The race for Christian music's biggest honour is officially underway, and this year's GMA Dove Awards nominations are packed with some of the industry's biggest names-and a few rising stars ready to shake things up.
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) has unveiled the nominees for the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards, with Phil Wickham emerging as this year's most-nominated male artist after securing an impressive nine nominations. Gospel powerhouse CeCe Winans leads all female artists with seven nods, setting up a highly anticipated showdown in the coveted Artist of the Year category.
Joining Wickham and Winans in the night's biggest award are Brandon Lake, breakout sensation Josiah Queen, and Grammy-winning singer Lauren Daigle, making this one of the strongest Artist of the Year line-ups in recent memory.
Meanwhile, eight-time Dove Award winner Tauren Wells is returning to host the ceremony for the fourth consecutive year-one of the longest hosting streaks in Dove Awards history. Wells isn't just emceeing the evening, however. He also serves as an executive producer, will perform during the ceremony, and has earned two nominations of his own.
Reflecting on his return, Wells said the evening is about far more than handing out trophies.
"The Dove Awards are more than just an awards show," he said. "The promise of Scripture is if two or three people come together that Jesus is in our midst. We know this isn't about trophies; it's about elevating the name of Jesus and celebrating those who have done that very well this year. I'm so grateful to be back hosting and I cannot wait to get back on that stage-it's truly an honour."
Behind many of this year's biggest hits are the songwriters and producers shaping Christian music from the studio. Jonathan Smith tops the entire nominations list with a remarkable 14 nominations, followed by Jacob Sooter with 12 and Steven Furtick with 11, underscoring their enormous influence across multiple albums and chart-topping songs.
The New Artist of the Year category also promises plenty of excitement, featuring fast-rising talents bodie, Emerson Day, Jamie MacDonald, Megan Woods, and SEU Worship as they compete for one of Christian music's most closely watched breakthrough awards.
This year's theme, "Together For One," draws inspiration from Colossians 3:14, highlighting unity across the Christian music community.
GMA President Jackie Patillo said the nominees embody that vision.
"Every year, the Dove Awards bring the diverse voices of the Christian music community together to celebrate the God we all serve, and that's exactly the heart behind this year's theme, 'Together For One.' This year's class of nominees embodies that spirit, creating life-changing music that continues to unite people across the globe."
The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards will take place on Tuesday, October 6, at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena before airing exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ app on Friday, October 9. Fans will also be able to tune in via SiriusXM's The Message during the live broadcast.
Below is a preview of select category nominees for the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards. For the complete list of nominees across all 39 categories, visit doveawards.com.
Song of the Year
"Can't Steal My Joy" (Writers) Josiah Queen, Brandon Lake, Hank Bentley, Jacob Sooter
"Come Jesus Come" (Writers) Hank Bentley, Bryan Fowler, Stephen McWhirter, Tara McWhirter
"Dusty Bibles" (Writers) Josiah Queen, Zac Lawson, Dylan Thomas, John Michael Howell
"God I'm Just Grateful" (Writers) Chandler Moore, Pat Barrett, Steven Furtick, Abubakar Baker Shariff-Farr, Joshua Coleman
"Homesick For Heaven" (Writers) Phil Wickham, Jonathan Smith
"I Know A Name" (Writers) Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake, Jacob Sooter, Hank Bentley
"Left It In The River" (Writers) Jamie MacDonald, Jonathan Gamble, Colby Wedgeworth
"Mighty Name Of Jesus" (Writers) Hope Darst, Jacob Sooter, Lauren Sloat
"No Fear" (Writers) Jon Reddick, Matthew West, Jeff Pardo
"What An Awesome God" (Writers) Phil Wickham, Jonathan Smith, Rich Mullins
Artist of the Year
Brandon Lake
CeCe Winans
Josiah Queen
Lauren Daigle
Phil Wickham
New Artist of the Year
bodie
Emerson Day
Jamie MacDonald
Megan Woods
SEU Worship
Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year
"Bless You" - Lecrae, Torey D'Shaun
"DAVE" - Hulvey
"God Did II" - RUA YOUNG, KB
"ROB HELL" - indie tribe, nobigdyl., Torey D'Shaun (ft. Jon Keith)
"Yes" - Steven Malcolm, for KING & COUNTRY, KB
Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
"eyes on Him" - Strings & Heart
"idols" - Stephen Stanley
"No Survivors" - Jeremy Camp (ft. Skillet)
"SEVENS" - Brandon Lake
"The Love I Have For You" - Colton Dixon
Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year
"Black Sheep" - Ben Fuller
"Broken Man Can" - Scotty Inman
"Speaking Terms" - Ella Langley
"Still Do" - Anne Wilson, Cole Swindell
"The Jesus I Know Now" - Brandon Lake, Lainey Wilson
Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
"Already Good (Tasha Slide)" - Tasha Cobbs Leonard
"imposter syndrome" - ANTHNY
"Jesus I Do" - Mariah Carey (ft. The Clark Sisters)
"Still (Live)" - Jonathan McReynolds, Jamal Roberts
"Sunday Morning" - Tauren Wells, Pastor Mike Jr.
Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year
"ABCD" - Daddy Yankee (ft. Alex Zurdo)
"CRISTO (En vivo desde la Prision de El Salvador)" - Miel San Marcos, Josh Morales, Luis Morales Jr.
"DIGNO" - Nate Diaz (ft. Aaron Moses, Israel Houghton)
"Necesito a Cristo (En Vivo)" - Karen Espinosa
"Tu Voz" - Sarai Rivera
Worship Recorded Song of the Year
"God I'm Just Grateful" - Elevation Worship, Chandler Moore
"How Good It Is" - Chris Tomlin
"Mighty Name Of Jesus" - Hope Darst, Josh Baldwin
"What An Awesome God" - Phil Wickham
"Worthy Of It All (Worthy)" - CeCe Winans
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
Counting My Blessings -Seph Schlueter
Jamie MacDonald - Jamie MacDonald
King Of Hearts - Brandon Lake
Mt. Zion - Josiah Queen
Walk Through Fire - Ben Fuller
Southern Gospel Album of the Year
Forever - Tribute Quartet
Good Answers - Karen Peck & New River
Steadfast Love - The Craguns
Then Came the Morning - Gaither Vocal Band
This Is The Time I Must Sing - The Martins
Gospel Worship Album of the Year
Greater - Todd Galberth
Live at Redemption Church - Red Worship
More Than This (Deluxe Edition) - CeCe Winans
Promises: The Best Of Todd Dulaney - Todd Dulaney
Soundcheck - VaShawn Mitchell
Short Form Music Video of the Year (Concept)
"Heaven On My Mind" - TobyMac
"I've Got A Fire" - Pat Barrett
"Raised By Wolves" - Franni Cash
"SEVENS" - Brandon Lake
"World On Fire" - for KING & COUNTRY, Taylor Hill
Feature Film of the Year
A Great Awakening
DAVID
I Can Only Imagine 2
Sarah's Oil
Soul on Fire
Television Series of the Year
Duck Dynasty: The Revival
House of David
The Chosen
The Promised Land
The Wingfeather Saga
