The vibes were immaculate in Nashville on Friday night as the 57th annual GMA Dove Awards took over the Bridgestone Arena. Hosted by the king of consistency Tauren Wells—for the fourth year in a row—the night was a total W for the Christian and Gospel music scene. It’s giving main character energy to walk away with three awards, and that’s exactly what Phil Wickham, Josiah Queen, and Brandon Lake did. Wickham secured Artist of the Year, plus Worship Album of the Year for 'Song of the Saints' and Children’s Recorded Song of the Year for 'Follow The Light.' He was lowkey emotional on stage, admitting, 'To think that people sing them to Jesus blows my mind.'
The winners circle
Josiah Queen absolutely ate, taking home Song of the Year for the anthem 'Dusty Bibles.' He also nabbed Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year and Recorded Music Packaging for his album 'Mt. Zion.' Brandon Lake wasn't far behind, stacking up wins for Songwriter of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for 'King of Hearts,' and Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year for his collab with Lainey Wilson, 'The Jesus I Know Now.'
Meanwhile, Tasha Cobbs Leonard walked away with two trophies, including Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year, while Jamie MacDonald snagged New Artist of the Year. MacDonald’s story is real talk—he spent 20 years waiting tables before finding his purpose through music.
A legendary tribute
The night also featured a major moment when Amy Grant and Natalie Grant teamed up for a gorgeous tribute to the late icon Dolly Parton. The stage was drenched in pink light as they performed 'How Great Thou Art' and the absolute classic 'I Will Always Love You.'
Why it matters
These awards highlight the massive cultural footprint of Christian and Gospel music. By honoring both established icons and new voices, the Doves keep the genre's legacy alive while proving that faith-based storytelling is still very much a powerhouse in the modern music industry.
