Executive Overview
The 2026 GMA Dove Awards delivered an unforgettable evening of celebration, cultural resonance, and artistic triumph, spotlighting the remarkable breadth and depth of the global Christian and gospel music industry. Held amidst an electric atmosphere of worship, community, and creative excellence, the landmark ceremony honored top-tier icons, breakout talents, and genre-spanning innovators across 39 distinct categories. From traditional gospel and southern roots to cutting-edge pop, hip-hop, bluegrass, and Spanish-language music, the 2026 event underscored a thriving industry that continues to push creative boundaries while anchoring its core message of faith and redemption.
Among the standout luminaries of the evening was Phil Wickham, who claimed two of the night’s most prestigious accolades: Artist of the Year and Worship Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed release, Song of the Saints. Wickham’s evocative lyricism and deeply communal worship anthems continue to shape modern sanctuary spaces worldwide. Meanwhile, the meteoric rise of newcomer Josiah Queen captured the imagination of both fans and industry peers. Queen’s resonant track "Dusty Bibles" earned Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year, signaling a generational shift toward raw, reflective storytelling.
The evening also celebrated dynamic multi-hyphenates like Brandon Lake, who secured Songwriter of the Year (Artist) alongside Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for King of Hearts, and Jamie MacDonald, whose breakthrough momentum was rewarded with the title of New Artist of the Year. Beyond musical recordings, the 2026 Dove Awards reflected the pervasive cultural footprint of faith-based media, honoring groundbreaking visual projects like Season 5 of The Chosen and the animated feature film DAVID.
As the Christian music landscape expands its borders to embrace unprecedented cross-genre collaborations—ranging from country icon Lainey Wilson and mainstream legend John Legend to global Latin superstar Daddy Yankee—the 2026 GMA Dove Awards served as an authoritative testament to a genre that is as diverse as it is unified.
Detailed Chronology and Category Breakdown
The 2026 ceremony unfolded as a fast-paced showcase of artistic achievement, honoring winners whose work resonated deeply throughout the preceding year. Below is a comprehensive look at the triumphs across the evening’s exhaustive categories, highlighting the producers, songwriters, and creators behind the music.
Major General Categories
- Artist of the Year: Phil Wickham cemented his legacy as a pillar of modern worship, taking home the night’s highest honor under the Fair Trade Services banner.
- Song of the Year: "Dusty Bibles" by Josiah Queen. Written by Josiah Queen, Zac Lawson, Dylan Thomas, and John Michael Howell, this poignant track captured the hearts of listeners and voters alike, supported by publishers including Josiah Queen Publishing, Capitol CMG Genesis, and Kobalt Songs Music Publishing.
- New Artist of the Year: Jamie MacDonald claimed this coveted breakthrough title, marking the beginning of what promises to be an impactful career under the Capitol CMG Label Group.
- Worship Album of the Year: Phil Wickham’s Song of the Saints took the crown, bolstered by the masterful production work of Jonathan Smith, Shane Becker, and Micah Nichols.
Pop, Contemporary, and Rock Music
- Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year: "Dusty Bibles" — Josiah Queen (Songwriters: Josiah Queen, Zac Lawson, Dylan Thomas, John Michael Howell).
- Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year: King of Hearts — Brandon Lake (Producers: Hank Bentley, Jacob Sooter, Micah Nichols, Rodrick Simmons, Pete Mol).
- Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year: "No Survivors" — Jeremy Camp featuring Skillet (Songwriters: Jeremy Camp, Jordan Sapp, Paul Duncan, Emily Weisband).
- Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year: Plastic Wine — Strings & Heart (Producers: Angelo Espinosa, Emmanuel Espinosa, Scott Mills).
Worship and Gospel Music
- Worship Recorded Song of the Year: "God I’m Just Grateful" — Elevation Worship and Chandler Moore (Songwriters: Chandler Moore, Pat Barrett, Steven Furtick, Abubakar Baker Shariff-Farr, Joshua Coleman).
- Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year: "More Than This" [Radio Edit] — CeCe Winans featuring Todd Dulaney (Songwriters: CeCe Winans, Todd Dulaney, Kyle Lee).
- Gospel Worship Album of the Year: Live at Redemption Church — Red Worship (Producers: Terrance White, Adale Jackson, Elijah Humphries).
- Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year: TASHA — Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Producers: Kenneth Leonard Jr., Zaytoven, Juberlee, B.A.M., Adale Jackson, Alexandria Dollar).
- Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: "Still (Live)" — Jonathan McReynolds and Jamal Roberts (Songwriters: Jonathan McReynolds, Terrell Demetrius Wilson, Orlando Joel Palmer, David Lamar Outing II, Britney Delagraentiss).
- Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: "Church" — Tasha Cobbs Leonard and John Legend (Songwriters: Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Kenneth Leonard Jr., Brunes Charles, Jonas Myrin, ANTHNY, Annatoria Chitapa).
- Traditional Gospel Album of the Year: Revival: Live in Dallas — Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers (Producers: Lisa Knowles-Smith, Frederick Perry Jr.).
Rap, Hip-Hop, and Spanish Language Music
- Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year: COULD BE TONIGHT — Hulvey (Producers: xander., Micah Palace, Zac Lawson, Michael Howell, Ace).
- Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year: "ROB HELL" — indie tribe, nobigdyl., Torey D’Shaun featuring Jon Keith (Songwriters: nobigdyl., Torey D’Shaun, Jon Keith).
- Spanish Language Album of the Year: Lamento en Baile — Daddy Yankee (Producers: Daddy Yankee, OMB, XOUND, La Companioni, Nando Pro, OBRINN, Subelo NEO, Sergio George, JBD JBD, Abel Xanders, Nekxum, Nayhlo, Orlan Navarro).
- Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year: "Tu Voz" — Sarai Rivera (Songwriter: Sarai Rivera).
- Spanish Language Worship Recorded Song of the Year: "Solo Hay Uno" — Joel Rocco and Enoc Parra (Songwriters: Andreu Pradas, Marcos Andrés Salice, Joel Rocco).
Country, Southern Gospel, and Roots
- Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year: "The Jesus I Know Now" — Brandon Lake and Lainey Wilson (Songwriters: Brandon Lake, Lainey Wilson, Emily Weisband, Luke Laird).
- Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: "No Rock" — Jeff & Sheri Easter (Songwriters: Sheri Easter, Jason Cox, Kenna Turner West).
- Southern Gospel Album of the Year: Good Answers — Karen Peck & New River (Producers: Wayne Haun, Kris Crunk, Cliff Duren, Johnathan Crumpton).
- Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year: "Broken Angels" — The Grascals and Dolly Parton (Songwriters: Dolly Parton, Jamie Johnson).
- Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year: American Morning: Side A – EP — Chosen Road (Producer: Dave Clark).
Songwriting, Production, and Creative Excellence
- Producer of the Year: Jonathan Smith.
- Songwriter of the Year (Artist): Brandon Lake.
- Songwriter of the Year (Non-Artist): Jacob Sooter.
- Recorded Music Packaging of the Year: Mt. Zion — Josiah Queen (Art Director: Aaron Stearns; Graphic Artists: Aaron Stearns, Nathan Blaine, Trent Nicholson; Photographer: Rashun Ludgood).
- Musical/Choral Collection of the Year: We Shall Behold Him: A Tribute to Dottie Rambo (Creators: Bradley Knight, Dusty Wells, Johnathan Crumpton; Arranger/Orchestrator: Bradley Knight).
Film, Television, Special Events, and Visual Media
- Television Series of the Year: The Chosen – Season 5 (Director: Dallas Jenkins; Producers: Jamie Elliott, Adam Drake, Kerri Navarro).
- Feature Film of the Year: DAVID (Directors: Brent Dawes, Phil Cunningham; Producers: Jacqui Cunningham, Phil Cunningham, Tim Keller, Rita Mbanga, Steve Pegram, Timothy Hoffman, Nikky Kho, Edelgard Slabbert).
