Kirk Franklin does everything big.
And so it was Tuesday night at the 47th annual GMA Dove Awards in Nashville. Franklin won Gospel Music Artist of the Year and Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album of the Year for Losing My Religion. He also was a co-host, along with Tye Tribbett and rock group For King & Country.
The show will be televised Sunday, Oct. 16, on TBN at 7 p.m.
Franklin didn't waste the platform. According to the Tennessean, his acceptance speech was a plea: "We have the spirit of redemption when we speak. When we say something, we want to bring it together, not separate it. When police are killed, we need to say something. When black boys are killed, we need to say something. And when we don't say something, we're saying something."
There were more than 12 performances, including two-time Dove winner and Fort Worth native Tamela Mann. Mann's fourth solo studio album was just released in September, One Way. Her husband David Mann has previously hosted the awards show.
And Dallasite Priscilla Shirer, a teacher, speaker, author and actress (War Room), was a presenter.
Highlights included Lauren Daigle, who will play the Bomb Factory on Saturday, Oct. 15, winning three awards including Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year-Artist just a year after being named best new artist. Australian powerhouse group Hillsong United, perennial winners, finally was able to accept its two awards in person. And there was a surprise reunion of contemporary Christian music icon DC Talk.
For a full list of winners and nominees, go to the Dove Awards website.
