The 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards were handed out Tuesday night, October 19th, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee. The show, under the banner Stronger Together, aired tonight exclusively on TBN and was simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. CeCe Winans and Jason Ingram led the night with the 4 awards each with Winans winning Gospel Artist of the Year and Ingram winning Songwriter of the Year (Non-Artist). for KING & COUNTRY took home three awards including Artist of the Year, the top honor of the night. Chris Brown of Elevation Worship and Steven Furtick also each won three awards including Song of the Year for “The Blessing.” Dynamic performers Maverick City Music claimed New Artist of the Year with Contemporary Artist of the Year going to We The Kingdom. See the full list of winners here.
After 2020’s virtual show, the music community reunited this year with stellar live performances which included a moving ballad from Lauren Daigle, a chill-inducing moment from Co-Host Natalie Grant, and a powerful closing rendition of Worship Recorded Song of the Year, “Graves Into Gardens” by Elevation Worship. Other stand-outs included the five New Artist of the Year nominees, each bringing energetic performances bursting with joy and hope. One-of-kind collaborations also lit up the stage including KB with Matt Redman, Jonathan McReynolds with Mali Music and Dante Bowe with Kelontae Gavin. To watch the 52nd Dove Awards on demand on the TBN app: CLICK HERE . To get the full awards show audio broadcast including exclusive backstage interviews with winners, performers and presenters from SiriusXM The Message only in the SXM App: CLICK HERE.
One of the night’s highlights was Chairman of the GMA Board, Roy Morgan, presenting Jackie Patillo with the first-time Dove Award for Distinguished Leadership. Morgan also announced the new Dove will be an annual award and, beginning next year, will be named The Jackie Patillo Leadership Award. Patillo was surprised and elated to be presented with this special award. “I am speechless. And so honored and so grateful. This is a calling y’all. This is a mission. This is not a job. Even though some days are hard. But, I love you. And I’m grateful. And I believe in unity in Christ. I believe we can celebrate our diversity in ways that will show the world that they’ll know we are Christians by our love. I believe in the power of God through the Word and through the message in your songs. So thank you. I’m so grateful and I’m awestruck over this.”
Song of the Year
“Another In The Fire” – (Writers) Chris Davenport, Joel Houston
“Famous For (I Believe)” – (Writers) Alexis Slifer, Chuck Butler, Jordan Sapp, Krissy Nordhoff, Tauren Wells
“Graves Into Gardens” – (Writers) Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Tiffany Hudson, Brandon Lake
“Speak To Me” – (Writers) Donnie McClurkin, Jeremy Hicks, Johnta Austin, Troy Taylor
“Thank You For It All” – (Writers) Aaron Lindsey, Christopher Thomas Leach, Jamone Davis, Marvin Sapp
“The Blessing” – (Writers) Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, Steven Furtick — WINNER!
“The Father’s House” – (Writers) Benjamin Hastings, Cory Asbury, Ethan Hulse
“There Was Jesus” – (Writers) Jonathan Smith, Casey Beathard, Zach Williams
“TOGETHER” – (Writers) Joel Smallbone, Josh Kerr, Kirk Franklin, Luke Smallbone, Ran Jackson, Ricky Jackson
“Truth Be Told” – (Writers) AJ Pruis, Matthew West
Songwriter of the Year (Artist)
Brandon Lake — WINNER!
Chris Brown
Ed Cash
Kirk Franklin
Matthew West
Songwriter of the Year (Non-Artist)
Ethan Hulse
Jason Ingram — WINNER!
Jordan Sapp
Steven Furtick
Tiffany Hammer
Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year
for KING & COUNTRY
Hillsong UNITED
Tauren Wells
We The Kingdom — WINNER!
Zach Williams
Southern Gospel Artist of the Year
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound — WINNER!
Gaither Vocal Band
Jason Crabb
Joseph Habedank
Triumphant Quartet
Gospel Artist of the Year
CeCe Winans — WINNER!
Jonathan McReynolds
Kirk Franklin
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Travis Greene
Artist of the Year
Elevation Worship
for KING & COUNTRY — WINNER!
Lauren Daigle
Phil Wickham
Zach Williams
New Artist of the Year
Brandon Lake
CAIN
Dante Bowe
Hope Darst
Maverick City Music — WINNER!
