Producer/songwriter Wayne Haun leads the 44th Annual Dove Awards nominations with 15 nods; artists Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman are nominated for nine awards each.
The awards nominations were announced Wednesday morning (Aug. 21) at Nashville’s Lipscomb University. The press conference was hosted by several nominees and Christian music industry members, including Francesca Battistelli, Jason Crabb, Dailey and Vincent, James Fortune, Mandisa, Rhett Walker, Tenth Avenue North, Lady Shaunte of 760AM The Gospel, Les Butler of Solid Gospel 105FM, Nashville’s 94FM The Fish Doug Griffin and Jaci Velasquez as well as other industry leaders.
Ben Glover, The Isaacs and The Gaither Vocal Band follow closely in the nominations rankings, with eight nominations apiece.
The evening’s most prestigious award, Artist of the Year, includes nominees Tomlin, Lecrae, Tamela Mann, Francesca Battistelli and TobyMac. Meanwhile, Haun, Glover and Redman are all nominated in the Songwriter of the Year category, along with Benji Cowart and Toby McKeehan.
Capital Kings, Colton Dixon, for King and Country, Rhett Walker Band and Tasha Cobbs are all nominated for New Artist of the Year.
The Gospel Music Association’s 44th annual award show will return to Nashville on Oct. 15, after being held for two years in Atlanta.
A partial list of nominees is listed below; for a full list of awards nominees, visit doveawards.com
Artist of the Year
Chris Tomlin, sixstepsrecords
Francesca Battistelli, Word Label Group
Lecrae, Reach Records
Tamela Mann, TillyMann
TobyMac, ForeFront Records
Songwriter of the Year
Ben Glover
Benji Cowart
Matt Redman
Toby McKeehan
Wayne Haun
Song of the Year
“10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”, Matt Redman, (writers) Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin
“All I Can Do (Thank You)”, Mikeschair, (writers) Mike Grayson,  Ben Glover, David Garcia
“Break Every Chain”, Tasha Cobbs, (writer) Will Reagan
“Forgiveness”, Matthew West, (writer) Matthew West
“From My Rags To His Riches”, Devin McGlamery featuring Dailey & Vincent, (writers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey
“Greatly Blessed, Highly Favored”, Gaither Vocal Band, (writers) Larry Gatlin, Bill Gaither
“Hold On”, Canton Junction, (writer) Gerald Crabb
“I’m Learning”, Aaron & Amanda Crabb, (writers) Lee Black, Michael Fordinal, Kenna West
“Live Like That”, Sidewalk Prophets, (writers) Dave Fray, Ben McDonald, Ben Glover
“Need You Now (How Many Times)”, Plumb, (writers) Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, Luke Sheets, Christa Wells
“Not For a Moment (After All)”, Meredith Andrews, (writers) Meredith Andrews, Jacob Sooter, Mia Fieldes
“One Thing Remains”, Kristian Stanfill, (writers) Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Jeremy Riddle
“Redeemed”, Big Daddy Weave, (writers) Mike Weaver, Benji Cowart
“Sometimes I Wonder”, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, (writers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey
“Take Him To The Place”, Aaron & Amanda Crabb, (writers) Aaron Crabb, Amanda Crabb
“Take Me to the King”, Tamela Mann, (writer) Kirk Franklin
“The Proof of Your Love”, for King and Country, (writers) Joel Smallbone, Fred Williams, Luke Smallbone, Ben Glover, Mia Fieldes, Johnathan Lee
“What The Blood Is For”, Jason Crabb, (writers) Ronnie Freeman, Tony Wood
“Where I Belong”, Building 429, (writers) Jason Roy, Jason Ingram
“Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)”, Chris Tomlin, (writers) Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Scott Cash
“Why Can’t We”, The Isaacs, (writers) Rebecca Isaacs Bowman, Sonya Isaacs, Jimmy Yeary
Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year
“10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord),” Matt Redman
“Need You Now (How Many Times),” Plumb
“Redeemed,” Big Daddy Weave
“The Dream,” David Phelps
“The Proof of Your Love,” for King & Country
“Where I Belong,” Building 429
Southern Gospel Performance of the Year
“Glorious Freedom,” The Gaither Vocal Band
“Sometimes I Wonder,” Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, StowTown Records, (producer) Wayne Haun
“Stubborn (Psalm 15),” Michael English, Curb Records, (producer) Jay DeMarcus
“What The Blood Is For,” Jason Crabb, Gaither Music Group, (producers) Jay DeMarcus, Ed Cash, Wayne Haun
“Why Can’t We,” The Isaacs,  Gaither Music Group, (producer) Ben Isaacs
Gospel Performance of the Year
“Awesome,” Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, EMI,(producer) Rick Robinson
“Break Every Chain,” Tasha Cobbs, EMI,(producer) VaShawn Mitchell
“It’s Not Over (When God Is In It),” Israel & New Breed (feat: James Fortune & Jason Nelson), Integrity/Columbia
“Let The Church Say Amen,” Andrae Crouch (feat: Marvin Winans), Riverphlo
“Take Me to the King,” Tamela Mann, TillyMann Music Group, (producers) Myron Butler, David Mann, Tamela Mann
New Artist of the Year
Capital Kings, Gotee Records
Colton Dixon, Sparrow Records
for King and Country, Word Label Group
Rhett Walker Band, Essential Records
Tasha Cobbs, EMI Gospel

Music City Eats: Nashville Food, Wine & Spirits Festival has announced the lineup for the festival’s grand tasting, Flavors of Nashville, which will be held Sept. 21-22 at downtown’s Public Square Park. The festival will showcase more than 25 of Nashville’s favorite chefs and restaurants, along with 40 different spirits from around the country and across the globe.
