CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake and Forrest Frank were the night’s biggest winners at the 55th annual GMA Dove Awards, which aired on TBN on Friday (October 4).
Held before a sold-out crowd at Lipscomb University Allen Stadium in Nashville, the evening celebrated the artists and songwriters behind the year’s top music, spanning pop, gospel, rap/hip-hop, Southern gospel and more Music and more.
“United does not mean unity. “The Dove Awards stage is a picture of God’s creative power,” GMA President Jackie Patillo told the audience at the start of the show. “They are all uplifting and praising the name of Jesus. ”
The evening’s host, singer-songwriter Tauren Wells, echoed those sentiments, saying, “I’m inspired by the diversity and beauty I see in this room. The diversity the Dove Awards represent is beautiful,” adding, “Although there are many genres, we sing one song.
Winans won the night’s top honor, Artist of the Year, along with two other honors.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Winans said after taking the stage to accept the Artist of the Year award. “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 Him as we do way to get to know us, so all of us tonight – artists who are in the same category as me, I’m here to cheer them on tonight.
Accepts pop/contemporary album of the year honor Jackets in many colors“I cried all night long and I told people this was the award I wanted to win more than anything else,” Lake said. “I just wanted my friend to win. These amazing producers, these people, it’s been a lifetime experience to get to work with you.” It’s an honor. I have the privilege of touring and singing these songs. Your fingerprints are on thousands of lives that have been changed… I’m so grateful that I sat here all night long… I’m humbled by the word. Surrounded by greatness. What an honor to be surrounded by great people. Thank you for supporting these songs, this record, and more to come. Lake was also named Songwriter (Artist) of the Year.
There were 11 performances on the night, and CeCe Winans kicked off the show with an all-out, inspiring rendition of “That’s My King.” CAIN followed with the Billboard Christian Airplay Top 5 single “Any More,” while breakdancers flanked Anike as he performed the intense “In the Light” with guest Porsha Love Performance. Joseph Habedank delivers a swampy, soulful, stomping rendition of “Tell the Devil.”
Tye Tribbett and his backup singers soared into “Only One Night Tho” to thunderous applause. Maverick City Music performed the piano ballad “God Problems” with Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore (named Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year).
“I think the only joy of having a song like this and winning like this is that we get the chance to remind people over and over again that nothing is impossible for God,” Lane said. “He has the ability. He sees us.
Forrest Frank
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The crowd stood as the Jackie Patillo Outstanding Leadership Award was presented to gospel music pioneers Bill Gaither and Gloria Gaither, who sang “Because He Lives” and “There’s Justice in the Name.” famous.
“We are overwhelmed by this,” Gloria said, thanking all those who sang the songs in churches, congregations and choirs around the world, as well as the artists who recorded them.
“Along the way, we have lost our songs. Let us stand on the Rock of Ages and shine like a city on a hill, because there is a hole in America’s heart that only God can fill,” Bill Gaither said.
Michael W. Smith presented the Song of the Year award, which went to Chris Tomlin’s “Holy Forever.” Brian and Jen Johnson accepted the honor, while thanking the song’s co-writers Tomlin, Jason Ingram and Phil Wickham.
Mothers were celebrated multiple times that night. Accepting Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year Award His Alone Glory IIKB paid tribute to his mother in the audience.
“I am honored to be here at the Doves with my lovely mother this year,” KB said. “Doctors told her that when I was a baby, I couldn’t talk, and even if I could, I wouldn’t speak. My mom told them they were wrong. She embodies this tenacity and belief in what God can do More than what the report says. He turned to his mother and said, “I dedicate this award to you. You have been my fighter all my life. When I was far away from Jesus, when I didn’t believe in God, you fought for me. What is here now is the fruit of your labor.
He continued: “Christian hip-hop is an entity that is often overlooked. Something is happening in the mainstream right now. They are paying attention to what is happening. It’s not just music, it’s a movement. People are coming to Christ. Marriages are being saved. . People find themselves in these manifestations of the gospel. While the world is watching, give them Jesus.
Drama Film of the Year went to For King & Country unsung heroIt is based on the story of the brother and sister’s family’s journey from Australia to the United States. The duo’s Joel Smallbone 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, “It’s exciting. 35 years ago, when I lost everything, I said, ‘We’ve made progress. The only way is to go to the United States. “We’ll go for two years,” she said. “Thirty-five years later, we’re still here. We love America. It’s the land of opportunity.
