Electronic artist Forrest Frank chose not to attend the 56th annual Dove Awards in Nashville, Tennessee. His decision to boycott the ceremony, where he won Artist of the Year, has generated significant discussion among musicians and fans in the Christian music industry. Frank stated his refusal to accept an award for an act of worship, leading to varied reactions from his peers.
Key Takeaways
- Forrest Frank boycotted the 56th Dove Awards on October 7, 2025, despite winning Artist of the Year.
- Frank cited a conviction against receiving a trophy for worship, calling it an act "from Jesus and for Jesus."
- The boycott sparked debate among artists, with some questioning his stance on awards versus financial gain.
- Dove Awards hosts and winners, including Tauren Wells and CeCe Winans, addressed the controversy during the ceremony.
- The incident highlighted ongoing discussions within the Christian music industry about commercialism and artistic integrity.
Forrest Frank's Stance on Awards
On October 7, 2025, the 56th annual Dove Awards took place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Forrest Frank, a contemporary Christian music artist, was notably absent. Days before the event, Frank announced his decision on social media. He explained that he felt it was inappropriate to accept an award for worship.
In an Instagram video, Frank detailed his reasoning. He stated,
“I will not receive a trophy for something that is from Jesus and for Jesus.”He further expressed a strong conviction against participating in such events, saying, “I don’t know if I even want to step on the stage; I don’t know if I want to step in the room. I have decided to take a stance of non-participation. I will not be attending the Doves or the Grammys.”
Notable Fact
Despite his boycott, Forrest Frank was only eligible for the Artist of the Year award because he personally submitted his music to the Gospel Music Association (GMA).
Industry Reaction and Public Debate
Frank’s boycott quickly gained national attention. People Magazine featured his stance, amplifying the discussion. This move created a stir across the Nashville music community. Several prominent artists shared their views on social media.
Musicians like Mike Donehey from Tenth Avenue North, Dan Bremnes, and Austin Cain responded publicly. They clarified that their attendance at the Dove Awards was not for personal fame. Instead, they aimed to celebrate fellow artists and offer support. These comments highlighted a difference in perspective regarding the purpose of industry awards.
Background on the Dove Awards
The GMA Dove Awards honor outstanding achievements in Christian music. They celebrate various genres, including gospel, pop, rock, and worship music. The awards have been presented annually since 1969, recognizing artists, producers, and songwriters.
Jelly Roll Questions Frank's Position
Mainstream rapper Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley Deford, also weighed in on the controversy. He raised a question about Frank's willingness to accept financial gains from his music while rejecting awards for worship. Jelly Roll performed at the Dove Awards with Brandon Lake on October 7, 2025.
Jelly Roll’s comment on social media directly addressed Frank’s statement:
“I love that you said, ‘I don’t want to get a trophy for something that’s from Jesus for Jesus’ which is awesome – but also make MILLIONS of dollars doing that same thing that is From Jesus for Jesus.”This remark drew attention to the perceived inconsistency in Frank’s position.
Previous Industry Incidents Involving Frank
Forrest Frank has previously been an unconventional figure in the music industry. In July, he fractured two back vertebrae. He later wrote a song titled “Lemonade” about this experience. After many prayers from fans and colleagues, Frank reported that his back had healed.
This event led to a series of lighthearted, yet controversial, responses from other artists. Crowder, a rock musician, announced a broken leg in August, seemingly from grilling meat. He humorously thanked Frank for his prayers. Matthew West, a country singer, joined in after a bee sting on his finger, releasing a now-deleted song called “Honey.”
The situation escalated when Austin Cain created a video about his recent vasectomy. Frank expressed offense at this joke. Following Frank’s reaction, both West and Cain removed their posts and issued online apologies. Frank and Cain later collaborated on a song titled “Misunderstood,” suggesting a resolution to the previous tension.
Responses from Dove Awards Hosts and Winners
The controversy surrounding Forrest Frank’s boycott was acknowledged during the Dove Awards ceremony itself. Host and artist Tauren Wells appeared to address Frank’s concerns directly.
Wells emphasized the spiritual foundation of their music. He stated,
“Without Jesus we have no songs to sing. Without Jesus we have no stories to tell. We have no scripts to write, no books. We have no platforms. We have no Instagram followers. We have no subscribers. We have nothing to celebrate if it had not been for the Lord who is on your side.”He concluded by saying, “But because of Jesus, we have everything to celebrate . . . It is not about us. It’s not about our songs or our creativity; it’s about Jesus’ songs and about Jesus’ story.”
Gospel legend CeCe Winans echoed Wells' sentiments when accepting the award for Gospel Song of the Year. She reinforced the idea that their work is primarily for spiritual purposes. Winans remarked,
“Like Tauren said earlier, we don’t do what we do for this (award), we do what we do for Jesus.”She added, “We get a chance to worship all over the world and do what we do. We have an awesome responsibility to bring as many people as we can when Jesus returns . . . Let’s remember why we do what we do so God would be glorified and so that as many souls as possible would come to know who Jesus is.”
The 56th Annual Dove Awards Event
Thousands of artists and guests attended the 56th annual Dove Awards. The Gospel Music Association organized the event. The industry has faced challenges in the past year, including allegations against former Newsboys frontman Michael Tait. These allegations led to the band losing a record deal, impacting the broader industry.
Brandon Lake was a significant winner at the ceremony, taking home five awards. During his performance of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Jelly Roll, an unexpected event occurred. Water, resembling rain, began pouring onto the stage where they and their band were performing. Despite this, the artists continued their performance, which energized the audience.
The incident with Forrest Frank and the responses from other artists and industry leaders highlight ongoing discussions within the Christian music community. These conversations often revolve around the balance between artistic expression, commercial success, and spiritual purpose. The debate initiated by Frank’s boycott continues to resonate, prompting reflection on the values and intentions behind Christian music creation and recognition.