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.”
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
@BLUEAMBERPHOTO
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