Producer of the Year
AyRon Lewis
The Creak Music (David Leonard, Brad King, Seth Talley)
Jordan Mohilowski
Jordan Sapp — WINNER!
Wayne Haun
Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year
“10K” – KB
“Deep End” – Lecrae — WINNER!
“Glory On Me” – Steven Malcolm, ft. Childish Major & Taylor Hill
“Is That Okay?” – Social Club Misfits
“Reasons” – Hulvey, ft. Lecrae, SVRCINA
Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“I Need A Ghost” – Brandon Lake
“Place Called Earth” – Jon Foreman, ft. Lauren Daigle
“Stand My Ground” – Zach Williams
“This Is The Kingdom” – Skillet
“Who Am I” – NEEDTOBREATHE — WINNER!
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“Famous For (I Believe)” – Tauren Wells — WINNER!
“Good God Almighty” – Crowder
“Hold On To Me” – Lauren Daigle
“There Was Jesus” – Zach Williams, ft. Dolly Parton
“TOGETHER” – for KING & COUNTRY, ft. Kirk Franklin & Tori Kelly
Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year
“A Woman” – FAITHFUL, Ellie Holcomb & Amy Grant
“Alone With My Faith” – Harry Connick, Jr.
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” – Carrie Underwood, ft. Cece Winans — WINNER!
“Promise Keeper” – Hope Darst
“There Is A God” – Phillips, Craig & Dean
Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
“First Church of Mercy” – The Sound
“I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About to Happen” – Gaither Vocal Band
“My King is Known By Love” – Crabb Family — WINNER!
“Religion Isn’t Working” – Joseph Habedank
“Wake Up” – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year
“Because He Lives” – Harry Connick, Jr.
“Better Off There” – Browns
“Go Rest High on That Mountain” – Fortune/Walker/Rogers/Isaacs
“Great God Almighty” – The Sound
“If God Pulled Back the Curtain” – Nelons — WINNER!
Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
“I Got It” – Pastor Mike Jr.
“Joyful” – Dante Bowe — WINNER!
“Never Lost” – CeCe Winans
“Speak To Me” – Koryn Hawthorne
“Touch From You” – Tamela Mann
Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
“Changing Your Story” – Jekalyn Carr — WINNER!
“Help” – Anthony Brown & group therAPy
“I Made It” – Maranda Curtis
“Repay You” – PJ Morton, ft. J Moss
“Wonderful Is Your Name” – Melvin Crispel III
Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year
“Believe For It” – CeCe Winans — WINNER!
“Good & Loved” – Travis Greene, ft. Steffany Gretzinger
“Never Be Defeated” – Rich Tolbert Jr.
“Voice Of God” – Dante Bowe, ft. Steffany Gretzinger, Chandler Moore
“You Get The Glory” – Jonathan Traylor
Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year
“Amén” – Ricardo Montaner, Evaluna Montaner, Mau y Ricky, y Camilo
“Donde Está El Espíritu De Dios” – Christine D’Clario — WINNER!
“Llévame A La Cruz” – Majo y Dan
“Mi Libertador” – Miel San Marcos, Christine D’Clario
“Tumbas A Jardines” – Elevation Worship, ft. Brandon Lake
Worship Recorded Song of the Year
“Battle Belongs” – Phil Wickham
“God So Loved” – We The Kingdom
“Graves Into Gardens” – Elevation Worship, ft. Brandon Lake — WINNER!
“Jireh” – Elevation Worship / Maverick City Music, ft. Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine
“Peace Be Still” – Hope Darst
Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year
1970-01-01 03:34:00 – Zauntee
Feared By Hell – Social Club Misfits
His Glory Alone – KB — WINNER!
Restoration – Lecrae
The Divine Storm – Ty Brasel
Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year
Departures – Jon Foreman
Out Of Body – NEEDTOBREATHE — WINNER!
Songs Of Death And Resurrection – Demon Hunter
The Joy Of Being – Citizens
The Path – Fit For A King
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
Chris Tomlin & Friends – Chris Tomlin
Holy Water – We The Kingdom — WINNER!
inhale (exhale) – MercyMe
No Stranger – Natalie Grant
To Love A Fool – Cory Asbury
Inspirational Album of the Year
All Things – Jamie Jamgochian
Evensong: Hymns and Lullabies at the Close of Day – Keith & Kristyn Getty, Sandra McCracken, Skye Peterson, Vince Gill, Ellie Holcomb, Sierra Hull, Deborah Klemme, The Getty Girls, Heather Headley
Step Into My Story – Selah — WINNER!
