Visionary Awards nominations announced (FRISCO, Tx.) Feb. 15, 2010 The 2010 Visionary Awards nominations have been released by the Christian Music Hall of Fame with the winners being announced live during the annual award show to be held on November 6, 2010. Andy Woolard, Director of Operations for the Christian Music Hall of Fame states, “We are honored to announce these nominations and look forward to fans voting for their favorite artists.” Woolard said the voting for the Visionary Awards will begin on March 1 and end at the end of April. This is the second Visionary Awards show and the third show inducting artists into the Hall of Fame. The hosts for the 2010 Visionary Awards were announced last week and will be hosted by award winning artists David Meece and Babbie Mason. The show will be live in the Dallas, Texas area and the location will be announced in the next few weeks. There are 17 categories and 5 artists are nominated in each category. Fans are urged to go to the charity web site at www.hallmuseum.com and vote for their favorites in each category. The categories and nominees are: Male Entertainer of the Year David Phelps Chris Tomlin Jeremy Camp Steven Curtis Chapman Todd Agnew Female Entertainer of the Year Natalie Grant Cece Winans Kari Jobe Janet Paschal Francesca Battistelli Song of the Year City On Our Knees – tobyMac Until The Whole World Hears – Casting Crowns They That Wait – Fred Hammond w/ John P. Key Close To You – BeBe and CeCe Winans Justified – Smokie Norful Vocal Group of the Year Casting Crowns Skillet Third Day Mercy Me Selah Comedian of the Year Chonda Pierce Justin Fennell Tim Hawkins Michael Joiner Mark Lowry Christian Country Male Vocalist of the Year Tommy Brandt Del Way Guy Penrod Corey Brooks Allen Frizzell Christian Country Female Vocalist of the Year Susie Luchsinger Cheryl Dunn Amanda Fessant Sandra Dee Mary James Inspirational Male Vocalist of the Year Larnelle Harris Aaron Shust Chris Tomlin Brandon Heath Ivan Parker Inspirational Female Vocalist of the Year Kathy Troccoli Tammy Trent Pam Thum Janet Paschal Rebecca St. James Best New Artist Chris Greenwood – Manafest I Am Empire Nathan Lee Jackson Brandon Bee VOTA Video of the Year Chris Tomlin – ‘I Will Rise’ Point of Grace – ‘I Wish’ Marvin Winans – ‘You Never Let Me Down’ Israel Houghton – ‘Just Wanna Say’ GRITS – Beautiful Morning Southern Gospel Male Vocalist of the Year Ivan Parker Jason Crabb Michael English David Phelps Arthur Rice Southern Gospel Female Vocalist of the Year Cynthia Clawson Janet Paschal Lauren Talley Lynda Randle Sheri Easter Southern Gospel Group of the Year Booth Brothers Legacy 5 The Nelons Gaither Vocal Band Brothers Forever Hip Hop/Rap Performer of the Year Manafest GRITS T-Bone Darius Jones Lecrae Rock Performer of the Year Disciple Stars Go Dim toby Mac Pillar Dave Crowder Band Gospel Performer of the Year Kirk Franklin Yolanda Adams Lynda Randle Mary Mary Jessy Dixon ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN MUSIC HALL OF FAME The Christian Music Hall of Fame is a non profit 501(C)(3) charity paying tribute to Christian artists in all genres of music. Funds are currently being raised to open a museum highlighting the careers of numerous artists. For more information, please visit their web site at www.hallmuseum.com or contact Andy Woolard at andy@hallmuseum.com.