Photo A: Tauren Wells hosting 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards

Credit: Jamie Gilliam 

CeCe Winans opened the show with a joy-fueled performance of “That’s My King” complete with a 24-person choir. Tauren Wells brought out surprise guests DAVIES. and Skillet’s John Cooper for his dynamic “Take It All Back” performance. Forrest Frank’s upbeat “No Longer Bound/GOOD DAY” mash-up featured members from The Choir Room. One of the night’s highlights, introduced by beloved worship leader Darlene Zschech, was the multilingual performance of “Holy Forever” featuring Brian and Jenn Johnson, Miel San Marcos and Gabriel Guedes. 

Photo B: CeCe Winans opened the show performing “That’s My King”.

Photo Credit: Tessa Voccola

In a heavy yet worshipful moment, host Tauren Wells spoke about the many losses happening at home and around the world, including within the Christian and Gospel music community. Especially poignant, Wells played a personal audio text from Mandisa, who passed earlier this year, and reminded the audience how important it is to speak words of love to those around us. “I know so many of you in the room received messages, support and love just like this,” Wells said. “[Mandisa] will be greatly missed along with all of the other friends and family we’ve lost this year and loved so deeply. It’s a sobering reminder that our words carry so much weight. Your words can be some of the most valuable things you can leave behind. Let’s all remember to reach out to those we love.” The moment was capped off with a stirring performance of “My Tribute (To God Be The Glory)” from Natalie Grant.

Photo C: Natalie Grant performing “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)” 

Photo Credit: Jamie Gilliam

In a surprise announcement, the GMA revealed the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in the heart of Music City. The announcement was delivered in a video featuring Steven Curtis Chapman, Jason Crabb, Jekalyn Carr, Danny Gokey and CeCe Winans carrying the Dove statuette from Lipscomb’s Allen Arena to Bridgestone Arena.

The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be live,Tuesday, October 7th, 2025. Music City Fan Experience tickets are on sale HERE and general public tickets are on sale HERE. 

Gospel Music icons Bill and Gloria Gaither were honored with the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award. Bill and Gloria are legendary songwriters behind songs like “Because He Lives,” “He Touched Me,” and “There’s Something About That Name.” As their names were called to receive the award, the audience leapt to its feet to celebrate the beloved couple. Accepting the award, Bill Gaither said, “I want to encourage all you young songwriters to keep writing your songs. There's a hole in the heart of this country. There’s a whole lot of empty going on. Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost our song. There’s a hole in the heart of America that only God can fill.” The GMA was honored to award Bill and Gloria Gaither the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award.

Photo D: Gospel Music Icons Bill & Gloria Gaither received the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award.

Photo Credit: Jamie Gilliam

To watch the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards on demand on TBN+: CLICK HERE 

Logos for the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards are located HERE. Photo highlights from the night can be found HERE.

Partial list of winners:

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)

RAP/HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR: His Glory Alone II - KB

SPANISH LANGUAGE RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR: “Tantas Historias” - Christine D’Clario

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

SOUTHERN GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Live In Amsterdam - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR: Unsung Hero - (Directors) Richard Ramsey, Joel Smallbone, (Producers) Joel Smallbone, Josh Walsh, Luke Smallbone, Justin Tolley

For the full list of winners, CLICK HERE.

Select quotes from the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards:

“I want to encourage all you young songwriters to keep writing your songs. There's a hole in the heart of this country. There’s a whole lot of empty going on. Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost our song. There’s a hole in the heart of America that only God can fill.”

Bill Gaither as he and Gloria Gaither accepted the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award

“There’s a quote I heard a long while ago from Mother Teresa. ‘If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.’ There were two people who changed my life - my mom and my dad.”

Luke Smallbone, Producer of Unsung Hero and member of for KING + COUNTRY accepting the award for Feature Film of the Year

“When I lost everything 35 years ago, I went to Helen and said, ‘the only way we can get ahead is if we go to America.’ She said we’d go for two years. 33 years later we’re still here. We love America. This is the land of opportunity. We did it tough for the first two years. I believe I went through that story to grow me, and move me from lukewarm to passionate. My challenge to everyone of you in this room - leave tonight to commit to change the world. Do it in conjunction with your local church.”

