One problem however: to enter the Pre Show, I discovered, one was required to have pre-registered for it. I had no idea about this or where to even begin. I looked at the Dove Awards website and learned, to my horror, that the award we were nominated for, Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year, is traditionally awarded during this pre show that I knew nothing about, and I knew that if I didn't find some way to get in, I may miss seeing our victory.
I immediately drove to the Fox Theater, 2 hours prior to the pre show, and went to the security guard Robert, who told me that I may be able to talk to the GMA staff to get added to the list for entry. I said my thanks and walked away for a quick prayer..."Lord, You know I drove all the way here to actually be able to experience the victory and not just hear about it afterwards, so please don't let me miss this pre show. In Jesus' name, Amen."
I walked back up to the Fox Theater, and walked over to the door where people appeared to be checking in. Upon my arrival, the door guy looked at me and must have noticed me watching the people at the table, because he smiled and said, "Don't worry. We're not checking the list today. You can go right on upstairs." I smiled, and as I walked past, I said a silent "thank you" to the Father for yet another blessing.
Enter: The Egyptian Room at the Fox Theater...as I entered the room, the first thing that struck me was how beautiful it was, with the soft lighting and Dove Awards logos everywhere. The second thing I noticed was that it felt like it was negative 15 degrees in the room. It was so cold the lady sitting next to Jamie Grace and I was literally wrapped up in a blanket the entire ceremony. I didn't care.... I was INSIDE.
The ceremony started with a quick prayer, and then was off and running. Eric and Anson Dawkins, aka Dawkins and Dawkins, performed my fav song "Pray For Me" from their new album, From Now On, and killed it. The Martins performed their own brand of Country Gospel and got the whole Egyptian Room on their feet. And Montell Jordan sang his new Gospel song, which somehow still managed to incorporate "This Is How We Do It" into the lyrics (lol).
Finally, the 2nd to last award category was the Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year, for which LeCrae was nominated for Rehab: The Overdose. Montell Jordan read off the names of the other albums nominated; Tedashii for Blacklight, Flame for Captured, DA TRUTH for DA WHOLE TRUTH, Jai for Culture Shock, and finally Overdose. I was filming this, and as I look back at the footage, I can tell that my hand was shaking. "...and the Dove Award goes to....Rehab: The Overdose!"
LeCrae coolly walked up to the podium, and gave a gracious, concise speech, in which he thanked the team, his wife, and the Lord for giving him the talent. Within a moment, it was over...and we were all Dove Award winners as part of the project.
I walked over to Tedashii and congratulated him on his nomination, said my congrats to Crae, Cheese, and my bro Chris Lee Cobbins for our part in Crae's victory, and then had to run back to the hotel to put on my clothes for the main awards show which was starting in less than 3 hours. I called my wife Shaunta to fill her in on the experience, called my bro @JayTelVocals who shared in the win but was not able to attend to let him know we got another award, and rushed to shower/shave/iron/dress/etc and head back to the Fox Theater in time for the main show. Because I had a front row seat, I had to be in my seat by 7:15 for filming, so time was of the essence.
I shared with my Dad after the show that I felt better about the main show since we had already won during the pre show, so rather than being anxious during the night, I was able to relax and enjoy the show, which was my fist time attending any awards show (we won the Stellar in January of this year but I was not able to attend). It was truly a night to remember!
First, let me say that David Mann and Chondra Pierce as hosts was a perfect pairing. They had everyone in the place rolling with laughter, and I feel bad for those who will only get to see the televised show, as some of the funniest moments happened in between filming, when the two of them would just go off the cuff riffing on each other, the artists, or those in the audience. I can't say I have ever laughed so hard in my life.
As far as awards, Kirk Franklin won twice, one for the "Smile" song, and once for his album "Hello Fear". Kirk is funny too, and he and Tamela and David Mann seemed to have true affection for one another, as the Mann's started out as part of Kirk's ensemble years ago, which was good to see. Jamie Grace won best new artist, and as part of her acceptance speech told her dad she wanted him to take her to Chic Fil A the next day for winning (lol)...I'm a huge fan of hers and was glad to see her get the win. LeCrae won another Dove for Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year for the song "Hallelujah" right after his and Tedashii's performance of the same song. If you watch the show, I was the first person on my feet when they announced that one so I'm sure you'll see me cheering for him!
Oh, and the performances....Mary Mary killed "Go Get It", the single from their new album and theme song for their new reality show, which was filming during the awards. Yolanda Adams, Martha Munizzi, Donnie McClurkin, and Jason Crabb all showed insane vocals and blazed their performances, and the new artist Margaret Cho (at least I think that was her name) had a voice so flawless that when I find out her name for sure I am going thatsameday to.buy her album (Note: I found out later that her name is Kari Jobe). I enjoyed every performance, and never left my seat during the intermissions because I didn't want to miss any of the David Mann/Chondra Pierce interactions! Finally, after Jason Crabb won the Artist of the Year category (for which the big homie LeCrae was also nominated), the show was over. I went to go speak to Cheese and Chris Lee, and then headed back to the hotel to rest. I'd planned to join any celebration that may have been going on after the show, but I was so tired that it just wasn't gonna work.
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| The world famous Fox Theater |
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| The Egyptian Room @ Fox Theater, where the Dove Awards Pre Show was held |
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| My heroes Dawkins & Dawkins on stage singing "Pray For Me" from their new album From Now On at the Dove Awards Pre Show |
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| My big bro John "CheeseBeats" Williams and bro Chris Lee Cobbins doing an interview on the red carpet before the main Dove Awards show began |
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| 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards hosts David Mann and Chondra Pierce |
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| The 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards show will be televised on April 24th at 8/7c and again at 10/9c on GMC Network |
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| The 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards was sponsored by KIA, which is why a KIA vehicle was onstage inside the Fox Theater prior to the start of the main awards show |
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| Me in my hotel suite after the Pre Show getting ready to head back to the Fox Theater for the main awards show! |
(Video footage of the actual win for Rehab: The Overdose and Lecrae's acceptance speech)
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| Front Row, stage right! Best seat in the house |
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| The vehicle God used to get us here, Lecrae's Rehab: The Overdose album! |
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| Dove Pre Show host, Montell Jordan, of "This Is How We Do It" fame |
