Dove Awards
The focus at the 2023 Dove Awards was on celebrating gospel music in all its forms, but two artists, Lauren Daigle and Tauren Wells used the occasion to address the war between Israel and Hamas, which has been dominating news coverage for the past two weeks.
The Dove Awards were taped on Tuesday Oct. 17, at Allen Arena on the Lipscomb University campus in Nashville. But the thoughts of many there, and around the world, were on events 6,446 miles away. The current crisis began on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants launched a series of surprise attacks on Israeli territory from Gaza, killing defense personnel and civilians and taking hostages.
“In light of what has happened in Israel this week, our eyes need to be opened to what He might be calling us to,” said Daigle, 32, who won her 12th Dove Award that night for best short-form music video of the year (concept) for “Thank God I Do.”
“We have the hope of eternity and the good news of the Gospel,” she added. “We aren’t bringing in messages that tear and divide, we’re bringing in messages that remind people of their worth, that remind children they are valuable and belong in society and remind people that they have something that only God can fulfill. We get to tell them that He is the Great I Am. That He is above the times. That He is the source of hope compared to nothing else this world has to offer. There is nothing as great. He is the light of the world. He is the light of men. He is the bread of life.”
Wells, 37, a five-time Dove Award winner in years past, was more extensive in his remarks.
“The difficulties that people in Israel and Palestine are experiencing, as believers in this room, we understand the weight and the gravity that comes with this conflict. A conflict that started in the house of Abraham and has existed for 4,000 years. We know that ultimately Jesus is going to get His glory. He is going to redeem His people.
“I was so encouraged by this – when Jesus returns, He is going to descend from which he ascended at the Mount of Olives, and He is going to split the mountain in two. Because the God we serve is powerful. At the same time, He is present. He is present with those who are hurting. He is present with those who are broken. The scripture does a beautiful job of painting the portrait of Jesus as the bright and morning star. He is high and above and away from it all. But it continues to describe Him as the lily of the valley. He’s in the dark places, the quiet places, the places of pain and loss.
“So, I just want to express today on behalf of the artists in this faith community here, that we remember Israel tonight. We stand with the people of God and as scripture instructs us, we pray for peace in Jerusalem. Now here’s the thing – we can’t just pray for peace and not understand and identify the Prince of Peace. This conflict will not end until Jesus is the Lord of Israel and Jesus is the Lord of Palestine and Jesus is the Lord of every nation and every tribe and every tongue. There is a day coming at which every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
“The world could be at war but the church is gonna be in worship. Because we don’t praise God depending upon our circumstances. We praise God depending upon His reputation. And scripture says He is faithful and He is good to every generation. And that means there are generations the world will forget that God will remember. Tonight we celebrate that name of Jesus as we remember the people reeling in pain tonight.”
In addition to hosting, Wells teamed with Davies to perform “Take It All Back” on the show. The two acts recorded the highly commercial, pop-oriented song with We the Kingdom.
Daigle’s 12 Dove Awards include two awards for artist of the year, in 2015 and 2019. Wells’ five include new artist of the year in 2018 – an award Daigle had won in 2015.
Brandon Lake was the top winner at the 54th annual GMA Dove Awards. Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Toby Mac, Blessing Offor and Jeff Pardo each won two awards.
The show was produced by the Gospel Music Association. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt served as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returned as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager.
The show aired Friday (Oct. 20) on TBN and The TBN App and was also simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. An encore performance will air on TBN and The TBN App on Friday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET. To watch the show on demand, go to The TBN App.
Brandon Lake was the top winner at the 54th annual GMA Dove Awards, which aired Friday (Oct. 20) on TBN and The TBN App and was also simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. The show, hosted by Tauren Wells, was taped on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Allen Arena on the Lipscomb University campus in Nashville.
Lake won four awards: artist of the year, songwriter of the year – artist, worship recorded song of the year and rap/hip hop recorded song of the year. “I’m so grateful to be a part of this community,” Lake said in accepting artist of the year. Lake is the first male solo artist to win in that top category since Zach Williams five years ago. This is the second time in three years that Lake has been crowned songwriter of the year – artist.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Toby Mac, Blessing Offor and Jeff Pardo each won two awards.
