Block voting allegations made about Nashville's Dove Awards

SERIOUS allegations have been levelled at Nashville's Dove Awards, organised annually by the Gospel Music Association. According to CMCentral.com, American magazine HM has uncovered evidence for major block voting for the Dove Awards. At SXSW 2002, a former major record label employee, who wished to remain anonymous, reported - on the record - to HM editor Doug Van Pelt that he and his fellow employees were all purchased GMA memberships by their parent company. And when the Dove Awards ballots would arrive, he and his fellow employees would receive memos instructing them to: "Sign your ballot and turn it in to the Business Office." The ballots would then be filled out by a single entity to reflect votes for pre-chosen artists decided by the label's parent company.