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Nominations for the 36th Annual GMA Music Awards (also known as the Dove Awards) were announced today in Nashville, with Michael W. Smith leading the way with eight individual nominations.

Casting Crowns follows with seven nominations and lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall adds six individual nominations of his own. The Crabb Family also nabbed six nominations while the group's patriarch, Gerald Crabb, earned six nominations for his prolific songwriting.

Switchfoot had five nominations, and frontman Jon Foreman added another three of his own. Israel Houghton earned five nods, and his group Israel & New Breed received three. MercyMe and Matthew West round out the leading nominee list with five each.

Artist of the Year nominees are Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Selah, Michael W. Smith and Switchfoot. Male Vocalist of the Year nominees are Jeremy Camp, Jason Crabb, Mark Hall, Israel Houghton and Fernando Ortega, while Female Vocalist nominees are Bethany Dillon, Natalie Grant, Nicole C. Mullen, Christy Nockels and Joy Williams. Group of the Year nominees are Casting Crowns, The Crabb Family, MercyMe, Selah and Switchfoot, and New Artist of the Year nominees are BarlowGirl, Building 429, Day of Fire, Bethany Dillon and Matthew West.

The Doves will be handed out on April 13 at the Grand Ole Opry House. For the complete list of nominees, click here.

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