The eligibility period for all categories is March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2026

 

Favorite Quartet

An all-male quartet featuring four-part harmony.

Favorite Duet

A duo consisting of two vocalists, who present their music in the style of Southern Gospel music.

 

Favorite Mixed Group

A mixed group with a minimum of four vocalists, including both male and female vocalists and featuring four-part harmony.

 

Favorite Soloist

All solo artists who present their music in a Southern Gospel music style.

 

Favorite Trio

A vocal group consisting of three vocalists—all male, all female, or mixed— who present their music in the style of Southern Gospel music.

 

Favorite Young Artist

Must be 25 years old or younger. Qualification: Sings with a Southern Gospel music group or is a Southern Gospel music solo artist. Previous winners are not eligible.

Favorite Soprano

Must sing the soprano part with a Southern Gospel music vocal ensemble.

 

Favorite Tenor

Must sing the tenor part with a Southern Gospel music vocal ensemble.

Favorite Lead

Must sing the lead part with a Southern Gospel music duo/trio/quartet, or other vocal ensemble.

Favorite Band

Must be a Southern Gospel music band with at least two or more musicians that regularly performs with a Southern Gospel music duo/trio/quartet/group or other vocal ensemble.

Favorite Baritone

Must sing the baritone part with a Southern Gospel music vocal ensemble.

Favorite Songwriter

Must be a nationally recognized Southern Gospel music songwriter whose songs have appeared in national Southern Gospel music charts between the eligibility period of March 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025.

 

Favorite Bass

Must sing the bass part with a Southern Gospel music quartet/group or other vocal ensemble.

Favorite Album

Recording must be made by a Southern Gospel music artist or group, recorded on a Southern Gospel music label (major label or independent), and must have been released nationally between the eligibility period of March 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025.

Favorite Alto

Must sing the alto part with a Southern Gospel music vocal ensemble.

Favorite Song

The song must have been recorded by a Southern Gospel music artist or group. The song must be released and distributed on a major label or as an independent artist. The song must have been released and distributed nationally as a radio single. The song must have appeared on the Singing News Top 80 chart during the eligibility period spanning from March 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025.

It’s important to note that the timeframe mentioned, spanning from March 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025, is specifically related to the song’s presence on the Singing News official Top 80 chart for one or more months during this period. The award will be given to both the artist and the songwriter(s) of the winning song that meets these criteria.

Favorite Musician

Must play a musical instrument professionally in Southern Gospel music.

 

The Paul Heil Award (Syndicated Programming) Any DJ, Radio Network, or Program that appears on more than one AM or FM station, satellite network, multiple apps, or other outlets.

Favorite New Artist

Upcoming soloist, duet, trio, mixed group, quartet, or other vocal ensemble who has demonstrated major growth in the areas of national radio airplay, charting, and personal appearances.

(Previous winners of Favorite New Soloist, Favorite New Trio, Favorite New Mixed Group, or Favorite New Traditional Quartet are not eligible. Previous winners of Favorite New Artist are not eligible. Further, any artist nominated in these categories in 2021, or prior, is not eligible in this category. An artist can only be nominated three times in this category. It does not have to be three consecutive years in a row, but three times only.

(For this category ONLY, due to the fact that they have either won or have been nominated the maximum number of times, the following artists are not eligible for this award in 2024: 3 Heath Brothers, Bowling Sisters, Cana’s Voice, Children of the Promise, Emily Ann Roberts, Endless Highway, Goodman Revival, High Road, Jordan Family Band, Josh & Ashley Franks, Kramers, Lore Family, McKamey Legacy, Sherry Anne, Singing Contractors, The Sound, and Scotty Inman.)

 

Favorite Artist

A group or soloist who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in ministry and artistry of Southern Gospel music during the past year.

Favorite Southern Gospel Radio DJ (Non-Syndicated Programming) Radio DJs eligible for this award appear ONLY on a single app, or on one terrestrial AM or FM station. (AM/FM repeaters in the same market are allowed.)