Chapman nabs 7 Dove Award nods

Gospel singer Steven Curtis Chapman led the Dove Award nominations with seven on Tuesday, even though he wasn’t named in the best artist category he has won six times.

A slew of other Christian musicians received five or more nods for the 35th annual Dove Awards, gospel music’s version of the Grammys, scheduled for April 28 in Nashville.

Chapman’s major nominations included male vocalist of the year for his album “All About Love” and song of the year for the title track off that album. Joining Chapman as nominees for best male vocalist are Jeremy Camp, Bart Millard, David Phelps and Mark Schultz.

The nominees for artist of the year are MercyMe, Stacie Orrico, Switchfoot, Randy Travis and Michael W. Smith.

Smith has won 12 Dove Awards in the last two years, including artist of the year in 2002 and 2003. He received one other nomination Tuesday, for special-event album. MercyMe was the only other act to repeat an artist of the year nod from last year.