Faith Takes Center Stage as Brandon Lake Dominates 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards with Five Wins; Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll, and Jon Batiste Bring Heavenly Surprises

The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards lit up Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in a night that blended faith, music, and emotion into a spectacular celebration of Christian artistry. Hosted by the dynamic Tauren Wells, the ceremony honored the year’s most impactful voices in gospel and contemporary Christian music, led by Brandon Lake — who emerged as the night’s biggest winner with five awards, including Songwriter of the Year (Artist) and Song of the Year for his powerful anthem “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”

The awards, produced by the Gospel Music Association, were broadcast exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ app and simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. Fans who missed the live event can catch re-airings on Friday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. ET across TBN, TBN+, and YouTube.

A Night of Spirit-Filled Performances and Surprise Guests

The Bridgestone Arena was alive with divine energy as for KING + COUNTRY opened the night alongside Taylor Hill with a fiery rendition of “World On Fire.” In one of the evening’s most electrifying moments, Christian Country artist Ben Fuller brought 8-time GRAMMY winner Carrie Underwood to the stage for a surprise performance of their Dove-nominated hit, “If It Was Up To Me,” earning thunderous applause from the crowd.

Other unforgettable performances included CeCe Winans’ soul-stirring acoustic version of “Come Jesus Come,” Israel & New Breed’s vibrant Latin medley “Coritos de Fuego” featuring Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Aaron Moses, and others, and a moving Opry 100 tribute from Opry members Steven Curtis Chapman, Lady A, and Vince Gill. The night closed with a rain-soaked, emotionally charged rendition of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” performed by Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, and the incomparable Jon Batiste — a performance that left the audience in tears and standing ovation.

Faith, Purpose, and Gratitude Take the Spotlight

Host Tauren Wells set the tone with a heartfelt declaration that “Jesus is the center of the show,” reminding artists and fans alike that faith remains the heartbeat of Christian music. “Without Jesus, we have no songs to sing, no stories to tell, no platforms to stand on,” he proclaimed. “But because of Jesus, we have everything to celebrate.”

That sentiment echoed throughout the night as winners gave God the glory for their achievements. CeCe Winans, accepting the Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year award for “Come Jesus Come” alongside Shirley Caesar, stated, “We don’t do what we do for this [award], we do it for Jesus.” Jelly Roll, accepting alongside Brandon Lake, delivered a heartfelt message: “The world is hearing about Jesus like never before. Now let’s show them Jesus — go feed the poor, visit those in jail, and be His hands and feet.”

Winners Who Inspired the Night

The evening’s honors reflected the diversity and depth of today’s gospel and Christian music. Forrest Frank took home Artist of the Year, while rising star Leanna Crawford earned New Artist of the Year, marking her emotional first major award. Other standout winners included Elevation Worship’s “I Know A Name” for Worship Recorded Song of the Year, Hulvey’s CRY for Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year, and Tamela Mann’s “God Problems – Live Breathe Fight” for Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year.

A full list of winners is available at the Gospel Music Association’s official website, but the sentiment was clear — this year’s Dove Awards weren’t just about trophies; they were about testimony.

A Celebration of Legacy and Unity

This year’s Dove Awards also paid homage to 100 years of the Grand Ole Opry with a historic performance by its legendary members. The spirit of collaboration was alive and well, as generations of artists shared the stage — from gospel icons to new voices. Producer Jackie Patillo summed it up best: “The Dove Awards remind the world that music rooted in faith continues to heal, unite, and inspire people everywhere.”

As the curtain closed on the 56th GMA Dove Awards, the message resonated beyond the music — in a world divided by noise, the night reminded millions that harmony, hope, and the heart of worship still have the power to bring people together.