American Music Awards Honors Gospel Singer

Gospel singer Yolanda Adams was named favorite contemporary inspirational artist at the American Music Awards this week, marking the first time Christian music has received such major on-air recognition during a secular awards show.

“Dick Clark, thank you for recognizing that gospel music definitely is a legitimate form of music,” she said as she accepted her award, produced by Dick Clark Productions. Adams also performed her song “Open My Heart” during the three-hour ABC special, receiving a standing ovation.