P.O.D.
Photo: Sandy Campbell

Christian rock group Third Day were the big winners at the 32nd Annual Dove Awards Thursday, while R&B duo Mary Mary and rockers P.O.D. and DC Talk also took home honors on gospel's biggest night.

Third Day won for Best Artist, Best Group and Best Rock Recorded Song for "Sky Falls Down." The Southern rockers also won Best Praise and Worship album for their fourth disc, the live and studio set Offerings: A Worship Album. Newcomer Nicole C. Mullen also won big, taking home awards for Best Songwriter, Best Song and Best Pop/Contemporary Song for "Redeemer." Mullen's self-titled 2000 debut features a soulful mix of gospel and pop hooks with socially-conscious lyrics.

Mary Mary, who appear with Kirk Franklin on the "Kingdom Come" soundtrack, won Best Urban Recorded Song for crossover hit "Shackles (Praise You)" and Best Urban Album for Thankful. Rappers-turned-rockers DC Talk, perennial winners at the ceremony, picked up the Best Modern Rock/Alternative Recorded Song for "Dive," while San Diego outfit P.O.D. won Best Short Form Music Video for "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)." Other notable winners at the awards, held at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry and scheduled to be broadcast in syndication on the WGN and PAX networks this weekend, included Steven Curtis Chapman (Male Vocalist), Randy Travis (Country Recorded Song for "Baptism" and Bluegrass Album for Inspirational Journey) and Fred Hammond & Radical for Christ (Contemporary Gospel Album for Purpose by Design).

The complete winners list is available at www.doveawards.com.

• P.O.D.
• Third Day
• Mary Mary