Last Sunday, the Dove Awards aired on TBN and at one of the most poignant moments of the broadcast, the gospel community realized that something was awry. When Kirk Franklin graced the stage to accept his award for Gospel Artist of the Year, a portion of his acceptance speech was edited out. Franklin called again for reconciliation and prayers for the family of Fort Worth resident Atatiana Jefferson and Aaron Dean, the former Fort Worth Police Officer who killed her, now facing charges in her death. The omission in the broadcast rankled many viewers, local supporters and the gospel community at large, namely Phil Thornton, SVP of RCA Inspiration, the label Franklin records on.
Franklin’s announcement of a boycott is right out of the playbook of the civil rights movement. Not until black dollars and participation were lost, did many of these companies championing the oppressive Jim Crow laws and lifestyle realize just how much they depended on the black community they regarded as second class customers and citizens. Using the full heft of his influence, Franklin is a hometown hero-calling into accountability the long-standing practices of unconscious bias in Christian institutions like the Gospel Music Association and the world’s largest Christian television network, the Trinity Broadcasting Network.
The Dove Awards added the speech in its entirety later last week on its YouTube channel. According the Gospel Music Association, all acceptance speeches were cut short and Franklin’s was no different. As Thornton said, the edit was not the issue, the content was. When artists at the zenith of the spectrum speak truth to power, it is then incumbent upon the hearers to respond. Whether the response is for or against action is never promised, however the onus remains. In the wake of this fallout, Franklin has decided to boycott both the Trinity Broadcasting Network and the Gospel Music Association until “tangible plans are put in place to protect and champion diversity, especially where people of color have contributed their gifts, talents and finances to help build the viability of these institutions.“
The Dove Awards has done a much better job to include the black gospel community with even a new gospel worship category, this year. The Dove Awards I hasn’t shunned political action because one of their sponsors is My Faith Votes. Why was Kirk Franklin’s speech edited? It couldn’t be that it was political. I think that the call for justice falls into the category of white noise (static), bolstered by cognitive dissonance. This problem persists because we have remained in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ who have not been touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
I am aware that the word “boycott” often has a negative connotation and finality to it, but my goal will forever be reconciliation as well as accountability. It is important for those in charge to be informed; not only did they edit my speech, they edited the African-American experience. I’m not asking those in the gospel community to follow my decision. No, this is my personal choice to take a stand and hold responsible those in a position of power to acknowledge the issues in our separate communities that have existed from colonialism to Jim Crow. To many of the issues facing us today I pray that there will be a significant change from this hurtful experience. I look with anticipation for that day of healing and I’m committed to contributing to that process. In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
You can watch it here. Additionally, all of our winners have received their full acceptance speeches to post and share on their platforms as desired. In recent years, we have worked hard to ensure that The Dove Awards stage is a platform that promotes unity and celebrates God’s diverse Kingdom.
Kirk Franklin performs at the 50th GMA Dove Awards
Last night on the telecast of the 50th GMA Dove Awards, a portion of Kirk Franklin’s award acceptance was edited and omitted part of his speech, to the chagrin of many in the gospel community. Namely, RCA Inspiration SVP and GM, Phil Thornton took issue with the omission and called out GMA and TBN in a series of tweets. The controversy comes on the heels of what was an otherwise iconic night of celebration.
The Gospel Music Association replied with an explanation that many speeches were cut in the interest of time and that there was no malice behind the omission of a portion of Franklin’s speech. They also hoped to air the speech in its entirety, soon.
“A young girl by the name of Atatiana Jefferson was shot and killed in her home by a policeman and I am just asking that we send up prayers for her family and for his, and asking that we send up prayers for that 8-year-old little boy that saw that tragedy,”
As stated by Phil Thornton, the issue is not in the editing itself, rather it is the content chosen to be omitted. While it’s easy to be upset with the Gospel Music Association and the Trinity Broadcasting Network, there remains a more prevalent persistence that demands our attention and action. Black and white Christians have very different experiences in America. While many white Christians still enjoy the many, even unintentional benefits of white privilege, many blacks in America are still subject to the fact that America’s greatest sin is its unrepentant, native sin.
Because we are monotheistic but not monolithic, we suffer chasms within the faith community. We can seemingly all agree on certain political points the bible supports, or do we? Entitlement benefits, morality in the white house and international diplomacy are all issues believers invoke scripture to support or refute. Police brutality is an issue many evangelicals don’t seem to feel the need to address. For this reason, a deep divide has persisted within our communities. But the DOVE Awards is not apolitical, not in the least. One of the show’s sponsors this year is My Faith Votes, an association committed to galvanizing the faith community to take part in each election. So, if police brutality is a political issue, it’s not a political issue the GMA cares to engage its base to take action against.
