Brandon Heath Named New Artist of the Year at 39th Annual...

(Nashville, Tenn.) April 24, 2008 – Acclaimed singer/songwriter Brandon Heath scored a huge win last night in his hometown of Nashville by taking home the Dove for New Artist of the Year at the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Heath claimed the coveted New Artist title due largely to the success of his debut project, Don’t Get Comfortable, which contained the night’s Song of the Year nominee, “I’m Not Who I Was,” a No. 1 smash-hit that was also nominated in the Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song category and granted Heath his first Songwriter of the Year nod.

“I’m from here in Nashville so it’s an honor to accept this award in front of my peers and my parents,” Heath told Nashville’s CBS affiliate NewsChannel 5. “It was a fun thing!”

Heath said backstage during a press conference, “It is truly an honor to be recognized for hard work and good songwriting. I am thankful to work with such a talented and committed team of managers, producers and label staff, and I’m really looking forward to the next chapter!”

Brandon Heath currently resides in Houston, Texas, and is a worship leader at The Loft church located in The Woodlands. He is currently preparing for the late summer release of his highly anticipated sophomore album titled What If We.

Heath quickly became a fixture at Christian radio with the release of his debut project. His mega-hit “I’m Not Who I Was” raced to No. 1 and ended 2007 as one of the year’s most played radio singles. His debut project also delivered the 2007 Dove-nominated, Top 5 radio hit, “Our God Reigns.” Heath has been a respected writer in the Nashville music community for years, collaborating with well-known artists like Bebo Norman, Matt Wertz and Dave Barnes, to name a few. The Nashville native first began writing at age 13 and credits the town’s legendary hotspot for songwriters, the Bluebird Café, as the place he first experienced music that moved him.

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards show was presented at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville and broadcast live on Gospel Music Channel.

Christian Music News Source