Gaither Music Group's legendary roster of artists took home three 2015 GMA DOVE Awards during Tuesday night's ceremony held at Allen Arena at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Gospel Music Hall of Fame members and GRAMMY® Award winners the Gaither Vocal Band were awarded Southern Gospel Artist of the Year.  

"What an honor to accept this! To be here receiving this as a part of this group is unreal to me. I am living the dream I had as a child, singing with one of my all-time favorite groups"”the Gaither Vocal Band. I am grateful to Bill [Gaither] for giving me the opportunity to join this group, and we appreciate the GMA honoring us in this way," said band member, Adam Crabb.

The group's founder and bass singer, gospel music legend Bill Gaither joined Christian music artist Matt Maher for the awards program to perform "Because He Lives (Amen)." Penned by Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, Gloria Gaither, Jason Ingram, Matt Maher and Bill Gaither, the song was awarded Praise and Worship Song of the Year.

Also nominated for a 2015 GRAMMY® Award, the Gaither Vocal Band has garnered five GRAMMY® nominations, two GRAMMY® Awards and 18 GMA DOVE Awards to date.
Country music icons and Gospel Music Hall of Famers The Oak Ridge Boys took home the award for Country Song of the Year for their recent country single, "Sweet Jesus," an original song penned for them by country music star Merle Haggard, who joined the group for the recording of the song.

The award-winning tune is a part of the group's Rock of Ages, Hymns and Gospel Favorites recording, a 15-song project produced by Ben Isaacs and group member Duane Allen.

"To win a coveted DOVE Award is a chilling experience," stated Allen at the event. "However, to share this with Merle Haggard is beyond words. Thank you, Gospel Music Association, for choosing "Sweet Jesus' as the Country Song of the Year!"

"It as an honor to be a small part of this legendary performance," said Isaacs. "I have been a fan of both The Oak Ridge Boys and Merle Haggard for years. I knew it was special when we recorded it. Now I know I'm not the only one who feels that way."

The Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000, and they have garnered ten GMA DOVE Awards and five GRAMMY® Awards.

Country music legends Alabama received the 2015 DOVE Award for Bluegrass/Country Album of the Year for Angels Among Us, Hymns & Gospel Favorites, produced by group members Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen. This marked the band's first DOVE Award and 178th career award.

"I am so happy for these country music icons, who are still breaking new ground," stated Bill Gaither. "May their first DOVE Award for Angels Among Us be just the beginning of more exciting days ahead for Alabama."

The release, along with its DVD companion featuring behind-the-scenes interviews with Gaither, have been seen on 15 TV networks including PBS, RFD, TBN, DirecTV, DISH TV and AT&T U-verse. These two-time GRAMMY® Award winners have sold more than 73 million albums and singles and achieved 43 No. 1 songs, and they are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

GRAMMY®-nominated and multi-DOVE Award-winning family trio The Martins (Joyce Martin Sanders, Jonathan Martin and Judy Martin Hess) performed a cappella alongside singer/songwriter/comedian Mark Lowry. The packed audience rose to its feet following their unique rendition of "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" found on Lowry's new solo recording How We Love (Spring Hill Music).

The Martins have garnered four number one singles and four top ten singles in multiple Christian music formats in addition to eight GMA DOVE Awards. A GRAMMY® and GMA DOVE Award winner, Lowry was inducted this year into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

The award-winning Isaacs (Sonya Isaacs Yeary, Rebecca Isaacs Bowman, Ben Isaacs and Lily Isaacs) gave a special performance alongside contemporary Gospel singer Erica Campbell, who co-hosted this year's ceremony. The family formed an acoustic band around Campbell and added background vocals to her hit "A Little More Jesus," creating a riveting performance that ignited the crowd.

NEWS SOURCE: Gaither Music Group