I’m not sure what the culprit is, whether it’s racism, apathy or a trivialization of the pain that persists in our community. Blacks today at large still face systemic racism and the fight for equality and equity in shared spaces rages on, even within the church. Black and white communities in the Kingdom still exist separate and apart from each other; and with that issue seemingly at the heart of the cutting room omission, I decided to share this essay.
The cacophony of cognitive dissonance is drowning out the sound of racial harmony in the Gospel/Christian music community
We don’t get to “shut up and sing gospel music…” when something affects our community, we are expected to say something. In fact, it’s a good idea that when you see something, you say something, right? In most cases, this is true. While we’re working vehemently to interpret scripture and its meaning for all members of Christ’s family, some issues are clear cut, er…black and white.
When Kirk Franklin graces the stage at Lipscomb University to speak during the LIVE taping of the Dove Awards, you can prepare to be amused and challenged. Franklin has mastered the art of universal communication and whether using self-deprecating humor or scripture, he reaches the listening audience in a way that only he can.
Over the years, his time at the microphone has matched his heart, sharing his hopes for racial unity and even taking a moment to pray. This year, at the 50th GMA Dove Awards was no different and Franklin took time to share what was on his heart about the tragic killing of Atatiana Jefferson here in our hometown of Fort Worth, Texas.
Miss Jefferson died at the hands of a police officer, Aaron Dean who has since resigned from the force and is now facing charges. Franklin has openly shared his heart about the shooting on his social media channel and for those closely following him, the speech at the DOVE Awards came as no surprise.
What was surprising, disappointing and even disparaging was the omission of a portion of Franklin’s speech on the edited, televised version of the awards show- to the dismay of many in the gospel community. This omission was seen as more than a cutting room floor decision, but part of a greater problem faced when the gospel and Christian music communities converge.
Instead of harmony and reconciliation, the cacophony of cognitive dissonance further widens the racial divide. When one side can’t see what is impacting the other side, we can never bond together and work to solve each other’s problems- together. In truth, the fact that there are other sides when we are supposedly on the same side (the Kingdom of God) is a problem, within itself. Franklin has called not only for racial unity, but for love to increase. Love from the law enforcement community that will reach citizens and love from citizens to reach and impact the law enforcement community. Because so much time is spent apart in their respective microcosms, many gospel and Christian music artists rarely interact apart from the DOVE Awards.
No Sleeping Allowed, Church. The “WOKE” Movement Should Be No Stranger to Sunday Morning
But when issues are raised in our shared spaces, don’t we then have the onus of at least trying to help? This again begs the question raised in Luke 10:29, “who is my neighbor?” For many, the issue of distance is the source of the dissonance. We often find ourselves pleading for help ad nauseam because our brothers and sisters in the Kingdom can’t feel our pain. “I can’t hear you because that’s not my experience!” Perhaps the source of the dissonance is distance to those in need, “I know nothing about that issue and don’t know how to help!” Sadly, the most painful source of the dissonance is the neighbor you tell about your problem. Because they don’t see you as their neighbor, they ascribe no ownership of the problem, nor can they see any potential for their investment in the solution.
But if it ails one, it ails all…this is our belief as Christians, isn’t it?! Isn’t this why we send money and missionaries to third world countries? Isn’t this why we setup ministries in impoverished communities? The question today isn’t about who our neighbor is, the question today is about who the neighbor we’re willing to help is. The issue of police brutality has suddenly become political, though for years, it has been an extension of the plight of black and brown people in America.
Blacks were infamously brutalized in the south during the Jim Crow era and though now decades removed from the horrors of Jim Crow laws and policy, blacks still face many of the derivatives of oppression in official capacity. This often materializes in police brutality in minority communities. What’s worse is that though citizens are brutalized in white communities as well, there’s not as much outrage. This blanket sentiment is applied when the black community, inclusive of its gospel music makers speak up to raise their voices. Victim blaming is acceptable and many have yet to see the problem minorities yet face with police in their community.
Why? You’d have to spend years peeling back the layers of society to even begin to try and understand this phenomenon. Blacks who speak out against police brutality are actually speaking out for a cause that benefits everyone in the room when spoken in mixed audiences. Political alignment has muted voices in what would otherwise be open and shut arguments for God’s idea of justice and as His children. It behooves us to re-consider the allegiances the don’t align with Kingdom principles.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10
Amid all the backlash, there have been calls to boycott the DOVE Awards, TBN and any other entity that sides with any effort to silence any voice speaking truth to power. Trouble is, this ideology is so pervasive that it’s much bigger than the Gospel Music Association, Trinity Broadcasting, evangelicals, Southern Baptists, and our other neighbors who are content to turn a blind eye to the plight of their family in Christ.
