The results are in for the 54th annual GMA Dove Awards. The event took place on October 17th, 2023, in Nashville under the theme Joyful Echo (from Isaiah 42:12) and was hosted by Tauren Wells. Brandon Lake was this year's top winner with four awards after leading with 11 nods: Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year - Artist, Worship Recorded Song of the Year, and Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year.
Expressing gratitude, Lake shared, "I'm thankful to be a part of this community," upon receiving the Artist Songwriter of the Year accolade. and "This has been the most incredible year of my life," after receiving the Artist of the Year award. Notably, he is the first male solo artist to win this top category since Zach Williams five years ago. Additionally, this is the second time in three years that Lake has been honored as Songwriter of the Year - artist.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Toby Mac, Blessing Offor, and Jeff Pardo received two awards each.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard won gospel worship album of the year for Hymns (Live) and traditional gospel recorded song of the year for “It Is Well.” According to her, the album was produced by her husband “This album means a lot to me because I’m a church girl, actually a PK; and one of the ways I learned scripture was through song.” Her husband added "I want to encourage everybody that's in this room to continue to carry the gospel and represent His Name"
For the third time, TobyMac won pop/contemporary album of the year with "Life After Death". TobyMac’s acceptance speech was probably one of the most emotional moments. He showed appreciation to the Body that carried him through the grieving process after he lost his son, Truett at 21 of an accidental overdose in 2019. “I made this record in honor of my son Truett, my firstborn who we lost. His life was like a shot of lightning; burning fast and hot, but you couldn't help but take notice. I couldn't be more thankful for the fact that our God loves the wild ones." He added, “I made these songs in the hardest, coldest of valleys and we still don’t know why God would ask this of us...but sometimes we don’t get to ask those questions. He didn’t promise us that we wouldn’t face hard things, He didn't promise us that we wouldn’t face loss. He promised us that He would never leave us or forsake us. And I promise you this, if you take the time to look in the hardes, deepest valleys, the coldest places in this world - if you take the time to look, He is there. He's the only reason that there's Life After Death.”
TobyMac and Blessing Offor also shared the award for short-form music video of the year (performance) for “The Goodness.” Blessing Offor, a Nigerian-born American singer/songwriter, won a second award, pop/contemporary recorded song of the year for “Brighter Days.”
Elevation Worship won worship album of the year for the second time in three years with LION: Live From the Loft. The band won two years ago for Old Church Basement, a collab with Maverick City Music. "We just want to continue to honour God with all He's given us"
Jason Crabb and Dylan Scott shared a heart-warming moment after winning the Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year.
New Artist of the Year went to Katy Nichole, who was this year’s most-nominated woman with four nods. "Don't look at me, look at Jesus," was her emotional message. She also performed a "prayer for peace in Jerusalem" for the people in Israel and Palestine with "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" - A powerful performance indeed.
To celebrate the world-changing expanse of gospel music, Miel San Marcos, Daniel Calveti, Marcos Witt, Ingrid Rosario won Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year for "Coritos (En Vivo)"
Guest performers included Jordin Sparks who lit up the room with “Love Me Like I Am” with for KING + COUNTRY; Pastor Mike Jr. and Ricky Dillard for “Impossible”; Zach Williams and Walker Hayes for "Jesus' Fault"; New Day by Blanca and Jekalyn Carr and Wells teaming with Davies on “Take It All Back.” Take 6 teamed in performance with Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. Miel San Marcos also performed "Yeshua El Sonido De Libertad." A segment highlighting the impact of hip hop featured Hulvey, Social Club Misfit, GRITS, and TobyMac. With a standing ovation, GRITS took the audience back to 2002 with GRITS’ hit “Ooh Aah" featuring TobyMac. Lauren Diagle's "You're Gonna Be Okay", "This Is Our God" and "Gratitude" performed by Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake brought hope to many hearts.
The 54th Annual GMA Dove Awards was produced by the Gospel Music Association. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt served as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returned as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager.
Here is the full list of winners shared by doveawards.com:
Song of the year
“Build A Boat,” writers: Colton Dixon, Seth Mosley, Johan Lindbrandt, Sandro
Cavazza, Mikey Gormley
“Fear Is Not My Future,” writers: Kirk Franklin, Brandon Lake, Jonathan Jay,
Hannah Shackleford, Nicole Hannel
“God Really Loves Us,” writers: David Crowder, Ben Glover, Jeff Sojka, Dante
Bowe
WINNER: “Goodness of God,” writers: Ben Fielding, Ed Cash, Jason Ingram, Jenn
Johnson, Brian Johnson
“Gratitude,” writers: Brandon Lake, Ben Hastings, Dante Bowe
“In Jesus Name (God of Possible),” writers: Ethan Hulse, Katy Nichole, David
Andrew Spencer, Jeff Pardo
“Love Me Like I Am,” writers: Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Michael
Pollack, Josh Kerr
“Perfectly Loved,” writers: Rachael Lampa, Andrew Ripp,
Ethan Hulse
“Same God,” writers: Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Pat Barrett
“Then Christ Came,” writers: Bart Millard, Phil Wickham, Jason Ingram, David
Leonard
Songwriter of the year – artist
WINNER: Brandon Lake
Chris Brown
Dante Bowe
Kirk Franklin
Phil Wickham
Songwriter of the year – non-artist
Ben Glover
Ethan Hulse
Jason Ingram
WINNER: Jeff Pardo
Jonathan Jay
Artist of the year
WINNER: Brandon Lake
CeCe Winans
for KING + COUNTRY
Lauren Daigle
Phil Wickham
New artist of the year
WINNER: Katy Nichole
Ben Fuller
Hulvey
Jon Reddick
Naomi Raine
Producer of the year
WINNER: Jeff Pardo
Kenneth Leonard
Samuel ASH
Wayne Haun
Ben Glover and Jeff Sojka
Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year
"no longer bound" - Forrest Frank, ft. Hulvey
WINNER: "Graves" - KB, Brandon Lake
"Spread The Opps" - Lecrae
"Jireh (My Provider)" - Limoblaze, ft. Lecrae, Happi
"SPIN BACK!" - Scootie Wop
Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
"The Lows" - Cochren & Co.
