22nd Annual Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Winners For Daywind Music Group

The 22nd Annual Absolutely Gospel Awards took place on April 18th, 2023, at the Capitol Theater in Lebanon, Tennessee. Daywind Music Group artists and songwriters were honored with 19 wins at the ceremony, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Fan Favorite Artist of the Year.

The night also featured great performances from Daywind Music Group artists Tribute Quartet, High Road, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Joseph Habedank and Jim & Melissa Brady.

Dusty Wells, director of Artist and Label Relations for Daywind, commented, “What a great night for DAYWIND MUSIC GROUP at the ABSOLUTELY GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS.  Congratulations to all of the artists, songwriters, producers, musicians, engineers, orchestrators, arrangers, publishers, and label staff for their excellent work.  Our mission at Daywind is to help creators make music that touches hearts and changes lives.  Our entire team wants to thank the fans, radio, retail, and digital service providers.  We appreciate greatly ABSOLUTELY GOSPEL not only for hosting such a wonderful event, but also for the work they do every day to celebrate and grow Gospel music!  We are humbly honored and so grateful.”

Dusty Wells received a special surprise of his own during the evening when he received the Deon Unthank Memorial Award for his work on advancing Southern Gospel music.  The award is named for the founder of Absolutely Gospel.

Karen Peck & New River were the big winners of the night, taking home 5 awards: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Fan Favorite Artist of the Year, Mixed Group of the Year, and Artist Songwriter of the Year.

Winners:

Progressive Single of the Year
“He’s Got A Way” – Southbound (written by Clint Brown, Jody Braselton, and Seth J. Elbe

Artist Songwriter of the Year
Karen Peck Gooch

Professional Songwriter of the Year
Jason Cox

Producer of the Year
Wayne Haun.

Fan Favorite Artist of the Year
Karen Peck & New River

Male Vocalist of the Year
Joseph Habedank

Female Vocalist of the Year
Melissa Brady

Southern Roots Single of the Year
“Children Sing” – Nelons (written by Jason Clark and Tony Wood)

Southern Roots Recording (Album) of the Year
God is Real – The Sound (produced by Barry Weeks)

Traditional Single of the Year
“Not My Will” – Tribute Quartet

Deon Unthank Memorial Award
Dusty Wells

Special Event Project of the Year
Songs That Pulled Me Through the Tough Times – Becky Isaacs Bowman (produced by Becky Isaacs Bowman and Ben Isaacs)

Bluegrass Artist of the Year
Darin & Brooke Aldridge

Southern Music Video of the Year
“Scars in Heaven” – The Nelons

Mixed Group of the Year
Karen Peck & New River

Female Group of the Year
High Road

Male Group of the Year
Brian Free & Assurance

Album of the Year
2:22 – Karen Peck & New River (produced by Wayne Haun)

Song of the Year
“Answer Is Jesus” – Karen Peck & New River (written by Karen Peck Gooch, Lee Black, and Kenna West)