Tauren Wells, Zach Williams Lead GMA Dove Awards Nominees

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced today the nominees for the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards, revealed exclusively on Facebook Live with the help of Travis Greene and Francesca Battistelli.

Tauren Wells leads artist nominations with seven, followed by Zach Williams with six and Cory Asbury, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and TobyMac with five nods each. Top nominated writer/producer Colby Wedgeworth scored eight nominations.

Artist vying in the Artist of the Year category include Hillsong United, MercyMe, NEEDTOBREATHE, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Zach Williams.

“Congratulations to this year’s Dove Award nominees!” GMA President Jackie Patillo said. “God is doing amazing things through our artists and their music. This year’s theme Reverent Wonder celebrates the greatness of God and acknowledges His powerful message of hope for the world.”

The awards show will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Lipscomb University. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will exclusively air the show on Sunday, Oct. 21. Voting for the final winners will run Aug. 20 through Aug. 27.

The GMA Dove Awards celebrate the contributions of artists from every style of Christian/Gospel music. Nominees are determined by GMA’s professional members, and winners will be voted on by the entire GMA membership.

Nominees in select categories are listed below; for a full list of this year’s nominees, visit doveawards.com.

Artist of the Year
Hillsong UNITED, Hillsong Music Australia / Capital CMG
MercyMe, Fair Trade Services
NEEDTOBREATHE, Atlantic Records
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Motown Gospel
Zach Williams, Provident Label Group

Song of the Year
“All My Hope” – (writers) David Crowder, Ed Cash
“Blessings” – (writers) Allen Swoope, Asheton Hogan, Lecrae Moore, Maurice Simmonds, Tyrone Williams Griffin, Jr.
“Broken Things” – (writers) Andrew Jacob Pruis, Jason Houser, Matthew West
“Control (Somehow You Want Me)” – (writers) Jason Ingram, Matt Bronleewe, Mike Donehey
“Different” – (writers) Kyle Lee, Micah Tyler
“Hills and Valleys” – (writers) Chuck Butler, Jonathan Smith, Tauren Wells
“I just need U.” – (writers) Blake NeeSmith, Bryan Fowler, Kevin McKeehan
“I’ll Find You” – (writers) Danny Majic, John Mitchell, Justin Franks, Lecrae Moore, Natalie Sims, Sasha Sloan, Victoria Kelly
“O’Lord” – (writers) Joe Williams, Paul Mabury
“Old Church Choir” – (writers) Colby Wedgeworth, Ethan Hulse, Zach Williams
“Reckless Love (writers) Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, Ran Jackson
“So Will I (100 Billion X)” (writers) Benjamin Hastings, Joel Houston, Michael Fatkin
“Unfinished” – (writers) Ben Glover, Colby Wedgeworth

New Artist of the Year
Cory Asbury, Bethel Music
Koryn Hawthorne, RCA Inspiration
Mosaic MSC, Essential Worship
Pat Barrett, Capitol CMG
Tauren Wells, Provident Label Group

Gospel Artist of the Year
CeCe Winans, Puresprings Gospel / Thirty Tigers
Jekalyn Carr, Lunjeal Music Group
Kirk Franklin, RCA Inspiration
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Motown Gospel
Travis Greene, RCA Inspiration

Worship Song of the Year
“Do It Again” – (writers) Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Matt Redman, Steven Furtick
“Reckless Love” – (writers) Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, Ran Jackson
“So Will I (100 Billion X)” – (writers) Benjamin Hastings, Joel Houston, Michael Fatkin
“Spirit of the Living God” – (writers) Jacob Sooter, Mia Fieldes
“Tremble” – (writers) Andres Figueroa, Hank Bentley, Mariah McManus, Mia Fieldes

Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“All My Hope” – Crowder, (writers) David Crowder, Ed Cash
“O’Lord”– LaurenDaigle, (writers)JoeWilliams, Paul Mabury
“When We Pray” – Tauren Wells, (writers) Colby Wedgeworth, Ethan Hulse, Tauren Wells
“I just need U.” – TobyMac, (writers) Blake NeeSmith, Bryan Fowler, Toby McKeehan
“Old Church Choir” – Zach Williams, (writers) Colby Wedgeworth, Ethan Hulse, Zach Williams

Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year
“Not Today Satan (ft. Andy Mineo) ” – KB, (writers) Andrew Mineo, Chris Mackey, Jacob Cardec, Joseph Prielozny, Kevin Burgess
“War Cry (ft. Tauren Wells)” – Social Club Misfits, (writers) Andrew Wells, David Frank, Fernando Miranda, John Thomas Roach, Martin Santiago, Tommee Profitt
“SMILE” – Tedashii, (writers) Lasanna Harris, Marquis Rachad, Philip Green, Shama Joseph, Tedashii Anderson
“Forever” – Trip Lee, (writers) Jacob Cardec, William Barfield
“Praying Hands (ft. Trip Lee)” – Ty Brasel, (writers) Kenneth Christian Mackey, Ty Brasel

Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year
“I Got That” – Anthony Brown & group therAPy, (writer) Anthony Brown
“A Great Work” – Brian Courtney Wilson, (writers) Aaron W. Lindsey, Alvin Richardson, Brian Courtney Wilson
“Not Lucky, I’m Loved” – Jonathan McReynolds, (writers) Jonathan McReynolds, Terrell Demetrius Wilson
“Won’t He Do It” – Koryn Hawthorne and Roshon Fegan, (writers) Loren Hill, Makeba Riddick, Rich Shelton
“You (ft. Tye Tribbett)” – Snoop Dogg, (writers) Jovan J. Dawkins, Jevon Hill, Stanley Green Jr, Timothy Tyrone Bush Jr, Tye Tribbett

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
“​He Can Take It​”​ – ​Brian Free & Assurance,​ (writers) Jeff Bumgardner, Kenna Turner West, Sue C. Smith
“​Clear Skies​”​ – ​Ernie Haase & Signature Sound​, (writers) Ernie Haase, Joel Lindsey, Wayne Haun
“Hallelujah Band” – Gaither Vocal Band, (writers) Becca Mizell, Sam Mizell
“Washed By The Water” – Jason Crabb, (writers) Dave Barnes, Jason Crabb, Jordan Reynolds
“Just When You Thought” – Joseph Habedank, (writers) Joseph Habedank, Michael Farren, Wayne Haun