Festival attendees will be able to sample dishes from and chat with local chefs like Deb Paquette (Etch), Erik Anderson & Josh Habiger (The Catbird Seat), Philip R. Krajeck (Rolf & Daughters), Margot McCormack (Margot Café, Marché), and Tandy Wilson (City House) during the two-day epicurean extravaganza.
Libations will be flowing during the event as well. Kenny Chesney’s new Blue Chair Bay Rum, Deep Eddy Vodka, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Jameson Whiskey Partners, Silver Oak Cellars, Terrapin Beer Co., and Willett Bourbon are just a few of the vendors who will be on hand showcasing their wares at the new festival, which will also feature cooking demonstrations and panel discussions on four different stages at Public Square Park on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. by celeb chefs like Giada, Michael Symon, Aaron Sanchez, Jonathan Waxman, and Trisha Yearwood.
Music City Eats is the brainchild of Caleb and Nathan Followill of the Kings of Leon, chef Waxman, Austin-based C3 Presents (producer of Austin Food & Wine Festival,) and Vector Management‘s Ken Levitan and Andy Mendelsohn. To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit musiccityeats.com.
Saturday, September 21, 2013:
Participants will include Erik Anderson & Josh Habiger (The Catbird Seat); Kahlil Arnold (Arnold’s Country Kitchen); Carey Bringle (Peg Leg Porker); Larry Carlile (Silo); Robert Grace (Kayne Prime); Hal Holden-Bache (Lockeland Table); Philip R. Krajeck (Rolf & Daughters); Arnold Myint; Deb Paquette (Etch); Giovanni Pinato (Giovanni Ristorante); Barclay Stratton (Merchant’s Restaurant); and Tandy Wilson (City House).
Sunday, September 22, 2013:
Participants will include Roderick Bailey (The Silly Goose); Brian Bills (The Wild Hare); Matt Farley (The Southern); Jay Flatley (Tavern); Sarah Gavigan (Otaku South); John Lasater (Hattie B’s); Joseph Lenn (The Barn at Blackberry Farm); Pat Martin (Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint); Margot McCormack (Margot Café, Marché); Nick Pellegrino (Mangia Nashville); and Charles Phillips (1808 Grille, Hutton Hotel).
 

Dolly Parton‘s Pigeon Forge, Tenn. themepark Dollywood is about to super-size its entertainment offerings. Dolly Parton told Today in an interview that a 10-year, $300 million expansion project is in the works for Dollywood. For 2014, those plans include the Fire Chaser Express roller coaster, with a resort hotel to follow in 2015.
An announcement was live streamed at 9:45 a.m. CT, revealing more details about the expansion.
“It’s gonna be a big deal,” Parton told TODAY. “And I’m so excited…this has been a dream from the very beginning. It’s got a Southern flair, but it’s done very classy.”
In 2015, the Dream More Resort will open, a 300-room world class resort located on 100 acres of land within walking distance of the Dollywood Splash Country Water Adventure Park. “When you stay at a hotel you sleep and when you sleep, you dream more,” Parton explained of the resort’s name during the announcement. Some rooms will be able to accommodate up to six people. The resort will feature a fishing pond and fire pits, indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service restaurant, a gym facility, porches with swings and hammocks, an intimate outdoor theatre and a spa and salon.
She is also creating a Sweet Dream Celebrity Suite, a place for people to stay–but only when Dolly is not taking up residence in the suite.
The Fire Chaser Express roller coaster is a first forward and backward family roller coaster for the park. It will be outfitted for young children to ride, including those as young as 4-years-old. “Little bitty kids will be able to say they had their first roller coaster ride here at Dollywood,” said Parton.
As usual, Parton has many other projects she is working on. She announced that she just finished a new CD and that she has tour dates in Europe, Australia and the United States on the books. She is also partnering to roll out her Imagination Library in Australia. Later this week, Parton will begin filming her part in a Lifetime Christmas film at the themepark. “I have a lot of acting to do and I’ve written music for the show,” says Parton.
Dollywood will introduce a new Christmas show this season, with Parton to be featured as a hologram as part of the production. “I get to be a ghost,” said Parton. “I am the ghost of Christmas past. It’s like being there in spirit, but not in person.”