CeCe Winans & Anne Wilson Lead – Billboard

This yr’s GMA Dove Awards ceremony, which aired Friday evening (Oct. 21) on TBN and was held on the campus of Nashville’s Lipscomb University, showcased the facility of pairing an incredible music with the best message and the best vocalist.

CeCe Winans took residence two trophies, together with the night’s high honor, artist of the yr, capping a robust yr that noticed Winans’ inspirational “Believe for It” spend 12 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and attain No. 7 on Christian Airplay. During the GMA Dove Awards, “Believe for It” was named music of the yr.

In accepting the music of the yr honor, Winans mentioned, “It is amazing when we come together, love each other and stand for righteousness what God will do…I am believing for God to move in this industry like He has never moved before.”

Newcomer Anne Wilson additionally took residence her first two GMA Dove Awards wins, for brand new artist of the yr, in addition to pop/up to date recorded music of the yr, for her breakthrough hit “My Jesus.” During her efficiency of the music, Wilson properly and succinctly used the time to share the story that impressed the music — the lack of her brother Jacob in 2017, as images of her late brother stuffed the display behind her.

“I never imagined I’d be here tonight, standing on this stage and getting to be amongst among all of you incredible artists,” Wilson mentioned in accepting her new artist of the yr award, earlier than thanking her label crew at Capitol CMG, administration crew at Storyhouse Collective and her collaborators on the album. She additionally thanked her late brother Jacob. “You inspire me and that’s why I do what I do, is to honor Jacob. Most of all I want to thank Jesus for his grace, his mercy and his forgiveness…I’m so thankful for all the artists in this category as well. You are changing lives and I’m so grateful.”

The night started because the Gospel Music Association’s chief Jackie Patillo and Lipscomb University president Candice McQueen welcomed the viewers to have fun one of the best music that got here from the faith-based group over the previous yr, below the theme “Sound of Heaven.” From there, the night honored artists in a spread of types, together with gospel, people, nation, bluegrass, soul, rap, pop and Spanish-language.

The ceremony opened with Crowder performing the swampy rock music “Good God Almighty” and later earned rock/up to date recorded music of the yr for “Higher Power” that includes Hulvey. Jekalyn Carr provided a soulful, commanding rendition of “My Portion,” and the music later picked up the GMA Dove Award for conventional gospel recorded music of the yr. DOE carried out a mash-up of “When I Pray” and “What I’m Waiting For,” and gained up to date gospel album of the yr (Clarity). Gateway Worship Español provided a stirring bilingual efficiency that blended worship, Latin and rap, and gained Spanish language recorded music of the yr for “Danzando,” which featured Daniel Calveti, Becky Collazos, Christine D’Clario, Travy Joe and Josh Morales.

Phil Wickham picked up songwriter of the yr (artist), whereas his album Hymn of Heaven was named worship album of the yr and the title observe was named worship recorded music of the yr. He additionally carried out his four-week No. 1 Billboard Christian Airplay hit “House of the Lord.” His acceptance speech was stuffed with gratitude as he famous he has been main worship in varied church companies since he was in his early teenagers.

The subjects of loss and rejuvenation have been touched on all through the night, as TobyMac thanked the viewers for his or her assist and prayers following the lack of his eldest son, Truett, in 2019.

“I thought I would never write another song, much less a song that is uptempo,” TobyMac famous, earlier than performing the joyous music “The Goodness” with Blessing Offor. Earlier this yr, the music grew to become a three-week No. 1 on the Christian Airplay chart.

Last yr, the inaugural GMA Leadership Award was given to GMA chief Patillo, and this yr, the consideration was awarded to CAA’s John Huie, who has labored with Amy Grant, DC Talk, Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman and extra.

Later within the night, Smith launched his longtime pal and fellow CCM luminary Steven Curtis Chapman, who launched his efficiency with a medley of his earlier hits, together with “The Great Adventure” and “Divin’ In,” earlier than performing “Don’t Lose Heart” from his new album Still.

“Thirty-five years went by in a hurry,” Chapman quipped.

Jason Ingram (who has labored with Elevation Worship, Maverick City Music, Winans, Lauren Daigle and others) was named songwriter of the yr (non-artist), whereas producer of the yr went to Jeff Pardo (who has labored on initiatives for Wilson, Crowder, Newsboys and extra). Family trio The Sound gained their first GMA Dove Award, for bluegrass/nation/roots album (God Is Real). Rap/Hip Hop recorded music of the yr went to “King Jesus” from KB and nobigdyl, whereas pop/up to date album of the yr went to for King & Country’s What Are We Waiting For? (the brother duo additionally gained within the brief type music video of the yr/idea class for “Relate,” in addition to lengthy type video of the yr.

Maverick City Music gained two honors throughout the night, together with gospel worship recorded music of the yr (“Breathe,” that includes Chandler Moore, DOE and Jonathan McReynolds) in addition to gospel worship album of the yr with Tribl, for Tribl Nights Atlanta.

As the night started to attract to an in depth, Winans took the stage after being named because the recipient of the night’s largest honor, artist of the yr. In lieu of a conventional acceptance speech, she gracefully sang a refrain of “To God Be The Glory,” because the viewers joined in, making a uniting, impromptu a cappella choir.

For a full checklist of the night’s winners go to doveawards.com.