The 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards returned to Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville for the 11th year on Oct. 1, 2024. Hosted by Tauren Wells, the taped show aired during a two-hour broadcast on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and TBN+ on Oct. 4, 2024, when winners were announced publicly for the first time.
The incomparable CeCe Winans took home the most coveted accolade of the evening when she was awarded Artist of the Year for the second time. Winans was previously crowned Artist of the Year in 2022. “I’m totally humbled to win this tonight, especially in the company I was in,” shared an obviously shocked Winans, who was nominated in the competitive category alongside Anne Wilson, Brandon Lake, for KING + COUNTRY and Lauren Daigle. “People are embracing what God has given me to do probably more than ever before in my life; I could cry.”
Winans, who turns 60 next Tuesday, Oct. 8, opened the awards ceremony with an energetic performance of “That’s My King.” She also took home additional trophies for Gospel Worship Album of the Year for her latest live endeavor, “More Than This,” and Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year as a featured artist on Natalie Grant’s version of Andraé Crouch classic “My Tribute (To God Be The Glory).”
Outside of Winans, Forrest Frank was the second buzziest story to emerge from the night. Winning both New Artist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for his self-penned “Good Day,” Frank made his Dove Awards debut with a dynamic performance of the viral hit.
“Holy Forever” was named Song of the Year. Although Chris Tomlin wasn’t able to attend, co-writers Brian & Jenn Johnson performed the anthem alongside Guatemalan familial group Miel San Marcos and Brazilian artist Gabriel Guedes. Singing in English, Spanish and Portuguese, respectively, the trilingual performance emphasized the single’s massive global impact. “The way that this song honors God and the way it’s being sung around the world is stunning,” Jenn Johnson remarked when she and her husband spoke to media backstage. Further amplifying the song’s impressive reach, Dove Award winner KB revealed he’s working on a hip-hop version of the chart-topping track.
Phil Wickham, who also co-penned “Holy Forever,” picked up four Doves this year, including one for Worship Album of the Year for “I Believe” and Christmas Recorded Song of the Year for “Manger Throne.”
Lake, who made Dove history as the most nominated artist in a single year with 16 nods ahead of the 55th installment, didn’t go home empty-handed. In addition to being named Songwriter of the Year (Artist) for the second consecutive year, the “That’s Who I Praise” singer earned trophies for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for his third studio effort, “Coat of Many Colors,” and Worship Recorded Song of the Year as a co-writer for “Praise,” which has spent 30 weeks atop Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart, where it remains at No. 1.
Meanwhile, industry legend Steven Curtis Chapman notched his 60th Dove Award for Long Form Music Video of the Year courtesy of “Steven Curtis Chapman: The Great Adventure,” the TBN special which celebrates his historic 50 No. 1 hits and showcases the icon performing with a symphony orchestra. Sustaining his reign as the most awarded artist in Christian music, the “Do It Again” singer revealed backstage that he’s recording a song for his wife for their upcoming 40th wedding anniversary and also announced a soon-to-be-released Christmas duet with Hillary Scott. Chapman will become the first Contemporary Christian artist to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on Nov. 1.
Aside from the winners who topped this year’s leaderboard, 11 performances put the diversity of the genre on full display, including unique live moments helmed by CAIN, Wilson and Crowder — who all took home Doves. Additionally, Grant — a five-time GMA Female Vocalist of the Year winner — delivered a standing-ovation-worthy performance during an in memoriam segment, which honored members of the Christian music community who recently passed away, including Mandisa, Gabe Patillo and members of Southern Gospel group The Nelons.
Despite unexpected wins and soul-stirring performances, the biggest surprise of the evening, however, was the announcement that the GMA Dove Awards are set to return to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena next year for the first time since 1999. The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards will take over Music City’s largest venue Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.
2024 GMA Dove Award Winners
Song of the Year
“Holy Forever”
(writers) Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram, Phil Wickham
Songwriter of the Year (Artist)
Brandon Lake
Artist of the Year
CeCe Winans
New Artist of the Year
Forrest Frank
Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“Grave Robber,” Crowder
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“Good Day,” Forrest Frank
Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year
“My Tribute (To God Be The Glory),” Natalie Grant (feat. CeCe Winans)
Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year
“Lookin’ For You,” Zach Williams (feat. Dolly Parton)
Worship Recorded Song of the Year
“Praise,” Elevation Worship (feat. Chris Brown, Brandon Lake & Chandler Moore)
Christmas Recorded Song of the Year
“Manger Throne,” Phil Wickham
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
“Coat of Many Colors,” Brandon Lake
Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year
“REBEL,” Anne Wilson
Gospel Album of the Year
“More Than This,” CeCe Winans
Worship Album of the Year
“I Believe,” Phil Wickham
Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year
“Lifesongs: A Celebration of the First 20 Years,” Casting Crowns
Short Form Music Video of the Year (Concept)
“Faithfully,” TobyMac
Long Form Music Video of the Year
“Steven Curtis Chapman: The Great Adventure,” Steven Curtis Chapman
Feature Film of the Year
“Unsung Hero”
Television Series of the Year
“Chasing CAIN”
See a full list of winners at www.doveawards.com.
