The 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards were handed out October 1, 2024, to a sold-out audience in Nashville, Tennessee. I was stoked to experience the live taping with my wife for the first time since our honeymoon 32 years ago. After years of watching from our couch it was surprising how big everything looks on television compared to watching from the back bowl of an auditorium. Even with screens it was hard to catch everything that was going on from stage but watching the live performances and acceptance speeches in real-time was a treat.
CeCe Winans opened the night with her high-energy performance of “That’s My King” complete with a 24-person choir. Anne Wilson did not disappoint with her powerful delivery of her new song “Stand”. Show host, Tauren Wells, brought out surprise guest Skillet’s John Cooper for his hard rock infused “Take It All Back” performance. Forrest Frank’s upbeat “No Longer Bound/GOOD DAY” mash-up featured members from The Choir Room and brought down the house. Not to be outdone, artist Crowder closed the show with the whole audience joining him in singing “Grave Robber”.
In a sobering moment, host Tauren Wells spoke of the heartbreak that had occurred as a result of Hurricane Helene. He also made sure to acknowledge all the people we had lost within the past year within the Christian and Gospel music community. Especially poignant, Wells played a personal audio text from Mandisa, who went to be with Jesus earlier this year, and reminded the audience how important it is to speak words of love to those around us. “I know so many of you in the room received messages, support and love just like this,” Wells said. “[Mandisa] will be greatly missed along with all of the other friends and family we’ve lost this year and loved so deeply. It’s a sobering reminder that our words carry so much weight. Your words can be some of the most valuable things you can leave behind. Let’s all remember to reach out to those we love.” The segment was capped off with a stirring performance of “My Tribute (To God Be The Glory)” by Natalie Grant.
Phil Wickham took home four Doves including Worship Album of the Year. Gospel music icon CeCe Winans was another big winner of the night with three total wins including Artist of the Year and Forrest Frank, who won two awards, took home New Artist of the Year.
In a surprise announcement, the GMA revealed the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in the heart of Music City. The announcement was delivered in a video featuring Steven Curtis Chapman, Jason Crabb, Jekalyn Carr, Danny Gokey and CeCe Winans carrying the Dove statuette from Lipscomb’s Allen Arena where it has been held for the past 11 years to Bridgestone Arena. In coordination with this big move, another major event is scheduled for the Fall of 2025, the Christian and Gospel Music Museum will open just off the Broadway strip in Downtown Nashville as a beacon of light.
Gospel Music icons Bill and Gloria Gaither were honoured with the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award. Bill and Gloria are legendary songwriters behind songs like “Because He Lives,” “He Touched Me,” and “There’s Something About That Name.” As their names were called to receive the award, the audience leapt to its feet to celebrate the beloved couple. Accepting the award, Bill Gaither said, “I want to encourage all you young songwriters to keep writing your songs. There’s a hole in the heart of this country. There’s a whole lot of empty going on. Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost our song. There’s a hole in the heart of America that only God can fill.”
The show aired on TBN starting October 4 and now is streaming on YouTube.
Partial list of winners:
| ARTIST OF THE YEAR: CeCe WinansNEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Forrest FrankWORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR: “Praise” – Elevation Worship (ft. Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, Chandler Moore)POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Coat of Many Colors – Brandon LakeBLUEGRASS/COUNTRY/ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Rebel – Anne Wilson | REBEL | Anne Wilson |
WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR: I Believe – Phil Wickham
SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO (Concept): Faithfully – TobyMac
FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR: Unsung Hero – (Directors) Richard Ramsey, Joel Smallbone, (Producers) Joel Smallbone, Josh Walsh, Luke Smallbone, Justin Tolley
Kevin was one of the founding members of the Christian acapella group Rhythm & News that he toured North American with from 1988-1995. With the release of their first album, “Get With the Rhythm,” Rhythm and News was introduced to the rest of Canada with their original “funkappella” style. The height of their success came in 1992, when they released their second studio album, “Word 2 Y'all,” which became one of the top selling albums in Canada by a Canadian gospel artist. In 1994, the group temporarily moved to Detroit, MI for a few months to record their 3rd and last album, "Dream Love + Pray" with gospel great Fred Hammond. In 2008 the group was recognized by the Gospel Music Association of Canada with a Lifetime Achievement Award. After his departure from the group in 1995 Kevin continued pursuing his passion for Christian Music by becoming a Music Critic writing for various publications including: BC Christian News, The Light Magazine and Faith Today.
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