American gospel singers, CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake, and Forrest Frank were standout winners at the 55th annual GMA Dove Awards, which aired on Friday, October 4, on TBN.
The event, held at Allen Arena in Nashville’s Lipscomb University, United States, was attended by a sold-out audience celebrating the year’s finest artists and songwriters across a variety of genres, including pop, gospel, rap/hip-hop, and southern gospel.
As the ceremony commenced, GMA president Jackie Patillo addressed the crowd, highlighting the rich diversity of talent present.
“Unity does not mean uniformity. The Dove Award stage is a picture of God’s creativity,” she remarked. This sentiment was echoed by the evening’s host, Tauren Wells, who celebrated the beauty of the diversity in the room, emphasizing, “Though there are many genres, we are singing one song.”
Winans, a legendary figure in gospel music, took home the evening’s highest accolade as artist of the year, alongside two additional awards.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, she expressed her disbelief on stage, saying, “You gotta be kidding me… I know it has nothing to do with me. God is amazing… 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.”
Brandon Lake also had a triumphant evening, claiming the pop/contemporary album of the year for ‘Coat of Many Colors’.
In a heartfelt acceptance speech, he reflected on the significance of the honor, saying, “I’ve been crying all night… This is the award I wanted to win the most. Your fingerprints are on thousands of lives that have been changed…I’m so grateful.” Lake, who was also recognized as songwriter of the year (artist), emphasized the honor of being surrounded by greatness in the industry.
The evening was filled with 11 impressive performances, starting with CeCe Winans’ electrifying rendition of “That’s My King.” The night continued with CAIN performing their Billboard Christian Airplay hit “Any More,” followed by Anike, who showcased her powerful song “In the Light,” accompanied by guest Porsha Love and a troupe of break-dancers. Joseph Habedank captivated the audience with his soulful performance of “Tell the Devil.”
Tye Tribbett delivered a show-stopping rendition of “Only One Night Tho,” met with resounding applause.
Maverick City Music, featuring Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore, enchanted the crowd with their contemporary ballad “God Problems,” which won the award for contemporary gospel recorded song of the year.
Raine shared, “I think the only joy in having a song like this win something like this is we get the opportunity to remind people there is nothing impossible for God.”
The audience rose to their feet when the Jackie Patillo Award for Distinguished Leadership was presented to gospel music legends Bill and Gloria Gaither. Known for their timeless songs such as “Because He Lives” and “There’s Just Something About That Name,” the couple expressed their gratitude, with Gloria stating, “We are overwhelmed with that.” Bill Gaither added, “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.”
Michael W. Smith took the stage to present the song of the year award, which was awarded to Chris Tomlin’s “Holy Forever.”
Accepting the honour, Brian Johnson and Jenn Johnson expressed their appreciation to their co-writers, including Tomlin, Jason Ingram, and Phil Wickham.
Throughout the evening, several mothers were honoured for their unwavering support.
Accepting the Rap/Hip-Hop album of the year award for ‘His Glory Alone II’, KB dedicated his win to his mother, who was in attendance.
“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… You have represented a fighter for me my entire life,” he stated, showcasing the deep bond between them.
He further emphasized the significance of Christian Hip Hop as more than just music but as a movement leading people to Christ.
The feature film of the year award went to the For King & Country production ‘Unsung Hero’, which chronicles the duo’s family journey from Australia to America. Joel and Luke Smallbone invited their parents on stage to share their inspiring story, with their mother stating, “I believe every mom is an unsung hero.” Their father added, “35 years later, we’re still here. We love America. This is a land of opportunity.”
Darlene Zschech, the writer of the beloved song “Shout to the Lord,” introduced a special collaboration featuring Brian and Jenn Johnson, Miel San Marcos, and Gabriel Guedes, performing a multilingual rendition of “Holy Forever.”
Christine D’Clario expressed her gratitude when accepting the Spanish language recorded song of the year award, saying, “This one is special…and has become the song of my recovery.”
Wells took a brief hiatus from hosting to perform alongside DAVIES and Skillet’s John Cooper, delivering a powerful rendition of “Take It All Back (What The Enemy Stole).” Natalie Grant honored the memories of many artists and creators lost over the past year with a stirring performance of “My Tribute (To God Be The Glory).”
During the evening, Christian-country singer Anne Wilson captivated the audience with her heartfelt ballad “Strong,” as her album ‘Rebel’ received the award for bluegrass/country/roots album of the year.
Forrest Frank, the new artist of the year, also performed earlier in the evening, showcasing his songs “No Longer Bound” and “Good Day.”
He expressed his humility in accepting the award, stating, “I feel so undeserving…For some reason, He’s given me songs that relate to people. I want to continue to give Jesus glory because my name will fade away, but one name will remain, and that’s Jesus Christ.”
The night concluded with a performance from Crowder, who delivered his top 10 Christian Airplay hit “Grave Robber,” which earned the title of rock/contemporary recorded song of the year.
Looking ahead, the 56th annual GMA Dove Awards is scheduled for October 7, 2025, with the ceremony moving to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena after years at Allen Arena.
List of Winners:
Artist of the Year: CeCe Winans
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Yea: 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 Yea: “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 Wickha’
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
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
