GMA Dove Awards
CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake and Forrest Frank were among the evening’s biggest winners at the 55th annual GMA Dove Awards, which aired Friday (Oct. 4) on TBN.
The ceremony, which took place in front of a sold-out crowd at Allen Arena at Nashville’s Lipscomb University, the evening celebrated the artists and songwriters behind the year’s top music, encompassing sounds including pop, Gospel, rap/hip-hop, southern gospel and more.
“Unity does not mean uniformity. The Dove Award stage is a picture of God’s creativity,” said GMA president Jackie Patillo told the audience as the show began. “They are all uplifting and praising the name of Jesus.”
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Host for the evening, singer-songwriter Tauren Wells echoed those sentiments, saying, “I’m encouraged by the diversity and beauty I see in this room. The diversity that the dove awards represent is beautiful,” and adding, “Though there are many genres, we are singing one song.”
Winans earned the evening’s top honor, artist of the year, along with two other accolades.
“You gotta be kidding me,” Winans said after taking the stage to accept the artist of the year win. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I know it has nothing to do with me. God is amazing…I’m known for my music, but God only knows me for my relationship with Him. He only knows us according to the way we know Him. And so all of us here tonight – the artists I was in the category with, I came here to cheer them on tonight.”
In accepting the pop/contemporary album of the year honor for Coat of Many Colors, Lake said, “I’ve been crying all night and I told somebody this is the award I wanted to win the most. I just want my friends to win. These amazing producers, these guys it has been the honor of my life just to roll with you guys. I get the privilege of touring and presenting these songs. Your fingerprints are on thousands of lives that have been changed…I’m so grateful. I’m literally sitting here all night and just weeping…the word humility, I’m surrounded by greatness. What an honor to be surrounded by greatness. Thank you for supporting these songs, this record, we’ve got a lot more coming.” Lake was also named songwriter of the year (artist).
The evening featured 11 performances, with CeCe Winans opening the show with a full-throttle, praise-inspiring “That’s My King.” CAIN followed with their top 5 Billboard Christian Airplay hit “Any More,” while break-dancers flanked Anike as she performed the fierce “In the Light,” with guest Porsha Love. Joseph Habedank performed the swampy, soulful, stomping “Tell the Devil.”
Tye Tribbett and his backing vocalists soared through “Only One Night Tho,” to thunderous applause. Maverick City Music with Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore performed the piano ballad “God Problems” (the song was named contemporary gospel recorded song of the year).
“I think the only joy in having a song like this win something like this is we get the opportunity to remind people over and over and over again there is nothing impossible for God,” Raine said. “He is able. He sees us.”
Forrest Frank
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The crowd rose to its feet when the Jackie Patillo award for distinguished leadership was awarded to Gospel music pioneers Bill and Gloria Gaither, known for songs including “Because He Lives” and “There’s Just Something About That Name.”
“We are overwhelmed with that,” Gloria said, thanking everyone who has sung their songs in churches, congregations and choirs around the world, and artists who have recorded the songs.
“Somewhere along the way we’ve lost our song. Let us stand on the Rock of Ages and shine like a city on a hill, because there’s a hole in the heart of America that only God can fill,” Bill Gaither said.
Michael W. Smith presented the song of the year honor, which went to Chris Tomlin’s “Holy Forever.” Brian Johnson and Jenn Johnson accepted the honor, also thanking their co-writers on the song, Tomlin, Jason Ingram and Phil Wickham.
Multiple times during the evening, mothers were celebrated. In accepting the Rap/Hip-Hop album of the year honor for his album His Glory Alone II, KB honored his mother, who was in the audience.
“I got the honor this year to come to the Doves with my lovely mother,” KB said. “The doctors told her when I was a baby I would not be able to talk, and if I could, I would not talk well. My mother told them they were wrong. She’s exemplified this resilient stubborn faith that believes God can do more than what the reports say.” Turning to his mother, he said, “I dedicate this award to you. You have represented a fighter for me my entire life. You fought for me when I was far from Jesus, when I did not believe in God. And here I am right now as the fruit of your labor.”
He went on to say, “Christian Hip Hop is an often overlooked entity. Something is happening in the mainstream right now. They are paying attention to what is going on. It’s something that isn’t just music, this is a movement. People are coming to Christ. Marriages are being saved. Folks are finding themselves in these Gospel representations. As the world is watching, give them Jesus.”
The feature film of the year went to the For King & Country film Unsung Hero, based on the story of the sibling duo’s family and their journey from Australia to America. The duo’s Joel and Luke Smallbone invited their parents, who inspired the film, to speak.
“I believe every mom is an unsung hero,” their mother said, while their father added, “This is emotional. When I lost everything 35 years ago, I said, ‘The only way we can get ahead is to go to America.’ She said, ‘We’ll go for two years.’ And 35 years later, we’re sill here. We love America. This is a land of opportunity.”
