The WE LOVE CHRISTIAN MUSIC AWARDS (WLA) is returning to celebrate another year of incredible music that has inspired, given hope to, and led people around the world through a challenging year.
Public voting is now open at www.WeLoveAwards.com through Friday, January 29, 2021 with Christian music fans determining the winners in all 24 categories.
Presented by NewReleaseToday.com, and sponsored exclusively by returning partner, Visible Music College, this year's cycle is recognizing 76 artists, 19 of which are independent, giving fans the most complete and diverse look at Christian music than any other award show. Lecrae and NEEDTOBREATHE lead total nominations with five nods each while independent group Elevation Worship and Jordan Feliz follow suit with four nominations each. Cody Carnes, Colton Dixon, for KING & COUNTRY, Hillsong Young & Free, Natalie Grant, Tauren Wells and We The Kingdom have all secured three nominations each.
Changes to this year's categories reflect the music industry's continued move towards singles, as THE BPM AWARD (DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR) has been replaced with DANCE/REMIX SONG OF THE YEAR.
A brand new category for 2020, QUARANTINE MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR, recognizes the incredibly difficult landscape artists have been in due to COVID-19, shutting down touring across the country. Creative videos, recorded and filmed during quarantine from Matthew West, for KING & COUNTRY, Hillsong UNITED, Lincoln Brewster, and MercyMe, are all nominated.
"Music has been an incredibly constant and reliable friend this year in a world full of chaos, massive change, and uncertainty," says WE LOVE CHRISTIAN MUSIC AWARD'S founder, Kevin McNeese. "As we reflect back on the past 12 months, we see so many songs that were given specifically for this time that we've been able to draw hope from. So many artists have been stripped of gloss and stage, and instead of hiding, have jumped into the mess and unknown, joining us as we all wrestle and grow through this season. It's been beautiful to watch."
Winners of this year's awards will be presented in late February 2021 during a live event broadcast on YouTube and Facebook Live and filmed at Visible Music College in Memphis, TN.
"We can't wait to celebrate another year of amazing Christian music on our campus in Memphis," shares Visible Music College's President, Ken Steorts. "The WE LOVE AWARDS continue to be an incredible opportunity for our students who are seeking careers in music business and ministry. We are so proud to be able to continue our partnership with this event."
Voters will be entered to win prizes as well as a free song download from Madison Line Records and a Christian song study from IRLResources.com.
Learn more about the WE LOVE CHRISTIAN MUSIC AWARDS, view the full list of nominees and vote at http://www.weloveawards.com.
