Contact: Lori Lenz-Heiselman, 714-553-5181

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., Dec. 4, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christian entertainment's largest website, NewReleaseTuesday.com, has announced nominations for the debut WE LOVE CHRISTIAN MUSIC AWARDS. Fans of Christian music are invited to help choose the winners by voting now through January 14, 2013 at www.theWELOVEAWARDS.com.  

Nominations in 24 categories represent an eclectic mix of the best Christian music artists and projects in the calendar year 2012, as determined by the nominating committee of industry professionals. Winners will be announced in early 2013 as part of an exciting live web-based event.

The power now shifts to the people, as public voting is now open at www.theWELOVEAWARDS.com. Voters can support their favorite nominees in all categories, as well as write in their own selection for a runner-up in each category. In addition, voters can write in the artist who has most impacted them this year in "The 2012 Award," a fan-powered impact award.

One lucky voter will be randomly chosen to win an iPad Mini and five voters will win a $25 iTunes or Amazon gift card.

Voters aren't the only ones with a chance to benefit from the We Love Christian Music Awards. NewReleaseTuesday.com will be donating $1,000 to charities selected by the artists who win in the eight standard categories: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Artist of the Year (Male), Artist of the Year (Female), Group of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Video of the Year and The 2012 Award.

Pop/rock/hip-hop pioneer TobyMac leads the nominations with 11, including nods for Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, The Hook Award (Best Pop Artist or Group), and this year's "trending" category award devoted to "Best Lecrae Collaboration."

Inspirational rock group Tenth Avenue North follows with six nods including Album of the Year, The Inspo Award (Best Adult Contemporary Artist or Group), Group of the Year, Song of the Year and Video of the Year.

Lecrae, urban/dance duo Group 1 Crew and newcomers for KING & COUNTRY all weigh in with five nominations each. MercyMe, Thousand Foot Krutch and Family Force 5 each received four.

EMI Label Group, anchored by top nominee TobyMac, leads record labels with 23 nominations. Word Label Group receives 19 nods, while independent artists account for the third-most nominations with 13.

For a complete list of nominations and to vote in the 25 categories, please go to www.theWELOVEAWARDS.com.