Worship artist Phil Wickham took home Artist of the Year at the 57th annual GMA Dove Awards recently, a night marked by powerful performances and calls for unity as Christian and Gospel music’s biggest stars gathered to celebrate the impact of music and media.
The evening opened with a performance by TobyMac, who reunited with fellow Diverse City member Mr. TalkBox for the first time in 10 years for “Heaven on My Mind.” Later, Anne Wilson performed a rousing rendition of “Who I Am to You,” while Brandon Lake and country star Lainey Wilson delivered an intimate rendition of “The Jesus I Know Now,” which also won Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year.
Near the end of the night, Amy Grant and Natalie Grant joined forces for one of the most anticipated performances of the show, a tribute to Dolly Parton that included a duet of “How Great Thou Art.” Parton, who died on Aug. 25, was also among the evening’s winners, earning Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year alongside The Grascals for “Broken Angels.”
Wickham, who entered the evening with nine nominations, also won Worship Album of the Year for “Song of the Saints” and used his acceptance speech to reflect on the privilege of writing songs that Christians sing in churches around the world.
Among the night’s other major winners was Brandon Lake, who earned Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for King of Hearts and Songwriter of the Year (Artist). Lake also shared the Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year honor with Lainey Wilson for “The Jesus I Know Now.”
Hulvey, who performed during the ceremony, won Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year for COULD BE TONIGHT, while Josiah Queen’s “Dusty Bibles” earned both Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. Queen also won Recorded Music Packaging of the Year for Mt. Zion.
New Artist of the Year went to Jamie MacDonald, who reflected on her long road to a music career, including years spent waiting tables and recovering from addiction.
CeCe Winans took home Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year for “More Than This,” featuring Todd Dulaney, and using the moment to encourage believers to offer God their wholehearted worship.
Gospel powerhouse Tasha Cobbs Leonard, who won Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for TASHA, also delivered an emotional acceptance speech alongside her husband, Kenneth Leonard Jr., sharing how God “assigned” her latest project.
Other notable winners included Elevation Worship and Chandler Moore, who took home Worship Recorded Song of the Year for “God I’m Just Grateful,” and Jeremy Camp, whose collaboration with Skillet, “No Survivors,” won Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.
Andrea Bocelli, Cody Carnes and Kari Jobe earned Inspirational Song of the Year for “The Blessing,” while Strings & Heart won Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year for “Plastic Wine.”
Producer Jonathan Smith, who led this year’s nominations with 14, won Producer of the Year, while Jacob Sooter was named Songwriter of the Year (Non-Artist).
The evening also recognized the growing impact of faith-based entertainment beyond music, with the hit biblical drama “The Chosen” winning Television Series of the Year for its fifth season.
Karen Peck & New River won Southern Gospel Album of the Year for Good Answers, while Jeff & Sheri Easter took home Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for “No Rock.” Chosen Road earned Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year for “American Morning: Side A – EP.”