{"id":4083,"date":"2024-10-11T02:56:30","date_gmt":"2024-10-11T06:56:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/?p=4083"},"modified":"2024-10-11T00:59:16","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T04:59:16","slug":"best-in-gospel-music-honored-at-55th-annual-dove-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/2024\/10\/11\/best-in-gospel-music-honored-at-55th-annual-dove-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Best in Gospel Music Honored at 55th Annual Dove Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Tuesday, Oct. 1st, the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards were handed out in front of a sold-out, live audience in Nashville, Tennessee. An encore performance will air on TBN and TBN+ tonight Friday, October 11th, 2024 at 8 pm and 10 pm ET and will also livestream on the TBN YouTube channel at 8pm ET on the 11th.
\nThe annual award show, hosted by Tauren Wells, is considered the highlight of the year in gospel music, which includes a variety of sounds and genres. During the event, the association also announced a surprise change of venue for the 56th<\/sup> annual awards in 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"
CeCe Winans photo by Tessa Vocola. Courtesy of the Gospel Music Association.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Producer Jonathan Smith (\u201cCoat of Many Colors\u201d by Brandon Lake, \u201cRebel\u201d by Anne Wilson, \u201cI Believe\u201d by Phil Wickham) was most awarded with seven wins including Producer of the Year. 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 \u201cHoly Forever,\u201d 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 tonight, Friday, October 4th, exclusively on TBN and TBN+ and simulcast on SiriusXM’s The Message. Returning host, Tauren Wells led the all-star, high-energy, multi-genre night of music.<\/p>\n

During her win, Winans added perspective to the awards she has received, thanking God for his faithfulness throughout her life.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m known for my music all over the world,\u201d she said. \u201cPeople know me for my music. God only knows me for my relationship with Him. He only knows us according to the way we know Him. And so all of us here tonight – the artists I was in the category with, I came here to cheer them on tonight. I didn\u2019t think this was going to happen – but God is faithful. All my life He\u2019s been faithful. All my life He\u2019s been good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.\u201d<\/p>\n

CeCe Winans opened the show with a joy-fueled performance of \u201cThat\u2019s My King\u201d complete with a 24-person choir. Tauren Wells brought out surprise guests DAVIES. and Skillet\u2019s John Cooper for his dynamic \u201cTake It All Back\u201d performance. Forrest Frank\u2019s upbeat \u201cNo Longer Bound\/GOOD DAY\u201d mash-up featured members from The Choir Room. One of the night\u2019s highlights, introduced by beloved worship leader Darlene Zschech, was the multilingual performance of \u201cHoly Forever\u201d featuring Brian and Jenn Johnson, Miel San Marcos and Gabriel Guedes.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Forrest Frank image by Jamie Gilliam. Courtesy of the Gospel Music Association.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a heavy yet worshipful moment, host Tauren Wells spoke about the many losses happening at home and around the world, 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. \u201cI know so many of you in the room received messages, support and love just like this,\u201d Wells said. \u201c[Mandisa] will be greatly missed along with all of the other friends and family we\u2019ve lost this year and loved so deeply. It\u2019s 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\u2019s all remember to reach out to those we love.\u201d The moment was capped off with a stirring performance of \u201cMy Tribute (To God Be The Glory)\u201d by Natalie Grant.<\/p>\n

In a surprise announcement, the GMA revealed the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held at Nashville\u2019s 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\u2019s Allen Arena to Bridgestone Arena.<\/p>\n

Gospel Music icons Bill and Gloria Gaither were honored with the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award. Bill and Gloria are legendary songwriters behind songs like \u201cBecause He Lives,\u201d \u201cHe Touched Me,\u201d and \u201cThere\u2019s Something About That Name.\u201d 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, \u201cI want to encourage all you young songwriters to keep writing your songs. There’s a hole in the heart of this country. There\u2019s a whole lot of empty going on. Somewhere along the way, we\u2019ve lost our song. There\u2019s a hole in the heart of America that only God can fill.\u201d The GMA was honored to award Bill and Gloria Gaither the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award.<\/p>\n

The 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt serve as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returns as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, and Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager. The 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards are presented in partnership with Cantinas Arts Foundation, whose mission is to support artists who share their talent and faith through Arts and Media.<\/p>\n

An encore performance will air on TBN and TBN+ on Friday, October 11th, 2024 at 8 pm and 10 pm ET and will also livestream on the TBN YouTube channel at 8pm ET on the 11th. Watch the announcement for next year’s show below.
\n<\/code><\/p>\n