Exciting New Talent Takes Center Stage at the 56th Dove Awards (Photos)

The Gospel Music Association has announced the nominees for the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards, with Brandon Lake leading the artist nominations with an impressive nine nominations. The highly anticipated Artist of the Year category includes prominent names like Brandon Lake, CeCe Winans, Forrest Frank, Josiah Queen, Lauren Daigle, and Phil Wickham. These nominees were revealed through surprise FaceTime calls by Dove Award-winning artists such as CAIN, Jekalyn Carr, Katy Nichole, Karen Peck, and Pastor Mike Jr. The announcement will also be broadcast live on SiriusXM’s The Message (Channel 65) at 11 am CT.

A fresh wave of talent has emerged in the 2025 nominations, with a diverse group of first-time nominees representing the future of Christian and Gospel music. These rising stars include Abbie Gamboa, Annatoria, bodie, Caleb Gordon, Chelsea Plank, Chris Blue, Connor Price, Davies., Down East Boys, ECCOS, Emerson Day, FK&M, Gabriel EMC, Gracie Binion, Hannah McClure, High Road, Jaelee Roberts, Jamie MacDonald, Jelly Roll, JWLKRS Worship, Karen Espinosa, Kenzie Walker, Lakewood Music Español, Leanna Crawford, Marcus Cole, Megan Woods, Miles Minnick, Nick Day, ONE HOUSE, Patrick Mayberry, Paul McClure, Red Worship, Roosevelt Stewart, SEU Worship, Skye Peterson, The Belonging Co, Transformation Worship, Waleska Morales, Yandel, and Zane & Donna King.

The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards ceremony will take place on October 7th, 2025, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Tickets, as well as a limited number of Music City Fan Experiences, are now available. The awards show will be broadcast exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ App on October 10th, 2025, at 7:30 pm and 10 pm ET, and will be simulcast on SiriusXM’s The Message. A re-broadcast will air on TBN and the TBN+ App on October 17th at 7:30 pm and 10 pm ET.

GMA President Jackie Patillo shared, “It’s such an exciting time as we announce this year’s nominees. We love honoring the incredible gifts of our community of artists, songwriters, producers, and creatives and showcasing all they’ve accomplished this past year. I look forward to celebrating with you at Bridgestone Arena this October!”

This year’s theme, Creation Sings, celebrates the idea that all creation—whether it’s the rhythms of the ocean or the harmonies of human praise—echoes God’s glory. Host Tauren Wells expressed, “Our music is just a reflection of a much greater song… one that began when God spoke the world into existence.”

Listeners can enjoy the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards nominee playlists on popular streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Pandora.

For more details about the event and to apply for press credentials, visit https://doveawards.com.

Song of the Year Nominees Presented by MultiTracks.com:

• “Counting My Blessings” (Writers: Seph Schlueter, Jordan Sapp, Jonathan Gamble)
• “Good Day” (Writer: Forrest Frank)
• “Goodbye Yesterday” (Writers: Gracie Binion, Steven Furtick, Mitch Wong, Josh Holiday)
• “Hard Fought Hallelujah” (Writers: Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Benjamin William Hastings)
• “Still Waters (Psalm 23)” (Writers: Leanna Crawford, Jonathan Gamble, Justin Mark Richards)
• “That’s My King” (Writers: Kellie Gamble, Jess Russ, Lloyd Nicks, Taylor Agan)
• “That’s Who I Praise” (Writers: Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Benjamin William Hastings, Zac Lawson, Micah Nichols)
• “The Prodigal” (Writers: Josiah Queen, Jared Marc)
• “The Truth” (Writers: Megan Woods, Matthew West, Jeff Pardo)
• “Up!” (Writers: Forrest Frank, Connor Price)

Artist of the Year Nominees:

• Brandon Lake
• CeCe Winans
• Forrest Frank
• Josiah Queen
• Lauren Daigle
• Phil Wickham

New Artist of the Year Presented by Cantinas Arts Foundation:

• Abbie Gamboa
• Caleb Gordon
• Leanna Crawford
• Patrick Mayberry
• Strings and Heart

Worship Recorded Song of the Year Presented by CCLI:

• “At The Altar” – ELEVATION RHYTHM, Tiffany Hudson, Abbie Gamboa
• “I Know A Name” – Elevation Worship, Chris Brown, Brandon Lake
• “Mighty Name Of Jesus (Live)” – Hope Darst, The Belonging Co.
• “The King Is In The Room” – Phil Wickham
• “What A God (Live)” – SEU Worship, ONE HOUSE, Kenzie Walker, Chelsea Plank, Roosevelt Stewart

Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year:

• “Desperate” – Jamie MacDonald
• “Goodbye Yesterday” – ELEVATION RHYTHM, Gracie Binion
• “Still Waters (Psalm 23)” – Leanna Crawford
• “That’s Who I Praise” – Brandon Lake
• “Your Way’s Better” – Forrest Frank

Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year Presented by CCLI:

• “Come Jesus Come” – CeCe Winans, Shirley Caesar
• “God Is In Control” – DOE
• “One Hallelujah” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Erica Campbell, Israel Houghton (ft. Jonathan McReynolds, Jekalyn Carr)
• “Rest On Us (Flow) [Live]” – Naomi Raine
• “Yahweh” – Jason Nelson (ft. Melvin Crispell III)

Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year:

• “Al Estar Aquí” – Marcos Witt, TAYA
• “ALGORITMO” – Gabriel EMC, Alex Zurdo
• “Coritos de Fuego” – Israel & New Breed, Unified Sound (ft. Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Nate Diaz, Aaron Moses, Lucia Parker)
• “Sigue Caminando” – Sarai Rivera
• “Worthy” – Blanca (ft. Yandel)

Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year:

• Anike – Anike
• Christlike, California – Mile Minnick
• CRY – Hulvey
• SORRY, I CHANGED (AGAIN) – Aaron Cole
• The People We Became – nobigdyl.

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year:

• “If Not For Christ” – The Whisnants
• “Love ‘Em Where They Are” – Gaither Vocal Band
• “Man On The Middle Cross” – Scotty Inman (ft. Jason Crabb, Charlotte Ritchie)
• “That’s What Faith Looks Like” – Karen Peck & New River
• “You’ll Find Him There (Live)” – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year:

• “(More Than A) Hollow Hallelujah” – The Isaacs
• “Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll
• “If It Was Up To Me” – Ben Fuller, Carrie Underwood
• “There’s a Hole in the Heart” – The Nelons
• “There’s a River” – High Road (ft. Jaelee Roberts)

Feature Film of the Year:

• For the One
• Reagan
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
• The Forge
• The King of Kings

Television Series of the Year:

• God. Family. Football.
• House of David
• Jesus: Refugee, Renegade, Redeemer with Bear Grylls
• The Chosen
• When Hope Calls

The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association, with Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt as showrunners and executive producers, and Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. JoAnna Illingworth and Shama Mrema serve as scriptwriters, while Russell E. Hall returns as director, and Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production managers.

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