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Nashville, Tenn. – The 20th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country™ Awards, hosted by the Grammy-winning Ray Stevens and Megan Alexander of “Inside Edition,” were held last night at Cornerstone Nashville to honor artists, songwriters, radio personalities and others in the genres of Christian and Inspirational Country Music. Chuck Hancock and Russ Murphy were the top winners for the evening, taking home two trophies each. Hancock was awarded both Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year with Murphy claiming awards for Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Winners from the mainstream category included Carrie Underwood for Country Female Artist, Alan Jackson for Country Male Artist and Lady Antebellum for Inspirational Country Song.
Other notable highlights of the evening include Ray Stevens‘ opening of the show with a performance of the comical song “The Preacher and the Bear,” Rhonda Vincent & The Rage’s uptempo performance of “Joshua,” and John Berry’s inspiring performance of “Love is a Cross.” Grand Ole Opry member John Conlee performed a moving tribute to the family of overseas servicemen and women with “They Also Serve.” For this year’s Spotlight on Charity, BMG recording artist & “American Idol” finalist Danny Gokey gave a heartfelt performance of “Hope in Front of Me” and spoke about the loss of his first wife and the hope her life continues to provide through the charity founded in her name, Sophia’s Heart. Curb’s Sweetwater Rain closed out the show with a performance of their smash single, “Pray for Me.” Other performers during the star-studded event included THE ROYS, Branded, Kristina Craig Band, Russ Murphy, Susie McEntire, Midsouth Boys and duets by Kali Rose and Dennis Agajanian, and Tommy Brandt and Mary James.
Victoria Jackson of “Saturday Night Live” fame pulled a Kanye West, interrupting Point of Grace members Shelley Breen and Leigh Cappillino’s presentation of the “Female Vocalist of the Year” award to demonstrate her own musical prowess and offer advice for the fledgling singer/songwriter. Leo Johnston delivered an emotional acceptance speech as he received the coveted “Living Legend Award,” presented by Inspirational artist Gary Dean Heisey and ICM founder Gene Higgins. Other presenters included Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, former contestant on “American Idol” Rachel Hale, comedian/political commentator T. Bubba Bechtol, cartoon strip illustrator and author Guy Gilchrist, and Inspirational artists Chareé White, Adrienne Haupt, Mikayla Lynn, Joe Loftus, Susan Manion, Billy Mason, Pastor John Collins, Steve Richard and Laura Dodd. Trophies were delivered by Miss Tennessee USA 2015 and Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2015, Kiara Young and Hannah Faith Greene respectively.
Co-host Ray Stevens received an unexpected surprise by “NANCY” comic strip illustrator/writer Guy Gilchrist. Gilchrist, a die-hard Country Music fan and devoted Christian, presented Stevens with a one-of-a-kind artwork honoring his long, distinguished career and inspirational works.
The 20th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country™ Awards were sponsored in part by Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child, Curb Records, Trim Healthy Mama, Joe Loftus Ministries, North Carolina College of Theology and Sophia’s Heart
“Over two decades ago, my father acted on a creative vision, taking a ‘leap of faith’ of sorts to pursue his mission. He wanted to create an organization that would promote, cultivate and raise awareness for Inspirational Country Music,” explained Jason Higgins, President of the Inspirational Country Music Association and Higgins Music Group. “Throughout our twenty year history, we have welcomed some of the finest Inspirational and Country Music entertainers on the planet to our stages! Thanks to our television partners and the public’s growing interest in this genre, we continue our growth and will reach our largest potential audience to date! We are truly blessed.”
Slated to air on Luken Communications’ The Family Channel and Heartland Network, NRB Network, Golden Eagle Broadcasting (GEB) America, Total Living Network, TCT Networks and The Worship Network, this year’s show will reach well over two billion households worldwide. For more information on the annual awards show, please visit: www.faithfamilycountry.com.
2014 INSPIRATIONAL FAITH, FAMILY & COUNTRY™ AWARD WINNERS:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Chuck Hancock
FEMALE VOCALIST
Mary James
MALE VOCALIST
Chuck Hancock
VOCAL DUO or DUO PERFORMANCE
Kali Rose & Dennis Agajanian
INSPIRATIONAL GROUP OR BAND
The Kristina Craig Band
INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG OF THE YEAR
“The Rock On Which I Stand” – Steve Richard & Laura Dodd
Writer: Russ Murphy
INSPIRATIONAL BLUEGRASS ARTIST
THE ROYS
SONGWRITER
Russ Murphy
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Keep On Rollin’” – Steve Richard; directed by Flick Wiltshire
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Isaac Cole
YOUTH IN MUSIC AWARD
The McDougal Kids
MUSICIAN
Jayc Harold
INSPIRATIONAL COMEDIAN
T. Bubba Bechtol
LIVING LEGEND
Leo Johnston of CrossCountry The Band
MUSIC EVANGELIST
Tommy Brandt
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY MALE ARTIST
Alan Jackson
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY FEMALE ARTIST
Carrie Underwood
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY DUO OR GROUP
Sweetwater Rain
MAINSTREAM INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG
“Compass” – Lady Antebellum
RADIO STATION/NETWORK
WSM AM 650 – Nashville, TN
RADIO PERSONALITY
Rich Miller
TELEVISION NETWORK
RFD-TV
FAITH, FAMILY & COUNTRY MOVIE
God’s Not Dead – Pure Flix Entertainment