GOSPEL MUSIC ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR THE 56th ANNUAL GMA DOVE AWARDS
Brandon Lake Leads Artist Nominations With Nine
Diverse Class of First Time Nominees Showcases Future of Christian and Gospel Music
The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards Will Be Held October 7th, 2025, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena
The Dove Awards Broadcast Will Air Exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ App Friday, October 10th, 2025 at 7:30pm and 10pm ET and simulcast on SiriusXM The Message
Nashville, TENN. (July 30, 2025) - The Gospel Music Association has revealed the nominees for the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Brandon Lake leads artist nominations with nine. Artist of the Year nominees include Brandon Lake, CeCe Winans, Forrest Frank, Josiah Queen, Lauren Daigle, and Phil Wickham. Nominee announcements will be shared on the GMA Dove Awards Instagram account by Dove Award-winning artists CAIN, Jekalyn Carr, Katy Nichole, Karen Peck, and Pastor Mike Jr. via surprise FaceTime calls to select nominees. SiriusXM’s The Message with Ashley Till (Channel 65) will also announce nominees on the air at 11am CT.
CAIN surprises a nominee on FaceTime
A new and diverse crop of talent showcasing the future of Christian and Gospel music is represented in this year’s class of first time artist nominees. Artists include: Abbie Gamboa, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, 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.
Jekalyn Carr makes a surprise call to a nominee
The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards, presented in partnership with the Cantinas Arts Foundation, will be held October 7th, 2025 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Tickets and a limited number of Music City Fan Experiences are on sale HERE. The broadcast will air exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ App Friday, October 10th, 2025 at 7:30pm and 10pm ET and will be simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. A re-broadcast will air on TBN and the TBN+ App Friday, October 17th, at 7:30p and 10p ET.
“It’s such an exciting time as we announce this year’s nominees,” says GMA President Jackie Patillo. “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!”
The theme for the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards is Creation Sings. “As someone who lives to create, perform, and lead in worship, I’m constantly reminded that our music is just a reflection of a much greater song… one that began when God spoke the world into existence,” shares Dove Awards Host Tauren Wells. “From the rhythms of the ocean to the harmonies of human praise, all of creation is echoing His glory. I can’t wait to celebrate the artists who are adding their voices to that eternal sound."
Listen to the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards nominee playlists on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Pandora.
Voted on by the GMA Professional Membership, this year’s nominees were chosen from over 2,800 submitted entries. Final round voting will run August 7th through August 14th, 2025. For more information on The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards or to apply for press credentials, please visit https://doveawards.com.
For the complete list of nominees visit https://doveawards.com
Song of the Year 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
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, Grace 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. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt serve as showrunners and executive producers, Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers, and JoAnna Illingworth and Shama Mrema as scriptwriters. Russell E. Hall returns as director and Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager.
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. With a focus on evangelism, education, and community support, the GMA provides resources to train, equip and strengthen the creative community - from aspiring artists to industry professionals - and works to preserve the legacy of those who’ve gone before us. Through broadcasts like the GMA Dove Awards, now in its 56th year, we celebrate the work of today’s artists while reaching millions of people around the world.
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.
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Get Connected with the 2025 GMA Dove Awards:
*Watch exclusively on TBN or the TBN+ app starting Friday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. ET - find out more at www.tbn.org/2025doveawards
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