- Christmas Recorded Song of the Year: "We Three Kings" — We Are Messengers (Songwriter: Traditional).
- Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year: DAVID (Soundtrack from the Angel Original Film) — Various Artists (Producers: Chad Carouthers, Joseph Trapanese, Jonathan Smith, Bryan Lawson).
- Inspirational Song of the Year: "The Blessing" — Andrea Bocelli, Cody Carnes, and Kari Jobe (Songwriters: Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick).
- Children’s Recorded Song of the Year: "Follow The Light" — Brandon Engman, Phil Wickham, and Angel (Songwriters: Brock Monroe Baker, Molly Kate Kestner).
- Short Form Music Video of the Year (Concept): "World On Fire" — for KING & COUNTRY and Taylor Hill (Director: Kadin Tooley; Producers: Katie Babbage, Fadwa Ward, Patrick Tohill, Crashbang).
- Short Form Music Video of the Year (Performance): "Have Your Way" — Katy Nichole (Directors: Greg Fromholz, Joey von Meding; Producer: Joshua Wurzelbacher).
- Long Form Music Yideo of the Year: The Resurrection Of A King — Tommee Profitt (Director/Producer: Tommee Profitt).
Supporting Context and Industry Metrics
The 2026 GMA Dove Awards arrived at a time of robust commercial and cultural expansion for the inspirational music sector. Industry analysts note that Christian and gospel music consumption continues to outpace historical averages, driven heavily by streaming accessibility, cross-genre collaborations, and high-production visual media.
A notable metric of the 2026 cycle is the increasing fluidity between mainstream markets and faith-based artistry. Projects like Brandon Lake and Lainey Wilson’s collaboration on "The Jesus I Know Now," Tasha Cobbs Leonard partnering with John Legend on "Church," and reggaeton icon Daddy Yankee claiming Spanish Language Album of the Year with Lamento en Baile demonstrate that listeners are hungering for spiritually grounded music regardless of stylistic boundaries. Furthermore, the massive commercial viability of visual storytelling—exemplified by the multi-award recognition of The Chosen Season 5 and the cinematic scope of the animated feature DAVID—illustrates that modern faith-based entertainment commands large, dedicated audiences across global theatrical and digital distribution platforms.
Official Statements and Industry Perspective
Reflecting on the monumental evening, leaders within the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and participating artists emphasized unity, creative stewardship, and the enduring power of purposeful art.
In backstage interviews following his dual wins, Phil Wickham shared his perspective on the communal nature of worship music: "When we write these songs, we are simply putting language to the experiences of the local church and the individual believer walking through trials and triumphs. To see ‘Song of the Saints’ resonate so deeply is not a personal victory, but a reflection of the hunger people have for authentic encounters with God."
Emerging powerhouse Josiah Queen, whose breakout track "Dusty Bibles" captured multiple major honors, expressed gratitude for the mentorship and community guiding his early career: "Stepping into this industry with a guitar and a handful of stories was daunting, but the way the community has embraced ‘Dusty Bibles’ proves that honest, scripturally rooted lyrics still have a vital place in modern culture."
Industry stakeholders noted that the 2026 ceremony successfully bridged generational divides, honoring time-tested legends while providing a massive platform for fresh voices like Jamie MacDonald and Strings & Heart.
Future Outlook
As the dust settles on an extraordinary night of celebration, the trajectory of the Christian and gospel music industry points toward continued innovation, international reach, and stylistic diversification. The integration of high-level production values, cross-cultural partnerships, and transmedia storytelling—spanning albums, feature films, and television series—ensures that inspirational art will remain a dominant force in global entertainment.
Looking ahead, industry executives anticipate that the commercial success of genre-blending projects seen at the 2026 Dove Awards will embolden artists to experiment further with Latin, country, hip-hop, and roots music elements. With a deep bench of seasoned songwriters like Jacob Sooter and Brandon Lake paired with an energetic wave of new talent, the sacred music ecosystem is well-positioned to expand its cultural footprint exponentially in the years to come.
