Contact: Kim Dettwiller, 615-330-5656, kimdet@comcast.net; Jason Higgins, 615-248-8105 ext 23, Jason@ccma.cc; both with Power Source

NASHVILLE, Aug. 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- Power Source Music Group is proud to announce the Top 5 category nominees for the 14th Annual ICM Awards. The award show will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. CST at the Trinity Music City USA Auditorium located in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The annual Inspirational Country Music Awards are dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent among artists who perform Christian and Inspirational Country music. Inspirational music is inspired by Faith, Family, and Country(TM). Tickets are on sale now at www.ccma.cc.

Multi-platinum recording artist Collin Raye will be hosting the show as well as performing. Collin has hosted a past ICM Award Show and has numerous projects involving Christian & Inspirational Music including: "The Gift," "The 11th Commandment," "Quitters," and "Soldier's Prayer." The Isaacs are slated as the first performers on the show. In addition, the Grammy Award winning group, Point of Grace as well as Greg McDougal with Tammy Cochran, 2007 ICM Entertainer of the Year, Del Way, James Payne, and Mike Rimmey are confirmed to perform on the show. Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming months. For more information and show highlights, please visit www.icm-awards.com.

The following 2008 ICM Top 5 nominees are listed in alphabetical order within each category: Three categories had a tie and therefore have six nominees*.

Entertainer of the Year
CrossCountry the Band
Del Way
Russ Murphy
The Isaacs
Tommy Brandt

Male Vocalist*
Del Way
Greg McDougal
James Payne
John Sines Jr.
Mike Rimmey
Tommy Brandt

Female Vocalist
Kathy Joy Bell
Melanie Walker
Rebecca Linda Smith
Sandra Dee
Sonya Isaacs

Vocal Duo
Bellamy Brothers
Blue County
Branded
Jeff & Sheri Easter
Robert & James

Vocal Group or Band*
CrossCountry The Band
Fox Brothers
Last Light Band
New Jerusalem
Oak Ridge Boys
The Isaacs

Mainstream Inspirational Country Song
Did I Make A Difference Oak Ridge Boys
Drug Problem - Bellamy Brothers
I Saw God Today - George Strait
Small Town Southern Man - Alan Jackson
What You Give Away - Vince Gill

Mainstream Country Artist
Carrie Underwood
George Strait
Josh Turner
Randy Travis
Ricky Skaggs & The Whites

Christian Country Song
Card Carrying Christian - Del Way
Choice - Danny Ray Harris
Heroes Branded
Put A Little Love In Your Heart - Fox Brothers
Wood & Steel - Russ Murphy

Songwriter
Del Way
Greg McDougal
Mike Manuel
Russ Murphy
Tommy Brandt

Legend / Pioneer Award
Dennis Agajanian
Ken Holloway
Susie Luchsinger
Mike Hammock
Randy Travis

Video
I Saw God Today - George Strait
Small Town Southern Man - Alan Jackson
So Small - Carrie Underwood
Till I Was A Daddy Too – Tracy Lawrence
This Is Where Jesus Would Go - T. Jae Christian

New Artist
Amanda Fessant
Brett Hill
Danny Ray Harris
Deborah Hightower
The Springs

Musician
Dennis Agajanian
Justin Todd Herrod
Lawrence Bishop
Ricky Skaggs
Rory Hoffman

Comedy Act
Barry McGee
Chonda Pierce
Jeff Treece
Mark Lowery
Roy Fox

Radio Personality
J.R. Pitsenbarger
John Ritter
Leon Joplin
Rich Miller
Robby Lynn

Radio Station*
KIJN - Farwell, TX
WCWV Summerville, W.VA
WDJR - Dothan, AL
WEPG South Pittsburg, TN
WJCR Upton, KY
WSM AM – Nashville

Inspirational Bluegrass Artist
Alison Krauss
Isaacs
Lawrence Bishop
New Jerusalem
Ricky Skaggs & The Whites

Youth In Music Award
Amber Morgan
Calina Boggs
Jasmun Basilone
Matthew Wacaster
The Springs

Music Evangelist of the Year
Bill Mullis
Del Way
James Payne
Russ Murphy
Tommy Brandt

Faith, Family, & Country Movie
Chronicles of Narnia II
Facing The Giants
One Night With The King
The Wager
Segregated Sunday

Television Network
Daystar
Gospel Music Channel
Great American Country (GAC)
TCT Network
Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN)

The Inspirational Country Music Convention and Awards Show is a yearly event that draws music fans, broadcast media (radio, print, and TV) and the industries top artists to Nashville to showcase music and to discuss industry related issues. The member-voted ICM Awards Show is the keynote event of Inspirational Country Music Week (ICM Week), slated for October 12-16, in Nashville, TN. The convention and show are presented by the 501C-3 not-for-profit corporation, founded in 1992, The Christian Country Music Association. www.ccma.cc.