The GMA Dove Awards are the longest-running and most comprehensive awards ceremony in Christian and Gospel music, presented annually by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) since 1969. The awards recognize outstanding achievement across more than 40 categories covering pop, rock, worship, hip-hop, gospel, Southern gospel, country, bluegrass, and Spanish-language Christian music. The 56th ceremony took place on October 7, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, hosted by Tauren Wells and broadcast on TBN.
How the GMA Dove Awards Works
The Gospel Music Association, founded in 1964, organizes the Dove Awards. The ceremony is held annually in Nashville, except for 2011 and 2012 when it moved to Atlanta. The award trophy features a dove design created by gospel singer Les Beasley and designer Bob McConnell, a concept suggested by Bill Gaither in 1968.
Eligibility requires that submitted music be released within the designated eligibility period and fit within the Christian music genre. GMA members, who must be professionals working in the Christian music industry, submit entries for consideration. A screening committee reviews all submissions to ensure proper category placement and eligibility compliance.
Voting happens in two rounds. In the first round, GMA members vote to determine the nominees in each category. In the final round, members vote again to select winners from the shortlisted nominees. The membership-based voting system means that winners reflect the consensus of active industry professionals rather than a small panel of judges.
The awards span an extensive range of categories. General categories include Song of the Year, Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year. Genre-specific categories cover Pop/Contemporary, Rock/Contemporary, Rap/Hip Hop, Worship, Inspirational, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass/Country/Roots, Contemporary Gospel, Traditional Gospel, and Spanish Language. Additional categories recognize Christmas and special event albums, music videos, and feature films.
Real-World Example
At the 56th GMA Dove Awards on October 7, 2025, Brandon Lake won Artist of the Year, capping a year of dominant worship music releases. The ceremony at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville featured live performances and was broadcast exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ app, with a simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. The broadcast re-aired on October 17, 2025.
The Dove Awards' category structure means an artist can win in multiple genres in a single year. For example, an artist could win Pop/Contemporary Album and Worship Album simultaneously, reflecting how modern Christian music often blurs genre boundaries. The breadth of categories also ensures that niche genres like Southern Gospel and Spanish-language Christian music receive recognition alongside mainstream worship acts.
Past Winners by Category (2024 and 2025)
Below is a reference table of winners in major categories from the last two ceremonies. This data is useful for tracking trends in which artists and songs the GMA membership recognizes year over year.
| Category | 2024 (55th Doves) | 2025 (56th Doves) |
|---|---|---|
| Artist of the Year | CeCe Winans | Forrest Frank |
| New Artist of the Year | Forrest Frank | Leanna Crawford |
| Song of the Year | "Holy Forever" (Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram, Phil Wickham) | "Hard Fought Hallelujah" (Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Benjamin William Hastings) |
| Songwriter of the Year (Artist) | Brandon Lake | Brandon Lake |
| Songwriter of the Year (Non-Artist) | Jason Ingram | Mitch Wong |
| Pop/Contemporary Album | Coat of Many Colors (Brandon Lake) | CHILD OF GOD (Forrest Frank) |
| Worship Recorded Song | "Praise" (Elevation Worship ft. Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, Chandler Moore) | "I Know A Name" (Elevation Worship, Chris Brown, Brandon Lake) |
| Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song | "God Problems" (Maverick City Music ft. Naomie Raine, Chandler Moore) | "Holy Hands" (DOE) |
| Traditional Gospel Recorded Song | (See full list at doveawards.com) | "Yes" (Karen Clark Sheard) |
| Gospel Worship Recorded Song | (See full list at doveawards.com) | "Come Jesus Come" (CeCe Winans, Shirley Caesar) |
| Producer of the Year | Jonathan Smith | Jeff Pardo |
Notable patterns: Brandon Lake won Songwriter of the Year (Artist) in both 2024 and 2025. Forrest Frank followed the same trajectory as Lauren Daigle and Zach Williams, advancing from New Artist of the Year to Artist of the Year in consecutive years. CeCe Winans remained a dominant force across gospel categories in both ceremonies.
