[WhiteRob]

Casting Crowns, the Atlanta-based band who has become the “fastest-selling new artist of 2003,” garnered four Dove Award nominations today from the Gospel Music Association including “New Artist of the Year” and “Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.” The smash hit “If We Are The Body” was nominated for “Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year” as well as the prestigious “Song of the Year” nod. The Dove Awards ceremony will be held on Wed., April 28 at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tenn.

After receiving the news of the nominations, Mark Hall, Casting Crowns frontman comments, “God has once again amazed me with what He can do in such a small amount of time. A year ago today I had not even talked with anyone in Nashville about the ministry of Casting Crowns. Since April 2003 God has taken us on a journey and allowed us to be a part of things that prove once again that He can use anyone and our ministry being recognized by the Christian Music community is such an encouragement and we thank you all.”

Mark Miller, founder of Sawyer Brown and Beach Street Records adds, “I’m truly excited about what God is doing through the ministry of Casting Crowns and how He is blessing them. The nominations are a great honor for everyone involved. The band has worked so hard and feels so passionately about sharing the gospel through their music, it’s incredible to see just how much the messages in their music are impacting all of us who hear them.”

Since its Sept. 30 release, the album debuted at No. 1 on Nielson’s Top Christian Album Chart and has since claimed that position four more times consecutively. In addition to top sales, the band also held the No. 1 position on both Radio and Records and Christian Radio Weekly’s CHR and AC radio formats. The band’s second single, “Who Am I” will be released to both formats later this month.

Norman Miller, Proper Management, notes, “I’m completely thrilled by Casting Crowns with all the nominations, especially ‘New Artist of the Year’ and ‘Song of the Year.’ It’s so well deserved because in my 30 years in the Christian music industry, I’ve never seen a new artist have the impact that I’ve witnessed with Casting Crowns. The lyrics of their songs represent so well the heart of each member of this group and while I know that their ministry is not about awards, I know that they’ll be honored and humbled by this nomination.”

Casting Crowns, formed during frontman Mark Hall’s tenure as a youth minister in Daytona Beach, Fla. four years ago, developed its unique sound while leading Wednesday night worship for its youth group. Accepting a similar post in Atlanta, Hall and other band members relocated in order to continue and grow their music ministry. In addition, stemming from his passion for youth, Hall launched a curriculum called “Jumpstart Resources” designed to assist smaller churches with their youth programs.

Beach Street Records, an imprint of Reunion Records, was launched by Mark Miller, founder and frontman of the multi-platinum country music phenomenon Sawyer Brown. Casting Crowns, the label’s flagship artist, releases to Christian retail through partnerships with Provident Label Group and Provident Music Distribution.