53rd Annual GMA Dove Awards Bring First-Time Winners and Impressive Performances

POWERFUL PERFORMANCES AND FIRST-TIME WINNERS AT THE 53RD ANNUAL GMA DOVE AWARDS

CeCe Winans wins artist of the year, marking a first for the renowned artist.

Writer/producer Jeff Pardo and Phil Wickham of KING + COUNTRY each take home three victories to lead the night.

Tennessee (Nashville), October 21, 2022 – A sold-out crowd saw the 53rd Annual GMA Dove Awards on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. Tonight, Friday, October 21st, the program aired exclusively on TBN and was simultaneously broadcast on SiriusXM The Message. The all-star musical event featured acts from across the community, including Gospel, Latin, Hip Hop, and Southern Gospel, and was co-hosted by Erica Campbell and Chris Tomlin.

As the first Black female solo artist to win Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards this year, singer CeCe Winans created history. Instead of giving a statement to accept her prize, she sang a few verses of the hymn “To God Be the Glory,” which brought many people in the audience to tears. She and the other co-writers of “Believe For It” also received Song of the Year recognition. CeCe has received a stunning 25 Dove Awards over her incredible career, including the first New Artist of the Year honor in 1988 alongside her brother BeBe Winans.

For KING + COUNTRY, writer/producer Jeff Pardo, and Phil Wickham took home three trophies apiece, including Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for For KING + COUNTRY, Producer of the Year for Pardo, and Songwriter of the Year – Artist and Worship Album of the Year for Wickham. For “My Jesus,” Anne Wilson won two prizes, including New Artist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year. Here is the complete list of prizewinners.

The show’s theme this year was Sound of Heaven, which emphasized how all the various genres of Christian and Gospel music came together to create a one message of hope. According to co-host Chris Tomlin, the music produced by the artists present today “covers a lot of stylistic area, but collectively they constitute the sound of paradise.” “We bring it all together to join as one for the kingdom of God,” co-host Erica Campbell continued. One voice, one mind, exalting God. The sound of heaven is that.

Unique performances, moments of respectful worship, and jubilant celebration filled the evening. Before singing “The Goodness” with Blessing Offor, TobyMac paused in a heartfelt, private moment to address the audience.

“Thank you for the kindness you showed me and my family as we walked through the deepest valley in losing my firstborn son. Thank you for your thoughts and thank you for your prayers. We have felt surrounded by love. And that’s what the body of Christ should feel like, so thank you. There were times I never thought I would ever write another song, much less an up-tempo song or a song that felt like joy. But God is good. He might not always give us what we want, or take away the pain, but He is right here with us. He doesn’t leave. He remains.”

Along with a unique tribute to Southern Gospel performed by an all-female band featuring Karen Peck, Kim Hopper, The Nelons, and High Road, the evening also featured a performance by Gateway Worship Espaol, which featured Christine D’Clario, Josh Morales, Daniel Calveti, Becky Collazos, and Travy Joe. The performance of Steven Curtis Chapman began with an upbeat reflection on his 35-year career while mash-up singing “The Great Adventure,” “Lord Of The Dance,” and “Dive.”