“Shout to the Lord” writer Darlene Zschech introduced the collaboration of Brian and Jenn Johnson, Miel San Marcos and Gabriel Gabriel Guedes for a multi-lingual version of “Holy Forever.”
Meanwhile, in accepting the Spanish language recorded song of the year, Christine D’Clario said, “This one is special…and has become the song of my recovery.”
Wells took a break from hosting duties to team with DAVIES and Skillet’s John Cooper for “Take It All Back (What The Enemy Stole),” issuing a commanding performance with pummeling drums and careening guitars, instantly taking some in the audience from raising hands to headbanging.
Anne Wilson
Jamie Gilliam
Natalie Grant gave a powerful, stirring rendition of “My Tribute (To God Be The Glory),” honoring the lives of many artists, executives and other creators who have passed away over the past year.
Elsewhere during the evening, Christian-country singer Anne Wilson performed her powerful ballad “Strong” (her album Rebel won bluegrass/country/roots album of the year).
The new artist of the year honor went to Forrest Frank, who earlier in the evening performed his songs “No Longer Bound” and “Good Day.” Frank also picked up the win for pop/contemporary recorded song of the year, for ‘Good Day.”
“I feel so undeserving of this award. I was curious if I was even going to come to an awards show for Christian music because everything I do is for the Lord,” Frank said. “For some reason, He’s given me songs that relate to people. I’m so thankful to be here and I want to continue to give Jesus glory because my name will fade away like everyone else’s….but one name will remain and that’s Jesus Christ.”
The evening closed out with a performance from Crowder, as he performed his top 10 Christian Airplay hit “Grave Robber,” which was named rock/contemporary recorded song of the year.
The 56th annual GMA Dove Awards will be held Oct. 7, 2025, when the Dove Awards ceremony relocates from its longtime home at Allen Arena, moving to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
See a list of winners below:
Artist of the year: CeCe Winans
Pop/contemporary album of the year: Coat of Many Colors, Brandon Lake
New artist of the year: Forrest Frank
Bluegrass/country/roots album of the year: Rebel, Anne Wilson
Southern gospel album of the year: Live in Amsterdam, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound
Spanish language recorded song of the year: “Tanta Historias,” Christine D’Clario
Rap/hip-hop album of the year: His Glory Alone II, KB
Rap/hip hop recorded song of the year: “Love Like That,” Hulvey feat. Tony D. Shaun, Alex Jean
Short-form music video (concept): “Faithfully,” TobyMac
Short-form video of the year (performance): “Joy (The Choir Room Version),” The Choir Room, Ben Rector
Songwriter of the year (non-artist): Jason Ingram
Songwriter of the year (artist): Brandon Lake
Producer of the year: Jonathan Smith
Worship recorded song of the year: “Praise,” Elevation Worship
Song of the year: “Holy Forever,” Chris Tomlin
Feature Film of the Year: Unsung Hero
Contemporary gospel recorded song of the year: “God Problems,” Maverick City Music
Contemporary gospel album of the year: Father’s Day, Kirk Franklin
Bluegrass/country/roots recorded song of the year: “Lookin’ For You,” Zach Williams Feat. Dolly Parton
Gospel worship album of the year: More Than This, CeCe Winans
Inspirational recorded song of the year: “My Tribute (to God Be the Glory),” Natalie Grant feat. CeCe Winans
Traditional gospel recorded song of the year: “I Believe God” – Jekalyn Carr
Traditional gospel album of the year: No Failure, Melvin Crispell III
Southern gospel recorded song of the year: “Here Comes Jesus,” Jeff & Sheri Easter (ft. Mo Pitney)
Worship album of the year: I Believe, Phil Wickham
Christmas/special event album of the year: Lifesongs: A Celebration of the First 20 Years, Casting Crowns
Christmas recorded song of the year: “Manger Throne,” Phil Wickham
Spanish language album of the year: Evangelio (En Vivo), Miel San Marcos
Inspirational album of the year: autobiography, Joseph Habedank
Children’s recorded song of the Year: “Holy Forever,” Yancy
Recorded music packaging of the year: Jesus Music, CAIN
Spanish language worship recorded song of the year: “Hermoso Momento (Sesión Acústica),” Kairo Worship
Spanish language recorded song of the year: “Tantas Historias,” Christine D’Clario
Television series of the year: Chasing CAIN
Rock/contemporary album of the year: Manna, Chris Renzema
Rock/contemporary recorded song of the year: “Grave Robber,” Crowder
Gospel worship recorded song of the year: “The Story I’ll Tell (Live)” – Naomi Raine
Pop/contemporary recorded song of the year: “Good Day,” Forrest Frank
Musical/choral collection of the year: “My King Is Known By Love”
Long form video of the year: “Steven Curtis Chapman: The Great Adventure,” Steven Curtis Chapman
The GMA Dove Awards are moving to a new location in 2025, Billboard can reveal.
The 2025 GMA Dove Awards will be held Oct. 7, 2025, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, marking a move from its home of 11 years at Nashville’s Allen Arena at Lipscomb University.
