The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced today the nominations for the 51st Annual GMA Dove Awards recognizing an array of new songs and first-time nominees, as well as esteemed performers and hit songs that have been a bright light during this difficult time.
To watch the announcements, please visit
Voting for the final winners will run August 20th through August 27th. The celebration will air exclusively on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) on Friday, October 30th. For further information, please visit www.doveawards.com.
Zach Williams and for KING & COUNTRY lead the Artist nominations with five (5) nods, including Artist of the Year, in addition to Hillsong Worship, Kirk Franklin, and Jonathan McReynolds with four (4) nominations. In non-artist nominations, Jason Ingram leads with eight (8), along with Ed Cash, Jonathan Smith, and Jordan Sapp receiving seven (7) each. Notable first-time nominees include Kanye West (3), Gloria Gaynor (2), We The Kingdom (3), and Unspoken (2).
This year’s highly anticipated nominations were collectively presented by artists Brooke Ligertwood (Hillsong Worship), Joel Smallbone (for KING & COUNTRY), Anthony Brown, Christine D’Clario, Joseph Habedank, and Aaron Cole from their individual homes all across the country.
The program was broadcast exclusively on SiriusXM/Pandora’s “The Message,” (Channel 63), “Kirk Franklin’s Praise” (Channel 64) and “EnLighten” (Channel 65). Watch the Nominee Announcement in its entirety on the GMA Dove Awards Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.
“The GMA is honored to continue its legacy of celebrating our diverse creative community and the music that moves us and ministers to us all, especially during these trying times,” GMA President Jackie Patillo says. “We believe this year, especially, our community and our world need to show love to one another and, above all, recognize and worship our faithful Creator.”
The following nominations were announced live today:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
for KING & COUNTRY
Hillsong Worship
Lauren Daigle
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Zach Williams
SONG OF THE YEAR:
“Almost Home” (songwriters) Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Ben Glover, Mike Scheuchzer, Nathan Cochran (publishers) 9t One Songs, Ariose Music, So Sappy Music, Tunes of Mercyme
“Burn The Ships” (songwriters) Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Matt Hales, Seth Mosley (publishers) CentricSongs, Kilns Music, Method of the Madness, Shankle Songs, Shaun Shaenkle Pub Designee, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., WC Music Group
“Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus) (songwriters) Desmond Davis, Donald Lawrence, Marshon Lewis, Robert Woolridge (publishing) QW Publishing, Williams Stokes Publishing House and Primary Wave Bears, Shonnamacmusic, ROB BASS INC, Desmond Davis Designee
“Dead Man Walking” (songwriters) Emily Weisband, Jeremy Camp, Jordan Sapp (publishers) Capitol CMG Paragon, Only In You Publishing, Songs By J Sapp
“Holy Water” (songwriters) Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Marin Cash, Scott Cash (publishers) Andrew Bergthold Designee, Capitol CMG Genesis, We The Kingdom ASCAP Designee, We The Kingdom Music
“King of Kings” (songwriters) Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, Scott Ligertwood (publishers) Fellow Ships Music, Hillsong Music Publishing Australia, So Essential Tunes
“Love Theory” (songwriter) Kirk Franklin, (publisher) Aunt Gertrude Music Publishing LLC
“Nobody” (songwriters) Bernie Herms, Mark Hall, Matthew West (publishers) Be Essential Songs, Highly Combustible Music, House of Story Music Publishing, My Refuge Music, One77 Songs
“Rescue” (songwriters) Jason Ingram, Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury (publishers) CentricSongs, Fellow Ships Music, Flychild Publishing, See You At The Pub, So Essential Tunes
“Rescue Story” (songwriter) Andrew Ripp, Ethan Hulse, Jonathan Smith, Zach Williams (publishers) Anthems of Hope, Be Essential Songs, Cashagamble Jet Music, EGH Music Publishing, Songs By Fishbone, Wisteria Drive
“See A Victory” (songwriters) Ben Fielding, Chris Brown, Jason Ingram, Steven Furtick (publishers) Fellow Ships Music, Music By Elevation Worship Publishing, SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia, So Essential Tunes
“The God Who Stays” (songwriters) AJ Pruis, Jonathan Smith, Matthew West (publishers) Be Essential Songs, Cashagamble Jet Music, Combustion Five, Highly Combustible Music, O77 Songs, Two Story House Music
“Way Maker” (songwriters) Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu (publisher) Integrity Music Europe
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Chris Renzema
Cochren & Co.
