{"id":52910,"date":"2026-10-12T11:26:40","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T15:26:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/?p=52910"},"modified":"2026-10-12T11:27:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T15:27:10","slug":"2026-dove-awards-phil-wickham-josiah-queen-among-nights-big-winners-as-artists-glorify-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2026\/10\/2026-dove-awards-phil-wickham-josiah-queen-among-nights-big-winners-as-artists-glorify-god.html","title":{"rendered":"2026 Dove Awards: Phil Wickham, Josiah Queen Among Night’s Big Winners as Artists Glorify God"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
GMA Dove Awards \/ YouTube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Worship artist Phil Wickham took home Artist of the Year at the 57th annual GMA Dove Awards, a night marked by powerful performances and calls for unity as Christian and Gospel music’s biggest stars gathered to celebrate the impact of music and media.<\/p>\n

Held Tuesday at Bridgestone Arena, the ceremony brought together artists across generations and genres under the theme \u201cTogether For One,\u201d based on Colossians 3:14 <\/a>to highlight the shared mission of pointing audiences to Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

The evening opened with a performance by TobyMac, who reunited with fellow Diverse City member Mr. TalkBox for the first time in 10 years for \u201cHeaven on My Mind.\u201d Later, Anne Wilson performed a rousing rendition of \u201cWho I Am to You,\u201d while Brandon Lake and country star Lainey Wilson delivered an intimate rendition of \u201cThe Jesus I Know Now,\u201d which also won Country\/Roots Recorded Song of the Year.<\/p>\n

Near the end of the night, Amy Grant and Natalie Grant joined forces for one of the most anticipated performances of the show, a tribute to Dolly Parton that included a duet of \u201cHow Great Thou Art.\u201d Parton, who died on Aug. 25, was also among the evening’s winners, earning Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year alongside The Grascals for \u201cBroken Angels.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wickham, who entered the evening with nine nominations, also won Worship Album of the Year for \u201cSong of the Saints\u201d and used his acceptance speech to reflect on the privilege of writing songs that Christians sing in churches around the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod has given us reason after reason to worship Him,\u201d Wickham said, thanking Jesus for the opportunity and stressing he doesn’t take a moment of ministry for granted.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo write these songs and to think that people sing them to Jesus [is an honor],\u201d he said. \u201cThe fact that I get to lead people in worship to Jesus is so worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The awards ceremony was hosted for the fourth consecutive year by singer and songwriter Tauren Wells, who opened the evening by calling the annual event a \u201cChristian music family reunion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see people that you love. You see people you haven’t seen all year. You see like 37 people you know you should have texted back,\u201d Wells joked. \u201cDon’t make eye contact with them. Just keep walking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wells also pointed to the diverse musical traditions represented in the room, from traditional hymns to contemporary pop and modern worship songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeaking of building bridges, the theme of tonight’s Dove Awards is \u2018Together For One,\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cWe share one purpose, the same purpose, and that is to worship the one true King.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMusic is a spiritual soundtrack to the human experience,\u201d Wells said. \u201cIt gives us words for our joy and grief and everything we really don’t quite know how to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

The host also paid tribute to the songwriters, producers, record label employees and other industry professionals whose work often goes unrecognized but helps bring Christian music to listeners around the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese gifts matter, but the gift never matters more than the giver,\u201d Wells said. \u201cThe song is never greater than the One we’re singing about, and at the center of it all, at the center of this night, is Jesus, and that’s why we can be together for one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among the night’s other major winners was Brandon Lake, who earned Pop\/Contemporary Album of the Year for King of Hearts <\/em>and Songwriter of the Year (Artist). Lake also shared the Country\/Roots Recorded Song of the Year honor with Lainey Wilson for \u201cThe Jesus I Know Now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hulvey, who performed during the ceremony, won Rap\/Hip-Hop Album of the Year for COULD BE TONIGHT<\/em>, while Josiah Queen’s \u201cDusty Bibles\u201d earned both Song of the Year and Pop\/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. Queen also won Recorded Music Packaging of the Year for Mt. Zion.<\/em><\/p>\n

Accepting his Song of the Year award, Queen shared how Scripture transformed his life during seasons of loneliness and depression.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up following the Dove Awards and stuff because I’ve looked up to so many of you songwriters and musicians,\u201d the 23-year-old \u201cDemons\u201d singer said. \u201cYou guys have really changed my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe greatest honor that I can have as a human is to serve Jesus,\u201d he added. \u201cI grew up so many seasons of my life feeling alone and depressed. It wasn’t through social media or anything else, but it was opening up my Bible and spending time with Him that He completely radically changed my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

New Artist of the Year went to Jamie MacDonald, who reflected on her long road to a music career, including years spent waiting tables and recovering from addiction.<\/p>\n