“We have been so honored to partner with Lipscomb these past eleven years for the GMA Dove Awards,” GMA president Jackie Patillo said in a statement to Billboard. “The reality is, we are growing! In 2025 we will be expanding to Bridgestone Arena for our live show happening October 7th. We couldn’t be more excited to showcase the heart of our Christian and Gospel community right in the heart of Music City.”
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The GMA Dove Awards have sold out several months in advance for the past three years. Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena has an approximately 5,000-person capacity whereas Bridgestone Arena has a concert attendance capacity of up to 20,000. Bridgestone Arena, located at the corner of Broadway and Rep. John Lewis Way, also hosts the annual Country Music Association Awards.
The relocation of the GMA Dove Awards also comes at a time when the genre’s artists such as Lauren Daigle, Elevation Worship, Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham are seeing gains in music consumption and touring numbers.
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This year’s GMA Dove Awards, which were taped earlier this week at Allen Arena, will air on TBN and TBN+ Friday night (Oct. 4). This year’s nominees include Brandon Lake, Chandler Moore, CeCe Winans, Jonathan Smith, Naomi Raine, Anne Wilson, KB, Forrest Frank, Josiah Queen and more.
The new location will coincide with the planned September 2025 opening of the Christian and Gospel Museum at the Dove Center, located at 147 Fourth Ave. N., at the corner of Fourth Ave. and Commerce Street. The 11,000-square-feet museum and hall of fame will be located near the historic Ryman Auditorium, and will feature interactive displays to celebrate today’s top Christian and Gospel artists, while also preserving and spotlighting the legacies of many Christian and Gospel trailblazing pioneers.
Tickets to the 2025 GMA Dove Awards presale are available at ticketmaster.com.
See the promo video for the 2025 GMA Awards below:
Leading into this week’s GMA Dove Awards, Forrest Frank is one of the frontrunners with nods for new artist of the year and pop/contemporary recorded song of the year (“Good Day”). He’s also set to perform during Christian music’s biggest night, when the GMA Dove Awards are held Wednesday (Oct. 2) at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena. The show will air on TBN and TBN+ on Oct. 4.
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In August, “Good Day” rose to No. 2 on Billboard’s streaming, airplay and sales-based Hot Christian Songs chart, after previously rising into the upper echelon of Spotify’s U.S. Viral 50 chart.
However, the Houston native never intended to release “Good Day” after he wrote it in early 2024. He recalls to Billboard that he sent the song to a close music friend, who offered up some discouraging feedback.
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“He was like, ‘I don’t know about this song,’ so I had put it on the back burner because of that,” Frank recalls. “I thought maybe it was a little too on the nose, too happy.”
But then, Frank’s fans took the song from the dust bin to viral hit. While most artists tease out songs early on social media, Frank offers up early versions of songs in the 6,000-member Grouped app community that he’s named The Tree House. When Frank let the community vote on five unreleased songs, “Good Day” was the clear choice.
“I kept seeing the comments rolling in, like, ‘”Good Day” is my favorite,’ ‘Good Day,’ ‘Good Day’…so I put the song out, not thinking it was special at all, and then it just completely blew up.”
“Good Day” is Frank’s highest-ranking song on the Hot Christian Songs chart, but it’s not his first. In 2023, Frank’s collaboration “Up!” with Connor Price reached No. 8 on the chart. In April, his four-song EP God Is Good, which featured “Up!” and “Good Day,” debuted in the top 5 on the same chart.
In August, Frank saw his biggest chart hit yet. His album Child of God (which includes the four songs from the God Is Good EP) debuted at No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums chart and has held that spot for the past nine weeks. To date, he’s earned 5.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
“Just on a macro level, Forrest is speaking to an enormous community of people in a way that they really haven’t been spoken to,” says Tony Talamo, who serves as Frank’s manager, but was also recently named general manager at Atlantic Music Group.
“I think it’s just the way that he’s able to communicate and expose his music to this community has really registered with people, and just how genuine he is about the whole thing,” Talamo continues. “I think it just shines through in the music and that’s what people really kind of gravitate towards.”
Frank, 28, grew up listening to music ranging from CCM to jazz and first began creating music as a high school student, using the compact Maschine Mikro production and beats-making machine to produce his own musical creations.
Shortly after graduating from Baylor University with a degree in business, he teamed with fellow musician Colin Padalecki in 2017, joining the group Surfaces (they released the album Surf that year). At the time, Frank was working a corporate gig in Seattle, doing sales for the Fortune 500 company Abbott, while continuing with his obsession with making music. Simultaneously with his work as part of Surfaces, he was also already releasing solo music, issuing his first solo project, Warm, in 2018.
In 2019, Surfaces released “Sunday Best.” The following year, Frank married — and he and his wife, Grace, moved to Waco, Texas. Around that time, “Sunday Best” gained traction, rising to the top 20 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and ultimately earning 980 million plays on Spotify. The song was certified 3x multi-platinum by the RIAA. Surfaces followed with songs including “Wave of You” and even collaborated with Elton John on the song “Learn to Fly” from John’s The Lockdown Sessions.
