GMA HONORS BRANDON HEATH WITH FOUR DOVE AWARDS NOMINATIONS

(Nashville, Tenn.) Feb. 20, 2009—Hitmaker and recent double GRAMMY-nominee, Brandon Heath is honored today with four nominations for the Gospel Music Association’s 40th Annual Dove Awards including Male Vocalist of the Year. Once again, Heath appears in the Song of the Year category, this time for co-writing his blockbuster, GRAMMY-nominated song “Give Me Your Eyes,” which spent 14 weeks at No.1 # 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian AC radio chart. This week, the megahit song spent a 27th week as the No. 1 download on iTunes Christian Song Chart, holding for 7 months, since its release July 2008.

Heath is also nominated in the Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song category for performing and writing “Give Me Your Eyes,” and for his recording of Patty Griffin’s “Heavenly Day” on Billy: The Early Years Official Motion Picture Soundtrack, in the Special Event Album category.

Following the news, Heath said, “I’ve had one of the most exciting years of my life. I thank God everyday that I get to do what I love and make a difference in the world. I accept these nominations as a huge honor from my peers. He adds, “To be nominated for male vocalist is a big surprise! I was excited to see Give Me Your Eyes up for Song of the Year. I think that song has shocked us all.”

Dan Keen, vice president of ASCAP, commented on the momentum surrounding Brandon’s music, “Brandon continues to build on his amazing launch as a new artist, with his win last year as New Artist of the Year, and now today with several more Dove nominations, including Male Vocalist and Song of the Year. Keen continues, “The thing that makes Brandon stand out from other great artists, is that he writes hit songs. “Give Me Your Eyes” is one of the most performed songs of the year, and really impacted our culture in a great way, with its timely message. I couldn’t be happier for Brandon.”

Dove Awards will be handed out Thursday, April 23rd at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN and broadcast live nationwide on Gospel Music Channel.

About Brandon Heath:
Brandon Heath was recently spotlighted in the Sunday edition (2/8), of The New York Times as a GRAMMY-nominated newcomer “that shouldn't be allowed to slip through the cracks.” Heath released his breakthrough sophomore album, What If We in 2008, featuring the No.1 song “Give Me Your Eyes.” The project followed Brandon’s debut album Don’t Get Comfortable (2006), and first chart-topping radio song, “I’m Not Who I Was,” nominated for Song of the Year at 2008 GMA Dove Awards, and contributing to his win in the New Artist of the Year category. Off stage, Heath seeks opportunities to merge his public platform with his heart for community regularly working with Young Life, Blood:Water Mission, Restore International and unofficially volunteering for many other human rights agencies on a global scale. Heath is a respected songwriter in the Nashville music community and first began writing at age 13.

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