Ricky Skaggs & The Whites took home two Inspirational Music Awards Thursday night in Nashville. Skaggs, his wife Sharon, her sister Cheryl and the girls' father, Buck, walked away with the Inspirational Bluegrass Artist and Mainstream Country Artist awards. Additionally, Skaggs was named Musician of the Year.

"It's wonderful to be able to perform together," Cheryl said after accepting their Mainstream Artist award.

"The whole reason for doing this album was that we had never done an entire project together," Sharon added. "We had sang on Ricky's albums, and he had played on ours but we'd never done a whole album together."

In accepting his musician award, Skaggs told the audience that he had always wanted to write lyrics but was a better musician. He said the Lord spoke to him one day while he was reading his Bible, reminding him that David was playing music, not singing, when he helped drive the demons from Saul.

"Music is a very healing language," Ricky said. "I am very honored to receive this award."

George Strait's song 'I Saw God Today' received the Mainstream Inspirational Country song nod, while Tracy Lawrence's video for 'Till I Was A Daddy Too' walked away with Video of the Year. The Bellamy Brothers were named Vocal Duo of the Year. Collin Raye hosted the evening of honors.

The Inspirational Music Awards are an interesting combination of mainstream country artists, bluegrass groups, gospel singers and Christian music entertainers. Performing on the show were The Isaacs, CrossCountry the Band, Point of Grace, Russ Murphy, Austin's Bridge and Tammy Cochran. Collin and Tracy also performed.

The Inspirational Music Awards were taped to air on Comcast on DEMAND, CMT Loaded, Sky Angel's Angel Two Network, Cornerstone TeleVision, The Worship Network, National Religious Broadcaster (NRB), CTS Television Canada, Faith TV and TCT Networks. Check local listings for dates and times.

A complete listing of award winners follows:

Entertainer

Male Vocalist

Female Vocalist

Vocal Duo

The Bellamy Brothers

Vocal Group or Band

Mainstream Inspirational Country Song
'I Saw God Today' - George Strait

Mainstream Country Artist
Ricky Skaggs & The Whites

Christian Country Song
'Heroes' -- Branded

Songwriter

Legend/Pioneer Award

Video
'Till I Was A Daddy Too' - Tracy Lawrence

New Artist

Musician
Ricky Skaggs

Comedy Act

Radio Personality
Robby Lynn

Radio Station
WJCR - Upton, KY

Inspirational Bluegrass Artist
Ricky Skaggs & The Whites

Youth in Music Award
The Springs

Music Evangelsit of the Year
Faith, Family, & Country Movie
'Facing the Giants'
Television Network
Trinity Broadcast Network

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