Brandon Lake, CeCe Winans, Forrest Frank, Josiah Queen, Lauren Daigle and Phil Wickham are vying for this year’s top honor, artist of the year, as the nominees for the 56th annual GMA Dove Awards have been revealed.
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Lake, who earned a top 10 Billboard 200 hit with his latest album King of Hearts, leads this year’s artist nominees with nine nominations, including artist of the year, song of the year and pop/contemporary recorded song of the year.
This year, the GMA Dove Awards moves from its longtime home on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville, and will be held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 7. The broadcast will air exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ app on Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET, and will be simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. The ceremony will rebroadcast on TBN and the TBN+ app on Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET.
This year’s nominees also spotlights an influx of newly-minted nominees, with more than 40 artists earning first-time nominations, including Abbie Gamboa, Down East Boys and Nick Day among others.
“It’s such an exciting time as we announce this year’s nominees,” Gospel Music Association president Jackie Patillo said in a statement. “We love honoring the incredible gifts of our community of artists, songwriters, producers, and creatives and showcasing all they’ve accomplished this past year. I look forward to celebrating with you at Bridgestone Arena this October!”
The GMA Dove Awards are voted on by the Gospel Music Association’s professional membership and this year’s nominees were chosen from over 2,800 submitted entries. Final round voting will run from Aug. 7 through Aug. 14.
The theme for this year’s awards show is “Creation Sings.” Singer-songwriter Tauren Wells, who returns to host the awards ceremony again this year, said in a statement, “As someone who lives to create, perform, and lead in worship, I’m constantly reminded that our music is just a reflection of a much greater song … one that began when God spoke the world into existence. From the rhythms of the ocean to the harmonies of human praise, all of creation is echoing His glory. I can’t wait to celebrate the artists who are adding their voices to that eternal sound.”
See the list of selected nominee categories below, with the full list available at the Dove Awards’ website.
Artist of the year:
Brandon Lake
CeCe Winans
Forrest Frank
Josiah Queen
Lauren Daigle
Phil Wickham
Song of the year presented by MultiTracks.com:
“Counting My Blessings” (Writers) Seph Schlueter, Jordan Sapp, Jonathan Gamble
“Good Day” (Writer) Forrest Frank
“Goodbye Yesterday” (Writers) Gracie Binion, Steven Furtick, Mitch Wong, Josh Holiday
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” (Writers) Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Benjamin William Hastings
“Still Waters (Psalm 23)” (Writers) Leanna Crawford, Jonathan Gamble, Justin Mark Richards
“That’s My King” (Writers) Kellie Gamble, Jess Russ, Lloyd Nicks, Taylor Agan
“That’s Who I Praise” (Writers) Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Benjamin William Hastings, Zac Lawson, Micah Nichols
“The Prodigal” (Writers) Josiah Queen, Jared Marc
“The Truth” (Writers) Megan Woods, Matthew West, Jeff Pardo
“Up!” (Writers) Forrest Frank, Connor Price
New artist of the year presented by Cantinas Arts Foundation:
Abbie Gamboa
Caleb Gordon
Leanna Crawford
Patrick Mayberry
Strings and Heart
Worship recorded song of the year presented by CCLI:
“At The Altar” – ELEVATION RHYTHM, Tiffany Hudson, Abbie Gamboa
“I Know A Name” – Elevation Worship, Chris Brown, Brandon Lake
“Mighty Name Of Jesus (Live)” – Hope Darst, The Belonging Co.
“The King Is In The Room” – Phil Wickham
“What A God (Live)” – SEU Worship, ONE HOUSE, Kenzie Walker, Chelsea Plank, Roosevelt Stewart
Pop/contemporary recorded song of the year:
“Desperate” – Jamie MacDonald
“GOODBYE YESTERDAY” – ELEVATION RHYTHM, Grace Binion
“Still Waters (Psalm 23)” – Leanna Crawford
“That’s Who I Praise” – Brandon Lake
“YOUR WAY’S BETTER” – Forrest Frank
Gospel worship recorded song of the year presented by CCLI:
“Come Jesus Come” – CeCe Winans, Shirley Caesar
“God Is In Control” – DOE
“One Hallelujah” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Erica Campbell, Israel Houghton (ft. Jonathan McReynolds, Jekalyn Carr)
“Rest On Us (Flow) [Live]” – Naomi Raine
“Yahweh” – Jason Nelson (ft. Melvin Crispell III)
Spanish language recorded song of the year:
“Al Estar Aquí” – Marcos Witt, TAYA
“ALGORITMO” – Gabriel EMC, Alex Zurdo
“Coritos de Fuego” – Israel & New Breed, Unified Sound (ft. Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Nate Diaz, Aaron Moses, Lucia Parker)
“Sigue Caminando” – Sarai Rivera
“Worthy” – Blanca (ft. Yandel)
Rap/hip-hop album of the year:
Anike – Anike
Christlike, California – Mile Minnick
CRY – Hulvey
SORRY, I CHANGED (AGAIN) – Aaron Cole
The People We Became – nobigdyl.
Southern gospel recorded song of the year:
“If Not For Christ” – The Whisnants
“Love ‘Em Where They Are” – Gaither Vocal Band
“Man On The Middle Cross” – Scotty Inman (ft. Jason Crabb, Charlotte Ritchie)
“That’s What Faith Looks Like” – Karen Peck & New River
“You’ll Find Him There (Live)” – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Bluegrass/country/roots recorded song of the year:
“(More Than A) Hollow Hallelujah” – The Isaacs
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll
“If It Was Up To Me” – Ben Fuller, Carrie Underwood
“There’s a Hole in the Heart” – The Nelons
“There’s a River” – High Road (ft. Jaelee Roberts)
Feature film of the year:
For the One
Reagan
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Forge
The King of Kings
Television series of the year:
God. Family. Football.
House of David
Jesus: Refugee, Renegade, Redeemer with Bear Grylls
The Chosen
When Hope Calls