From a show-stopping country-gospel collaboration to tributes honoring two music legends, the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards celebrated the diverse artists, songs and stories shaping Christian and Gospel music held on Oct. 6, 2026, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Hosted by Tauren Wells (who also did an incredible performance of “This is What A Miracle Feels Like” with Naomi Raine) , the show featured musical tributes to country cion Dolly Parton and gospel legend Richard Smallwood. An Encore Broadcast airs Friday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET on TBN, the TBN+ app and TBN’s YouTube channel.
Amy Grant and Natalie Grant performed one of Parton’s favorite hymns “How Great Thou Art” and ended the segment with her signature song, “I’ll Always Love You.” The poignant Smallwood segment was a medley of his three biggest hits “Center of My Joy,” “I Love the Lord” and “Total Praise.” Percy Bady served as music director for the segment that featured passionate performances of Kierra Sheard, Jonathan McReynolds and original members of Smallwood’s choir, Vision, as Donald Lawrence conducted the choir.
Phil Wickham was named Artist of the Year, and Jamie MacDonald took home New Artist of the Year. Wickham,Brandon Lake and Josiah Queen led the night with three Dove Awards each. Josiah Queen’s “Dusty Bibles” won Song of the Year, and Brandon Lake was named Songwriter of the Year. Tasha Cobbs Leonard performed her No. 1 hit “Church” without her duet partner, John Legend. However, the song won Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year and she also won Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for her project, TASHA.
Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers won their first-ever Dove Award for their album, Revival: Live in Dallas, for Traditional Gospel Album of the Year. CeCe Winans took home her 34th Dove Award for her duet with Todd Dulaney, “More Than This,” in the category of Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year. Red Worship won Gospel Worship Album of the Year for, Live at Redemption Church. Jonathan McReynolds and American Idol Season 23 winner Jamal Roberts won Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for their duet, “Still.”
Veteran Southern Gospel artist Karen Peck earned her ninth career Dove Award in the category of Southern Gospel Album of the Year for her set, Good Answers. Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year went to “ROB HELL” for the collaboration of indie tribe, nobigdyl, Torey D’Shaun and Jon Keith. One of the brightest young Latin stars on the scene, Sarai Rivera, earned her first Dove as writer and artist on the song “Tu Voz” as Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year.
For a full list of winners, visit HERE
