Who Shined at the GMA Dove Awards?
The GMA Dove Awards were a remarkable celebration of Christian music, where CeCe Winans, Koryn Hawthorn, KB, and Maverick City Music were among the distinguished honorees. CeCe Winans, known for her immense contributions to gospel music, had an outstanding year. She collaborated with Carrie Underwood on the powerful track “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” from Underwood’s album My Savior, while her hit “Believe for It” soared in the top 15 of Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart. Winans captivated the crowd with her stunning live performance, solidifying her status as one of gospel music’s legends.
Accolades and Achievements
During the ceremony, Winans garnered four significant awards, including Gospel Artist of the Year and Gospel Worship Album of the Year for “Believe for It.” This impressive record further highlights her influential role in the gospel music landscape. In a night filled with touching moments, We the Kingdom took home the Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year award and won for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year with their project, Holy Water, showcasing their multigenerational appeal and dedication to faith-based music.
The Impact of Collaborations
Collaborative efforts were a focal point of the awards night, with artists like Mali Music and McReynolds teaming up for dynamic performances, as well as Dante Bowe joining forces with Kelontae Gavin. Notably, KB’s electrifying performance of “10k” engaged the audience, incorporating a memorable snippet from Matt Redman’s “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord).” His heartfelt acceptance speech in the rap/hip-hop album category highlighted his transformative journey through music, inspiring attendees by sharing how a Christian hip-hop album changed his life.
Honoring Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music
Elevation Worship celebrated an incredible night with four wins, including Song of the Year for “Graves into Gardens,” featuring Brandon Lake. Their collaborations with Maverick City Music on Old Church Basement were also recognized, affirming the power of collective worship. Maverick City Music continued to break records on Billboard’s Christian and Gospel charts, earning accolades, including New Artist of the Year, for their impactful single “Promises.”
A Journey of Faith and Music
For King & Country took home the prestigious Artist of the Year award, capping off a night of honors with their acclaimed hits. Luke Smallbone shared a poignant reflection on his recent throat surgery struggle, emphasizing how faith sustained him through uncertain times. He expressed that music transcends mere performance, serving as a potent reminder of God’s unwavering love and transformative power.
See a selected list of winners below:
- Song of the Year: “The Blessing,” by Kari Jobe (writers: Kari Jobe, Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Steven Furtick)
- Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year: We the Kingdom
- Gospel Artist of the Year: CeCe Winans
- Worship gospel album of the year, Believe it, CeCe Winans
- Worship Gospel Recorded Song of the Year, “Believe for It,” CeCe Winans
- Artist of the Year: For King & Country
- New Artist of the Year: Music of the non-conformist city
- Worship recorded the song of the year: “Graves into Gardens”, feat. Elevation Worship. Brandon Lake
- Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year: His Glory Alone, KB
- Southern Gospel Album of the Year: Change Is Coming, Joseph Habedank
- Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year: Koryn Hawthorne
- Inspirational Film of the Year: A Week Away
- Songwriter of the Year (Non-Artist): Jason Ingram
- Songwriter of the Year (Artist): Brandon Lake
- Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year: “Deep End,” Lecrae
- Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year: “Famous For (I Believe),” Tauren Wells
- Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” feat. Carrie Underwood. CeCe Winans
- Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year: Holy Water, We The Kingdom
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