For the first time in the history of the Gospel Music Association, the 2017 Dove Award for Southern Gospel Album of the Year was awarded to a solo artist.  Traditionally a group-driven category, this year's recipient was Resurrection, the latest offering from singer/songwriter Joseph Habedank.  Produced by Wayne Haun and co-written by Habedank, Resurrection contains the chart-topping single, 'Here He Comes,' and is the sophomore studio release by the talented singer.
 
RELATED: Joseph Habedank Releases 'Resurrection'

In addition to accepting the honor of Southern Gospel Album of the Year, Habedank was a featured performer during the telecast of the 2017 Dove Awards, performing alongside musical powerhouse Reba McEntire. The recipient of Country/Bluegrass/Roots Album of the Year, McEntire collaborated with Habedank, Erica Campbell and Tauren Wells on the gospel classic 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,' to close out the award show.
 
The Dove Awards kicked off a week of highlights for the 2017 Singing News Soloist of the Year. The very next evening, Joseph Habedank was honored to take part in a benefit concert for Cumberland Heights along with artists such as Scotty McCreery, Cassadee Pope, Lindsay Ell, among others.  On the historic Ryman Auditorium stage, the singer joined the GRAMMY Award winning duo, Dailey & Vincent for a performance of 'Beautiful Scars,' a song the artist co-wrote with Jamie Dailey.  The overwhelming response to the song led the writers to encore the performance later that week on the Grand Ole Opry.  The performance marked the singer's first appearance on the legendary stage.
 
Resurrection is Habedank's second studio project on Daywind Records, following the highly anticipated debut, Welcome Home. While the lyrics of Welcome Home speak of redemption and second chances, Resurrection triumphantly sings victory over sin, death and the devil through Christ. Acclaimed songwriters such as Lee Black, Tony Wood, Chris Cron, Gerald Crabb, Jimmy Yeary, Michael Farren, Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey, among others, teamed up with Habedank to craft ten brand new songs, including the first radio single, 'Here He Comes.' Much like Welcome Home, Resurrection covers a range of musical styles, from the current radio single 'Just When You Thought,' to the southern rock-infused 'Jailbreak' and gospel inspired 'I Believe In The Resurrection.'
 
Resurrection is available to the Christian marketplace exclusively through New Day Christian. Mainstream and digital distribution are provided by Sony RED. For more information on Joseph Habedank, visit josephhabedank.com.