David Smallbone, dad of Joel and Luke Smallbone and manager of for KING + COUNTRY, accepting the award for Feature Film of the Year for Unsung Hero

“I know so many of you in the room received messages, support and love just like this,” Wells said. “[Mandisa] will be greatly missed along with all of the other friends and family we’ve lost this year and loved so deeply. It’s a sobering reminder that our words carry so much weight. Your words can be some of the most valuable things you can leave behind. Let’s all remember to reach out to those we love.”

Tauren Wells introducing the In Memoriam performance

“I think the only joy in having a song like this win something like this is we get the opportunity to remind people over and over and over again there is nothing impossible for God. He is able. He sees us. We all have issues, we all have problems, there’s stuff we’re going through. But He is a God that sees us, that cares, that knows. He’s a God that solves problems, that comes through. I pray I get to sing it for the rest of my life.”

Naomi Raine accepting the Maverick City Music win for Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for “God Problems.”

“This one’s special because six years ago I nearly lost my life to mental illness. This song has become the song of my recovery and the miracle of my existence is to glorify the Lord every day of my life. We all have stories to tell. Some of us have thousands. But there’s one common denominator in each story and it’s God is still good. He is still faithful and He is still with us and He won’t abandon us or forsake us.”

Christine D’Clario accepting the award for Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year for “Tantas Historias”

“I got the honor this year to come to the Doves with my lovely mother. The doctors told her when I was a baby I would not be able to talk, and if I could, I would not talk well. My mother told them they were wrong. She’s exemplified this resilient stubborn faith that believes God can do more than what the reports say. [To his mother] I dedicate this award to you. You have represented a fighter for me my entire life. You fought for me when I was far from Jesus, when I did not believe in God. And here I am right now as the fruit of your labor.

Christian Hip Hop is an often overlooked entity. Something is happening in the mainstream right now. They are paying attention to what is going on. It’s something that isn’t just music, this is a movement. People are coming to Christ. Marriages are being saved. Folks are finding themselves in these Gospel representations. As the world is watching, give them Jesus.”

KB accepting the award for Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year for His Glory Alone II

“I feel so undeserving of this award. I actually was curious if I was even gonna come to an award show for Christian music because it’s all for Him. Everything I do is for the Lord. For whatever reason, He’s chosen to give me some songs that have related to some people. If He shuts it off and doesn’t give me anymore songs, that’s cool. If He continues to bless it, that’s great. I want to continue to give Jesus glory. My name will fade away just like all of ours one day, but at the end of time and for all of eternity, one name will remain - Jesus Christ.”

Forrest Frank accepting the award for New Artist of the Year

“I’m known for my music all over the world. People know me for my music. God only knows me for my relationship with Him. He only knows us according to the way we know Him. And so all of us here tonight - the artists I was in the category with, I came here to cheer them on tonight. I didn’t think this was going to happen - but God is faithful. All my life He’s been faithful. All my life He’s been good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.”

CeCe Winans accepting the award for Artist of the Year

The 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt serve as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returns as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, and Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager. The 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards are presented in partnership with Cantinas Arts Foundation, whose mission is to support artists who share their talent and faith through Arts and Media.

An encore performance will air on TBN and TBN+ Friday, October 11th, 2024 at 8pm and 10pm ET and will also livestream on the TBN YouTube channel at 8pm ET on the 11th. 

About Gospel Music Association & Foundation:

Since 1964, the Gospel Music Association's mission has been to expose, promote and celebrate the Gospel through music. The GMA serves the richly diverse creatives and professionals within the Christian and Gospel music industry by preserving the legacies of those who’ve gone before us and celebrating the work of today’s artists through events like the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Easter Celebration, and GMA Christmas Celebration - which reaches millions of people around the world annually.

For more information about the Gospel Music Association, visit www.gospelmusic.org. Join the GMA social communities on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

About TBN:

TBN is America’s most-watched faith-and-family channel and the world’s largest religious broadcaster, reaching over 175 nations through more than 30 global networks with inspirational programming in 17 languages. TBN, the original pioneer of faith-based television, is expanding into other marketplaces such as publishing and innovative digital content in various formats, all designed to reach every viewer demographic with the life-changing message of hope and grace. To find out more about TBN, visit us at tbn.org.