Hall shares the remainder of his nods with Casting Crowns, whose latest album, "The Altar and the Door," shot to No. 2 on The Billboard 200 last August—reportedly a record for a Christian album that wasn't promoted to mainstream markets. The Christian soft-rock band is vying for Artist of the Year, Group of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for "East to West."

Current Dove nominee Michael W. Smith [ tickets ] and Gospel Music Channel host Elle Duncan announced the nominations for the Christian/gospel honors yesterday (2/14) in Nashville.

Following close behind Hall with five nods apiece are Chris Tomlin [ tickets ] and TobyMac--who are both competing for Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year--and the David Crowder [ tickets ] Band, who's nominations include Group of the Year.

Gospel act The Clark Sisters [ tickets ], singer/songwriter Jeremy Camp [ tickets ], bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs [ tickets ], pop quartet Point of Grace [ tickets ] and southern gospel favs Ernie Haase & Signature Sound are vying for four awards apiece.

In addition to Casting Crowns, Tomlin and TobyMac, the Dove Awards [ tickets ]' highest honor, Artist of the Year, could go to The Clark Sisters, Point of Grace, singer/songwriter Natalie Grant or alt-rock band Skillet.

This year marks the first time that the five artist categories--Artist, New Artist, Group, Male Vocalist and Female Vocalist of the Year--have been expanded from five to seven nominees.

"The GMA Board of Directors decided to increase the number of nominees in these categories because it has been a challenge in the past for the artist categories to fairly represent and celebrate the breadth and depth of our music's diversity," GMA President/CEO John W. Styll said in a statement. "We believe our goal was accomplished with this year's nominations."

This year also marks a new partnership between the Dove Awards and the Gospel Music Channel, which will broadcast the April 23 ceremony live from Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House.

A full list of nominees is available at the Dove Awards website.