Cobbs Leonard won gospel worship album of the year for Hymns (Live) and traditional gospel recorded song of the year for “It Is Well.” “This album means a lot to me because I’m a PK [pastor’s kid]; I’m a church girl,” she said. “One of the ways I learned scripture was through song.”
TobyMac won pop/contemporary album of the year for the third time with Life After Death. He first won in the category in 2013 with Eye on It (a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200) and again in 2016 with This Is Not a Test.
TobyMac’s acceptance speech constituted one of the show’s most emotional moments. “I made this record in honor of my son Truett, my firstborn who we lost,” he said. “ … I made these songs in the hardest, coldest of valleys and we still don’t know why God would ask this of us, but sometimes we don’t get to ask those questions. He didn’t promise us that we wouldn’t face hard things, that we wouldn’t face loss. He promised He would never leave us or forsake us. If you take the time to look in the hardest deepest valleys, the coldest places in this world, if you take the time to look, He is there. He is true to His word that He will not leave us. I have experienced that.”
TobyMac and Blessing Offor shared the award for short-form music video of the year (performance) for “The Goodness.” Blessing Offor, a Nigerian-born American singer/songwriter, won a second award, pop/contemporary recorded song of the year for “Brighter Days.”
Pardo won producer of the year for the second year in a row and also won songwriter of the year, non-artist, ending a four-year lock on that award by Jason Ingram.
Ingram did, however, win song of the year for “Goodness of God,” which he co-wrote with Ben Fielding, Ed Cash, Jenn Johnson and Brian Johnson. This marks the third consecutive year that the winning song in that category has been the work of four or more songwriters, which demonstrates that songwriting by collectives of songwriters is a trend in religious music just as it is in secular music.
Elevation Worship won worship album of the year for the second time in three years with LION: Live From the Loft. The band won two years ago for Old Church Basement, a collab with Maverick City Music.
New artist of the year went to Katy Nichole, who was this year’s most-nominated woman with four nods.
Composer, recording artist and choir director Dr. Bobby Jones received the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award. Jones has been a fixture in the gospel music industry since 1976 and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2008.
Wells stirred the audience with an extended speech highlighting the current conflict in Israel saying, “We stand with the people of God and as scripture instructs us, we pray for peace in Jerusalem.”
Guest performers included Jordin Sparks singing “Love Me Like I Am” with for KING + COUNTRY; Pastor Mike Jr. bringing out Ricky Dillard for “Impossible”; and Wells teaming with Davies on “Take It All Back.” Take 6 teamed in performance with Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. A segment highlighting the impact of hip hop – something we’ve seen at many awards shows this year, amid the genre’s 50th anniversary – featured Hulvey, Social Club Misfit, GRITS and TobyMac. The latter two acts took the audience back to 2002 for GRITS’ hit “Ooh Aah,” which featured TobyMac.
The 54th Annual GMA Dove Awards were produced by the Gospel Music Association. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt served as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returned as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager.
An encore performance will air on TBN and The TBN App on Friday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET. To watch the show on demand, go to The TBN App.
Here is a partial list of winners. For a complete list of winners in all categories, visit doveawards.com.
