Two Contemporary Christian Music newcomers are among the nominees for this year’s American Music Awards.
Katy Nichole, who topped CCM charts with her song In Jesus’ Name (God of Possible) and Anne Wilson, whose song My Jesus also climbed to No. 1, were nominated Thursday for an American Music Award for Favorite Inspirational Artist alongside For King and Country, Matthew West and Phil Wickham.
Favorite Gospel Artist nominations went to CeCe Winans, DOE, E. Dewey Smith, Maverick City Music and Tamela Mann.
Fans vote on the awards and can cast votes at TheAMAs.com/how-to-vote. They will air live Sunday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Nichole’s song, In Jesus’ Name, was released less than 10 months ago. She released her debut EP, simply titled Katy Nichole, this summer.
“This is unreal. What an honor to be nominated for the AMAs,” Nichole wrote on Instagram. “I am so incredibly grateful and never could’ve imagined this in my wildest dreams.”
Wilson’s song My Jesus was released in April 2021. Her first album, also titled My Jesus, was released in April of this year.
“I am SO incredibly honored to be nominated for Favorite Inspirational Artist at the @AMAs this year!!!” Wilson wrote on Twitter. “It has been amazing bringing you all on this journey with me, you are the reason I am able to share His grace and love, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
I am SO incredibly honored to be nominated for Favorite Inspirational Artist at the @AMAs this year!!! It has been amazing bringing you all on this journey with me, you are the reason I am able to share His grace and love and I couldn’t be more grateful. 🤍🫶🏻 pic.twitter.com/TYDDphUio7
— Anne Wilson (@Annewilsonmusic) October 13, 2022
West won an American Music Award for contemporary inspirational music in 2013.
American Music Award nominations are “based on key fan interactions — as reflected on the Billboard charts — including streaming, album sales, song sales and radio airplay,” according to a news release.
They will air live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. This year’s show will mark the 50th American Music Awards show. The AMAs were conceived by Dick Clark in 1974.
Photo courtesy: ©Jason Davis Photography for K-LOVE Fan Awards
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.