Dove Awards of 1972

The fourth Gospel Music Association (GMA) Music Awards were held in 1972 for accomplishments of musicians for the year 1972.

An indication that gospel music was fast approaching professionalism was a bona fide scandal over GMA's 1971 Dove Awards. The incident involved one of gospel music's premier groups, the Blackwood Brothers, who had captured nine out of fourteen awards. They were accused of having conducted an extensive campaign to enlist new members to the GMA and to encourage members to vote for particular award nominees in the Dove Award balloting. Though no specific bylaw of the organization had been broken, the tactic created an industrywide concern over "voting irregularities and ethical ballot influence and solicitation." The GMA Board voted to nullify the entire process, thereby invalidating all the awards that had been presented at the October 8, 1971 banquet held in Nashville, in which the GMA formed a committee to adjust the voting process with "safeguards to prevent any future irregularities in Dove Awards balloting." James Blackwood issued a statement in support of the organization's decision and strongly urged all other participants in the Dove Awards to subscribe and adhere to the code of ethics to be set forth by the Gospel Music Association.

Award recipients

*Song of the Year
**"The Lighthouse"; Ron Hinson; Journey Music (BMI)
*Songwriter of the Year
**Bill Gaither
*Male Vocalist of the Year
**James Blackwood
*Female Vocalist of the Year
**Sue Chenault
*Male Group of the Year
**Oak Ridge Boys
*Mixed Group of the Year
**Speer Family
*Most Promising New Gospel Talent
**London Paris & the Apostles
*Album of the Year
**"Light"; Oak Ridge Boys; Bob MacKenzie, HeartWarming
*Instrumentalist
**Tony Brown
*Backliner Notes
**Johnny Cash; "Light"; Oak Ridge Boys
*Cover Photo or Cover Art
**Bill Grine; "Street Gospel"; Oak Ridge Boys
*Graphic Layout and Design
**Ace Lehman; "L-O-V-E Love"; Blackwood Brothers
*Television Program
**"Gospel Jubilee", Florida Boys
*D.J. of the Year
**J.G. Whitfield