Texas quartet wins Gospel Music Association award

The Erwins, a family quartet from East Texas, were in a Nashville studio recording songs for their new album to be released later this month when they tuned into a Facebook Live videocast on the Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards page and learned they had been nominated for not just one, but two awards.

“The night before, we were singing in a 3,000-seat auditorium in Branson at The Mansion Theatre, and the next day we received a virtual GMA Live Dove Award announcement on our Facebook page,” said Keith, the oldest son of Tiffany and Dennis Erwin.

This year’s 51st Annual Dove Awards took place on Oct. 30, like most events this year, on a virtual stage. “We were all in our own homes, and I was listening to Apple TV while I was putting together a baby’s dresser.” Keith and wife Lindsey are expecting their first child later this year. 

Kris, sitting on the couch with sister Katie, said, “I don’t know why I feel somewhat nervous. We’re not going to win! It’s not that it’s not a great song; it’s just that we were nominated alongside all these other great ministries.” Other groups nominated for Southern Gospel Song of the Year were Gaither Vocal Band, Karen Peck and New River, Legacy Five, and The Sound. Moments later the announcement came. 

The Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year was, “The Power of an Empty Tomb” by The Erwins. Keith said, “We were so astounded that we were winning the award on this song!”

The other nomination was for their Christmas album, “What Christmas Really Means,” which is what Keith, the quartets’ PR manager, thought might be the winner of the two nominated works. 

The gospel quartet is comprised of Keith, Kody, Kristopher and Katie Erwin, who grew up singing as kids at revivals and events around the country wherever their dad, and evangelist for 47 years, Dennis Erwin, preached. 

Dennis explained, “I’m amazed at God’s blessings that the kids have reached this level in ministry. They have such a heart for the gospel and a deep love for Jesus. God has opened the door for them with many opportunities. Tiffany (mother of the four) and I are so proud of them.” 

Their “Favorites on Repeat” album, set to come out later this month, features well-known songs that the Erwin’s grew up on. It will include covers by Phillips, Craig & Dean, Sandi Patty, Gaither Vocal Band, Steven Curtis Chapman, that may feel like pressing the repeat button from years ago, but with The Erwin’s spin. It will also include a current well-known Casting Crowns song, “Nobody.”

They have an all-original material album coming out in April 2021.

“The focus of our ministry is that we want to be bridge-builders—not only in our generation and the generation before us, but the generation coming behind us. We are honored to take our ministry to local churches and events—wherever the Lord takes us,” Keith said.

Booking information for The Erwins can be found at erwinministries.com.

Gayla Holt pic
TEXAN Correspondent
Gayla Holt
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