"Goodbye Ole Me" - Consumed By Fire
"Promise To Live" - Disciple
WINNER: "Brother Jack" - Gable Price and Friends
"Psycho In My Head" - Skillet
Pop/contemporary recorded song of the year
WINNER: “Brighter Days” – Blessing Offor
"I’m So Blessed (Best Day Remix)" – CAIN
"Love Me Like I Am" – for KING + COUNTRY ft. Jordin Sparks
"God Is in This Story" – Katy Nichole ft. Big Daddy Weave
"Thank God I Do" – Lauren Daigle
Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year
WINNER: "He's Been Faithful" - Brooklyn Tabernacle, ft. TaRanda Greene
"Jesus What a Lovely Name" - Gaither Vocal Band
"Welcome" - Jim & Melissa Brady
"Christ Our Hope in Life and Death" - Keith & Kristyn Getty, Michael W. Smith
"They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love" - Michael W. Smith
Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
"I Know My Savior Cares" - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
"There Is a Mountain" - Gaither Vocal Band
"One Name" - Jeff & Sheri Easter, ft. The Sound
WINNER: "The Keepers" - Karen Peck & New River
"A Hundred Different Altars" - The Steeles
Worship recorded song of the year
WINNER: “Gratitude (Radio Version)” – Brandon Lake
"Honey in the Rock" – Brooke Ligertwood, Brandon Lake
"Holy Forever" – Chris Tomlin
"Fear Is Not My Future (Radio Version)" – Maverick City Music ft. Brandon
Lake, Chandler Moore
"This Is Our God" – Phil Wickham
Bluegrass/country/roots recorded song of the year
"Jordan" – Darin & Brooke Aldridge, ft. Ricky Skaggs, Mo Pitney, Mark Fain
WINNER: "Good Morning Mercy" – Jason Crabb, Dylan Scott
"Matchless” – Tiffany Coburn, ft. Point of Grace
"Way of the Triune God (Hallelujah Version)" – Tyler Childers
"Jesus’ Fault" – Zach Williams, ft. Walker Hayes
Spanish language recorded song of the year
"Guarda Tu Corazón" – Alex Zurdo
"So Good (Cuán Bueno)" – DOE, ft. Lilly Goodman
"Nubes" – Indiomar, ft. Blanca
WINNER: "Coritos (En Vivo)" – Miel San Marcos, Daniel Calveti, Marcos Witt, Ingrid Rosario
"Suelto" – Sarai Rivera
Gospel worship recorded song of the year
“One Name (Jesus) [Live]” – Naomi Raine
WINNER: “Impossible” – Pastor Mike Jr., ft. James Fortune
“I Still Have You” – Smokie Norful
“The Moment (Live)” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“You’ve Been Good to Me” – Zacardi Cortez
Contemporary gospel recorded song of the year
“New Day” – Blanca, ft. Jekalyn Carr
WINNER: “Your World” – Jonathan McReynolds
“Miracles” – Kierra Sheard, ft. Pastor Mike Jr.
