Next we had a visit by first-time Producer of the Year, the widely-esteemed Ed Cash. If you've enjoyed the latest album from Chris Tomlin or Bethany Dillon's debut, then you owe Ed more than a bit of thanks. After he'd taken a couple questions from other members of the media, I piped in with a word of thanks of my own. "Ed, in this month's issue of CCM we featured a full page on you--I'd like to thank you for making us look brilliant." After responding with a smile and then taking a few more questions he said something that really struck me... "I pray all the time that God would continue to bless me by allowing me to be around amazing songs--'cause I just love songs. I love the challenge of [producing] those songs [in a way that] they're presentable to the masses." We had a fun moment with Ed when we noticed on the side-stage television monitors that he'd just won another Dove. We were able to inform him that he'd won as the producer of the Best Praise & Worship Album for Chris Tomlin's CD.

When Tomlin came backstage later, he spoke at length about pride being the biggest pitfall for worship leaders. "I've sat down and written songs for the whole world to sing, and you've never heard those songs... When the pride builds up and you write...those songs are trash." And concluding on a lighthearted note, "Most of what I've done is rip off King David and rip off the New Testament so I'm sure I'll answer to them for royalties some day."

The winners in the Best Modern Rock Album category this year were Sanctus Real for their impressive sophomore release, FIGHT THE TIDE. Amidst the band's Q&A, drummer Mark Graalman told us about the rollercoaster he's been on the past couple months, "My wife and I had our first child two months ago, and my father went home to be with the Lord a week ago... I really just have to give all the glory to Jesus. Knowing that my dad knew the Lord and is up in heaven looking down means the world to me." (Our prayerful thoughts are with you and your family, Mark.)

Prolific worship leader/songwriter/recording artist Matt Redmon won the Dove for Best Worship Song ("Blessed Be Your Name"). He referenced the lyrical heart of the song, "You give and take away but blessed be the Name..." and explained that the song was taken from the book of Job. "I lost my dad when I was seven years old--he actually committed suicide... But I've seen enough in my life to know that the Lord deserves to be worshiped... I've made the decision, no matter what you give or take away, I'm going to worship you." Asked if he was comfortable with the spotlight being placed on worship leaders, he cited this quote from author Francois Fenelon: "Make yourself little in the depths of your heart," and then said, "It's important to remember who it's all about." Redmon was then asked what it was like to know his songs were the new hymns in churches around the world. "I can't even read music to be honest...," he said. "It's a scary thing because a lot of people learn their theology from what they sing in worship..."

See part 4... Coming soon.

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