2010 Dove Awards
Well, it was a long night for sure, but I had a great time. Bart and Natalie did a great job hosting, the performances were great, the ‘comedian’ was…. well… the rest of it was good. My job was to basically hang out with Bart and Natalie and take pictures with my phone or camera. So that’s what I did. I like to call it documenting. All in all it was a great night. I’m glad Kristin was able to be there and come back afterward and hang out with some of the folks I work with. I still am taken back a little when I think about what I do for a living, but it’s a fun ride and as long as things keep popping up, I’ll keep saying yes.
Tonight’s The Night
See those red seats? That’s where Kristin and I will be tonight for The Dove Awards. Not bad seats eh? Of course neither Kristin or I know how to really act at these kinds of things. Mostly because we don’t go to these kinds of things… and there’s the fact that we don’t really know how to ‘dress up’. And there we will be. Smack right in the middle.
We are both really excited to get to go. I’m probably more excited for Kristin to go than I am excited myself. She rarely gets to do cool things like this without juggling the boys at the same time. So tonight the boys are staying with Kristin’s dad, and we’re looking at it as a ‘date night’ of sorts.
Last year was my first time at the Doves and I was sort of taken back by the whole thing. A lot of people like to make fun of it or whatever and that’s fine. But growing up paying attention to everything music, including Christian music and knowing about all the folks I was sitting in a room with was pretty fascinating. That was last year. This year it blows my mind that Kristin and I will be sitting with them, and to be nominated, again, just kind of weirds me out.
I’m excited to be able to see Natalie and MercyMe perform, I’m excited that Kristin will get to experience it, I’m excited to see some friends, and I’m excited to see what happens with this whole ‘fluke nomination’ thing. Here goes nothing huh?
A Night At The Doves
I didn’t plan on going to the Gospel Music Awards last night. Honestly it didn’t really cross my mind. I assumed I wouldn’t go and just hear about it later. As it turned out I ended up going obviously and was pretty impressed. In years past I had heard a bunch of negative stuff surrounding the Doves. I had heard that it was long and boring and self-absorbed and all that. Maybe it has been, but this year was pretty impressive. I got to the Grand Ole Opry House a little early because Phil was performing during the pre-show. We hung out backstage with a the guys from Switchfoot, and a bunch of folks that were running in and out like maniacs. Phil performed “True Love” and blew the place up. I have seen him perform this song probably fifty times and this time was easily one of the best times I had heard it. If there was ever a time to nail the sing like he did it was then. He did a great job and had a great response.
Once the show started Phil, Evan and I made our way to our seats for the part of the show that was actually televised. We were upstairs in the balcony next to the Tenth Avenue North guys, which by the way have an amazing record coming out May 20th. Great guys and a brilliant record. But I will talk about that later.
Once of the first awards given out was Female Vocalist Of The Year and Natalie won that right after she performed with Wynonna to open the show. Natalie did a great job and it was cool to see her and her husband, Bernie, collectively win three Doves. It was also cool to each of their responses when the other one won.
A little later the guys in the Crowder Band played. They had a pretty cool stage set up with fake grass and growing flowers. Very Sufjan. They did a great job, and it was cool to run into them at dinner before the show. I don’t remember what awards David and the guys took home, but it was cool to see them play again.
Later in the show Switchfoot performed a new song of theirs that was written for the new Narnia movie. They had a small string section with them and nailed an amazing song. I was pretty blown away by it. I don’t know how they do it but they come up with so many great songs, and this one is no exception. It’s one I almost wish I could have heard as it was being broadcast on TV simply so I could hear a really good mix and hear all the parts. Either way I was really impressed and it was cool to see them again. 
Another highlight of the night was the closing song where Mac performed with Charlie Daniels. It was pretty unbelievable and everyone on stage looked like they were having a great time.
Once the show ended we hung out a bit on the floor talking to people and figuring out who was going and how we were all getting to the after show party. Then we all drove to some hotel where there was food, music and lots of tired artists. I had no intention of staying late but ended up leaving about midnight.
All in all it was a really cool night. It was fun to hang out with everyone in a completely different environment. Not to mention it was a cool experience for me to be able to be a part of. I have grown up hearing about and watching these types of award show things, so it was cool to be a part of one. And say what you want about the industry, self-glorification, and all that. I say last night was a fun party and a celebration for a bunch of crazy talented people. I don’t know much about the politics of it, but I know I personally had a great time. I just hope Kristin can go with me next year.