But as Frank began getting his first taste of success with Surfaces, Frank was “wrestling with the feeling of ‘I don’t want to be famous,’” he says. “Ultimately, my goal is to lead people to Jesus, and I hope I’m doing that through pop music. I remember I would pray salvation prayers at a low decibel beneath these pop songs.”
The success of “Sunday Best” came at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when concerts and tours of all sizes were paused. After turning down performance opportunities for over a year, Frank says he “felt like eventually I was pretty much retired from pop music. I was like, ‘I’ll write songs for Surfaces, but I feel like we are supposed to be at home. And if God wants me to go back to [work in a] corporate [setting], I’m fine with that.’”
At the same time, he was writing and singing worship songs. He kept returning to one of the songs he’d crafted during his personal time, “No Longer Bound,” eventually recording and releasing the song in January 2023. The song went viral (it’s earned over 64 million Spotify streams to date), and he soon followed with the Connor Price collaboration “Up!,” “Lift My Hands,” and ultimately, “Good Day.”
“Things just snowballed from there,” Frank says.
Frank is one of a crop of newcomers making waves in Contemporary Christian Music, alongside fellow GMA Dove Awards new artist of the year nominees Charity Gayle, Josiah Queen, Seph Schlueter and Terian. Newcomers to the genre are seeing gains in streaming, social media and touring, as CCM music rose in the first half of the year as one of the top fastest-rising musical genres in the U.S.
“There’s this new level, where people are coming forward with their own personal sound because of the availability of technology and the lack of hoops to jump through,” Frank says. “And I think that even the Christian industry probably hasn’t had much friction or competition for a lot of years. But now you’ve got all these kids, like you’ve got an 18-year-old who knows more than the 40-year-old about production because they went direct to the source and learned on YouTube versus going to a college. And so these young, talented, hungry kids are rising forward and they’re making great songs.”
Frank’s connection with fans extends beyond the U.S. market: According to Chartmetric, while the United States remains Frank’s top market, 13.3% of his listenership comes from Brazil (he has leaned into that market by incorporating Portuguese-language content on his social media).
“We just went and shot a live version of his [sold out] show at the Shrine in [Los Angeles],” Talamo says. “We employ all our digital content team when he needs it, but he really leads the way with it. It’s giving him all the things he needs to do things the way he wants to. Forrest is such a machine in the way that he operates from writing and producing the music, shooting the content, performing, and thinking about all the creative elements that come together. He’s so in tune with his business and his projects.”
That business-focused mindset extends beyond music, as does Frank’s future goals.
‘I do have an entrepreneurial mind and I’m always thinking about different things,” he says. “For example, I bought a space in Waco, and I’m turning it into this physical retail space where people can come in and buy albums and merch — but it’s also going to be a grocery store and a coffee shop that serves the community, and I’m going to source it to local farms. Honestly, I could predict that in the next five to 10 years, something will emerge that has nothing to do with music. That could even become my main thing.”
Not anytime soon, however — considering that his new single “Never Get Used to This,” featuring JVKE, just debuted at No. 39 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart, while he has seven songs peppering the Hot Christian Songs chart, including “Good Day,” “Never Get Used to This,” and “Life is Good.”
As with “Good Day,” Frank says he’ll continue to bring all his music to his most devoted fans first.
“When I’m thinking about my next release, before taking it to Instagram or TikTok I’ll probably throw three or four snippets in [the Treehouse group] to get the feedback,” Frank says. “For me, it helps as an artist — not every song’s going to be a hit, but at least I can be a little more refined in my moves so when I bring a song to socials it’s like, ‘Okay, this is the one that’s already been proven in this smaller focus group.’”
With his Child of God tour having recently wrapped, the UTA-aligned Frank has an even larger tour slated for 2025. He says touring as a CCM artist has been markedly different from some of his past performance experiences.
“I’ve never viewed myself as a performer,” he says. “I just wanted to make music and be a producer. I’ve done maybe hundreds of shows with Surfaces that were in the name of entertainment, and looking back, I can now recognize fully that it always felt like a disconnect. And on this past tour, it just felt so right. It felt like every cell of my body was being used for God and his glory, and every show was a 10 out of 10 because of that. It changed my perspective of being onstage to where now I’m excited because I get to be a conductor of bringing people to the Lord, versus just connecting with fans per se, which I do love as well.
“This whole journey just has felt like a gift from God, and he’s just continued to bless me with new songs and new ideas,” Frank adds. “I can’t take any credit for it. Anytime anything good happens, it’s just like, ‘Okay, God for whatever reason has selected me as a vessel for Him.’”
Gospel legend CeCe Winans is among the first round of performers set for the 2024 GMA Dove Awards. Other performers include Tauren Wells — who is also set to host the show — Crowder, Natalie Grant, Forrest Frank, Joseph Habedank and Maverick City Music with Naomi Raine.
