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” – Hillsong UNITED
• “Overcomer” – Mandisa,
• “Revival” – Karen Peck and New River
•  “Say Amen” – Brian Free & Assurance
•  “That’s Why” – Ernie Haase and Signature Sound

Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year

• “Fix My Eyes” – for KING & COUNTRY
• “Hurricane” – Natalie Grant
• “Lord I Need You” – Matt Maher
•  “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” – Hillsong UNITED
•  “Overcomer” – Mandisa

Southern Gospel Performance of the Year

• “Love Is Stronger” – Jason Crabb
• “Revival” – Karen Peck and New River
•  “Say Amen” – Brian Free & Assurance
•  “Search Me O God” – Cathedrals Family Reunion
•  “That’s Why” – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

Gospel Performance of the Year

• “Every Praise” – Hezekiah Walker
• “Help” – Erica Campbell (ft. Lecrae)
• “I Can Only Imagine” – Tamela Mann
• “I Love The Lord” – Natalie Grant
• “If He Did It Before…Same God”

Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year

• “100” – KB (ft. Andy Mineo)
•  “Dear Mr. Christian”- Derek Minor (ft. Dee-1 and Lecrae)
•  “Head Held High” – Rapture Ruckus
•  “Stop The Traffic” – Andy Mineo (ft. Co Campbell)
• “You Can’t Stop Me” – Andy Mineo

Rock Song of the Year

• “Die For You” – Red
•  “Not Gonna Die” – Skillet
• “Run And Escape” – Red
•  “We Are The Brave” – VERIDIA
• “Zombie” – We As Human

Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year

• “Don’t Deserve You” – Plumb
•  “Let it Be Love” – Family Force 5
•  “Love Alone Is Worth The Fight” – Switchfoot
• “Multiplied” – NEEDTOBREATHE
• “Never Gone” – Colton Dixon

Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year

• “Alive” – Hillsong Young & Free
• “All The People Said Amen” – Matt Maher
• “Fix My Eyes” – for KING & COUNTRY
• “Hurricane” – Natalie Grant
• “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” – Hillsong UNITED

Inspirational Song of the Year

• “As Long As You Will Walk With Me” – Devin McGlamery
• “Lift Up His Name” – The Browders
• “Stronger” – TaRanda Greene
• “You Amaze Us” – Selah
• “Who is Like Our God” – Laura Story

Country Song of the Year

• “Love With Open Arms” – Doug Anderson
• “Only Jesus” – Point of Grace
• “Pray For Me” – Sweetwater Rain
• “That Whosoever Was Me” – Adam Crabb
• “While I Still Can” – Devin McGlamery

Contemporary Gospel/Urban Song of the Year

• “Every Praise” – Hezekiah Walker
• “Help” – Erica Campbell (ft. Lecrae)
• “No Gray” – Jonathan McReynolds
• “Our God” – Micah Stampley
• “Same God…If He Did it Before” – Tye Tribbett
• “Sunday Kind Of Love” – Israel Houghton

Worship Song of the Year

• “Future/Past” – John Mark McMillan
• “Lord I Need You” – Matt Maher
• “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” – Hillsong UNITED
• “Open Up The Heavens” – Meredith Andrews/Vertical Church Band
• “The Only Name (Yours Will Be)” – Big Daddy Weave

Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year

• 100 – KB
• Invader – Rapture Ruckus
• Minorville – Derek Minor
• Never Land – Andy Mineo Azucena
• Royal Flush – FLAME

Rock Album of the Year

• Fear Inside Our Bones – The Almost
• Proof Of Life – Scott Stapp
• Release The Panic: Recalibrated – Red
• Rise – Skillet
• We As Human – We As Human

Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year

• Everfound – Everfound
• Fading West – Switchfoot
• I Am Mountain – Gungor
• Inland – Jars Of Clay
• Rivers In The Wasteland – NEEDTOBREATHE

Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year

• As Sure As The Sun – Ellie Holcomb
• If We’re Honest – Francesca Battistelli
• Overcomer – Mandisa
• Thrive – Casting Crowns
• We Are Young & Free – Hillsong Young & Free

Country Album of the Year

• All Things New – Gordon Mote
• Drive – Doug Anderson
• Here Comes Sunday – Wilburn & Wilburn
• Surrender – Adam Crabb
• Triplicity – Red Roots

Praise and Worship Album of the Year

• Home – Kim Walker-Smith & Skyler Smith
• Kingdom Come – Bryan & Katie Torwalt
• Majestic – Kari Jobe
• Passion: Take It All – Passion
• We Are Young & Free – Hillsong Young & Free

Inspirational Film of the Year

• God’s Not Dead
• Grace Unplugged
• Heaven Is For Real
• Son of God
• When Calls The Heart