Brandon Lake received five awards, including Song of the Year, at the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards. The event took place on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Lake was also honored as Songwriter of the Year (Artist) for his contributions to Christian and Gospel music.
Key Takeaways
- Brandon Lake won five awards, including Song of the Year.
- Forrest Frank was named Artist of the Year.
- Leanna Crawford received New Artist of the Year.
- Surprise performances included Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll, and Jon Batiste.
- The broadcast aired on TBN and SiriusXM The Message.
Lake Dominates Award Categories
Brandon Lake was the most awarded artist of the night. He secured five honors in total. His song, “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” earned him Song of the Year. Lake shared this award with co-writers Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, and Benjamin William Hastings. This recognition highlights Lake's significant impact on the genre.
In addition to Song of the Year, Lake also won Songwriter of the Year (Artist). This award acknowledges his consistent writing contributions. His multiple wins demonstrate his broad influence and talent within Christian and Gospel music.
Award Wins
- Brandon Lake: 5 awards
- Forrest Frank: Artist of the Year
- Leanna Crawford: New Artist of the Year
- CeCe Winans: 2 awards
Top Honors for Artists
Forrest Frank was named Artist of the Year. This award recognizes overall artistic achievement. Leanna Crawford received the New Artist of the Year award, marking her emergence in the industry. These awards celebrate both established and rising talents.
CeCe Winans also had a notable night, taking home two awards. One of her wins was for Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year for “Come Jesus Come,” featuring Shirley Caesar. This collaboration showcased powerful vocal performances and strong lyrical content.
“Like Tauren said earlier, we don’t do what we do for this [award], we do what we do for Jesus.” – CeCe Winans, accepting Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year.
Spanish Language and Other Category Winners
The award for Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year went to Israel & New Breed and Unified Sound for “Coritos de Fuego.” This song featured Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Nate Diaz, Aaron Moses, and Lucia Parker. This award highlights the growing diversity within Christian music.
Other key winners included Elevation Worship, Chris Brown, and Brandon Lake for Worship Recorded Song of the Year with “I Know A Name.” Hulvey won Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year for “CRY.” Tamela Mann received Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for “God Problems” - Live Breathe Fight. The Nelons earned Southern Gospel Album of the Year for “Loving You.” Phil Wickham's “The Jesus Way” won Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year. “The King of Kings” was named Feature Film of the Year.
About the GMA Dove Awards
The GMA Dove Awards celebrate achievements in Christian music. The Gospel Music Association (GMA) has organized these awards since 1964. Their mission is to promote and celebrate Gospel music. The awards recognize various genres, including Pop/Contemporary, Worship, Southern Gospel, Urban, and Spanish Language music. The event aims to inspire and unite the Christian music community.
Memorable Performances and Guest Appearances
The evening featured a series of memorable performances. For KING + COUNTRY opened the show with Taylor Hill, performing “World On Fire.” The performance set an energetic tone for the night. The stage design and lighting created a dynamic visual experience.
A surprise guest appearance by 8-time Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood delighted the audience. She joined Ben Fuller to sing their nominated song, “If It Was Up To Me.” This collaboration brought together different styles and audiences.
Newly inducted Opry Member Steven Curtis Chapman performed a special Opry 100 tribute. He was joined by fellow Opry members Lady A and Vince Gill. Their performance honored the Grand Ole Opry's legacy.
Israel & New Breed and Unified Sound presented a unique Latin performance. They were joined by several artists, including Aaron Moses, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Alex Campos, Christine D’Clario, Josh and Waleska Morales, Ingrid Rosario, Janina Rosado, Lucia Parker, and Nate Diaz. This diverse group delivered a powerful musical experience.
Tauren Wells, with gio., brought high energy to the stage with “Let The Church Sing.” CeCe Winans performed a moving acoustic version of “Come Jesus Come.” The night concluded with Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll, joined by Jon Batiste, for a rain-soaked rendition of “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”
Host Tauren Wells Sets the Tone
Host Tauren Wells opened the show with a powerful message. He emphasized that Jesus is the central focus of the awards. Wells encouraged the audience, stating that without Jesus, there would be no songs or stories to share. He highlighted that all celebrations stem from faith.
“There is only one reason that we’re here tonight, one common denominator between all of us and it’s that without Jesus we recognize we have nothing. But because of Jesus, we have everything to celebrate.” – Tauren Wells, host of the 56th GMA Dove Awards.
This message resonated throughout the evening. Many winners echoed Wells' sentiment. They spoke about their faith as the driving force behind their music. The awards became a celebration of community and shared beliefs.
Industry Figures Emphasize Service and Faith
Jelly Roll, accepting the Song of the Year award with Brandon Lake, delivered a strong call to action. He stated that the world is hearing about Jesus more than ever before. He urged attendees to put their faith into action. "Go do for the least. They’ve heard Jesus, now show them Jesus," he said.
Al Andrews from Porter’s Call received the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award. He expressed gratitude, saying, “I feel like I get a front row seat to hope.” His words highlighted the impact of service within the music community.
Tamela Mann, accepting the Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year award, spoke about God's faithfulness. She encouraged belief in greater things to come. Leanna Crawford, the New Artist of the Year, shared her journey of perseverance. She thanked those who encouraged her faith during difficult times. These statements reinforced the night's theme of faith and community.
Broadcast and Re-Air Information
The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards broadcast aired exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ app. It was also simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. This broad distribution allowed many viewers to experience the event. The broadcast will re-air on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. ET on TBN, the TBN+ app, and TBN YouTube.
Broadcast Details
- Original Broadcast: TBN, TBN+ app, SiriusXM The Message
- Re-Air Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
- Re-Air Times: 7:30 p.m. ET and 10:00 p.m. ET
- Platforms: TBN, TBN+ app, TBN YouTube
The Gospel Music Association produced the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt served as showrunners and executive producers. Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright were producers. JoAnna Illingworth and Shama Mrema wrote the script. Russell E. Hall directed the broadcast, with Scott Moore and Go Live Productions managing production. The team worked to create a seamless and impactful show.