Defending his Producer of the Year title, Eskelin also garnered multiple nominations for his contribution to new Fervent Records artist Francesca Battistelli’s debut record, My Paper Heart. Produced by Eskelin, the project is nominated for Pop/Contemporary Album, and its track, “I’m Letting Go,” a co-write with Eskelin, is vying for Song of The Year as well as Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song.

Eskelin additionally produced pop-punk band Stellar Kart’s third studio album, Expect The Impossible and New Artist of The Year nominee Remedy Drive’s Daylight Is Coming. Both projects are nominated for Rock/Contemporary Album, while track “Shine Like the Stars,” written by Eskelin and Stellar Kart’s Adam Agee, is up for Rock Recorded Song. Lastly, Eskelin wrote, produced and performed on Special Event Album contender, Your Name.

“It’s always exciting to watch the successes of the talented artists I feel so blessed to have worked with,” says Eskelin. “I’m very thankful to be recognized by the GMA, and I look forward to a fun night.”

The GMA Dove Awards, gospel music’s biggest night of the year, will be broadcast nationwide live on the Gospel Music Channel from 8 – 10 p.m. (ET/PT) on Thursday, April 23, 2009. For a complete list of this year’s nominees, visit: http://www.gospelmusic.org/.

After years of touring as a solo artist and with his Grammy-nominated band All Star United, Eskelin began crafting songs and producing records for contemporary Christian Music’s most celebrated artists, including Joy Williams, Krystal Meyers, and Avalon. Most recently, he collaborated with new Sparrow recording artist Sarah Reeves on her forthcoming debut project, Sweet, Sweet Sound. Eskelin begins work with Word Records’ latest signing, Sidewalk Prophets, next month. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/ianeskelin.

For more information on Ian Eskelin, visit the JFH Artists Database..