Country & Christian Singers Focus of 2009 Awards

15th Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards Show Set for Oct. 15

Sep 17, 2009

Formerly known as the Christian Country Music Awards, the annual ICM Awards show will feature stars such as Randy Houser, Jason Crabb and Craig Morgan at its 2009 event.

The Music City area will once more be the locale of this year’s Inspirational Country Music Awards Show, and already hit-making artists Jason Crabb, hot-country newcomer Randy Houser, Craig Morgan and Adam Gregory are confirmed to appear on the 2009 bill.

Now in its 15th year, the ICM Awards will take place Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at 7 p.m. (CST) at the Trinity Music City USA Auditorium in Hendersonville, Tenn., just outside Nashville.

ICM Awards Focus on Inspirational Country Music

For those unfamiliar with the event, the ICM Convention and Awards Show is a yearly endeavor that draws music fans, broadcast and print media, and the industry’s top artists to Nashville to showcase music that centers on faith, family and country and to discuss industry-related issues.

The member-voted ICM Awards Show is the keynote event of Inspirational Country Week, which is set for Oct. 11-15 in 2009. The annual ICM honors are dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent among artists who perform Christian and inspirational country music.

Big-Name Country Music and Christian Singers to Perform at Awards Show

Aside from big-draw Morgan, Universal Records South recording artist Houser, Alberta, Canada, native Gregory and three-time Grammy nominee Crabb, organizers report that this year’s event also will feature multi-platinum recording artist Ricky Skaggs & The Whites.

Additionally, other musicians set to perform include The Cherryholmes and 2008 ICM Entertainer of the Year, CrossCountry the Band, as well as Tommy Brandt, 2008 ICM Male Vocalist; 2008 Entertainer of the Year Del Way, who is nominated for four ICM Awards this year; Amanda Fessant, a 2009 Female Vocalist of the Year nominee; and Greg McDougal, among others.

Inspirational Country Music Growing 'By Leaps and Bounds'

“We are extremely happy with the way this year’s ICM Awards are lining up,” shared Jason Higgins, ICM executive director, in a Sept. 10 interview with Suite 101. “Inspirational country music continues to grow by leaps and bounds and we could not be more happy to have Randy Houser and Craig Morgan on the show.

“Craig is returning for his second performance," Higgins observed. "(And) every year I hear the attendees say, ‘This was the best show yet.’ and I hope to hear that again this year.”

Although country singer Jeff Bates initially was also slated to perform, he’s since had to cancel his ICM appearance. The musician, as it turns out, has a tour obligation in Japan with country’s Mark Wills and Trent Willmon.

"I deeply regret that I will be unable to be at this year's ICM Awards and feel blessed to be nominated," Bates said via a Sept. 9 e-mail statement.

Annual Music Awards Set to Be Broadcast in U.S. and Canada, Organizers Report

Sponsored by the Christian Country Music Association, the 2009 ICM Awards will be broadcast TCT Networks, The Worship Network, Cornerstone TeleVision, NRB Network, My Family TV, CTS Television Canada, Angel Two Network, Total Living Network, Golden Eagle Broadcasting (Oral Roberts University) and DayStar Television Network.

For those interested in attending the show, tickets are $45 each and now on sale. For more show or ticket info, including a complete list of performers and highlights, please visit http://www.icm-awards.com/

The copyright of the article Country & Christian Singers Focus of 2009 Awards in Country Music is owned by Lisa L. Rollins. Permission to republish Country & Christian Singers Focus of 2009 Awards in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.