The 55th annual GMA Dove Awards were handed out October 1 to a sold-out, live audience in Nashville. Jonathan Smith was most awarded with seven wins including Producer of the Year. Phil Wickham took home four Doves including Worship Album of the Year. Gospel music icon CeCe Winans was another big winner of the night with three total wins including Artist of the Year. Song of the Year went to ‘Holy Forever,’ honoring songwriters Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram and Phil Wickham. Brandon Lake, Chandler Moore, and Jason Ingram each received three awards and Forrest Frank, who won two awards, took home New Artist of the Year. The show aired October 4, exclusively on TBN and TBN+, and simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. Returning host, Tauren Wells led the all-star, high-energy, multi-genre night of music.
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.
In a heavy yet worshipful moment, host Tauren Wells spoke about the many losses happening at home and worldwide, 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.’
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 7, 2025.
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.
