Dear younger me

I must confess. For a while, I was never a really big fan of the Dove Awards. Call it immaturity…perhaps I was just plain naïve? But I thought, “Aren’t we missing the point, here? After all, isn’t this supposed to be about Jesus?” (By the way, when my mind travels to memories of the Dove Awards…I just can’t erase the image of Steven Curtis Chapman singing “The Great Adventure” into his headset mic. Anyone else?)

Of course, over time, I hope that I have become a little wiser. Experience has helped with this, as ten-plus years ago I got my start in Christian music. One of my first responsibilities at Salem Media Group was to attend GMA Week in Nashville (remember those?). I had never even interviewed anyone before, and before I knew it, I was going into a room at the Renaissance Hotel to talk with Derek Webb for CCM Magazine.

The Oct. 1, 2016 edition of CCM Magazine

As I was able to get to know the artists and musicians that comprise Christian music—soon after getting the opportunity to work as one—I began to understand and appreciate the…well, in the least, implied intentionality…behind having an awards structure for this community and what it produces.

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