Gospel Music Association Unveils Nominees For 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards

The Gospel Music Association has released the official list of nominees for the 57th annual GMA Dove Awards. This year marks a notable set of contenders across Christian and Gospel music genres. Phil Wickham leads the male artists with nine nominations, while CeCe Winans secured seven nominations to lead all female artists. They join Brandon Lake, Josiah Queen, and Lauren Daigle in the competitive Artist of the Year category.

Tauren Wells returns as the host for the 57th ceremony. This marks his fourth consecutive year in the role. In addition to hosting duties, Wells acts as an executive producer and earned two nominations himself. He will also perform at the event scheduled for October 6, 2026, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Production and songwriting talent received significant attention in this year's nomination count. Jonathan Smith leads all individuals with 14 nominations, followed by Jacob Sooter with 12 and Steven Furtick with 11. The New Artist of the Year category showcases several emerging performers including bodie, Emerson Day, Jamie MacDonald, Megan Woods, and SEU Worship.

Jackie Patillo, president of the Gospel Music Association, noted that the event theme for 2026 is Together For One. The organization aims to highlight the diverse voices within the community and honor music creators. The ceremony will be broadcast on October 9 on TBN and the TBN+ app, with repeat airings scheduled for October 16. Listeners can also catch the broadcast on SiriusXM channel 65.