The nominees for the 37th Annual GMA Music Awards was announced yesterday at the Hilton Nashville Downtown in Music City by Kirk Franklin and Rebecca St. James, both of whom will host the GMA Music Awards show on April 5, 2006 at the Grand Ole Opry. Nominations for 42 categories has been announced.

Modern praise & worship music was highlighted as Chris Tomlin and David Crowder Band received nine nods and six nominations respectively. In addition, several of 2005's biggest GMA music award winners returned with five nominations, including Switchfoot, Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Crabb Family and Israel Houghton.

"Each of these artists reflects the multi-dimensional impact that gospel music has in our culture and they deserve the recognition these Dove nominations will bring. Chris Tomlin and David Crowder Band make music that not only resonates with one person listening on the radio or on their iPod, but also connects with hundreds or thousands gathered in a worship setting," said John W. Styll, president of the GMA and executive producer of the GMA Music Awards. "It is also great to see Natalie Grant, Joy Williams and BarlowGirl bringing the female voice back to the forefront, alongside recent years' Dove favorites like Switchfoot, Casting Crowns, Relient K and Jeremy Camp."

The fresh nominees for New Artist of the Year are The Afters, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Shawn McDonald, Krystal Meyers and Stellar Kart.

One of the most notable nominees for the 37th GMA Music Awards is Steven Curtis Chapman, who has collected 49 Dove Awards, more than any other artist in gospel music history. Chapman will have a chance to pass the 50-trophy mark this year if one of his three nominations results in an Award.

Another notable nominee is gospel music's prolific producer Brown Bannister, who is up for seven nominations, including Producer of the Year along with six album nominations. He's joined in the Producer of the Year category by country music legend Vince Gill with whom Brown co-produced Amy Grant's nominatedRock of Ages...Hymns & Faith in the Inspirational Album of the Year category.

Click here to view the full list of nominees.

Founded in 1964, the 4,000-member Gospel Music Association (http://www.gospelmusic.org) is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music. The GMA represents all styles of gospel music including contemporary pop, rock, urban gospel, praise & worship, Southern gospel, country and children's gospel music. The GMA produces the GMA Music AwardsTM, which recognizes achievement in all genres of gospel music and are voted on by members of the GMA.

The 37th Annual GMA Music Awards will be produced by Steve Gilreath for SGTV, Inc. The awards show will then be televised in national syndication April 15 to May 21, 2006.