(Nashville, Tenn.) February 2, 2006 - Nominations were announced yesterday for the 37th Annual GMA Music Awards by the Gospel Music Association (GMA). Industry powerhouse Casting Crowns garnered five nominations as a group, lead singer Mark Hall grabbed another four, and producer Mark A. Miller notched an additional three.

After having one of the biggest-grossing tours of the past year, Casting Crowns cements its place as one of the most respected and popular groups in Christian music with nods in the top categories of Artist of the Year and Group of the Year, one of several categories the band won at last year's awards. The group's three other nominations include one for Lifesong as Pop/Contemporary Album. The album's title track "Lifesong," which topped charts for 11 weeks at AC (R&R) and 12 weeks at INSPO (CRW), is up for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song, a category Casting Crowns won last year. Also, the group's contribution to the multi-artist WoW Christmas Green received a nod in the Special Event Album category.

Lead singer and songwriter Mark Hall was recognized for an additional four awards, including a nod in the Male Vocalist of the Year category. The reigning Songwriter of the Year for the past two years, Hall also received nominations as writer of two Song of the Year nominees, "Lifesong" and "Voice of Truth," which he co-wrote with industry veteran Steven Curtis Chapman. Hall won the Song of the Year award last year for "Who Am I" from the Platinum-certified debut project, Casting Crowns. He's also recognized as writer on the Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song nominee, "Lifesong." This year's nominees and winner for Songwriter of the Year will be announced the night of the show.

Casting Crown's producer and Beach Street label head, Mark A. Miller (of Country music sensation Sawyer Brown), received three nominations including one for Producer of the Year, and another for his role as producer of Casting Crown's Pop/Contemporary Album nominee "Lifesong," as well as on the group's contribution to the Wow Christmas Green project.

The GMA Music Awards show will be presented on April 5, 2006 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The awards show will then be televised in national syndication April 15 to May 1, 2006.