NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 29, 2026) – The Gospel Music Association (GMA) today announced the nominees for the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards, celebrating the best in Christian and Gospel music. Phil Wickham earns nine nominations as this year’s top male artist nominee, while CeCe Winansleads all female artists with seven. Both are joined in the Artist of the Year category by Brandon Lake, Josiah Queen and Lauren Daigle.
Eight-time Dove Award winner Tauren Wells will return to host the Dove Awards for the fourth consecutive year, marking one of the longest hosting runs in the show’s history. This year Wells also serves as an Executive Producer of the show and is a two-time nominee himself, in addition to taking the stage as a performer.
“The Dove Awards are more than just an awards show. The promise of scripture is if two or three people come together that Jesus is in our midst. We know this isn’t about trophies; it’s about elevating the name of Jesus and celebrating those who have done that very well this year. I’m so grateful to be back hosting and I cannot wait to get back on that stage, it’s truly an honor.” said Wells.
WATCH AS GMA ANNOUNCES TAUREN WELLS AS HOST
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| Behind the scenes, the creative forces shaping this year’s biggest Christian and Gospel records earned even deeper recognition: Jonathan Smith leads all nominees with 14 nominations, followed by Jacob Sooter with 12 and Steven Furtick with 11. Their work threads through several of the year’s most nominated songs and albums. Alongside them, a new generation is making its own mark: this year’s New Artist of the Year nominees, bodie, Emerson Day, Jamie MacDonald, Megan Woods and SEU Worship, represent some of the fastest-rising voices in the genre. This year’s theme, “Together For One,” is inspired by Colossians 3:14: “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” “Every year, the Dove Awards bring the diverse voices of the Christian music community together to celebrate the God we all serve, and that’s exactly the heart behind this year’s theme, ‘Together For One.’ This year’s class of nominees embodies that spirit, creating life-changing music that continues to unite people across the globe,” said Jackie Patillo, President of the Gospel Music Association. The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards, presented in partnership with the Cantinas Arts Foundation, will be held Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Tickets are on sale now HERE. The show broadcasts exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ App Friday, October 9 at 7:30 PM and 10 PM ET, with a rebroadcast airing Friday, October 16, at the same times. Fans can also listen on SiriusXM’s The Message (Channel 65) during the October 9 simulcast. Returning alongside the awards show, the Dove Awards Music City Fan Experience gives fans an immersive weekend built around Christian and Gospel music. Packages include: Premium seating at the Night of Worship at the Ryman Auditorium, featuring Elevation WorshipNew Artist of the Year Showcase, featuring the nominees of the New Artist of the Year categoryThe Drop: exclusive previews from artists and creators in faith-based entertainmentRiverboat lunch cruise with artist and songwriter performancesThree-night stay at the Sheraton Grand Nashville DowntownRound-trip transportation to all Fan Experience eventsPremium seating for the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards A limited number of Fan Experience packages are available HERE. The official 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards nominee playlists are available now on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music and Pandora. This year’s nominees were selected by GMA Professional Members from more than 2,800 submitted entries. Final-round voting runs August 7–14, 2026. For the complete list of nominees, ticket information, Fan Experience packages, press credential applications and more, visit doveawards.com. Find the official social media toolkit HERE. Images of Tauren Wells and top nominees are available HERE. Logos for the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards are located HERE. Below is a preview of select category nominees for the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards. For the complete list of nominees across all 39 categories, visit doveawards.com. Song of the Year Presented by MultiTracks.com “Can’t Steal My Joy” (Writers) Josiah Queen, Brandon Lake, Hank Bentley, Jacob Sooter “Come Jesus Come” (Writers) Hank Bentley, Bryan Fowler, Stephen McWhirter, Tara McWhirter “Dusty Bibles” (Writers) Josiah Queen, Zac Lawson, Dylan Thomas, John Michael Howell “God I’m Just Grateful” (Writers) Chandler Moore, Pat Barrett, Steven Furtick, Abubakar Baker Shariff-Farr, Joshua Coleman “Homesick For Heaven” (Writers) Phil Wickham, Jonathan Smith “I Know A Name” (Writers) Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake, Jacob Sooter, Hank Bentley “Left It In The River” (Writers) Jamie MacDonald, Jonathan Gamble, Colby Wedgeworth “Mighty Name Of Jesus” (Writers) Hope Darst, Jacob Sooter, Lauren Sloat “No Fear” (Writers) Jon Reddick, Matthew West, Jeff Pardo “What An Awesome God” (Writers) Phil Wickham, Jonathan Smith, Rich Mullins Artist of the Year Brandon Lake CeCe Winans Josiah Queen Lauren Daigle Phil Wickham New Artist of the Year Presented by Cantinas Arts Foundation bodie Emerson Day Jamie MacDonald Megan Woods SEU Worship Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year “Bless You” – Lecrae, Torey D’Shaun “DAVE” – Hulvey “God Did II” – RUA YOUNG, KB “ROB HELL” – indie tribe, nobigdyl., Torey D’Shaun (ft. Jon Keith) “Yes” – Steven Malcolm, for KING & COUNTRY, KB Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year “eyes on Him” – Strings & Heart “idols” – Stephen Stanley “No Survivors” – Jeremy Camp (ft. Skillet) “SEVENS” – Brandon Lake “The Love I Have For You” – Colton Dixon Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year “Black Sheep” – Ben Fuller “Broken Man Can” – Scotty Inman “Speaking Terms” – Ella Langley “Still Do” – Anne Wilson, Cole Swindell “The Jesus I Know Now” – Brandon Lake, Lainey Wilson Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year “Already Good (Tasha Slide)” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard “imposter syndrome” – ANTHNY “Jesus I Do” – Mariah Carey (ft. The Clark Sisters) “Still (Live)” – Jonathan McReynolds, Jamal Roberts “Sunday Morning” – Tauren Wells, Pastor Mike Jr. Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year “ABCD” – Daddy Yankee (ft. Alex Zurdo) “CRISTO (En vivo desde la Prision de El Salvador)” – Miel San Marcos, Josh Morales, Luis Morales Jr. “DIGNO” – Nate Diaz (ft. Aaron Moses, Israel Houghton) “Necesito a Cristo (En Vivo)” – Karen Espinosa “Tu Voz” – Sarai Rivera Worship Recorded Song of the Year Presented by CCLI “God I’m Just Grateful” – Elevation Worship, Chandler Moore “How Good It Is” – Chris Tomlin “Mighty Name Of Jesus” – Hope Darst, Josh Baldwin “What An Awesome God” – Phil Wickham “Worthy Of It All (Worthy)” – CeCe Winans Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year Counting My Blessings -Seph Schlueter Jamie MacDonald – Jamie MacDonald King Of Hearts – Brandon Lake Mt. Zion – Josiah Queen Walk Through Fire – Ben Fuller Southern Gospel Album of the Year Forever – Tribute Quartet Good Answers – Karen Peck & New River Steadfast Love – The Craguns Then Came the Morning – Gaither Vocal Band This Is The Time I Must Sing – The Martins Gospel Worship Album of the Year Greater – Todd Galberth Live at Redemption Church – Red Worship More Than This (Deluxe Edition) – CeCe Winans Promises: The Best Of Todd Dulaney – Todd Dulaney Soundcheck – VaShawn Mitchell Short Form Music Video of the Year (Concept) “Heaven On My Mind” – TobyMac “I’ve Got A Fire” – Pat Barrett “Raised By Wolves” – Franni Cash “SEVENS” – Brandon Lake “World On Fire” – for KING & COUNTRY, Taylor Hill Feature Film of the Year A Great Awakening DAVID I Can Only Imagine 2 Sarah’s Oil Soul on Fire Television Series of the Year Duck Dynasty: The Revival House of David The Chosen The Promised Land The Wingfeather Saga The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association in partnership with TPR. Jackie Patillo, Justin Fratt and Tauren Wells serve as executive producers, Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. 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 has existed to expose, promote and celebrate the Gospel through music, believing a song can carry that message as far and as wide as any sermon. The GMA serves the Christian music community by equipping artists and industry professionals at every stage of their calling through education, advocacy and connection. The organization also honors the legacy of those who paved the way while championing the next generation of creators carrying the Gospel forward. Through broadcasts like the GMA Dove Awards, now in its 57th year, the GMA puts that mission on stage, celebrating excellence across the Christian music genre while reaching millions around the world with music that points to Christ.
For more information about the Gospel Music Association, visit www.gospelmusic.org. Join the GMA social communities on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube and LinkedIn.
About TBN:
TBN is the World’s Most Watched Faith Network®, reaching over 175 nations with inspirational programming 24 hours a day in 17 languages and on over 30 global partner networks. TBN continues to lead the way in expanding the impact of faith-based television across the earth through the creation of uplifting content designed to inspire all demographics, including sermons, worship music specials, talk shows, documentaries, and Christian films.
About Tauren Wells:
Tauren Wells is a celebrated platinum-selling musician, author, pastor and public speaker who has quietly galvanized audiences worldwide for nearly a decade. With eight GMA Dove Awards (including Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year), 10 GRAMMY® nominations, a Billboard Music Award nomination, and a Premio Lo Nuestro nomination, his accolades also include nods from the BET and NAACP Image Awards. Known for blending contemporary Christian and gospel with elements of pop, hip-hop, and R&B, Wells has earned seven #1 hits, three consecutive Top 5 Billboard Christian Album debuts, and over 1.5 billion global streams. His RIAA-certified singles, platinum hits “Known” and “Hills and Valleys,” and gold singles “Take It All Back,” “God’s Not Done With You” and “Famous For (I Believe),” continue to resonate deeply with listeners. Wells has collaborated with artists across genres, from Academy® Award winner H.E.R. to rock icons Skillet, and shared stages with legends including Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey. His dynamic performances have captivated fans worldwide. In January 2024, he and his wife launched Church of Whitestone in Austin, TX, where they serve as co-lead pastors, blending family, faith, and ministry into his artistry.
