Ricky Skaggs & The Whites took home two Inspirational Music Awards Thursday night in Nashville. Skaggs, his wife Sharon, her sister Cheryl and the girls' father, Buck, walked away with the Inspirational Bluegrass Artist and Mainstream Country Artist awards. Additionally, Skaggs was named Musician of the Year."It's wonderful to be able to perform together," Cheryl said after accepting their Mainstream Artist award.
"The whole reason for doing this album was that we had never done an entire project together," Sharon added. "We had sang on Ricky's albums, and he had played on ours but we'd never done a whole album together."
In accepting his musician award, Skaggs told the audience that he had always wanted to write lyrics but was a better musician. He said the Lord spoke to him one day while he was reading his Bible, reminding him that David was playing music, not singing, when he helped drive the demons from Saul.
"Music is a very healing language," Ricky said. "I am very honored to receive this award."
George Strait's song 'I Saw God Today' received the Mainstream Inspirational Country song nod, while Tracy Lawrence's video for 'Till I Was A Daddy Too' walked away with Video of the Year. The Bellamy Brothers were named Vocal Duo of the Year. Collin Raye hosted the evening of honors.
The Inspirational Music Awards are an interesting combination of mainstream country artists, bluegrass groups, gospel singers and Christian music entertainers. Performing on the show were The Isaacs, CrossCountry the Band, Point of Grace, Russ Murphy, Austin's Bridge and Tammy Cochran. Collin and Tracy also performed.
The Inspirational Music Awards were taped to air on Comcast on DEMAND, CMT Loaded, Sky Angel's Angel Two Network, Cornerstone TeleVision, The Worship Network, National Religious Broadcaster (NRB), CTS Television Canada, Faith TV and TCT Networks. Check local listings for dates and times.
A complete listing of award winners follows:
Entertainer
Male Vocalist
Female Vocalist
Vocal Duo
The Bellamy Brothers
Vocal Group or Band
Mainstream Inspirational Country Song
'I Saw God Today' - George Strait
Mainstream Country Artist
Ricky Skaggs & The Whites
Christian Country Song
Songwriter
Legend/Pioneer Award
Video
'Till I Was A Daddy Too' - Tracy Lawrence
New Artist
Musician
Ricky Skaggs
Comedy Act
Radio Station
WJCR - Upton, KY
Inspirational Bluegrass Artist
Ricky Skaggs & The Whites
Youth in Music Award
The Springs
Music Evangelsit of the Year
Faith, Family, & Country Movie
'Facing the Giants'
Television Network
Trinity Broadcast Network
Reader Comments(1 of 1)
bklynladyat 11-13-2008
what song did George strait sing last night at the cma show.
Donnaat 2-10-2009
I'm a big fan of both..but I have to admit George is my favorite! His songs have touched me at many monumental times in my life. His songs helped me through my divorce...then I lost my god-daughter to a drunk driver on Christmas Eve..and he lost his daughter not long after...his music helped me through my grief.. the songs he chose at that point in time reflected his grief..and mine. I lived through Hurricane Camille, thought nothing else could ever hurt me that bad..then Katrina came my way..to have your hometown destroyed twice in a lifetime is unimaginable? But George's music helped me through it... He is the BEST of all the country singers..and he has an angel of a wife..I admire & empathise with them both on their loss..but I know they know that we will be reunited with our loved ones one day in Jesus Christ.
Always #1 George Strait fan,
angelrippy@aol.com