The Michigan native credited the music of CeCe Winans with helping change her life, saying the songs taught her to speak biblical truth over herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince then, this room has filled my heart and my mouth with the truth,\u201d she told the audience, thanking the artists and songwriters whose music had encouraged her.<\/p>\n

Winans herself was among the evening’s winners, taking home Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year for \u201cMore Than This,\u201d featuring Todd Dulaney, and using the moment to encourage believers to offer God their wholehearted worship.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe heart behind \u2018More Than This\u2019 is, Lord, help us to give You more,\u201d Winans said. \u201cJesus has given us everything. The Father gave His Son, the Son gave His life, and so my desire is that we would learn to worship God the way He deserves to be worshiped.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gospel powerhouse Tasha Cobbs Leonard, who won Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for TASHA, <\/em>also delivered an emotional acceptance speech alongside her husband, Kenneth Leonard Jr., sharing how God \u201cassigned\u201d her latest project.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith this album, TASHA,<\/em> He gave me an assignment that was scary,\u201d she said. \u201cI am used to doing live albums, and He said this time I want you to go in the studio because it’s personal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGod took me on a journey over the last year and a half, where He just wanted to spend time with me, personal time with me, and I’ve seen sides of Him that I have never seen before,\u201d she added. \u201cThe goodness of God and who He is\u00a0just absolutely amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cobbs Leonard also won Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for \u201cChurch,\u201d featuring John Legend, while Jonathan McReynolds and Jamal Roberts earned Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for \u201cStill (Live).\u201d<\/p>\n

Other notable winners included Elevation Worship and Chandler Moore, who took home Worship Recorded Song of the Year for \u201cGod I’m Just Grateful,\u201d and Jeremy Camp, whose collaboration with Skillet, \u201cNo Survivors,\u201d won Rock\/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.<\/p>\n

Andrea Bocelli, Cody Carnes and Kari Jobe earned Inspirational Song of the Year for \u201cThe Blessing,\u201d while Strings & Heart won Rock\/Contemporary Album of the Year for \u201cPlastic Wine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Producer Jonathan Smith, who led this year’s nominations with 14, won Producer of the Year, while Jacob Sooter was named Songwriter of the Year (Non-Artist).<\/p>\n

The evening also recognized the growing impact of faith-based entertainment beyond music, with the hit biblical drama \u201cThe Chosen\u201d winning Television Series of the Year for its fifth season.<\/p>\n

Actors Paras Patel, who portrays Matthew, and George Xanthis, who plays John, accepted the award on behalf of series creator and director Dallas Jenkins, the cast and crew, and the show’s global fan base. The show’s sixth season, which chronicles the events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion, is scheduled to premiere Nov. 15 on Prime Video.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to accept this award on behalf of our director Dallas Jenkins,\u201d they said, thanking the show’s producers, partners and supporters. \u201cWe worked so hard to bring you the story, and we are just so grateful for this moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

The animated biblical musical \u201cDavid,\u201d from Angel Studios, was another major winner, earning Feature Film of the Year and Christmas\/Special Event Album of the Year for its soundtrack. \u201cFollow the Light,\u201d performed by Brandon Engman, Phil Wickham and Angel, won Children’s Recorded Song of the Year, with songwriters Brock Monroe Baker and Molly Kate Kestner recognized for the track.<\/p>\n

Other film and television honors included Tommee Profitt’s \u201cThe Resurrection of a King,\u201d which won Long Form Music Video of the Year.<\/p>\n

The awards also recognized artists across Southern Gospel, bluegrass, Spanish-language music and hip-hop. Daddy Yankee won Spanish Language Album of the Year for Lamento en Baile,<\/em> while Sarai Rivera earned Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year for \u201cTu Voz.\u201d Indie tribe, nobigdyl. and Torey D’Shaun won Rap\/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year for \u201cROB HELL.\u201d<\/p>\n

Karen Peck & New River won Southern Gospel Album of the Year for Good Answers, <\/em>while Jeff & Sheri Easter took home Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for \u201cNo Rock.\u201d Chosen Road earned Bluegrass\/Country\/Roots Album of the Year for \u201cAmerican Morning: Side A – EP.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 57th annual GMA Dove Awards aired Friday, Oct. 9, at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET on TBN and TBN+.<\/p>\n

This article was written by Leah M. Klett and originally appeared on The Christian Post<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Worship artist Phil Wickham took home Artist of the Year at the 57th annual GMA Dove Awards, a night marked by powerful performances and calls for unity as Christian and Gospel music’s biggest stars gathered to celebrate the impact of music and media. Held Tuesday at Bridgestone Arena, the ceremony brought together artists across generations…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":630,"featured_media":52913,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-television"],"yoast_head":"\n2026 Dove Awards: Phil Wickham, Josiah Queen Among Night's Big Winners as Artists Glorify God<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Phil Wickham won Artist of the Year at the 57th GMA Dove Awards during a night of powerful performances and calls for Christian unity.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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