This year’s category represents a cross section of styles within the genre, including hard rock, pop/rock, metalcore and alternative. “We are in complete shock and yet at the same time, very humbled to be nominated for a Dove Award,” says Abandon’s Dave Vela. “Thanks to our fans for helping Searchlights get nominated. May the best rock album win!”

A follow up to its July 2008 self-titled label debut, and subsequent digital EP release in April 2009, Searchlights combines the best tracks released by Abandon to date plus three never-before-recorded songs: “Confession,” “Here We Are Now” and “Safe In Your Arms,” currently No. 18 on the Radio & Records CHR chart. The band will continue to support Searchlights this spring on Teen Mania Ministries’ Acquire The Fire tour and at select summer festivals including Crossover, Atlanta Fest, Ichthus, Cornerstone, Creation East, Sonshine, and LifeLight, to name a few.

With a sound that has been likened to popular bands U2 and The Killers, Abandon comprises brothers Josh Engler (vocals) and Justin Engler (rhythm guitars), cousins Dave Vela (drums) and Stevan Vela (lead guitar) as well as Bryan Fowler (bass). The band’s Forefront Records debut, released July 22, 2008, was met with praise from critics who called it “catchy” (ChristianityToday.com), “a tasty morsel of what is to come” (jesusfreakhideout.com), and hailed the band for being “at the forefront of the current music industry” (indievisionmusic.com). The buzz has afforded Abandon opportunities to tour alongside such established acts as Fireflight and Remedy Drive. For more information on Abandon, visit: www.myspace.com/abandontx.

The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at Nashville’s famed Grand Ole Opry House and televised nationwide on gmc (http://www.gmclife.com), Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. EST. A complete list of nominees is available at www.gospelmusic.org

About EMI CMG Label Group:
Brentwood, Tennessee-based EMI CMG Label Group is comprised of Sparrow Records, Forefront Records, and Credential Recordings, in addition to providing A&R and marketing support for sixstepsrecords via a joint venture and licensing partnership. Balancing freedom, discipline, creativity, profitability and ministry, EMI CMG Label Group strives for excellence in artist development. The Label Group is a division of EMI Christian Music Group. For further information, please visit www.emicmg.com.

For more info on Abandon, visit the JFH Artists Database.