The “Sound of Heaven” was alive and well on Tuesday night, Oct. 18, in Nashville, Tenn. as the 53rd annual GMA Dove Awards honored some of the industry’s favorite Air1 artists.
The Gospel Music Association’s (GMA) yearly celebration aired exclusively on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) on Friday, Oct. 21, with no shortage of memorable performances and a slew of accolades for those who have delivered lifegiving music over the past year.
CeCe Winans and Anne Wilson were among the night’s top winners as awards were handed out across 36 categories, including honors for Winans as Artist of the Year, and Wilson as New Artist of the year, respectively. Winans also received Song of the Year honors for her hit, “Believe for It”
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Author of new book “On Our Knees” Phil Wickham and reigning K-LOVE Fan Awards Artist of the Year for KING & COUNTRY also won big at the ceremony earning three Doves each. Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone won Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year with for KING & COUNTRY’s “What Are We Waiting For?” as well as two honors in short and long form videos.
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In addition to Songwriter of the Year/Artist honors, Wickham’s “Hymn of Heaven” was named Worship Recorded Song of the Year, and his album of the same name won Worship Album of the Year.
Reigning K-LOVE Fan Award Male Artist of the Year Matthew West and multi-K-LOVE Fan Award-nominated collective Maverick City Music entered the night with seven nominations each, and both artists took home accolades, including a writing credit for West on Wilson’s smash hit, “My Jesus,” which won Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.
Maverick City Music was honored with a Dove Award for their track, “Breathe,” which won Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year, and they also took home the award for Gospel Worship Album of the Year with Tribl for “Tribl Nights Atlanta.”
53rd GMA Dove Award Winners
Song of the Year
“Believe For It” – CeCe Winans
Songwriter of the Year/Artist
Artist of the Year
CeCe Winans
New Artist of the Year
Anne Wilson
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“My Jesus” – Anne Wilson
Gospel/Worship Recoded Song of the Year
“Breathe” – Maverick City Music feat. DOE, Jonathan McReynolds, Chandler David Moore
Worship Recorded Song of the Year
“Hymn Of Heaven” – Phil Wickham
Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year
“Into The Mystery” – NEEDTOBREATHE
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
“What Are We Waiting For?” – for KING & COUNTRY
Gospel Worship Album of the Year
“Tribl Nights Atlanta” – Tribl, Maverick City Music
Worship Album of the Year
“Hymn Of Heaven” – Phil Wickham
Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year
“Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship (Live)” – Chris Tomlin
Short Form Music Video of the Year (Concept)
Short Form Music Video of the Year (Performance)
“Fake It” – Tauren Wells feat. Aaron Cole
Long Form Video of the Year
“What Are We Waiting For? | The Worldwide Special” – for KING & COUNTRY
For a complete list of winners, visit doveawards.com.