“Bless Me” – Maverick City Music, Kirk Franklin
“Get Up” – Tye Tribbett
Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
"Alright" - Melvin Crispell III
"Finished (Live)" - Tamela Mann
WINNER: "It Is Well" - Tasha Cobbs Leonard
"I Need You" - The Walls Group
"See The Goodness" - VaShawn Mitchell, ft. Donnie McClurkin
Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year
"Guarda Tu Corazon" - Alex Zurdo
"So Good (Cuan Bueno)" - DOE, ft. Lilly Goodman
"Nubes" - Indiomar, ft. Blanca
WINNER: "Coritos (En Vivo)" - Miel San Marcos, Daniel Calveti, Marcos Witt, Ingrid Rosario
"Suelto" - Sarai Rivera
Children’s Recorded Song Of The Year
WINNER: "Sounding Joy" - Ellie Holcomb
"Danzo En El Río" - Miel San Marcos Kids
"Great Are You Lord" - Shout Praises Kids
"I Am Not My Own" - The Getty Girls
"The Fruit of the Spirit" - Worship Together Kids
Pop/contemporary album of the year
"My Tribe" – Blessing Offor
"Jesus Changed My Life" – Katy Nichole
"Always Only Jesus" – MercyMe
WINNER: "Life After Death" – TobyMac
"A Hundred Highways" – Zach Williams
Worship album of the year
"Come Up Here" – Bethel Music
"Honest Offering (Live)" – CAIN
"God Is Good! (Live)" – Cody Carnes
WINNER: "LION: Live From the Loft" – Elevation Worship
"Lamb of God" – Matt Redman
Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year
"Death Below" - August Burns Red
"The Consequence Of Being Alive" - Gable Price and Friends
"Remade In Misery" - Memphis May Fire
WINNER: "Dominion: Day of Destiny" - Skillet
"The Final Battle" - Stryper
Southern gospel album of the year
"Think About There" – Greater Vision
"Come on In" – Guardians Quartet
"John 3:16" – Perrys
WINNER: "Believe" – The Hoppers
"Hymns & Worship" – Triumphant Quartet
Contemporary gospel album of the year
"My Truth" – Jonathan McReynolds
WINNER: "Kingdom Book One (Deluxe)" – Maverick City Music, Kirk Franklin
"Impossible" – Pastor Mike Jr.
"Overcomer (Deluxe)" – Tamela Mann
"All Things New" – Tye Tribbett
Rap/hip hop album of the year
WINNER: "Church Clothes 4" – Lecrae
"Sunday in Lagos" – Limoblaze
"Everyone Loves a Comeback Story" – Social Club Misfits
"Tree" – Steven Malcolm
"NEW HOLLYWOOD" – WHATUPRG
Gospel Worship Album of the Year
"Tent Revival" – Forward City/Travis Greene
"Closer Than You Think" – Jonathan Traylor
"Encounter" – Todd Galberth
"Imprint" -Zacardi Cortez?
WINNER: "Hymns (Live)" – Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Inspirational Album of the Year
"A Night of Worship" - Brooklyn Tabernacle
"Christ Our Hope in Life and Death" - Keith & Kristyn Getty
WINNER: "Turn Your Eyes, Vol II" - Point Of Grace
"The London Sessions" - Sarah Kroger
"Greatest Hymns, Vol III" - Selah
Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year
"The Gospel Sessions, Vol I" - Authentic Unlimited
"Treasure" - Jeff & Sheri Easter
WINNER: "Light in the Canyon" - Sandra McCracken
"Lost and Found" - Southbound
"Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?" - Tyler Childers
Traditional Gospel Album of the Year
"Nothing Else Matters" - Brent Jones
WINNER: "Transitions (Live)" - Brian Courtney Wilson
"Believe Again" - JJ Hairston
"I Go To The Rock" - Whitney Houston
"Worship & Justice" - William Murphy
Spanish Language Album of the Year
"Grande y Fiel (En Vivo)" - Gateway Worship Espanol
WINNER: "Tu Reino Esta Aqui" - Generacion 12
"Lo Que Vemos" - Marcos Vidal
"Rompiendo" - Redimi2
"X SIEMPRE" - Un Corazon
Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year
"The Manager" - Anne Wilson
"Milk & Cookies: A Merry Crowder Christmas" - Crowder
"Sing: Christmas Songs" - Ellie Holcomb
WINNER: "Christmas at Home" - Michael W. Smith
"This Is Christmas" - Tasha Layton
Musical/Choral Collection of the Year
WINNER: "A Night of Worship with The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir"
"Blessed Assurance"
"Glorious Impossible"
"Tribute: Songs of Geron Davis"
"Wonderful"
Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
"As I Am" - 1K Phew
"I Can't Find The Edges of You" - Citizens
"Church Girls Love R&B" - Jor'Dan Armstrong
WINNER: "The Stories I Tell Myself" - Matt Maher
"TAYA" - TAYA
Short Form Music Video of the Year (Concept)
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" - for KING + COUNTRY
WINNER: "Thank God I Do" - Lauren Daigle
"Spread The Opps" - Lecrae
"Cornerstone" - TobyMac, ft. Zach Williams
"Heart of God" - Zach Williams
Short Form Music Video of the Year (Performance)
"Plans" - David Leonard
"Holy Forever" - Jenn Johnson
"Where The Glory Is" - Josh Baldwin
"Graves" - KB, Brandon Lake
WINNER: "The Goodness" - TobyMac, Blessing Offor
Long Form Video of the Year
WINNER: "Come Up Here" - Bethel Music
"God Is Good! (Live)" - Cody Carnes
"Grande y Fiel" - Gateway Worship Español
"The Way" - Kathie Lee Gifford
"I've Witnessed It (Live)" - Passion
Feature film of the year
"Big George Foreman"
"Family Camp"
"I Heard the Bells"
WINNER: "Jesus Revolution"
"Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story"
Television Series of the Year
"Grace Notes"
"Journey Of Faith"
WINNER: "The Chosen"
"The Wingfeather Saga"
"When Calls The Heart"