The 55th annual GMA Dove Awards will be presented on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville. The show will be taped and will premiere on TBN and TBN+ on Friday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET. An audio simulcast will air on SiriusXM’s The Message (channel 65) and on the SiriusXM App.
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An encore presentation will air on TBN and TBN+ on Friday, Oct. 11, at 8 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET.
Tickets for the Nashville taping are sold out.
Performers were announced on Tuesday (Sept. 17) on SiriusXM The Message by host and nominee Wells, whose project Joy in the Morning (Horizon Edition) is nominated for pop/contemporary album of the year.
Prior to the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards broadcast, Kristin Adams will host a red-carpet show on Friday, Oct. 4, on TBN+.
Brandon Lake is this year’s leading nominee, with 16 nods. Other top nominees include writer-producer Jeff Pardo (11 nominations), Chris Brown (10), Chandler Moore (10), writer-producer Jonathan Smith (10), Winans (five) and Raine (five).
The GMA Dove Awards have added a new category this year – Spanish language worship recorded song of the year.
See a list of GMA Dove Awards nominees in top categories here. For the full list of GMA Dove Awards nominees in all categories, visit doveawards.com.
The 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt serve as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returns as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, and Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager.
Brandon Lake leads this year’s slate of nominees for the Gospel Music Association’s upcoming 55th annual GMA Dove Awards, picking up 16 nominations, including artist of the year. The nominations were announced Wednesday morning (July 24).
Lake will compete in the artist of the year category against “Strong” hitmaker Anne Wilson, “That’s My King” hitmaker CeCe Winans, “Unsung Hero” singers for King & Country and “Thank God I Do” singer Lauren Daigle. Lake also earned four nods in the song of the year category, as well as nods in the worship recorded song of the year category, while his project Coat of Many Colors is nominated for pop/contemporary album of the year.
Other top nominees this year include writer-producer Jeff Pardo (11 nominations), Chris Brown (10), Chandler Moore (10), writer-producer Jonathan Smith (10), CeCe Winans (five) and Naomi Raine (five).
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Among this year’s slate of nominations is a new category: Spanish language worship recorded song of the year. The inaugural nominees in the category are “Alaba” (Elevation Worship, Elevation Español, Unified Sound), “Hermoso Momento (Sesión Acústica)” (Kairo Worship), “Holy Forever (Español)” (Chris Tomlin, Miel San Marcos), “Tu Amor No Tiene Fin (Correr A Tus Brazos)” (Generación 12, Gateway Worship Español) and “Tu Presencia Es Mi Jardín” (Daniel Calveti, Melody Adorno).
Hosted by Tauren Wells, whose project Joy in the Morning (Horizon Edition) is nominated for pop/contemporary album of the year, the 55th annual GMA Dove Awards will be held Oct. 1 at the Allen Arena at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, and will air exclusively on TBN and TBN+, and simulcast on SiriusXM The Message, on Friday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET.
“I love this moment each year when we get to announce our nominees,” GMA president Jackie Patillo said in a statement. “The Dove Awards are about spreading the message in our music with the world and honoring the work of the amazing artists, songwriters, producers, and film & TV creators in our great community. I’m thrilled for this year’s nominees and can’t wait to celebrate in October.”
The theme for the 55th annual GMA Dove Awards is Unite the Song, with Wells saying via a statement, “Unite the song is a heart cry for God’s people to come together in unity. We get to come together out of our individual corners, from each different stream within the church, to unite around this one song, holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty.”
This year’s nominees were selected from more than 2,500 submitted entries and voted on by the GMA professional membership. Final-round voting for the GMA Dove Awards will run from Aug. 1 through Aug. 8. The 55th annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association, with Patillo and Justin Fratt serving as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtus Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returns as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager.
See a list of GMA Dove Awards nominees in top categories below. For the full list of GMA Dove Awards nominees in all categories, visit gospelmusic.org.
