2013 INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Finalists Include Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Darius Rucker and more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 19, 2013) – The Inspirational Country Music Association is excited to announce the finalists for the 2013 Inspirational Country Music Awards. Voted on by members, the categories include entertainer, artist, new artist, song, songwriter, group, duo,  musician, radio, radio station, film and television honors, as well as newly-added categories Mainstream Country Male, Mainstream Country Female and Mainstream Country Group/Duo. This year’s finalists feature country music superstars, Bluegrass favorites and Inspirational Country music staples alike, including Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Darius Rucker, Chuck Day, Alan Jackson, The Roys and more. The 2013 ICM Faith, Family and Country Convention and Awards will take place at Two Rivers at Opryland in Music City on Oct 20-24, 2013; with the 19th annual Inspirational Country Music Awards taking place on October 24, 2013, at Two Rivers.

The 2013 ICM Faith, Family week includes the annual ICM Faith, Family and Country Talent Show, The Power Source #1 Party and Media Appreciation Luncheon, the annual membership breakfast, seminars, incredible live music and much more.  The Inn at Opryland will serve as this year’s host hotel and is centrally located to great food, shopping and downtown Nashville.Every year, this week draws music fans, media and the industry’s top artists to Nashville where they showcase music and discuss industry related issues. The Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country™ Awards Week is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent among artists who perform Inspirational and Christian Country music which is inspired by Faith, Family, and Country ™.

2013 Inspirational Country Music Awards Finalists

ENTERTAINER:
Chuck Day
Dennis Agajanian
Guy Penrod
Jeff Bates
Kali Rose
Steve Richard

MALE VOCALIST:
Chuck Day
Chuck Hancock
Daniel Alan
Lucas Hoge
Tommy Brandt

FEMALE VOCALIST:
Aubree Bullock
Kali Rose
Larissa
Laura Dodd
Mary James

VOCAL DUO:
Aaron & Amanda Crabb
Branded
Randy-Paul
Steve Richard & Laura Dodd
The Roys

VOCAL GROUP OR BAND:
CrossCountry the Band
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Jayc Harold Band
Kristina Craig Band
Sunday Drive

MAINSTREAM INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG:
“Changed” - Rascal Flatts
“I Drive Your Truck”- Lee Brice
“Old King James” - Scotty McCreery
“See You Again” - Carrie Underwood
“Touchdown Jesus”- Tim McGraw

MAINSTREAM COUNTRY MALE ARTIST:
Alan Jackson
Andy Griggs
John Berry
Scotty McCreery
Vince Gill

MAINSTREAM COUNTRY FEMALE ARTIST:
Carrie Underwood
Dolly Parton
Lauren Alaina
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire

MAINSTREAM COUNTRY DUO or GROUP:
Diamond Rio
Joey + Rory
Oak Ridge Boys
Rascal Flatts
Thompson Square

INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG:
“Hey Do You Know Me” - Kali Rose
“Meanwhile Back At the Cross” - Tommy Brandt
“They Don’t Stay Little Long Enough” - Chuck Hancock
“Unknown Soldiers” - Russ Murphy
“You Can Always Come Back Home” - Chuck Day

SONGWRITER:
Chuck Hancock
Greg McDougal
Paul Staggs of Branded
Russ Murphy
Tommy Brandt

LIVING LEGEND / PIONEER AWARD:
This award has already been determined.

VIDEO:
Changed - Rascal Flatts; Directed by Carl Diebold
See You Again - Carrie Underwood; Directed by Eric Welch
Time is Love - Josh Turner; Directed by Peter Zavadil
Toothbrush - Steve Richard; Directed by Shawn Foster
True Believers - Darius Rucker; Directed by Jim Wright

MUSICIAN:
Dennis Agajanian
Greg McDougal
Jayc Harold
Ricky Skaggs
Vince Gill

COMEDIAN:
Aaron Wilburn
Bruce Mullen
Chonda Pierce
Johnny Lee Cook
Tim Hawkins

RADIO STATION of the YEAR:
HLE Radio
Inspirational Country Radio Network
WEKC AM 710 – Corbin, KY
WSM AM 650
WTYS 94.1 FM

NEW ARTIST:
Adrienne Haupt
Charee White
Hunter Cook
Jennifer Nickerson
Rachel Dampier

YOUTH IN MUSIC AWARD:
Emily Faith
Hunter Cook
Isaac Cole
McDougal Kids
Tommy Brandt Jr.

FAITH, FAMILY, & COUNTRY MOVIE:
42 – Warner Bros. Pictures
Home Run – Hero Productions
Last Ounce of Courage – Veritas Entertainment
Spirit of Love, the Mike Glenn Story – Film It Productions
Unconditional – Harbinger Media Partners

RADIO PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR:
Hunter Logan
JR Pitsenbarger
Marty Smith
Mona Faith
Rich Miller

INSPIRATIONAL BLUEGRASS ARTIST:
Bruce & Betsy Mullen
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Rhonda Vincent
Ricky Skaggs
The Roys

MUSIC EVANGELIST OF THE YEAR:
Chuck Day
Greg McDougal
Mary James
Russ Murphy
Tommy Brandt

TELEVISION NETWORK:
Gospel Music Channel (Now UP TV)
Great American Country
Hallmark Channel
RFD TV
TCT Networks

For more information on the ICM Faith, Family and Country Convention and Awards, visit www.faithfamilycountry.com or like them at www.facebook.com/faithfamilycountry to stay updated.