WHO:Performers include TobyMac with LEDGER, Hillsong Worship, Lecrae, MercyMe, Cece Winans, Casting Crowns with Matthew West, Kirk Franklin, New Artist of the Year Nominees and many more.Presenters include for Lauren Daigle, John Crist, for KING & COUNTRY, Gloria Gaither, Jeremy Camp, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tauren Wells and many more.
WHAT: The 50th GMA Dove Awards celebrates a powerful evening paying tribute to 50 years of Christian and Gospel music’s diverse history and showcasing the future of exceptional artistry. Top nominated artists include Lauren Daigle, for KING & COUNTRY, Kirk Franklin and more. View the full list of nominees here. For more information, visit www.doveawards.com.
WHEN: Airing Sunday, October 20 at 8 p.m. EST/ 5 p.m. PST on TBN and the TBN app available on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, iOS, Android and Android TV.
STARS SHINE BRIGHTLY AT THE 50TH ANNUAL GMA DOVE AWARDS TONIGHT LIVE FROM NASHVILLE
GOSPEL AND CHRISTIAN MUSIC’S BIGGEST NIGHT DELIVERS ICONIC SHOW-STOPPING PERFORMANCES THAT REPRESENT THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
LAUREN DAIGLE TAKES HOME THREE DOVES INCLUDING THE TOP AWARD “ARTIST OF THE YEAR”
KIRK FRANKLIN, TASHA COBBS LEONARD AND LECRAE TAKE TWO
Watch the Dove Awards exclusively on TBN Sunday, October 20 at 8 p.m. EST/ 5 p.m. PST
The Gaither Vocal Band accepts their award at the 50th GMA Dove Awards
The Gospel Music Association celebrated the 50th Annual Dove Awards with a sold out crowd in Nashville, TN. The special evening shined a light on Christian and Gospel music’s rich and diverse history and showcased the future of exceptional artistry. The awards will be televised on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) on Sunday, October 20 at 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST. The big winners of the night were songwriter Jason Ingram with four Dove Awards and superstar Lauren Daigle, who took home three awards. Daigle won awards for “Song of the Year,” “Artist of the Year” and “Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.” Composer Wayne Haun along with producer Paul Mabury also won three awards while Gospel singer Kirk Franklin, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Lecrae took two. First-time winners of the night included Aaron Cole, “New Artist of the Year,” Phil Wickham, “Worship Recorded Song of the Year,” and Keith and Kristyn Getty, “Inspirational Album of the Year.”
Tribute performances included an iconic on-stage collaboration featuring Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, CeCe Winans, and Michael W. Smith as well as a Bill and Gloria Gaither tribute. Performers included artists both familiar and new: Casting Crowns, Matthew West, Hillsong Worship, Jekalyn Carr, MercyMe, TobyMac, Kelontae Gavin and many more lit up the stage for the evening. See the full list of winners here.
“This is an honor for many reasons but one, to see the support of so many people- it’s overwhelming.” – Lauren Daigle, “Artist of the Year,” “Song of the Year” and “Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year” “It’s an extreme honor to be in the same category as Jekalyn, Travis, Tasha, Koryn. You young artists are breathing so much life in this genre. It is an honor to be able to hold open the door and let you run in. You young artists are gonna do greater things than we’ve ever done. It’s an honor to be in this room with all these incredible men and women. I’m not as tall as y’all…but I am a super fan of all of you guys!” – Kirk Franklin, “Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year” and “Gospel Artist of the Year” “There’s richness in diversity, and I’m seeing it tonight. It’s something we have to take into this world. We are required to share this love with the world. We are beautiful when we are together.” – TobyMac, “Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year” “There is a move of God happening… the world doesn’t know it but the kingdom is rumbling. We don’t serve a God who used to do miracles… we serve a God who does miracles right now!” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard, “Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year” and “Gospel Worship Album of the Year
Partial list of winners:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Lauren Daigle NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Aaron Cole SONG OF THE YEAR: “You Say” – writers Jason Ingram, Paul Mabury, Lauren Daigle, (publishers) CentricSongs, Fellow Ships Music, Flychild Publishing, So Essential Tunes SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (ARTIST): Bart Millard SOUTHERN GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Gaither Vocal Band GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Kirk Franklin INSPIRATIONAL FILM OF THE YEAR: Breakthrough (director) Roxann Dawson (producers) DeVon Franklin and Jessica Dunn
Hillsong Worship performs at the 50th GMA Dove Awards
For the first time ever, SiriusXM covered the GMA Dove Awards live on Channel 63 “The Message,” broadcasting the telecast and a pre-show special from the red carpet. Watch the telecast of the GMA Dove Awards on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. EST.
for KING & COUNTRY accept their award at the 50th GMA Dove Awards
About Gospel Music Association & Foundation: Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, The GMA Hall of Fame Induction and Honors Ceremony and the IMMERSE Conference. For more on supporting the GMA or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.
