It’s Christian music’s biggest night. The 53rd Annual GMA Dove Awards aired recently, and among the big winners, CeCe Winans taking home Dove Awards for Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Believe For It.” In her acceptance speech Winans said, “This whole record ‘Believe For It’ is, it’s just amazing what God is doing,” adding she believes there’s a lot to look forward to for the future of Christian music.
Anne Wilson’s hit song “My Jesus” earned her honors for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year and New Artist of the Year. The song was inspired by the tragic loss of her older brother Jacob in an auto accident. “I want to thank my sweet brother in heaven who has inspired me,” she said. “That’s why I do what I do.”
Doe, who was also nominated for New Artist of the Year, took home the prize for Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year. She also performed a medley of songs on stage at the Doves including the award-winning song “When I Pray.”
Worship artist Phil Wickham also took home two statues, one for Worship Song of the Year and another for Worship Album of the Year. “I just can’t believe that God would give me a voice beyond the walls of my church to write new prayers for the church to sing,” the award-winning artist said in his acceptance speech.
The Gospel Music Association also honored Jekalyn Carr for her single “My Portion” which was named traditional gospel song of the year. Carr was shocked saying, “I wasn’t even expecting it. But I guess this is my portion.”
The theme of the Dove Awards this year was “Sounds of Heaven”. The star of The Chosen TV show, Jonathan Roumie, was at the show as a presenter and said, “All the people gathered here at the Dove Awards today are celebrating the fact that God is the answer.”
Tasha Layton, who was nominated for Song of the Year for “Look What You’ve Done” called it a special night. “I’m so thankful for what God has done in my life,” she said. She added her nominated song is “such a testimony and I feel like people have grabbed onto it as such an anthem. And so I think that’s really special.”
The focus on the 53rd Dove Awards was the Sound of Heaven, and it’s all about the people, according to New Artist of the Year Nominee Jordan St. Cyr. “It’s about the people. If we can kind of keep it there, love on one another, I think we’re going to be all right.”
Other winners included:
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (Non-Artist): Jason Ingram
SOUTHERN GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR: My Feet Are On The Rock – Gaither Vocal Band
GOSPEL WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR: Breathe – Maverick City Music
POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: What Are We Waiting For – for KING & COUNTRY