Gospel Music Association Unveils Nominees For 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards

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The Gospel Music Association has revealed the nominees for the 57th annual GMA Dove Awards, honoring the best in Christian and Gospel music. Phil Wickham leads all male artists with nine nominations, while CeCe Winans tops all female artists with seven. They are joined in the Artist of the Year category by Brandon Lake, Josiah Queen and Lauren Daigle.

Eight-time Dove Award winner Tauren Wells will return as host for the fourth year in a row, one of the longest hosting runs in Dove Awards history. Wells also serves as an executive producer this year, earned two nominations, and will perform during the show.

“The Dove Awards are more than just an awards show,” says Wells. “The promise of scripture is if two or three people come together that Jesus is in our midst. We know this isn’t about trophies; it’s about elevating the name of Jesus and celebrating those who have done that very well this year. I’m so grateful to be back hosting and I cannot wait to get back on that stage, it’s truly an honor.”

Behind the scenes, the songwriters, producers and creators behind this year’s biggest Christian and Gospel music earned major recognition. Jonathan Smith leads all nominees with 14 nominations, followed by Jacob Sooter with 12 and Steven Furtick with 11. Their work appears on many of this year’s top nominated songs and albums. Meanwhile, this year’s New Artist of the Year nominees, bodie, Emerson Day, Jamie MacDonald, Megan Woods and SEU Worship, highlight some of the genre’s fastest-rising new artists.

A full list of nominees can be found here.

“Every year, the Dove Awards bring the diverse voices of the Christian music community together to celebrate the God we all serve, and that’s exactly the heart behind this year’s theme, ‘Together For One.’ This year’s class of nominees embodies that spirit, creating life-changing music that continues to unite people across the globe,” adds Jackie Patillo, President of the Gospel Music Association.

The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards, presented in partnership with the Cantinas Arts Foundation, will be held Oct. 6, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena. Tickets are available here.

The show will air exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ app on Oct. 9, at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. CT. It will re-air on Oct. 16, at the same times. Fans can also listen live during the Oct. 9 broadcast on SiriusXM’s The Message (Channel 65).

Madison Hahnen
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