Shout to the Lord writer Darlene Zschech introduces Brian and Jenn Johnson, Miel San Marcos and Gabrielle The multilingual version of “Holy Forever” co-produced with Gabriel Gabriel Guedes.
Meanwhile, accepting the Spanish-language Recorded Song of the Year, Christine D’Clario said: “This song is special… and has become my song of recovery.”
Welles took a break from hosting duties to team up with Davis and Skilett’s John Cooper for “Take It All Back (What the Enemy Stole),” a majestic delivery of pounding drums and sloping guitars ’s performance immediately had some in the audience going from raising their hands to banging their heads.
Anne Wilson
Jamie Gilliam
Natalie Grant sang the powerful “My Tribute (Glory to God),” honoring the lives of the many artists, executives and other creatives who have passed away over the past year.
Elsewhere in the evening, Christian country singer Anne Wilson performed her powerful ballad “Strong” (from her album rebel won Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year).
The New Artist of the Year award went to Forrest Frank, who performed his songs “No Longer Bound” and “Good Day” earlier in the night. Frank also won Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for “Good Day.”
“I feel like I don’t deserve this award. I’m curious if I’ll be at the Christian Music Awards because everything I do is for the Lord,” Frank said. “For some reason, he gave me some songs that I could relate to. I’m so grateful to be here and I want to continue to glorify Jesus because my name will fade away like the others…but one name will remain , that is Jesus Christ.
The evening concluded with a performance by Crowder, who performed the Christian radio Top 10 hit “Tomb Raider,” which was named Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.
The 56th annual GMA Dove Awards will be held on October 7, 2025, when the Dove Awards ceremony will be relocated from its longtime home at Allen Fieldhouse to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
See the list of winners below:
Artist of the Year: CeCe Winans
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year: Jackets in many colorsbrandon lake
Emerging Artist of the Year: Forrest Frank
Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year: rebelAnne Wilson
Southern Gospel Album of the Year: live in amsterdamErnie Haase and Signature Sound
Spanish-language Recorded Song of the Year: “Tanta Historias,” Christine D’Clario
Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year: His Alone Glory II,knowledge base
Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year: “Love Like That” by Hulvey. Tony D. Shawn, Alex Jean
Short Music Video (Concept): “Faithously”, TobyMac
Short Film of the Year (Performance): “Joy (The Choir Room Version),” The Choir Room, Ben Rector
Songwriter of the Year (Non-Artist): Jason Ingram
Songwriter (Artist) of the Year: Brandon Lake
Producer of the Year: Jonathan Smith
Worship Recorded Song of the Year: “Praise,” “Highland Worship”
Song of the Year: Chris Tomlin, “Holy Forever”
Feature Film of the Year: unsung hero
Contemporary Gospel Recording Song of the Year: “God Problems,” Maverick City Music
Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year: Father’s DayKirk 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 thisSeth Winans
Inspirational Song of the Year: “My Salute (Glory to God),” Natalie Grant feat. Seth Winans
Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: “I Trust in God” – Jacalyn Carr
Traditional Gospel Album of the Year: No failuresMelvin Crispell III
Southern Gospel Recording Song of the Year: “Here Comes Jesus,” Jeff & Sheri Easter (ft. Mo Pitney)
Worship Album of the Year: i believePhil Wickham
Annual Christmas/Special Event Album: Song of Life: First 20th Anniversary Celebrations, cast crown
Christmas Recorded Song of the Year: “Manger Throne” by Phil Wickham
Spanish Album of the Year: Gospel (live)Dear San Marcos
Inspiring Album of the Year: autobiographyJoseph Haberdank
Children’s Recorded Song of the Year: “Holy Forever”, Yancy
Recorded Music Package of the Year: jesus musicKane
Spanish Worship Recording Song of the Year: “Hermoso Momento (Sesión Acústica)”, Kairo Worship
Spanish-language Recorded Song of the Year: “Tantas Historias,” Christine D’Clario
Best TV series of the year: Chasing Kane
Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year: honeydewChris Renzema
Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year: “Tomb Raiders” by Claude
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 Selection of the Year: “My King Is Famous for Love”
Feature Film of the Year: Steven Curtis Chapman: The Great Adventures