Artist of the year
WINNER: Brandon LakeCeCe Winansfor KING + COUNTRYLauren DaiglePhil Wickham
New artist of the year
Ben FullerHulveyJon ReddickWINNER: Katy NicholeNaomi Raine
Song of the year
“Build A Boat,” writers: Colton Dixon, Seth Mosley, Johan Lindbrandt, SandroCavazza, Mikey Gormley“Fear Is Not My Future,” writers: Kirk Franklin, Brandon Lake, Jonathan Jay,Hannah Shackleford, Nicole Hannel“God Really Loves Us,” writers: David Crowder, Ben Glover, Jeff Sojka, DanteBoweWINNER: “Goodness of God,” writers: Ben Fielding, Ed Cash, Jason Ingram, JennJohnson, Brian Johnson“Gratitude,” writers: Brandon Lake, Ben Hastings, Dante Bowe“In Jesus Name (God of Possible),” writers: Ethan Hulse, Katy Nichole, DavidAndrew Spencer, Jeff Pardo“Love Me Like I Am,” writers: Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, MichaelPollack, Josh Kerr “Perfectly Loved,” writers: Rachael Lampa, Andrew Ripp,Ethan Hulse“Same God,” writers: Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Pat Barrett“Then Christ Came,” writers: Bart Millard, Phil Wickham, Jason Ingram, DavidLeonard
Songwriter of the year – artist
WINNER: Brandon LakeChris BrownDante BoweKirk FranklinPhil Wickham
Songwriter of the year – non-artist
Ben GloverEthan HulseJason IngramWINNER: Jeff PardoJonathan Jay
Producer of the year
WINNER: Jeff PardoKenneth LeonardSamuel ASHWayne HaunBen Glover and Jeff Sojka
Pop/contemporary recorded song of the year
WINNER: “Brighter Days” – Blessing Offor“I’m So Blessed (Best Day Remix)” – CAIN“Love Me Like I Am” – for KING + COUNTRY ft. Jordin Sparks “God Is in This Story” – Katy Nichole ft. Big Daddy Weave “Thank God I Do” – Lauren Daigle
Worship recorded song of the year
WINNER: “Gratitude (Radio Version)” – Brandon Lake“Honey in the Rock” – Brooke Ligertwood, Brandon Lake“Holy Forever” – Chris Tomlin“Fear Is Not My Future (Radio Version)” – Maverick City Music ft. BrandonLake, Chandler Moore“This Is Our God” – Phil Wickham
Bluegrass/country/roots recorded song of the year
“Jordan” – Darin & Brooke Aldridge, ft. Ricky Skaggs, Mo Pitney, Mark FainWINNER: “Good Morning Mercy” – Jason Crabb, Dylan Scott“Matchless” – Tiffany Coburn, ft. Point of Grace“Way of the Triune God (Hallelujah Version)” – Tyler Childers“Jesus’ Fault” – Zach Williams, ft. Walker Hayes
Spanish language recorded song of the year
“Guarda Tu Corazón” – Alex Zurdo“So Good (Cuán Bueno)” – DOE, ft. Lilly Goodman“Nubes” – Indiomar, ft. BlancaWINNER: “Coritos (En Vivo)” – Miel San Marcos, Daniel Calveti, Marcos Witt, IngridRosario“Suelto” – Sarai Rivera
Gospel worship recorded song of the year
“One Name (Jesus) [Live]” – Naomi RaineWINNER: “Impossible” – Pastor Mike Jr., ft. Jame Fortune“I Still Have You” – Smokie Norful“The Moment (Live)” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard “You’ve Been Good to Me” – Zacardi Cortez
Contemporary gospel recorded song of the year
“New Day” – Blanca, ft. Jekalyn CarrWINNER: “Your World” – Jonathan McReynolds“Miracles” – Kierra Sheard, ft. Pastor Mike Jr.“Bless Me” – Maverick City Music, Kirk Franklin“Get Up” – Tye Tribbett
Pop/contemporary album of the year
My Tribe – Blessing OfforJesus Changed My Life – Katy NicholeAlways Only Jesus – MercyMeWINNER: Life After Death – TobyMacA Hundred Highways – Zach Williams
Worship album of the year
Come Up Here – Bethel MusicHonest Offering (Live) – CAINGod Is Good! (Live) – Cody CarnesWINNER: LION: Live From the Loft – Elevation WorshipLamb of God – Matt Redman
Southern gospel album of the year
Think About There – Greater VisionCome on In – Guardians QuartetJohn 3:16 – PerrysWINNER: Believe – The HoppersHymns & Worship – Triumphant Quartet
Contemporary gospel album of the year
My Truth – Jonathan McReynoldsWINNER: Kingdom Book One (Deluxe) – Maverick City Music, Kirk FranklinImpossible – Pastor Mike Jr.Overcomer (Deluxe) – Tamela MannAll Things New – Tye Tribbett
Rap/hip hop album of the year
WINNER: Church Clothes 4 – LecraeSunday in Lagos – LimoblazeEveryone Loves a Comeback Story – Social Club MisfitsTree – Steven MalcolmNEW HOLLYWOOD – WHATUPRG
Gospel Worship Album of the Year
Tent Revival – Forward City/Travis GreeneCloser Than You Think – Jonathan TraylorEncounter – Todd GalberthImprint -Zacardi Cortez?WINNER: Hymns (Live) – Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Feature film of the year
Big George ForemanFamily CampI Heard the BellsWINNER: Jesus Revolution (Directors) Jon Erwin, Brent McCorkle, (Producers) Kevin Downes, Andrew Erwin, Daryl Lefever, Josh WalshRemember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story
The 54th annual GMA Dove Awards will feature a slate of some of the year’s biggest Contemporary Christian and Gospel music hitmakers.
