NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 2024 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards celebrated the best in Christian music, film, and television, with Phil Wickham, CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake, and newcomer Forrest Frank taking home top honors.
Wickham led the night with four Dove Awards, including Worship Album of the Year. Winans and Lake each secured three awards, with Winans earning the prestigious Artist of the Year and winning Gospel Worship Album of the Year for *More Than This*, as well as Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year for “My Tribute (to God Be the Glory).” Jonathan Smith was the most awarded individual, taking home seven honors, including Producer of the Year.
Lake, nominated for 16 awards, won Worship Recorded Song of the Year for “Praise,” Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for *Coat of Many Colors*, and Songwriter of the Year for “Praise,” along with Elevation Worship. Speaking to *The Christian Post* on the red carpet, Lake shared his approach to music: “My greatest thing I can offer is my testimony. I try to stay in tune with the spirit when creating music.”
Newcomer Forrest Frank was recognized as “New Artist of the Year,” and his song “Good Day” won Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. Reflecting on his rapid rise to fame, Frank expressed gratitude, stating, “I think God wants it that way, so I just give Him all glory for this.”
Worship music also garnered significant recognition, with “Holy Forever” by Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram, and Phil Wickham winning Song of the Year. Jenn Johnson described the song as an “eternal song” that focuses entirely on God’s character rather than the self.
Maverick City Music's “God Problems” took home Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year, while KB won Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year for *His Glory Alone II*. He dedicated his award to his mother, who supported him through adversity. “You have represented a fighter for me my entire life,” he said.
The Dove Awards also honored “Unsung Hero,” a film about Rebecca St. James and the Smallbone brothers of For King & Country, which won Feature Film of the Year. Joel Smallbone shared the importance of this project, emphasizing the value of family and legacy over worldly success.
Other notable winners included Christine D'Clario for Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound for Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year, and Melvin Crispell III for Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year.
Crispell highlighted that his songwriting is rooted in Scripture, stating, “It’s all about knowing and remembering why you do what you do, and that Jesus is at the forefront.”
The Dove Awards will be rebroadcast on TBN and TBN+ on October 11 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
