CeCe Winans won Artist of the Year, while Forrest Frank took home New Artist of the Year during the 55th annual Dove Awards held at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville recently.
Winans won three awards, including Gospel Worship Album of the Year (More Than This) and Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year (My Tribute, Natalie Grant featuring Winans). Frank won two awards while also claiming Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (Good Day).
Producer/songwriter Jonathan Smith led the way with seven Dove Awards, including Producer of the Year.
Worship Album of the Year went to Phil Wickham (I Believe), who won four Doves, while Song of the Year was Holy Forever, written by Wickham, Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, and Jason Ingram.
Brandon Lake, Ingram, and Chandler Moore each received three awards. Lake took home Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (Coat of Many Colors), while KB won Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year (His Glory Alone II).
Winans, during a post-show news conference, credited the “goodness of God” for her longevity. She won her first Dove Award in 1996 (Female Vocalist of the Year). This was her second Artist of the Year award (2022).
“The gospel is always relevant to me — singing songs that uplift the heart and doing what God has called you to do,” Winans said. “You know that never gets old.
“It’s just God. He’s just faithful, and He’s called me to keep going, and I’ll do it until He tells me I can stay home with my grandkids.”
Following is a partial list of winners. The full list is available on the Dove Awards website.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: CeCe Winans
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Forrest Frank
SONG OF THE YEAR: Holy Forever
WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR: Praise – Elevation Worship (ft. Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, Chandler Moore)
WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR: I Believe – Phil Wickham
CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR: God Problems – Maverick City Music (ft. Naomie Raine, Chandler Moore)
POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Coat of Many Colors – Brandon Lake
POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR: Good Day – Forrest Frank
ROCK/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR: Grave Robber – Crowder
ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Manna – Chris Renzema
SOUTHERN GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR: Here Comes Jesus – Jeff & Sheri Easter (ft. Mo Pitney)
FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR: Unsung Hero.