OVERVIEW

The Dove Awards have a long, proud history of recognizing the artistic and spiritual contributions of Christian musicians. The artists and fans of Christian Progressive Rock (CPROG) have come together to ask the Gospel Music Association to create a new Dove Award for Progressive Rock Album of the Year.

There are three reasons we believe the current Dove Award categories don't allow for consideration of CPROG:

1. Progressive Rock is a distinct genre.

Prog is, of course—by definition, its own genre. But is it different enough from other rock genres to deserve its own category, based solely on that criteria? Or is it, as some would consider, simply a sub-genre of Rock?

Rather than re-inventing the wheel, the Wikipedia has already rigorously tackled this topic. The entry can be viewed here. From this treatment, it's clear that Progressive Rock is a significant genre given the number of unique, defining characteristics.

The most immediate way to demonstrate the uniqueness of Prog from mainstream rock is to simply play some for someone who has never heard it. Apart from a vaguely Rock-based framework, the listening experience will almost certainly be described as unique.

2. Without a new category, progressive rock cannot effectively be represented in the Dove award process.

In the 44 GMA Award categories, there are 16 categories represented:

  • Rap/Hip Hop
  • Modern Rock
  • Rock Album
  • Rock/Contemporary
  • Pop/Contemporary
  • Inspirational Album
  • Southern Gospel Album
  • Bluegrass Album
  • Country Album
  • Urban Album
  • Traditional Gospel
  • Contemporary Gospel
  • Praise & Worship
  • Instrumental
  • Children's Music
  • Spanish Language

Clearly there is some overlap here in the categories. For example, an instrumental song can be part of almost all the above categories. Modern Rock is certainly Rock. Instrumental Music isn't even technically a genre. Yet, there are obviously valid reasons for the overlap.

Quantity: With some genres, there is simply so much music that it has to be broken up into smaller groups. Such is the case with Modern Rock, Rock, and Rock Contemporary.

Representation: Music from some categories may not get recognized because of overshadowing by work from more popular genres. These less-popular types of music require their own categories to be recognized. Examples include Children's Music, Spanish Language and Instrumental. Interestingly, these are not even genres; the delineations are based on criteria other than the style of music.

The Progressive Rock Dove award is needed for representation. Prog is certainly rock. It can be in Spanish. It doesn't need words. But Progressive Rock has been, and will continue to be, overshadowed by the (so far) more commercially successful and popular rock genres.

Despite significant works of widespread critical acclaim, no progressive rock album has ever won a Dove award.

3. Progressive rock a Christian genre is a significant, long-standing genre.

For more than 25 years, Christian progressive rock has been been composed, performed and recorded by some of the most talented and committed artists in any genre. The number of artists and releases has been increasing consistently over the last 10 years. (See the CPROG Discography for more information.)

Whether or not one is a fan , there is no denying the virtuoso musicianship displayed in even the most obscure CPROG recordings. That CPROG artists (and fans) continue (and thrive) after more than 25 years, despite little recognition and commercial success (so far) only reinforces the depth and impact this unique music has.

 
 
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