2026 Ceremony Details (57th Annual GMA Dove Awards)
The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards are scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. The ceremony will be hosted by Tauren Wells for a fourth consecutive year. Wells also serves as an executive producer and performer for the show.
Broadcast information:
- The show airs exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ App on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 7:30 PM and 10 PM ET
- A rebroadcast airs Friday, October 16, 2026, at the same times
- SiriusXM The Message (Channel 65) simulcasts the October 9 broadcast
- The ceremony is presented in partnership with the Cantinas Arts Foundation
2026 nominees to watch: Phil Wickham leads all nominees with nine nominations, followed by Brandon Lake with eight and CeCe Winans with seven. Behind the scenes, Jonathan Smith leads all nominees with 14 nominations, followed by Jacob Sooter with 12 and Steven Furtick with 11.
Artist of the Year nominees: Brandon Lake, CeCe Winans, Josiah Queen, Lauren Daigle, Phil Wickham.
Song of the Year nominees include "Can't Steal My Joy" (Josiah Queen, Brandon Lake), "Come Jesus Come" (CeCe Winans), "Homesick For Heaven" (Phil Wickham), "I Know A Name" (Elevation Worship, Brandon Lake), and "What An Awesome God" (Phil Wickham).
New Artist of the Year nominees: bodie, Emerson Day, Jamie MacDonald, Megan Woods, SEU Worship.
The 2026 theme is "Together For One," inspired by Colossians 3:14. Tickets are available through doveawards.com.
Performance Highlights and Videos
Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, and Jon Batiste perform "Hard Fought Hallelujah" at the 2025 Dove Awards
The 56th Dove Awards closed with a now-viral performance of "Hard Fought Hallelujah." Jon Batiste opened at the piano before a 100-voice choir joined. Brandon Lake took over lead vocals, and Jelly Roll entered midway through. The performance featured rain pouring down on the performers inside Bridgestone Arena, earning a standing ovation. The song won Song of the Year, Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year, and Short Form Music Video of the Year. It was Jelly Roll's first Dove Award.
Lauren Daigle performs "Let It Be A Hallelujah" at the 2025 Dove Awards
Lauren Daigle returned to the Dove Awards stage at Bridgestone Arena on October 7, 2025, with a performance of "Let It Be A Hallelujah." Daigle is a past Artist of the Year winner (2016) and remains one of the most recognized names in Christian music.
Tamela Mann performs "Deserve To Win" at the GMA Dove Awards
Tamela Mann delivered a gospel performance at the Dove Awards. Mann won Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year at the 56th ceremony for "Live Breathe Fight." Her vocal delivery and stage presence are a reference point for gospel artists studying live performance technique.
Elevation Worship announces Dove Week 2026 Night of Worship
Elevation Worship announced the Dove Week 2026 Night of Worship, kicking off Dove Awards week on October 5, 2026, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. This event is separate from the main ceremony and requires registration through the Dove Awards Music City Fan Experience at doveawards.com.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
The Dove Awards accept submissions from independent artists and smaller labels, not just major label releases. If you create Christian or Gospel music, GMA membership is the first step toward eligibility. Membership costs vary but provide access to the submission and voting process.
Independent Christian artists should focus on the New Artist of the Year and genre-specific album categories, where major label dominance is less pronounced. Ensure your release falls within the eligibility window and that all metadata, credits, and promotional materials are accurate before submission. A Dove Award nomination can significantly boost booking opportunities within the church and conference circuit, where much of Christian music's revenue is generated.
Visit the Dove Awards website for current eligibility requirements, submission deadlines, and GMA membership details. The Gospel Music Association also publishes nomination categories and winner lists from past ceremonies.
Related Terms
- Grammy Awards - The Grammys also recognize Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music in their own categories
- Sync Licensing Companies - Christian music sync placements for film and TV can complement Dove Award recognition
- Streaming Royalty Calculator - Estimate streaming revenue from Christian music releases on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music
- Publishing Royalty Split Calculator - Calculate songwriter splits for Dove Award-nominated compositions