About SiriusXM: Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) is the world’s largest audio entertainment company, and the premier programmer and platform for subscription- and advertising-supported audio products. With the recent addition of Pandora, the largest streaming music provider in the U.S., SiriusXM reaches more than 100 million people with its audio products. For more about the new SiriusXM, please go to: SiriusXM.com.
About the Trinity Broadcasting Network: TBN is the world’s largest and most watched faith-and-family broadcaster, reaching over 175 nations across the earth with inspirational and entertaining programming 24 hours a day in 14 languages and on 32 global networks. As the world’s most influential non-profit religious broadcaster, TBN has led the way in expanding the impact of faith-based television across the earth through the creation of innovative content designed to reach every viewer demographic with the life-changing message of hope and grace. To find out more about the TBN Networks, visit us at tbn.org.
GOSPEL AND CHRISTIAN MUSIC’S BIGGEST NIGHT SHINES THE LIGHT WITH GROUNDBREAKING PERFORMANCES AND AN ARRAY OF WINNERS LIVE FROM ALLEN ARENA ON THE LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
TAUREN WELLS GARNERS 4 FIRST TIME DOVES INCLUDING CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN ARTIST OF THE YEAR, NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR, POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR AND RAP/HIP HOP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
CORY ASBURY AND SONGWRITER COLBY WEDGEWORTH TAKE HOME THREE EACH AT THE 49TH ANNUAL GMA DOVE AWARDS Tune in to TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) Sunday, October 21 at 9 p.m. ET
Lauren Daigle performing at the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards in Nashville on October 16, 2018. Photo: Jamie Gilliam
THE 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards were handed out tonight in the Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. The awards will be televised on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) on Sunday, October 21 at 9 p.m. ET. The big winner was first-time nominee, newcomer Tauren Wells, who took home four awards, including Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year and New Artist of The Year. Superstar Zach Williams took home Artist of the Year. The night was filled with many remarkable performances, including first time collaborations including Kirk Franklin and Tori Kelly, Jason Crabb and Rascal Flatts, as well as Natalie Grant and Koryn Hawthorne. View the photo gallery of the night, HERE.
“I was literally in the back with my pants undone changing…then i heard my name and ran. ‘What award is this? ..New Artist of the Year?’ I am so thankful for this privilege. Thank You!”
– Tauren Wells on accepting New Artist of the Year
Partial list of winners: ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Zach Williams NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Tauren Wells SONG OF THE YEAR: “Reckless Love” – writers Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, Ran Jackson, (publishers) Bethel Music Publishing, Richmond Park Publishing, Watershed Music Publishing SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (ARTIST): Matthew West SOUTHERN GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Gaither Vocal Band GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Tasha Cobbs Leonard INSPIRATIONAL FILM OF THE YEAR: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE (directors) The Erwin Brothers, (producers) Kevin Downes and Cindy Bond
“What a privilege this is. Isn’t it just like the Lord to take our failures and our overall jacked-up mess and turn it into something beautiful. He takes our disappointments and turns them into a dance floor. He allows us to be kids again.”
– Cory Asbury, co-writer of Song of the Year “Reckless Love”
Tori Kelly and Kirk Franklin performing at the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards in Nashville on October 16, 2018. Photo: Jamie Gilliam
“I was at the first Dove Awards as a child. I remember being in those bleachers wishing I could be Stryper. You know you are old when a kid says you like the man from the UP movie.”
Mark Lowry
About GMA:Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles including Pop, Rock, Praise & Worship, Urban Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country, Latin and more. The GMA community includes agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards and IMMERSE. For more on supporting the GMA or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.
“The performances were second to none and offered glory and revenant love to our father and his kingdom. ”
GMA President and Executive Director Jackie Patillo
About Trinity Broadcasting Network:Trinity Broadcasting Network is the world’s largest and most watched faith-and-family broadcaster, reaching over 175 nations across the earth with inspirational and entertaining programming 24 hours a day in 14 languages and on 32 global networks. As the world’s most influential non-profit religious broadcaster, TBN has led the way in expanding the impact of faith-based television across the earth through the creation of innovative content designed to reach every viewer demographic with the life-changing message of hope and grace. To find out more about the TBN Networks, visit us at tbn.org.
