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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > February > 14 > Entry
Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall leads Dove nominees
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Casting Crowns, with leading Dove Award nominee Mark Hall front and center. Photo: Sony BMG Entertainment.
McDonough’s Mark Hall of the band Casting Crowns led the field when the nominations for the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards were announced on Thursday. The songwriter and vocalist is up for six on his own — including song of the year and male vocalist of the year — and his band Casting Crowns is in the running for four — including group and artist of the year.
They aren’t the only nominees from Georgia, though. Recent Grammy nominees Karen Peck & New River of Dahlonega scored three nods and Duluth’s Aaron Shust is competing against Casting Crowns in the pop/contemporary album category. Atlanta’s Darlene McCoy is nominated for urban album, for her self-titled debut, and urban recorded song.
Atlanta rock quintet Family Force 5 gets recognized in the short form music video category and Columbus native Bebo Norman is among the nominees for Christmas album.
We reached Hall in Grand Rapids, Mich., where Casting Crowns will play tonight, and asked him if being a perennial nominee ever becomes old hat. “It never gets old, because it’s new music,” the hard-working youth minister from Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church says. “Can’t coast on what you did in the past. The thing I like about the Doves is that it’s your peers, those people that do what you do recognizing you, telling you, ‘hey, you’re doing a good job, keep it up.’ To me, that’s pretty cool.”
For a complete list of nominees, check out the Dove Awards site.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Jim S.
February 15, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
While I would congratulate them on their nominations, many of us wonder why a crown would be cast…or was that just an easy way to have name familiarity and bleed off of the success of Counting Crows? Just wondering…
By Todd
February 15, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
The name of the band refers to casting crowns at the feet of Jesus in heaven. It’s a picture of worship not a play on Counting Crows.
By South Georgia
February 15, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
I think the name is more a reference to the idea that the crowns we obtain here in this world (possibly any of their awards) are in turn cast at the feet of Jesus.
By JCA
February 15, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
I believe the name “Casting Crowns” is a reference to the following scripture found in Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
To deny oneself could be interpreted as “casting our crowns” of pride, self sufficiency, accomplishments, etc.. in order to be followers of Jesus. Hope this helps.
By adriennejones
February 15, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
I heard that Elle Duncan from V-103 announced the nominations. If we are talking about Atlantans involved let’s mention her Shane.
By adriennejones
February 15, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
I heard that Elle Duncan from V-103 announced the nominations. If we are talking about Atlantans involved let’s mention her Shane.
By JD
February 15, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Jim S. — stop wondering so much, it makes you look stupid.
By SBW
February 15, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
Jim S. I want to appologize for the comment made by the last entry, JD. There’s no such thing as a stupid question. I used to ask Mark a lot of “stupid” questions as a youth, and he was always willing to take the time to clearly explain what I was searching for. Now that I am working toward my graduate degree, I’ve learned not to be afraid to ask. There’s always those who will try to discourage you. Keep pn going!!!
By butterfly
February 15, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
God’s love to all, for he is good. Praise him for the talent he has given to Casting Crowns and many others. May we all glofiry him in our words and actions.
By butterfly
February 15, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
God’s love to all, for he is good. Praise him for the talent he has given to Casting Crowns and many others. May we all glorify him in our words and actions.
By butterfly
February 15, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
God’s love to all, for he is good. Praise him for the talent he has given to Casting Crowns and many others. May we all glorify him in our words and actions.
By Crowns fan
February 15, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Revelation 4:10 “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne”
The best band in America, bar none!
By Play that funky music whiteboy
February 15, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
I went to high school and played football with one of the band members, Andy Williams. You know there are people in your life where when great things happen to them you say, “Man that person deserved that - it’s great to see something good happen to someone so genuine and nice.” That is Andy. God bless you man - we are proud of you.
By Dave In Tampa
February 15, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
I’ve replaced Led Zeppelin with the Casting Crowns. Great stuff and very uplifting. God Bless!
By rid0617
February 15, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
Congrats to a great band. Here in upstate SC our Christian contemp radio stunk so I had to stay glued to the internet to get the Fish. Finally we got shine 96.7 a few months ago and now I have Fish quality.
By Dave In Tampa
February 15, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
rid0617
If your interested I know of a great Christian Rock station that you can listen on line from here in Tampa. They play the Casting Crowns plus many other great bands. It’s called the Spirit FM.
Again, just a little F.Y.I. if you want to check it out. Good Stuff!
http://www.spiritfm905.com
By MD
February 15, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Hey rid0617 - that’s one thing i love about XM. Station 34(?) plays a ton of CCM and Casting Crowns are played at least once every 2 hours. We have 2 of their albums and he is a great songwriter.
As far as the counting crows comment - i can see where someone not familiar with the scripture would assume the similarity. it is very close but I KNOW that wasn’t the reason for the name. it is strictly related to the scripture mentioned above.
By ANITA
February 15, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
There couldn’t be anyone more deserving - saw them at the Arena in November, and they are great. I believe they walk the talk.
By Jim S.
February 15, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the answers on the origin of the name…(except, perhaps, JD.) Glad to know there is a legitimate biblical reference in the name.
To JD…sorry you feel compelled to demean me for my question. I’ll not respond in kind.
By Kat
February 15, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Andy and a group of his friends played at my daughter’s sweet sixteen party last year, and wouldn’t let us give them a dime, not even gas money. They just wanted to do it, and thought it was cool that teens were having a “clean”, fun party. It was amazing. We were in awe that he had been in Nashville receiving a Dove award only days before, then came home to hang out with a group of teenagers. You just don’t see that kind of down-to-earth, genuine humility very often. They acted like WE were the ones doing THEM a favor, by letting them come. I agree with “funky music”, it just couldn’t happen to a nicer person.
By mandolin reign
February 22, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Why didn’t the article mention TWO other Georgians who are nominated for THREE awards? What about Little Roy Lewis and Elizabeth “Lizzy” Long? They are from Lincolnton and and Lizzy will be at Everett’s Barn Saturday night…..