NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 20, 2013)--The Gospel Music Association's Dove Awards ceremony will move back to Nashville, Tenn., this year but will be held six months later than usual.

The Christian music awards are normally handed out in April, but the this year's ceremony will be held on Oct. 15 at Lipscomb University in Nashville, the GMA said.

In a press release, the GMA says the autumn ceremony will highlight Christian artists "leading into the industry's most significant retail sales season."

The annual awards show was held the last two years in Atlanta after four decades in Nashville.