Elle Limebear
Switch
We The Kingdom
GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Jekalyn Carr
Jonathan McReynolds
Kirk Franklin
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Travis Greene
POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR:
“NOBODY” – Casting Crowns (feat. Matthew West) – (songwriters) Bernie Herms, Matthew West, Mark Hall
“Burn The Ships” – for KING & COUNTRY– (songwriters) Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Seth Mosley, Matt Hales
“Dead Man Walking” – Jeremy Camp – (songwriters) Jeremy Camp, Emily Weisband, Jordan Sapp
“Rescue” – Lauren Daigle – (songwriters) Jason Ingram, Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury
“Holy Water” – We The Kingdom – (songwriters) Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash, Scott Cash
SOUTHERN GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR:
“This Is The Place” – Gaither Vocal Band – (songwriters) – Gloria Gaither, Williams J. Gaither, Gordan Mote
“The God I Serve” – Karen Peck & New River – (songwriters) Rebecca Bowman, Sonya Yeary, Karen Peck Gooch, Jimmy Yeary
“What Kind Of Man” – Legacy Five – (songwriters) Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox, Sue Smith
“The Power Of An Empty Tomb” – The Erwins – (songwriter) Joel Lindsey
“Can I Get A Witness” – The Sound – (songwriters) Kenna Turner West, Brent Baxter, Jason Cox
CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR:
“Blessings on Blessings” – Anthony Brown & group therAPy – (songwriter) Anthony Brown
“Won’t Be Moved” – Gene Moore – (songwriters) – Bryan Sledge, Cedric Smith, Demeon Reeves
“People” – Jonathan McReynolds – (songwriter) Jonathan McReynolds
“B!g” – Pastor Mike Jr. – (songwriters) Michael McClure, Curtiss Glenn, Rodney Turner
“Truly Amazing God” – Travis Greene – (songwriter) Travis Greene
GOSPEL WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR:
“Miracle Worker” – JJ Hairston – (songwriter) Rich Tolbert Jr.
“Something Has To Break” (Live) – Kierra Sheard, featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard – (songwriters) J. Drew Sheard, Kierra Valencia Sheard, Mia Fieldes, Jonathan Smith
“Promises” – Maverick City Music – (songwriters) Aaron Moses, Lemuel Marin, Carrington Gaines, Dante Bowe, Joe L. Barnes, Keila Alvarado
“Proverbs 3” – Todd Dulaney – (songwriters) Todd Dulaney, Jaylen Moore, Isaac Tarver
“Only You Can Satisfy” (Live) – William McDowell and Chris Lawson (songwriters) William McDowell, Chandler Moore
WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR:
“King of Kings” (Live at Qudos Band Arena, Sydney, AU/2019) – Hillsong Worship – (songwriters) Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood, Jason Ingram
“Goodness of God” – Jenn Johnson – (songwriters) Ben Fielding, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Ed Cash, Jason Ingram
“The Blessing” (Live) – Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Elevation Worship – (songwriters) Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick
“Way Maker” – Leeland – (songwriter) Osinachi Okoro
“Great Things” – Phil Wickham – (songwriter) Phil Wickham, Jonas Myrin
RAP/HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Not By Chance – Aaron Cole
Work in Progress – Andy Mineo
HEATHEN – GAWVI
Jesus Is King – Kanye West
MOOD // DOOM – Social Club Misfits
ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Out of Body – Apollo LTD
War – Demon Hunter
Love Letter – Disciple
Declaration – Red
Victorious – Skillet
POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
THE STORY’S NOT OVER – Jeremy Camp
Citizens of Heaven – Tauren Wells
Reason – Unspoken
Live At The Wheelhouse – We The Kingdom
Rescue Story – Zach Williams
SPANISH LANGUAGE ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Soldados – Alex Campos
Shekinah (Live) – Barak
Aleluya (En La Tierra) – Elevation Worship
Origen y Esencia – Jesus Adrian Romero
Sinergia – Un Corazon y LEAD
Full list of nominees HERE:
Due to COVID-19, in lieu of the association hosting its annual awards show on TBN live, the show will be a variety of unique pre-recorded performances and acceptance speeches. Expect more information in the coming weeks. The 51st Annual GMA Dove Awards is a production of the Gospel Music Association.
