On November 4, 2007 the multi-award winning Christian artist Del Way split hosting duties for the 13th Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards Show with Chonda Pierce, award winning comedienne.
The ICM Awards show was held at the Acuff Theatre in Nashville, Tn., with both Miss Tennessee, Hailey Brown and Natalie Phillips, Miss Tennessee Teen on hand to assist in the presentation of each of the awards.
This year's ICM Awards show opened with a very inspiring and touching performance of "Moments" by Midas Recording artists, Emerson Drive. Their performance brought tears to the eyes and people to their feet as they set an inspirational mood for the evening by sharing this heart-touching song dedicated to the band's former bass player, Patrick Bourque, who passed away last month.
The first award of the evening, the 2007 Song of the Year was presented by Tammy Cochran and the two time 2007 ICM award nominee, Tommy Brandt. This year's Song of the Year nominees are "Back in the Country Again" by Mike Manuel, "I Get To" by Blue County, "I'll Wait For You" by Joe Nichols, "Mama's Hall of Fame" by James Payne and "One Wing In The Fire" by Trent Tomlinson.
The 2007 Song of the Year went to Mike Manuel for "Back in the Country Again."
The evening was filled with many entertaining performances such as Sharene Spielman's performance of "Let Me Be," which followed the the presentation of the Song of the Year award.
After Sharene's performance, Chunky Nelms and Greg McDougal announced the following nominees for Vocal Duo of the year: Branded, Chester Smith and Merle Haggard, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Randy and Heidi Gunn and David and Dottie.
Branded received the honor of taking home the 2007 Vocal Duo of the Year award.
The next award was the Group of the Year, presented by Laura Bryna and Sue Allan Cooper, mother of the Red Hats. These two ladies announced the Group of the Year nominees of CrossCountry The Band, Fox Brothers, Isaacs, Last Light Band and the Wacaster Family.
Group of the Year for 2007 went to CrossCountry The Band.
After CrossCountry The Band made their thank you speech, Sue Allan Cooper made a special presentation of a red hat to the newest red hat lady, the very delighted Brenda Higgins.
After the red hat ladies left the stage, award winning comedianne, Chonda Pierce gave the multi-award winning Christian artist and TBN radio host, Del Way a break from hosting duties by stepping in to introduce Lee Greenwood to perform his song "You'll Never Walk Alone" to an overjoyed audience.
After Lee's wonderfully moving performance, Andy Griggs and Russ Murphy announced the nominees for the Inspirational Country Music Video of the Year as "Anyway" by Martina McBride, "God Don't Make Mistakes" by Jamie O'Neal, "I'll Wait for You (the Acoustic Version)" by Joe Nichols, "Moments" by Emerson Drive and "Mountains" by Lonestar.
This year's ICM's Video of the Year award went to Emerson Drive for "Moments."
Next, Rebecca Linda Smith and Charla announced the The Inspirational Country Music Album of the Year nominees as Back in the Country Again from Mike Manuel, Calvary's The Reason Why from Del Way, Hook Line & Sinker from Tommy Brandt, Precious Memories from Alan Jackson and Work of a Carpenter from Greg McDougal
The 2007 Album of the Year award was taken home by the legendary traditional country music artist, Alan Jackson for his album, Precious Moments.
Next, we were treated to the Christian country rock group CrossCountry the Band's performance of their song "America," after which, Del Way returned to the stage to continue hosting the show by introducing the Bellamy Brothers to perform "Drug Problems."
Next, Rich McCready and Miko Marks introduced the nominees for Musician of the Year as follows: Charlie Daniels, Dennis Agajanian, Justin Todd Herod, Lawrence Bishop, and Rory Hoffman.
The ICM Musician of the Year award went to Dennis Agajanian. Dennis was unable to attend so Ricky Skaggs accepted the award on Dennis' behalf.
