Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake and Josiah Queen Lead 2026 Dove Awards Winners

Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake and Josiah Queen emerged as three of the biggest winners at the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards, with each artist taking home three awards.

The ceremony took place on October 6 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, bringing together leading voices in Christian and gospel music to celebrate their work and influence. From powerful worship songs to memorable collaborations, the event recognised the artists, songwriters and creative teams shaping the sound of contemporary Christian music.

Following the ceremony, fans had the opportunity to watch the broadcast on TBN on the evening of October 9. The show also streamed on the TBN+ app and aired simultaneously on SiriusXM The Message, allowing audiences to enjoy the celebration across several platforms.

Tauren Wells returned as host for the fourth consecutive year. His continued role reflected his strong connection with the Christian music community as the event celebrated the songs, stories and performances that inspire listeners. Throughout the evening, the awards recognised established artists and emerging talent, highlighting the range of voices contributing to the growth of Christian and gospel music.

Phil Wickham claimed the coveted Artist of the Year award, adding another major achievement to his career. His recognition reflected his continued impact through worship music that connects with congregations and listeners around the world. Jamie MacDonald also enjoyed a major moment when she won New Artist of the Year, marking an important milestone in her career and bringing fresh attention to her music.

Meanwhile, Josiah Queen earned Song of the Year for “Dusty Bibles.” The recognition placed the song among the evening’s standout releases and further strengthened Queen’s growing profile in Christian music. Brandon Lake also secured a major honour, winning Songwriter of the Year. His success highlighted the importance of songwriting in creating music that resonates with audiences through its message, emotion and spiritual themes.

The awards also celebrated artists whose work continues to shape gospel and worship music. Tasha Cobbs Leonard won two Dove Awards, including recognition for “Church,” her collaboration with John Legend. The song brought together two distinctive musical voices and demonstrated the reach of gospel inspired music across different audiences.

CeCe Winans continued her remarkable record at the ceremony by winning Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year for the second consecutive year. Her latest achievement reinforced her lasting influence on gospel and worship music. Through a career marked by powerful vocals and a clear commitment to faith, Winans remains one of the genre’s most respected performers.

Veteran Southern Gospel artist Karen Peck added another milestone to her career by earning her ninth Dove Award. She won Southern Gospel Album of the Year for Good Answers, recognising her continued contribution to a genre built on faith, testimony and messages of hope. The honour also celebrated her enduring place in Southern Gospel music and her ability to connect with audiences through songs rooted in Christian belief.

Beyond the awards, the ceremony delivered several memorable musical moments. Brandon Lake and Lainey Wilson took the stage to perform their award winning collaboration “The Jesus I Know Now.” Their performance brought together artists from different musical backgrounds and added to the evening’s celebration of creative partnerships. The collaboration also reflected how Christian music continues to reach beyond traditional genre boundaries while keeping faith and personal conviction at the centre of its message.

Another emotional highlight came when Jonathan McReynolds, Kierra Sheard, Donald Lawrence, Maurette Brown Clark and Ted Winn joined forces to honour gospel legend Richard Smallwood. Their collective performance celebrated Smallwood’s influence on gospel music and recognised the lasting value of his musical legacy. The tribute also offered a reminder of how one artist’s work can shape generations of singers, musicians and worshippers.

The evening also paid tribute to the late Dolly Parton, with Amy Grant and Natalie Grant joining together for a special moment in her honour. The tribute brought attention to Parton’s wider musical legacy and her place in a tradition of songwriting that has touched audiences across generations. It also added another personal and reflective moment to a ceremony filled with celebration.

Christian entertainment received its share of recognition as well. The animated feature David won two Dove Awards, highlighting the growing role of faith centred storytelling in film and television. The film’s success demonstrated the appeal of productions that bring biblical stories to life for audiences through animation and accessible storytelling.

Meanwhile, The Chosen won Television Series of the Year for its fifth season. The recognition further underscored the series’ place in Christian entertainment and its continued ability to draw viewers into the stories and lives surrounding Jesus. Its success also reflected the growing audience for television productions that explore biblical themes through character driven narratives.

Overall, the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards celebrated achievement across Christian music, gospel, worship and faith centred entertainment. Wickham, Lake and Queen led the winners with three awards each, while artists such as Winans, Cobbs Leonard and Peck added to the evening’s notable moments. The performances and tributes also honoured the influence of established gospel figures while making room for new voices and fresh collaborations.

From “Dusty Bibles” earning Song of the Year to the tribute to Richard Smallwood, the ceremony recognised music that carries messages of faith, hope and perseverance. In doing so, the 2026 Dove Awards celebrated not only individual achievements but also the wider community of artists and storytellers who continue to shape Christian and gospel music.

57TH ANNUAL GMA DOVE AWARDS WINNERS (SEE FULL LIST – HERE)