CeCe Winans opened the 55th Annual Dove Awards show with her song "That's My King."
NASHVILLE (BP) — Gospel music icon CeCe Winans was named Artist of the Year at the 55th annual Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards Oct. 1. She also received the award for Gospel Worship Album of the Year for her album “More Than This.” The awards are the latest testament to the musical longevity of the 59-year-old Winans, who has been singing gospel music since her teen years.
“I’m known for my music all over the world,” Winans said in accepting the Dove for Artist of the Year. “People know me for my music. God only knows me for my relationship with Him. He only knows us according to the way we know Him. And so all of us here tonight — the artists I was in the category with — I came here to cheer them on tonight. I didn’t think this was going to happen; but God is faithful. All my life He’s been faithful. All my life He’s been good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.”
Singer-songwriter Forrest Frank was named New Artist of the Year, and his song “GOOD DAY” received the Dove for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.
A relative newcomer on the gospel music scene, Frank’s upbeat, catchy songs have often been used as background music for TikTok and Instagram videos. His last few releases have been explicitly Christian, and Billboard named him their favorite Christian artist of 2023.
“I feel so undeserving of this award,” Frank said upon receiving the Dove for New Artist. “I actually was curious if I was even gonna come to an award show for Christian music because it’s all for Him. Everything I do is for the Lord.
“For whatever reason, He’s chosen to give me some songs that have related to some people. If He shuts it off and doesn’t give me any more songs, that’s cool. If He continues to bless it, that’s great. I want to continue to give Jesus glory. My name will fade away just like all of ours one day, but at the end of time and for all of eternity, one name will remain — Jesus Christ.”
Worship ballad “Holy Forever” received the Song of the Year nod. The song was written by Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram and Phil Wickham. Ingram was named Non-Artist Songwriter of the Year, while Brandon Lake (“Graves Into Gardens,” “Praise,” “Gratitude”) took the Dove for Songwriter of the Year.
In a show full of special moments, two stood out — a recognition of the many recent losses in gospel music and an honor bestowed on two songwriting legends.
In a somber moment, awards show host and gospel artist Tauren Wells played a personal voicemail recording from singer Mandisa, who died unexpectedly earlier this year.
“[Mandisa] will be greatly missed along with all of the other friends and family we’ve lost this year and loved so deeply,” Wells said. “It’s a sobering reminder that our words carry so much weight. Your words can be some of the most valuable things you can leave behind. Let’s all remember to reach out to those we love.”
Songwriters Bill and Gloria Gaither were honored with the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award. The pair received an ovation from the crowd.
“I want to encourage all you young songwriters to keep writing your songs,” Bill Gaither told the audience. “There’s a hole in the heart of this country. There’s a whole lot of empty going on. Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost our song. There’s a hole in the heart of America that only God can fill.”
A complete list of 2024 Dove Award winners can be found here. Details on how to watch the television broadcast can be found here.
(EDITOR’S NOTE — Laura Erlanson is managing editor of Baptist Press.)