for King & Country, Brandon Lake, Katy Nichole, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Miel San Marcos and Zach Williams with Walker Hayes are the initial round of performers revealed to be taking the stage at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville, where the show will be taped Oct. 17. Tauren Wells was previously announced as the host of this year’s show.
Lake leads nominations with 11 nods, including artist of the year, and three nominations in the song of the year category. Over the past year, he topped the Christian Airplay chart with his solo song “Gratitude,” currently in the top five on that chart with “Praise You Anywhere,” and earned a top 10 Christian Airplay hit with the Brooke Ligertwood duet “Honey in the Rock,” and No. 11 as part of Maverick City Music’s “Fear Is Not My Future,” also featuring Chandler Moore.
for King & Country is up for artist of the year, as well as for pop/contemporary recorded song of the year alongside Jordin Sparks for “Love Me Like I Am,” which spent two weeks atop the Christian Airplay chart earlier this year. The sibling duo is currently in the top 10 on the Christian Airplay chart with “What Are We Waiting For?,” the title track of their latest album.
Cobbs Leonard has three nominations: gospel worship album of the year (for Hymns (Live)), traditional gospel recorded song of the year (“It Is Well”) and gospel worship recorded song of the year (“The Moment (Live)”). Earlier this year, she earned a two-week Gospel Airplay No. 1 with “The Moment,” and a top 10 Hot Gospel Songs hit with the Lecrae collaboration “Your Power.”
Nichole is nominated for new artist of the year, while her “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” is up for song of the year. “God Is in This Story,” her collaboration with Big Daddy Weave, is up for pop/contemporary recorded song of the year. Her album Jesus Changed My Life is also nominated for pop/contemporary album of the year. She is currently in the top 5 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart with “Hold On.”
Williams, known for hits including “Old Church Choir,” will team with “Fancy Like” hitmaker Walker Hayes for a performance, presumably a rendition of their collaboration “Jesus’ Fault,” which is up for bluegrass/country/roots recorded song of the year.
Miel San Marcos is nominated for Spanish Language recorded song of the year, for “Coritos (En Vivo).” Meanwhile, Miel San Marcos Kids is nominated for children’s recorded song of the year for “Danzo En El Rio.”
Tickets for the GMA Dove Awards‘ Oct. 17 taping at Allen Arena have already sold out. The awards show will air exclusively on TBN and the TBN App on Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET, with an audio simulcast airing on SiriusXM. Encore presentations of the broadcast will air on TBN on Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET.
This year’s GMA Dove Awards ceremony, which aired Friday night (Oct. 21) on TBN and was held on the campus of Nashville’s Lipscomb University, showcased the power of pairing a great song with the right message and the right vocalist.
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CeCe Winans took home two trophies, including the evening’s top honor, artist of the year, capping a strong year that saw Winans’ inspirational “Believe for It” spend 12 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and reach No. 7 on Christian Airplay. During the GMA Dove Awards, “Believe for It” was named song of the year.
In accepting the song of the year honor, Winans said, “It is amazing when we come together, love each other and stand for righteousness what God will do…I am believing for God to move in this industry like He has never moved before.”