You Are More – Tiffany Coburn
You’re Still God – Phillips, Craig & Dean
Southern Gospel Album of the Year
Bigger Than Sunday – Triumphant Quartet
Change Is Coming – Joseph Habedank — WINNER!
It’s Still Good News – Guardians
That’s Gospel, Brother – Gaither Vocal Band
The Journey – Greater Vision
Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year
Alone With My Faith – Harry Connick, Jr.
Little More Love – Jordan Family Band
My Savior – Carrie Underwood
Peace At Last – Nelons
Songs for the Times – Isaacs — WINNER!
Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year
DOE : EP – DOE
Gospel According to PJ – PJ Morton
I AM – Koryn Hawthorne — WINNER!
Still – Brian Courtney Wilson
The Book Of Mali – Mali Music
Traditional Gospel Album of the Year
Celebrating Fisk! (The 150th Anniversary Album) – Fisk Jubilee Singers
Changing Your Story – Jekalyn Carr
Choirmaster – Ricky Dillard
Chosen Vessel – Marvin Sapp — WINNER!
The Reunion – Jonathan Nelson
Gospel Worship Album of the Year
Believe For It – CeCe Winans — WINNER!
Come Alive (Deluxe) – All Nations Music
Never Be Defeated – Rich Tolbert Jr.
The N.O.W. Experience – Kelontae Gavin
VaShawn Mitchell Presents Africa Worship – Various Artists
Spanish Language Album of the Year
Desesperado (Spanish) – Evan Craft — WINNER!
Mil Generaciones – Miel San Marcos, Essential Worship
Renovada : EP – Blanca
Todos Mis Mejores Amigos – Hillsong Young & Free
Uno – Alex Zurdo – Redimi2 – Funky
Worship Album of the Year
Graves Into Gardens – Elevation Worship
Old Church Basement – Elevation Worship / Maverick City Music — WINNER!
Revival’s In The Air – Bethel Music
The Blessing (Live) – Kari Jobe
The People Tour: Live from Madison Square Garden – Hillsong UNITED
Children’s Album of the Year
Living Color – Elevation Church Kids
No Reason To Wait – Worship Together Kids
Ready Set Go – Yancy & Little Praise Party — WINNER!
Sing The Bible, Vol. 4 – Slugs And Bugs
Todos Mis Días – Gateway Kids Worship
Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year
A Drummer Boy Christmas – for KING & COUNTRY — WINNER!
A Tori Kelly Christmas – Tori Kelly
Christmas: Acoustic Sessions – Phil Wickham
Miracle Of Love: Christmas Songs Of Worship – Chris Tomlin
Reunited LIVE – Gaither Vocal Band
Musical/Choral Collection
Behold The Lamb Of God – (Creator) Andrew Peterson, (Arrangers/ Orchestrators) Carson Wagner, Russell Mauldin — WINNER!
Christmas Comes Alive – (Creators/Arrangers/Orchestrators) Devin McGlamery, Cliff Duren, Phillip Keveren, Phil Nitz
I Choose Christ: The Songs of Sue C. Smith – (Creator/Arranger) Cliff Duren, (Creator) Sue C. Smith
Love Lifted Up: An Easter Musical – (Creators/Arrangers/Orchestrators) Jason Cox, Joseph Habedank, Cliff Duren, Jay Rouse, Marty Hamby, Phil Nitz
Love Was Born A King – (Creators/Arrangers/Orchestrators) Joel Lindsey, Jeff Bumgardner
Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
A Drummer Boy Christmas – for KING & COUNTRY
Graves Into Gardens – Elevation Worship — WINNER!
Revival’s In The Air – Bethel Music
Songs Of Death And Resurrection : Deluxe Box – Demon Hunter
The Blessing (Live) – Kari Jobe
Inspirational Film of the Year
A Week Away — WINNER!
Fatima
Mahalia
My Brother’s Keeper
QUEEN ESTHER