Artist of the year
Anne Wilson
Brandon Lake
CeCe Winans
for KING + COUNTRY
Lauren Daigle
Song of the year
“All Things” (Writer) Kirk Franklin
“Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” (Writers) Cody Carnes, Austin Davis, Chandler Moore
“Holy Forever” (Writers) Jason Ingram, Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Phil Wickham
“I Believe It (The Life Of Jesus)” (Writers) Daniel Carson, David Leonard, Jess Cates, Jon Reddick, Jonathan Smith
“More Than Able” (Writers) Chandler Moore, Ben Fielding, Steven Furtick, Naomi Raine
“Praise” (Writers) Chandler Moore, Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Pat Barrett
“Praise You Anywhere” (Writers) Brandon Lake, Ben Fielding, Jacob Sooter, Hank Bentley
“Thank God I Do” (Writers) Lauren Daigle, Jason Ingram, P!nk, Jeffrey Bhasker, Nate Ruess
“This Is Our God” (Writers) Phil Wickham, Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake, Pat Barrett
“Trust In God” (Writers) Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Mitch Wong
New artist of the year
Charity Gayle
Forrest Frank
Josiah Queen
Seph Schlueter
Terrian
Rap/hip hop recorded song of the year
“Hard Work God First” – Zauntee
“IGWT” – Jon Keith, KB
“In The Light” – Wande
“Love Like That” – Hulvey (ft. Torey D’Shaun, Alex Jean)
“Miracles” – KB, Lecrae
Pop/contemporary recorded song of the year
“Any More” – CAIN
“Counting My Blessings” – Seph Schlueter
“GOOD DAY” – Forrest Frank
“Strong” – Anne Wilson
“The Prodigal” – Josiah Queen
Bluegrass/country/roots recorded song of the year
“If I Got Jesus” – Ben Fuller
“Lookin’ For You” Zach Williams ft. Dolly Parton
“Man On The Middle Cross” – Rhett Walker
“Praying Woman” – Anne Wilson (ft. Lainey Wilson)
“tell the devil” – Joseph Habedank
Traditional gospel recorded song of the year
“Burdens Down (Live)” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“God Is (Radio Edit)” – Melvin Crispell III
“I Believe God” – Jekalyn Carr
“In My Name” – Smokie Norful
“When I Think (Live)” – Ricky Dillard
Gospel worship recorded song of the year
“All Yours” – Kierra Sheard (ft. Anthony Brown)
“Fill The Room” – Michael Bethany
“Lead Us Again” – DOE
“That’s My King” – CeCe Winans
“The Story I’ll Tell (Live)” – Naomi Raine
Worship recorded song of the year
“Firm Foundation (He Won’t) (Live)” – Cody Carnes
“I Believe” – Phil Wickham
“Praise” – Elevation Worship (ft. Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore)
“Praise You Anywhere” – Brandon Lake
“Trust In God” – Elevation Worship (ft. Chris Brown)
Pop/contemporary album of the year
COAT OF MANY COLORS – Brandon Lake
Jesus Music – CAIN
Joy In The Morning (Horizon Edition) – Tauren Wells
Lauren Daigle – Lauren Daigle
Unsung Hero: The Inspired By Soundtrack – for KING + COUNTRY
Gospel worship album of the year
Cover The Earth (Live in New York) – Naomi Raine
More Than This – CeCe Winans
Overflow – Michael Bethany
The Journey – Todd Dulaney
The Maverick Way Complete – Maverick City Music
Spanish language recorded song of the year
“Amén” – Nacho (ft. Gilberto Daza, Alex Zurdo)
“Babel” – Un Corazón
“Danza” – KB, Niko Eme & Cardec Drums
“Donante de Sangre” – Daddy Yankee
“Tantas Historias” – Christine D’Clario
Spanish language worship recorded song of the year (New Category)
“Alaba” – Elevation Worship, Elevation Español, Unified Sound
“Hermoso Momento (Sesión Acústica)” – Kairo Worship
“Holy Forever (Español)” – Chris Tomlin, Miel San Marcos
“Tu Amor No Tiene Fin (Correr A Tus Brazos)” – Generación 12, Gateway Worship Español
“Tu Presencia Es Mi Jardín” – Daniel Calveti, Melody Adorno
Southern gospel recorded song of the year
“Here Comes Jesus” – Jeff & Sheri Easter (ft. Mo Pitney)
“Make the Morning Worth the Midnight” – Gaither Vocal Band
“Sheaves (Dedicated to Isabel)” – Karen Peck & New River
“Unstoppable God” – Kingsmen
“Until We Fly Away” – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Feature film of the year
Unsung Hero
Sound of Freedom
Journey To Bethlehem
Ordinary Angels
The Blind
Television series of the year
Chasing CAIN
When Calls The Heart
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Tauren Wells is set to host and perform on the GMA Dove Awards for the second consecutive year. The 55th GMA Dove Awards will take place on Oct. 1 at the Allen Arena in Nashville. Nominations will be announced on July 24.
“Last year’s Dove Awards was such an incredible experience, we’ve decided to run it back!” Wells said in a statement. “I’m so excited to return as host for this year’s Dove Awards. It’s going to be a great night!”
Wells is musician, preacher and public speaker with eight GMA Dove Awards (including contemporary Christian artist of the year and new artist of the year), 10 Grammy nominations (but no wins as yet) and a Billboard Music Award nomination.
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In addition, Wells has notched three five albums on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart – Hills and Valleys, Citizen of Heaven and Joy in the Morning. Five of his hits, including the current “Take It All Back” (with We the Kingdom and Davies) have reached No. 3 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.
Wells connects his contemporary Christian and Gospel sound with elements of pop, hip-hop and R&B. Born and raised in Michigan, Wells currently resides in Texas with his wife, Lorna Brittany Wells, and four sons. In 2024, the Wells family launched Church of Whitestone in Austin, Texas, where Tauren and his wife are co-lead pastors.
