The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards took place at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 6, celebrating the diverse world of gospel and Christian music. The star-studded night highlighted an expanding genre with awards for achievements in everything from gospel worship to contemporary pop, rap, hip-hop, bluegrass, rock and Spanish-language music.
The night's big winners included Phil Wickham, who earned three awards including the coveted artist of the year honor, while the late Dolly Parton was given the award for bluegrass song of the year with her collaborators The Grascals for "Broken Angels" before the telecast. The night's top moments included many standout performances across genres, including songs from Brandon Lake and Jamie MacDonald.
The
show began on an emotional high as longtime star TobyMac teamed up with urban contemporary gospel artist Mr. Talkbox for the sunny show opener, "Heaven on My Mind." They were soon followed by country singer Anne Wilson, who delivered a jangling rendition of the defiant "Who I Am to You." Her performance began seated before a mock dressing-room mirror with a sticky note proclaiming "YOU ARE LOVED!"
Host Tauren Wells entertained the crowd throughout the glamorous evening, using "dad jokes" and an easy-going demeanor to guide what he called a "Christian music family reunion."
Other standout moments included powerhouse vocalist Tasha Cobbs Leonard bringing the crowd to its feet for her soul-shouting "Church," which originally featured guest artist John Legend (not in attendance). Christian rapper Hulvey mixed Southern hip-hop with a scripture-based message before telling his young children back home to go to bed. Then Hope Darst wielded her music like a "weapon" on the surging tune "Mighty Name of Jesus."
Brandon Lake, who continues to make inroads in the Nashville country-music community, teamed up with Lainey Wilson for one of the night's most engaging performances. The pair took over a satellite stage on the arena floor for their duet, "The Jesus That I Know Now," harmonizing about discovering a personal relationship with God. The tune went on to win the award for country/roots recorded song of the year.
Two tributes celebrated monumental figures in the Christian music community. The first honored bandleader, composer and producer Richard Smallwood, and was led by Jonathan McReynolds and Kierra Sheard.
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Later, Amy Grant and Natalie Grant appeared for a touching farewell to Parton, who was a frequent face at the Dove Awards. The legendary country icon passed away Aug. 25 and was honored with the classic hymn, "How Great Thou Art."
The show went out on a high to match its start, as Tye Tribbett mixed high-energy choreography and Broadway-style costumes with a heart-pounding blend of gospel and rock on "I Want It All Back." Finally, new artist of the year winner Jamie MacDonald closed the show with a feel-good blast of gospel pop on her breakout hit, "Left It in the River." Confetti cannons signaled the triumphant end to a three-hour show.
The 2026 Dove Awards were broadcast exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ app Oct. 9, and simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. An encore presentation will air on TBN and the TBN+ app Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET. The complete list of winners can be viewed here.
Chris Parton is a music reporter for The Tennessean. Reach out to him at CParton@nashvill.gannett.com or follow him on Facebook and Instagram @partonikusmax.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 2026 Dove Awards: The night's top performance moments
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