Newcomer Anne Wilson also took home her first two GMA Dove Awards wins, for new artist of the year, as well as pop/contemporary recorded song of the year, for her breakthrough hit “My Jesus.” During her performance of the song, Wilson wisely and succinctly used the time to share the story that inspired the song — the loss of her brother Jacob in 2017, as photos of her late brother filled the screen behind her.
“I never imagined I’d be here tonight, standing on this stage and getting to be amongst among all of you incredible artists,” Wilson said in accepting her new artist of the year award, before thanking her label team at Capitol CMG, management team at Storyhouse Collective and her collaborators on the album. She also thanked her late brother Jacob. “You inspire me and that’s why I do what I do, is to honor Jacob. Most of all I want to thank Jesus for his grace, his mercy and his forgiveness…I’m so thankful for all the artists in this category as well. You are changing lives and I’m so grateful.”
The evening began as the Gospel Music Association’s leader Jackie Patillo and Lipscomb University president Candice McQueen welcomed the audience to celebrate the best music that came from the faith-based community over the past year, under the theme “Sound of Heaven.” From there, the evening honored artists in a range of styles, including gospel, folk, country, bluegrass, soul, rap, pop and Spanish-language.
The ceremony opened with Crowder performing the swampy rock song “Good God Almighty” and later earned rock/contemporary recorded song of the year for “Higher Power” featuring Hulvey. Jekalyn Carr offered a soulful, commanding rendition of “My Portion,” and the song later picked up the GMA Dove Award for traditional gospel recorded song of the year. DOE performed a mash-up of “When I Pray” and “What I’m Waiting For,” and won contemporary gospel album of the year (Clarity). Gateway Worship Español offered a stirring bilingual performance that blended worship, Latin and rap, and won Spanish language recorded song of the year for “Danzando,” which featured Daniel Calveti, Becky Collazos, Christine D’Clario, Travy Joe and Josh Morales.
Phil Wickham picked up songwriter of the year (artist), while his album Hymn of Heaven was named worship album of the year and the title track was named worship recorded song of the year. He also performed his four-week No. 1 Billboard Christian Airplay hit “House of the Lord.” His acceptance speech was filled with gratitude as he noted he has been leading worship in various church services since he was in his early teens.
The topics of loss and rejuvenation were touched on throughout the evening, as TobyMac thanked the audience for their support and prayers following the loss of his eldest son, Truett, in 2019.
“I thought I would never write another song, much less a song that is uptempo,” TobyMac noted, before performing the joyous song “The Goodness” with Blessing Offor. Earlier this year, the song became a three-week No. 1 on the Christian Airplay chart.
Last year, the inaugural GMA Leadership Award was given to GMA leader Patillo, and this year, the honor was awarded to CAA’s John Huie, who has worked with Amy Grant, DC Talk, Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman and more.
Later in the evening, Smith introduced his longtime friend and fellow CCM luminary Steven Curtis Chapman, who launched his performance with a medley of his previous hits, including “The Great Adventure” and “Divin’ In,” before performing “Don’t Lose Heart” from his new album Still.
“Thirty-five years went by in a hurry,” Chapman quipped.
Jason Ingram (who has worked with Elevation Worship, Maverick City Music, Winans, Lauren Daigle and others) was named songwriter of the year (non-artist), while producer of the year went to Jeff Pardo (who has worked on projects for Wilson, Crowder, Newsboys and more). Family trio The Sound won their first GMA Dove Award, for bluegrass/country/roots album (God Is Real). Rap/Hip Hop recorded song of the year went to “King Jesus” from KB and nobigdyl, while pop/contemporary album of the year went to for King & Country’s What Are We Waiting For? (the brother duo also won in the short form music video of the year/concept category for “Relate,” as well as long form video of the year.
Maverick City Music won two honors during the evening, including gospel worship recorded song of the year (“Breathe”) as well as gospel worship album of the year with Tribl, for Tribl Nights Atlanta.
As the evening began to draw to a close, Winans took the stage after being named as the recipient of the evening’s biggest honor, artist of the year. In lieu of a traditional acceptance speech, she gracefully sang a chorus of “To God Be The Glory,” as the audience joined in, creating a uniting, impromptu a cappella choir.
For a full list of the evening’s winners visit doveawards.com.
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