STACIE ORRICO - GOSPEL STARS WIN DOVE AWARDS

MERCYME, rockers SWITCHFOOT and singer STACIE ORRICO were the big winners at Wednesday night's (28APR04) DOVE GOSPEL AWARDS in Nashville, Tennessee.

MercyMe claimed four of the top prizes, including Artist of The Year, Group of The Year, Song of The Year and Pop/Contemporary Song of The Year (both for WORD OF GOD SPEAK).

Switchfoot frontman JONATHAN FOREMAN took home the most awards - his group won Rock Song of The Year for AMMUNITION and Rock/Contemporary Song for MEANT TO LIVE, while their album THE BEAUTIFUL LETDOWN won Rock/Contemporary Album, and Foreman's songwriting and production credits on the album earned him extra awards.

Orrico took home the Female Vocalist Award for Pop/Contemporary Album for her self-titled album, and she also claimed the Video of The Year prize for (THERE'S GOTTA BE) MORE TO LIFE.

Other winners at the 35th Dove Awards included JEREMY CAMP, THIRD DAY, SMOKIE NORFUL, THE CRABB FAMILY, RANDY TRAVIS and CECE WINANS.