ATLANTA — Francesca Battistelli continues her strong surge as Christian music’s biggest star.
Battistelli won artist of the year at the 42nd annual Dove Awards held in Atlanta for the first time Wednesday night. She also went home with two more awards — best female vocalist and pop-contemporary recorded song.
Battistelli, 25, has surged recently with her second major label album, Hundred More Years, which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart last month.
The awards show for gospel and Christian music left Nashville, Tenn., for the first time in its history. Organizers expected the new production in Atlanta to be just as successful.
The show’s new location seemed to fit.
Other winners included Chris August, who was new artist of the year, best male vocalist and earned another award for pop-contemporary album. Singer Jason Crabb and the group Point of Grace also joined Battistelli in claiming three Doves apiece.
Crabb won song of the year for his heartfelt single Sometimes I Cry. He also won inspirational recorded song and traditional gospel recorded song. His father Gerald Crabb won songwriter of the year.
Point of Grace took home country album of the year and Christmas album of the year and country recorded song of the year. The all-female trio comprised of Shelley Breen, Denise Jones, and Leigh Cappillino took the stage with legendary country singer Kenny Rogers to perform his newest inspirational country melody, The Rock of Your Love.
“It was great to be on stage with them,” Rogers said. “I just met them this morning. How good are they? It was great to have them as a support system for me.”
The show opened with Chris Tomlin standing in a black leather jacket and blue jeans as he performed his hit single Our God before Christian comedian Chonda Pierce took the stage.
“I hope Jesus comes soon, because I don’t think I can stand too much longer in this dress,” she quipped.
Later in the show, Hall, Third Day, and Steven Curtis Chapman — who has won more Dove Awards with 56 than any other artist — performed together.
Legendary singer Sandi Patty was honoured for her lifetime achievements. Several singers, including Battistelli, Natalie Grant, Audrey Assad, Kerri Robert, Janet Paschal, Brit Nicole and Laura Story, each gave a rendition of Patty’s past hit songs.
Patty then joined the seven singers and sang with them before she presented Battistelli with her second-straight female artist of the year award.
Patty said she feels comfortable “passing on the torch” to the other female singers, saying she was impressed with Battistelli’s poise.