On March 26, the GMA announced a new category – Spanish language worship recorded song of the year. The new award joins two other Latin music categories: Spanish language album of the year, established in 1998, and Spanish language recorded song of the year, created in 2017.
The 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt serve as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returns as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager.
The GMA also revealed the itinerary for its annual Music City Fan Experience. It includes a Brandon Lake concert at the Ryman Auditorium; new artist showcase featuring the 2024 class of new artist of the year nominees; river cruise aboard the General Jackson Showboat including a songwriters showcase; and a ticket to the GMA Dove Awards. Packages include a hotel stay in downtown Nashville. For more information, visit the GMA Dove Award’s website.
On Tuesday (March 26), the Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced a new category dedicated to Spanish representation in Christian music for their annual Dove Awards. The award for Spanish language worship recorded song of the year will debut at the 55th GMA Dove Awards, set to take place on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at the Allen Arena in Nashville. Nominations will be announced on July 24.
The new award, which will recognize the talent of performers and songwriters of worship songs, joins two other pre-existing Latin music categories: Spanish language album of the year, established in 1998, and Spanish language recorded song of the year, created in 2017. (Bands Generación 12 and Miel San Marcos were the winners of these awards, respectively, last year).
The initiative responds to a 30% increase in Spanish-language music entries submitted to the awards show in the last five years, as well as the constant growth of Spanish language music in genres ranging including worship, urban, pop, and rock.
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“We have witnessed this genre boom internationally, without precedent or barriers,” Justin Fratt, executive vice president of the Gospel Music Association, said in a press release. “For us, it has been an honor to support our colleagues from various Latin American and Spanish-speaking countries, celebrating the greatness of their music.”
The effort was backed by other companies in the Latin Christian industry such as CanZion, Capitol CMG/Universal, Creation Music, Curb Records, Heaven and Sony/Provident, according to the release.
Henry Alonzo, CCO of Christian music publishing and distribution company Adarga Entertainment Group, tells Billboard Español that its audio and video streaming numbers have quadrupled recently, and that its artists — who have included Miel San Marcos, Alex Campos and Jesús Adrian — have reached the same stages as those in other genres of Latin music. “All this is thanks to the work done by the same industry that supports artists of this genre,” he said.
Since its foundation in 1964, GMA has served a highly diverse community of creatives and professionals within the Christian and gospel music industry. Its mission is to expose, promote and celebrate gospel music. Through the GMA Foundation and the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the association seeks to preserve the legacy of the genre’s pioneers, while celebrating the work of contemporary artists with events such as the Dove Awards.
In 2025, the Gospel Music Association will open the Dove Center and Gospel Music Museum in downtown Nashville.
The Dove Center and Gospel Music Museum will be located at 147 Fourth Ave. N., at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Commerce Street, one block from the historic Ryman Auditorium.
“Developed to preserve the legacy of our historic past, support the impact of today’s artists, and plant seeds for the future, we believe the Dove Center will be a beacon of light for the kingdom of God,” Gospel Music Association president/executive director Jackie Patillo said in a video revealing details about the timeline for the upcoming Dove Center. “It will also be a key part of the GMA’s mission to expose, promote, and celebrate the Gospel through music.”
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The video also featured a rendering of the Dove Center, with plans including the Dove Awards Theater, a timeline of the history of the gospel music industry, exhibits highlighting artists’ stories, a Hall of Fame area spotlighting plaques for each member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame’s approximately 200 members, and exhibits allowing visitors to create and mix their own song. The center will feature exhibit areas with titles including Lift Your Voice, Moving Up The Charts and Created to Worship.
The Gospel Music Association, which puts on the annual GMA Dove Awards, was founded in 1964. The Dove Awards were conceptualized by singer-songwriter Bill Gaither in 1968. The inaugural Dove Awards were held in 1969 in Memphis, Tennessee, before the awards moved to Nashville in 1971. The Awards were held in Atlanta in 2011 and 2012, before returning to Nashville in 2013.
The building that will house the Dove Center is also home to Lipscomb University’s Spark Center. Since 2013, the Gospel Music Association and Lipscomb University have had a partnership, where the annual GMA Dove Awards have been held at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena, while the Gospel Music Association operates from its headquarters at 4012 Granny White Pike in Nashville, on Lipscomb University’s campus.
This 54th annual GMA Dove Awards winners this year included artist of the year winner Brandon Lake (who picked up four total awards during the evening), while Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Toby Mac, Blessing Offor and Jeff Pardo each won two awards.
The Dove Center will join several other music-focused museums in Music City, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, the National Museum of African American Music, the Johnny Cash Museum, the Patsy Cline Museum, and the Willie Nelson and Friends museum.
Brandon Lake and Tasha Cobbs Leonard were among those in the winners circle on Friday evening (Oct. 20), as the 54th annual Dove Awards aired on TBN.
The Gospel Music Association began in 1964, and the first Dove Awards were held in 1969; initially, the ceremony primarily honored Southern gospel music. But the awards ceremony has expanded over the decades to honor an array of sounds and musical styles, including pop, hip-hop, Gospel, country, Latin and more.
