The 53rd Annual GMA Dove Awards Delivers First Time Wins and Powerful Performances

CeCe Winans Wins Artist Of The Year, A First For The Iconic Artist

For KING + COUNTRY, Writer/Producer Jeff Pardo, Phil Wickham Lead the Night with Three Wins Each

Nashville, TN (October 21, 2022) – The 53rd Annual GMA Dove Awards were handed out Tuesday night, October 18th, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee, to a sold-out audience. The show aired Friday, October 21st, exclusively on TBN and was simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. Co-hosts Erica Campbell and Chris Tomlin led the all star night of music with performances from across the community including Gospel, Latin, Hip Hop and Southern Gospel.

Iconic artist CeCe Winans made Dove Awards history this year as the first Black female solo artist to win Artist of the Year. When accepting her award, instead of an acceptance speech, she sang a few lines from the hymn “To God Be The Glory,” moving many in the audience to tears. She and co-writers for “Believe For It” were also awarded Song of the Year. Throughout her incredible career, CeCe has won a staggering 25 Dove Awards including the very first New Artist of the Year award in 1988 with her brother BeBe Winans.

For KING + COUNTRY, writer/producer Jeff Pardo, and Phil Wickham led the night with three awards each with Wickham winning Songwriter of the Year – Artist and Worship Album of the Year, Pardo winning Producer of the Year and For KING + COUNTRY winning Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. Anne Wilson took home two awards including New Artist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year for “My Jesus.” See the full list of winners here.

The theme of this year’s show was Sound of Heaven, highlighting how all the different styles of Christian and Gospel music come together under one banner of hope. “The music created by the artists assembled tonight covers a lot of ground style-wise,” said co-host Chris Tomlin, “but collectively they represent the sound of heaven.” Co-host Erica Campbell added, “We bring it all together to unite as one for the kingdom of God. One mind, one voice, giving glory to God. That’s the sound of heaven.”

The night was packed with one-of-a-kind performances, moments of reverent worship, and joyful celebration. In a touching, personal moment, TobyMac paused before his performance of “The Goodness” with Blessing Offor to address the crowd. “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.”

The night also included a one-of-kind Southern Gospel tribute with an all-female band including performers Karen Peck, Kim Hopper, The Nelons, and High Road, as well as a performance from Gateway Worship Español featuring Christine D’Clario, Josh Morales, Daniel Calveti, Becky Collazos and Travy Joe. Steven Curtis Chapman kicked off his performance with an exuberant look back on his 35-year career singing a mash-up of “The Great Adventure,” “Lord Of The Dance,” and “Dive.”

To watch the 53rd GMA Dove Awards on demand on the TBN app: CLICK HERE

To get the full awards show audio broadcast including exclusive backstage interviews with winners, performers and presenters from SiriusXM The Message only in the SXM App: CLICK HERE

Partial list of winners:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR: CeCe Winans

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Anne Wilson

SONG OF THE YEAR: “Believe For It”

WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Hymn Of Heaven – Phil Wickham

TRADITIONAL GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR: “My Portion” – Jekalyn Carr

SPANISH LANGUAGE RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR: “Danzando” – Gateway Worship Español, ft. Daniel Calveti, Becky Collazos, Christine D’Clario, Travy Joe, Josh Morales

BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY/ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: God Is Real – The Sound

ROCK/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR: “Higher Power” – CROWDER, ft. Hulvey

GOSPEL WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR: “Breathe” – Maverick City Music, ft. DOE, Jonathan McReynolds, Chandler Moore

POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR: “My Jesus” – Anne Wilson