DJ MILLER SLATED TO PERFORM AT ICM AWARDS ON OCTOBER 18

“BETWEEN SUNDAYS” NOMINATED FOR MAINSTREAM INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG WITH BIG & RICH, MARTINA MCBRIDE, VINCE GILL AND JOSH TURNER 

Nashville, TN (October 5, 2012) - Rising star DJ Miller has been in the studio finishing up debut album, slated for release early next year, but he’s taking a break in October to make his award show debut at the Inspirational Country Music Awards.  The awards, being held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on October 18, will also feature performances by Andy Griggs, The Roys, and Mac Powell (lead singer of Third Day). 

Miller will also be in the audience as a nominee.  His Billboard-charted single “Between Sundays” is nominated for Mainstream Inspirational Country Song of the Year along with fellow nominees Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Josh Turner and Big & Rich.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to perform at the ICM awards,” says DJ Miller.  “I had my first #1 on the Powersource Chart and I couldn’t be more thankful that the inspirational country fans and ICMA have been so supportive.” 

The award show will air on Golden Eagle Broadcasting (Directv Ch. 363), Total Living Network, TCT Television Network (Directv Ch. 377) and NRB Network (Directv Ch. 378).

17th ANNUAL ICM FAITH, FAMILY & COUNTRY AWARDS TO AIR THIS WEEKEND

Get “Inspired” This Christmas Season: 

This Year’s Show Focuses on Winners…and Survivors

Nashville, Tenn. (December 14, 2011) – The 17th Annual Inspirational Country Music Association’s Faith, Family & Country Awards will begin airing just in time to be “inspired” for the Christmas season. The award show will air this Saturday, December 17 at 4:30 P.M. (CST) on TCT Network and will re-air on Sunday, December 18 at 7:30 P.M. (CST)**. In case you miss it, you can catch it again on Saturday, January 14 at 7:00 P.M. (CST) on the NRB Network. Hosted by Inside Edition’s national correspondent anchorMegan Alexander and GAC’s popular entertainment news anchor, Storme Warren, the annual award show honors and showcases the biggest names and emerging talent among artists who perform Inspirational Country music. A few of this year’s honorees include Ricky Skaggs, Lady Antebellum, Justin Moore, Jeff Bates, The Fox Brothers, Joey + Rory, The Roys and the movie “Soul Surfer.”

Co-hosts Megan Alexander and Storme Warren return for the 17th Annual ICM Awards

This year’s Awards focused not only on the winners of the awards but on survivors, as well. Taped in front of a live studio audience at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the evening’s show was tied “with pink ribbon” to the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition (complete with pink carpet arrivals, a presentation byUltimate World Fight Champion Rich Franklin and a place of honor on stage for the retinue of 136 breast cancer survivors). The show also paid tribute to Ground Zero heroes with performances by Lee Greenwood of “God Bless The USA” and Chuck Day’s self-penned “I’ll Stand Up And Say So.”

  

Ultimate World Fight Champion Rich Franklin with Breast Cancer Survivors

You can find TCT Television Network here:
Direct TV—Channel: 377
Sky Angel Satellite Channel: 133
www.tct.tv

You can find the NRB Network here:
Direct TV—Channel: 378
Sky Angel IPTV Channel: 126
www.nrbnetwork.tv

Check local listings for show times in your area. The broadcast can also be watched in a streaming format online on both networks. 

Ricky Skaggs brings home "Entertainer of the Year” and “Musician of the Year”

at the 2011 ICM Awards

The 2011 Inspirational Country Music Awards continue as the highpoint finale of Inspirational Country Music Week, an annual event presented by the Inspirational Country Music Association. This year’s schedule, which ran October 24-28 in Nashville, was as in past years, a major drawing event across a broad cross section of industry, music fans, broadcast media, and artists in a well-orchestrated showcase of music, conference scheduling and seminar related activities. For more information on the ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards, please visit www.icm-awards.com.

JEFF BATES CELEBRATES ICM "MAINSTREAM COUNTRY ARTIST" WIN

First Major Award Win A Triumphant And Personal Milestone For “One Day Closer” Performer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 1, 2011)—Black River Entertainment’s Jeff Bates remains atop “Cloud 9” in awe of his big win during the 17th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awardsheld at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Friday evening, October 28, 2011. Bates, whose unadulterated faith, honesty, down-to-earth lyricism makes him a global Inspirational Country favorite, took home the award for “Mainstream Country Artist.” (Bates has received six ICM nominations over his career; accepting the 2011“Mainstream Country Artist” celebrates his very first industry award).

