57th Annual DOVE Nominees Announced With Rauren Wells Returning to Host

Phil Wickham Earns Nine Nominations as Top Male Artist Nominee; CeCe Winans Leads Female Artists with Seven

 

Mariah Carey, John Legend, John P. Kee and Tasha Cobbs Leonard Among the Nominees 

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Nominees for the DOVE Awards were announced with Jonathan Smith leading with 14 nominations.  The show will be held at the Bridgerton Aren in Nashville on October 6. 

Per the official press release. . .

Eight-time Dove Award winner Tauren Wells will return to host the Dove Awards for the fourth consecutive year, marking one of the longest hosting runs in the show's history. This year Wells also serves as an Executive Producer of the show and is a two-time nominee himself, in addition to taking the stage as a performer.

"The Dove Awards are more than just an awards show.  The promise of scripture is if two or three people come together that Jesus is in our midst. We know this isn’t about trophies; it’s about elevating the name of Jesus and celebrating those who have done that very well this year. I’m so grateful to be back hosting and I cannot wait to get back on that stage, it’s truly an honor." said Wells.

 

Behind the scenes, the creative forces shaping this year's biggest Christian and Gospel records earned even deeper recognition: songwriter Jonathan Smith leads all nominees with 14 nominations, followed by Jacob Sooter with 12 and Steven Furtick with 11. Their work threads through several of the year's most nominated songs and albums. 

 

Mariah Carey’s collaboration with The Clark Sisters, “Jesus I Do,” is up for Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year. Tasha Cobb Leonard’s “Church” duet with John Legend is competing with Fred Hammond and CeCe Winans for Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year. Tye Tribbett, Jonathan McReynolds and CeCe Winansare all competing for Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year.

 

Gospel icon John P. Kee’s Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part 1, is competing with J.J. Hairston, Lisa Knowles Smith & The Brown Singers for Traditional Gospel Album of the Year. Rapper Jackie Hill Perry’s third album Blameless is competing with the current projects by gio., Hulvey, Lecrae and Miles Minnick for Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year.

57th Annual Dove Awards Host Promo

 Alongside them, a new generation is making its own mark: this year's New Artist of the Year nominees, bodie, Emerson Day, Jamie MacDonald, Megan Woods and SEU Worship, represent some of the fastest-rising voices in the genre.

 

This year's theme, "Together For One," is inspired by Colossians 3:14: "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

 

“Every year, the Dove Awards bring the diverse voices of the Christian music community together to celebrate the God we all serve, and that's exactly the heart behind this year's theme, 'Together For One.' This year's class of nominees embodies that spirit, creating life-changing music that continues to unite people across the globe.” said Jackie Patillo, President of the Gospel Music Association.

 

The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards, presented in partnership with the Cantinas Arts Foundation, will be held Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Tickets are on sale now HERE.

 

The show broadcasts exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ App Friday, October 9 at 7:30 PM and 10 PM ET, with a rebroadcast airing Friday, October 16, at the same times. Fans can also listen on SiriusXM's The Message (Channel 65) during the October 9 simulcast.

 

Returning alongside the awards show, the Dove Awards Music City Fan Experience gives fans an immersive weekend built around Christian and Gospel music. Packages include:

 

-       Premium seating at the Night of Worship at the Ryman Auditorium, featuring Elevation Worship

-       New Artist of the Year Showcase, featuring the nominees of the New Artist of the Year category

-       The Drop: exclusive previews from artists and creators in faith-based entertainment

-       Riverboat lunch cruise with artist and songwriter performances

-       Three-night stay at the Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown

-       Round-trip transportation to all Fan Experience events

-       Premium seating for the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards

 

A limited number of Fan Experience packages are available HERE.

 

⭐ Artist of the Year Nominees

• Phil Wickham — 9 nominations (top male nominee)

• CeCe Winans — 7 nominations (top female nominee)

• Brandon Lake

• Josiah Queen

• Lauren Daigle

🎵 Songwriter & Producer Leaders

These creators dominate across multiple categories:

• Jonathan Smith — 14 nominations (most‑nominated overall)

• Jacob Sooter — 12 nominations

• Steven Furtick — 11 nominations

🌟 New Artist of the Year Nominees

• bodie

• Emerson Day

• Jamie MacDonald

• Megan Woods

• SEU Worship

🎶 Category Highlights

Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year includes:

• Tasha Cobbs Leonard — Already Good (Tasha Slide)

• ANTHNY — Imposter Syndrome

• Jonathan McReynolds feat. Jamal Roberts — Still (Live)

• Tauren Wells feat. Pastor Mike Jr. — Sunday Morning

• Mariah Carey feat. The Clark Sisters — Jesus I Do

Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year features artists like Ben Fuller and others.

🎥 Christian Hip-Hop (CHH) Notables

CHH artists earned multiple nominations across video and packaging categories:

• Jackie Hill Perry — Blameless (Album packaging), I Ain’t Worried (Short Form Video)

• KB — CAMPAIGN (Short Form Video), plus Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song nominations

• Lecrae — Reconstruction (Album packaging), Rap/Hip Hop categories