Since 1969, the Gospel Music Association(GMA) Dove awards has appreciated in different ways – performances and awards; outstanding achievements and superb performance in Christian and / gospel music. The GMA Dove Awards are a place where all the Christian singers are settled-in on one reason of agreement – music – Jesus!, and that is beautiful, smile stretching from ear to ear. The room at Nashville Tennessee was filled with so much ambiance not from the room make over or artist clothing but color from the people – joy projecting the slogan of the night, “STRONGER TOGETHER”

The awarding ceremony unlike the usual dove awards begun with a surprise award, no nomination, surprise purely for Gospel Music Association president/executive director Jackie Patillo, who has given a whole decade (10 years) to organizing these awards.

Patillo was honored with the inaugural distinguished leadership award, which will be named after Patillo going forward.

“I am speechless,”  patillo gasped. “And so honored and so grateful. This is a calling, y’all. This is a mission. This is not a job. Even though some days are hard. But I love you. And I’m grateful. And I believe in unity in Christ. I believe we can celebrate our diversity in ways that will show the world that they’ll know we are Christians by our love. I believe in the power of God through the Word and through the message in your songs. So thank you. I’m so grateful and I’m awestruck over this.”

The night begun with a sensational performance from WE THE KINGDOM with their hit song, “God so loved”.  It was a heavenly-mad performance perfect to kick off the night.

The 52nd GMA Dove Awards were hosted by Natalie Grant and Jonathan Mcreynolds, Jonathan hosting the same for the first time and Natalie with a few more experiences . The pre-telecast earlier was hosted by Tasha Layton and Doe ; both casts aired only on the TBN channel.

The night was fire packed with so much energy and beam in the room, collaborations in performances will shock you then draw you back to the slogan of the night, ‘ STRONGER TOGETHER”. With the Covid-19 situation that hit the world to lonely spaces, ‘stronger together’ was the only language that all performances of the night could portray.

Performances and speeches you shouldn’t miss from the night; Cece Winans , Lauren Daigle, Natalie Grant, Kari Jobe, Jason Ingram , and one of my favorite speeches of the night from KB for his win in the rap/hip-hop album category for his project His Glory Alone , among others.

The Awards and their winners are as Below;

1. Song of the year: “The Blessing,” from Kari Jobe (writers: Kari Jobe, Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Steven Furtick)
2. Contemporary Christian artist of the year: We the Kingdom
3. Gospel artist of the year: CeCe Winans
4. Gospel worship album of the year, Believe for It, CeCe Winans
5. Gospel worship recorded song of the year, “Believe for It,” CeCe Winans
6. Artist of the year: for King & Country
7. New artist of the year: Maverick City Music
8. Worship recorded song of the year: “Graves into Gardens,” Elevation Worship feat. Brandon Lake
9. Rap/hip-hop album of the year: His Glory Alone, KB
10. Southern gospel album of the year: Change Is Coming, Joseph Habedank
11. Contemporary gospel album of the year: Koryn Hawthorne
12. Inspirational film of the year: A Week Away
13. Songwriter of the year (non-artist): Jason Ingram
14. Songwriter of the year (artist): Brandon Lake
15. Rap/hip hop recorded song of the year: “Deep End,” Lecrae
16. Pop/contemporary recorded song of the year: “Famous For (I Believe),” Tauren Wells
17. Inspirational recorded song of the year, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” Carrie Underwood feat. CeCe Winans
18. Pop/contemporary album of the year: Holy Water, We The Kingdom

To catch the GMA Dove Awards in full, please search link below;

https://youtu.be/DpcQAYPL3UI

courtesy photos