Christian music stars Zach Williams and For King & Country top the list of artist nominees for the 51st annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards.
The Nashville-based association revealed its 2020 nominees on Thursday. Williams and For King & Country each have five nominations, and both are up for Artist of the Year. They’re trailed closely by Hillsong Worship, Kirk Franklin and Jonathan McReynolds, each with four nods apiece.
But another, first-time nominee will likely earn a disproportionate amount of attention: Kanye West.
The polarizing rapper (and now, a presidential candidate) is up for three awards, stemming from his 2019 album “Jesus Is King,” which dominated the Christian and gospel charts upon its release.
As is often the case, the Doves’ actual top nominee is a behind-the-scenes figure: producer and songwriter Jason Ingram, who tops the overall list with eight nominations. Other first-time nominees include Gloria Gaynor, We The Kingdom and Unspoken.
Since 2013, the ceremony has been held in Nashville at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s show will be a “broadcast-only celebration” with pre-recorded performances and acceptance speeches.
It will air Friday, October 30 on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).
Nominations:
Artist of the Year:
- for KING & COUNTRY
- Hillsong Worship
- Lauren Daigle
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard
- Zach Williams
Song of the Year:
- “Almost Home” (songwriters) Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Ben Glover, Mike Scheuchzer, Nathan Cochran (publishers) 9t One Songs, Ariose Music, So Sappy Music, Tunes of Mercyme
- “Burn The Ships” (songwriters) Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Matt Hales, Seth Mosley (publishers) CentricSongs, Kilns Music, Method of the Madness, Shankle Songs, Shaun Shaenkle Pub Designee, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., WC Music Group
- “Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus) (songwriters) Desmond Davis, Donald Lawrence, Marshon Lewis, Robert Woolridge (publishing) QW Publishing, Williams Stokes Publishing House and Primary Wave Bears, Shonnamacmusic, ROB BASS INC, Desmond Davis Designee
- “Dead Man Walking” (songwriters) Emily Weisband, Jeremy Camp, Jordan Sapp (publishers) Capitol CMG Paragon, Only In You Publishing, Songs By J Sapp
- “Holy Water” (songwriters) Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Marin Cash, Scott Cash (publishers) Andrew Bergthold Designee, Capitol CMG Genesis, We The Kingdom ASCAP Designee, We The Kingdom Music
- “King of Kings” (songwriters) Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, Scott Ligertwood (publishers) Fellow Ships Music, Hillsong Music Publishing Australia, So Essential Tunes
- “Love Theory” (songwriter) Kirk Franklin, (publisher) Aunt Gertrude Music Publishing LLC
- “Nobody” (songwriters) Bernie Herms, Mark Hall, Matthew West (publishers) Be Essential Songs, Highly Combustible Music, House of Story Music Publishing, My Refuge Music, One77 Songs
- “Rescue” (songwriters) Jason Ingram, Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury (publishers) CentricSongs, Fellow Ships Music, Flychild Publishing, See You At The Pub, So Essential Tunes
- “Rescue Story” (songwriter) Andrew Ripp, Ethan Hulse, Jonathan Smith, Zach Williams (publishers) Anthems of Hope, Be Essential Songs, Cashagamble Jet Music, EGH Music Publishing, Songs By Fishbone, Wisteria Drive
- “See A Victory” (songwriters) Ben Fielding, Chris Brown, Jason Ingram, Steven Furtick (publishers) Fellow Ships Music, Music By Elevation Worship Publishing, SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia, So Essential Tunes
- “The God Who Stays” (songwriters) AJ Pruis, Jonathan Smith, Matthew West (publishers) Be Essential Songs, Cashagamble Jet Music, Combustion Five, Highly Combustible Music, O77 Songs, Two Story House Music
- “Way Maker” (songwriters) Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu (publisher) Integrity Music Europe
New Artist of the Year:
- Chris Renzema
- Cochren & Co.
- Elle Limebear
- Switch
- We The Kingdom
Gospel Artist of the Year:
- Jekalyn Carr
- Jonathan McReynolds
- Kirk Franklin
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard
- Travis Greene
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year:
- “NOBODY” – Casting Crowns (feat. Matthew West) – (songwriters) Bernie Herms, Matthew West, Mark Hall
- “Burn The Ships” – for KING & COUNTRY– (songwriters) Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Seth Mosley, Matt Hales
- “Dead Man Walking” – Jeremy Camp – (songwriters) Jeremy Camp, Emily Weisband, Jordan Sapp
- “Rescue” – Lauren Daigle – (songwriters) Jason Ingram, Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury
- “Holy Water” – We The Kingdom – (songwriters) Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash, Scott Cash
Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year:
- “Blessings on Blessings” – Anthony Brown & group therAPy – (songwriter) Anthony Brown
- “Won’t Be Moved” – Gene Moore – (songwriters) – Bryan Sledge, Cedric Smith, Demeon Reeves
- “People” – Jonathan McReynolds – (songwriter) Jonathan McReynolds
- “B!g” – Pastor Mike Jr. – (songwriters) Michael McClure, Curtiss Glenn, Rodney Turner
- “Truly Amazing God” – Travis Greene – (songwriter) Travis Greene
Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year:
- “Miracle Worker” – JJ Hairston – (songwriter) Rich Tolbert Jr.
- “Something Has To Break” (Live) – Kierra Sheard, featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard – (songwriters) J. Drew Sheard, Kierra Valencia Sheard, Mia Fieldes, Jonathan Smith
- “Promises” – Maverick City Music – (songwriters) Aaron Moses, Lemuel Marin, Carrington Gaines, Dante Bowe, Joe L. Barnes, Keila Alvarado
- “Proverbs 3” – Todd Dulaney – (songwriters) Todd Dulaney, Jaylen Moore, Isaac Tarver
- “Only You Can Satisfy” (Live) – William McDowell and Chris Lawson (songwriters) William McDowell, Chandler Moore
Worship Recorded Song of the Year:
- “King of Kings” (Live at Qudos Band Arena, Sydney, AU/2019) – Hillsong Worship – (songwriters) Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood, Jason Ingram
- “Goodness of God” – Jenn Johnson – (songwriters) Ben Fielding, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Ed Cash, Jason Ingram
- “The Blessing” (Live) – Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Elevation Worship – (songwriters) Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick
- “Way Maker” – Leeland – (songwriter) Osinachi Okoro
- “Great Things” – Phil Wickham – (songwriter) Phil Wickham, Jonas Myrin
Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year:
- Not By Chance – Aaron Cole
- Work in Progress – Andy Mineo
- HEATHEN – GAWVI
- Jesus Is King – Kanye West
- MOOD // DOOM – Social Club Misfits
Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year:
- Out of Body – Apollo LTD
- War – Demon Hunter
- Love Letter – Disciple
- Declaration – Red
- Victorious – Skillet
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Album of the Year:
- THE STORY’S NOT OVER – Jeremy Camp
- Citizens of Heaven – Tauren Wells
- Reason – Unspoken
- Live At The Wheelhouse – We The Kingdom
- Rescue Story – Zach Williams
Check out full list HERE