During the 2023 ceremony, which was taped earlier this week on Oct. 17 at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Lake took home the lion’s share of wins, earning four trophies, including the overall artist of the year trophy.
“There are so many people in this room that I look up to and who gave me permission to write as a young boy. They say imitate before you innovate,” Lake said in accepting his artist of the year honor. “I have imitated so many of you year after year after year and songs not making it and no one hearing it and then God breathes on a little something. I’m so grateful to be a part of this community.”
Cobbs Leonard took home two awards — gospel worship album of the year for Hymns (Live) and traditional gospel recorded song of the year — and closed out the evening by performing “Burdens Down.”
“This album means a lot to me because I’m a church girl; I’m a PK [preacher’s kid],” Cobbs Leonard told the audience after winning the evening’s first honor, gospel worship album of the year. She added, “One of the ways I learned scripture was through song. I think we have an amazing opportunity to impact future generations through our lyrics.”
Toby Mac, Blessing Offor and Jeff Pardo each won two awards. Other winners included Katy Nichole (new artist of the year), Elevation Worship (worship album of the year for Live From the Loft), Jason Crabb and Dylan Scott (bluegrass/country/roots recorded song of the year for “Good Morning Mercy”) and Lecrae (rap/hip-hop album of the year, for Church Clothes 4). Song of the Year went to “Goodness Of God,” honoring songwriters Ben Fielding, Ed Cash, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson, and Brian Johnson. Miel San Marcos, Daniel Calveti, Marcos Witt and Ingrid Rosario won Spanish language recorded song of the year for “Coritis (En Vivo).”
Here, we look at 8 impactful moments from the ceremony. A full list of winners can be found here.
For King & Country and Jordin Sparks Sing ‘Love Me Like I Am’
Brandon Lake is the top nominee for the 2023 GMA Dove Awards, sponsored by the Gospel Music Association. Lake received 11 nominations, including artist of the year, where he is competing with CeCe Winans, for KING + COUNTRY, Lauren Daigle and Phil Wickham. Winans won the award last year. For KING + COUNTRY and Daigle are both two-time winners in the category.
Lake has a co-writer credit on three of the 10 songs that were nominated for song of the year – “Fear Is Not My Future,” “Gratitude” and “Same God.”
Lake, 33, has won three Dove Awards. He has had two No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart – Elevation Worship’s “Graves Into Gardens,” on which he was featured, and his own “Gratitude.”
Other top nominees were songwriter Jeff Pardo with eight nods, and Jason Ingram and Kirk Franklin, with six nods each. New artist of the year finalist Katy Nichole received four nods — more than any other woman. She was followed by Daigle, Naomi Raine and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, each of whom received three nominations.
Country stars Dylan Scott, Tyler Childers and Walker Hayes each received their first nominations.
“I want to congratulate his year’s wonderful list of Dove Awards nominees, GMA president Jackie Patillo said in a statement.
Nominees were announced in a livestream on the GMA Dove Awards’ YouTube channel featuring Jason Crabb, Jordan Feliz, Danny Gokey, Natalie Grant and JJ Hairston. Final-round voting will run from Aug. 17-24.
The two-hour awards show will tape in Nashville on Tuesday Oct. 17 and will air exclusively on TBN and the TBN app three nights later, on Friday Oct. 20, at 8 p.m. ET and again at 10 p.m. ET.
The 54th Annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt serve as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returns as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager.
Here’s the full list of categories that were announced on today’s livestream. For a complete list of nominees in all categories, visit doveawards.com.
Artist of the yearBrandon LakeCeCe Winansfor KING + COUNTRYLauren DaiglePhil WickhamNew artist of the yearBen FullerHulveyJon ReddickKaty NicholeNaomi RaineSong 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, DanteBowe“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
Pop/contemporary recorded song of the year“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“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 Fain“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. Blanca“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 Raine“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 Carr“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 yearMy Tribe – Blessing OfforJesus Changed My Life – Katy NicholeAlways Only Jesus – MercyMeLife After Death – TobyMacA Hundred Highways – Zach Williams
Worship album of the yearCome Up Here – Bethel MusicHonest Offering (Live) – CAINGod Is Good! (Live) – Cody CarnesLION: Live From the Loft – Elevation WorshipLamb of God – Matt Redman
Southern gospel album of the yearThink About There – Greater VisionCome on In – Guardians QuartetJohn 3:16 – PerrysBelieve – The HoppersHymns & Worship – Triumphant Quartet
Contemporary gospel album of the yearMy Truth – Jonathan McReynoldsKingdom 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 yearChurch Clothes 4 – LecraeSunday in Lagos – LimoblazeEveryone Loves a Comeback Story – Social Club MisfitsTree – Steven MalcolmNEW HOLLYWOOD – WHATUPRG
Feature film of the yearBig George ForemanFamily CampI Heard the BellsJesus RevolutionRemember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story
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