Two-fold in significance for Jeff Bates, the recognition is befitting. Having overcome a series of life trials and tribulations that seemed to arrive one-after-the-other (including drug addiction and recovery), it is Jeff’s spirituality, faith and his music that helped him to rise above and revisit his life events with a sense of direction and purpose. Jeff Bates has become a man of conviction in spoken word and sung melodies—his voice with authority and honesty. Rather than use his past as an excuse, he relies on it to inspire and motivate others.

"I've been clean and sober for more than 10 years now," Jeff Bates said. "I believe my role, and what Jesus wants me to do in my life, is to share with others what I have learned in mine and this honor is icing on the cake to affirm my message and music is making a difference. I'm moved and humbled. The ICM honor is a great way to close an already incredible year."

A self-made spiritual counsel, Jeff travels to schools, churches, corporate events and prisons to share his insight on difficult topics such as abandonment and adoption (a story Jeff knows well), addiction, bullying, self image, self motivation, divorce and overcoming obstacles. Jeff was “spokesperson of choice” selected by the Tennessee State School Resource Officer’s Board in 2008 and 2009 to speak before the students in Middle, Junior High and Senior High schools across the Volunteer state. He is currently a spokesperson for Compassion International (a child sponsorship ministry); as part of his allegiance and commitment to the organization, he recently spent a week in South America exploring the needs of several villages.

Jeff Bates has been a chart-topper since his first entry into the country music arena. Making a life-long impression on country radio and its listeners, he has seven hit singles to his name on the Billboard country charts including "The Love Song" (at No. 8), "I Wanna Make You Cry" (No. 23) and his signature song, "Long, Slow Kisses" landed at No. 17.

Bates introduced his artistry with his debut album entitled RAINBOW MAN (RCA Records/2003). His sophomore RCA project, LEAVE THE LIGHT ON, was released in 2005. Bates signed with independent label, Black River Music Group, in 2008 to release his self-titled album. His latest EP, ONE DAY CLOSER, was released through Black River earlier this year (May 2011) and features the single “He Wasn’t Like Us,” currently at radio.

Joining Bates in celebrating wins at this year’s ICM ceremony were Ricky Skaggs for “Entertainer Of The Year,” Joey & Rory for “Vocal Group Of The Year,” The Roys were named “Inspirational Bluegrass Artist Of The Year” and Chuck Day took home the “Male Vocalist Of The Year” honor.

For more information on Jeff Bates, please visit www.jeffbates.net, Facebook.com/JeffBatesMusic or follow him on Twitter @Jeff_Bates.

ICM FAITH, FAMILY & COUNTRY AWARDS ADD ONLINE “EVENT STREAM” TO 17th ANNUAL AWARDS OCT 28

 

MORE NAME ARTISTS, PERFORMERS ADDED TO AWARDS PRODUCTION
 

(September 21, 2011) – Presentation of the 17th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards October 28th in Nashville will go state-of-the-art this year with the additional production value of a live internet “streaming event” which will be hosted as an online ticketed webcast via StageIt.com.    
 
The presentation of the Inspirational Country Music Awards Show from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony will stream live on a custom URL (www.stageit.com/faithfamilycountry) where music fans may access sign-up information for the webcast as well as buy tickets for the online awards ceremonies.
 
Being hosted by returning familiar TV faces GAC Network’s Storme Warren and Inside Edition’s Megan Alexander, additional artist participation is also being announced this week with performances by Guy Penrod, Buddy Jewell and Chuck Day added to the event. All three artists are among Top 5 nominees in the current voting round for the awards, which closes September 30th.  Riders In the Sky have also been announced as new additions to the list of major artists presenters set for the evening.  Artists already announced as performers include Lee Greenwood, Ricky Skaggs, Joey+Rory and The Roys.
 
“The live webcast of this year’s awards is being presented through an agreement we’ve signed with StageIt, a very innovative California based production team that specializes in delivering major artist music driven ‘event experiences’ online,” notes Jason Higgins, Executive Director of the Inspirational Country Music Association. “The online production will add an entire new and very cutting edge dimension of internet participation and fan access to the event that we are very excited about,” added Higgins.
 
Major artist nominees on the Top 5 ballot for this year’s Awards include Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry, Ronnie Dunn, The Roys, Josh Turner, Jeff Bates, Randy Travis, The Grascals, Ricky Skaggs, The Oak Ridge Boys, Point of Grace, The Isaacs and George Strait.  Film honors finalists include a competitive Hollywood field highlighted by family rated major box office contenders including Country Strong, Secretariat and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
 
Now on countdown towards the October 28th award announcements, they are now also enjoying heavy fan traffic on the recently launched official social media Facebook page. Those interested in “liking” the page can join the pre-Awards Show fun and color commentary at Facebook.com/FaithFamilyCountry.

Additionally those interested ‘in a front row seat to a backstage experience’ in the live streaming webcast of the 17th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards are encouraged to resource www.stageit.com/faithfamilycountry