Joy Okorie
Every year the Gospel Music Association(GMA) hosts the Dove Awards to honor outstanding achievements and excellence in Christian Music in America.
This year’s edition of the GMA Dove Awards was the 48th edition which was co-hosted by award winning gospel singers Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Kari Jobe and it took place at the Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville at 6:30 p.m. CST on Tuesday, October 17, 2017.
The show celebrates rich musical diversity, Awards individuals representing modern Rock, Rap/Hip Hop, Pop/Contemporary, Inspirational, Southern Gospel, Urban,Bluegrass, Country, Worship and more and also commends the contributions of artists from every style of Christian/Gospel music.
Nominees are being determined by over 1,500 professional members, and winners will be voted on by the entire GMA membership of nearly 2,500 and over a 1000 nominees were picked and a couple of artists, writers, producers were chosen and awarded from different categories.
Check out the award winners of GMA Dove Awards 2017
- Category 1 – Song of the Year
“What a Beautiful Name” – (writers) Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood
- Category 2 – Songwriter of the Year – Artist
Bart Millard
- Category 3 – Songwriter of the Year – Non-Artist
Bernie Herms
- Category 4 – Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year
Casting Crowns
- Category 5 – Southern Gospel Artist of the Year
Gaither Vocal Band
- Category 6 – Gospel Artist of the Year
- Category 7 – Artist of the Year
MercyMe
- Category 8 – New Artist of the Year
Zach Williams
- Category 9 – Producer of the Year
Bernie Herms
- Category 10 – Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year
“Oh Lord” – NF; (writers) Nate Feuerstein, David Garcia
- Category 11 – Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“HARD LOVE (feat. Lauren Daigle)” – NEEDTOBREATHE; (writers) Bo Rinehart, Bear Rinehart
- Category 12 – Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
(TIE) “Eye of the Storm (feat. GabeReal)” and “Chain Breaker” – “Eye of the Storm”; Ryan Stevenson; (writers) Bryan Fowler, Ryan Stevenson
“Chain Breaker”; Zach Williams; (writers) Jonathan Smith, Mia Fieldes, Zach Williams
- Category 13 – Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
“Better Together” Gaither Vocal Band – (writers) William J. Gaither, Reba Rambo-McGuire, Dony McGuire, Chip Davis
- Category 14 – Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year
“When Grandpa Sang Amazing Grace” Nelons – (writers) Wayne Haun, Barbara Huffman
- Category 15 – Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year
“My World Needs You” Kirk Franklin – (writer) Kirk Franklin
- Category 16 – Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
“Change Me” Tamela Mann – (writer) Thomas Clay
- Category 17 – Urban Worship Recorded Song of the Year
“Joy” VaShawn Mitchell – (writers) Pat Barrett, Tony Brown
- Category 18 – Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year
“No Hay Lugar Más Alto (feat. Christine D’Clario)” Miel San Marcos – (writers) Josue ‘Josh’ Morales, Luis Morales Jr.
- Category 19 – Worship Song of the Year
“What A Beautiful Name” – (writers) Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood
- Category 20 – Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year
The Waiting Room – Trip Lee (producers) Gabriel Azucena, James Foye III, John McNeil, Joel McNeil, Alex Medina, Allen Swoope, Almondo Cresso, Chris Mackey, Joseph Prielozny, Tyshane Thompson
- Category 21 – Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year
H A R D L O V E – NEEDTOBREATHE (producers) NEEDTOBREATHE, Jon Levine, Dave Tozer, Ed Cash, Ido Zmishlany
- Category 22 – Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
Lifer – MercyMe (producers) Ben Glover, David Garcia
- Category 23 – Southern Gospel Album of the Year
Resurrection – Joseph Habedank (producer) Wayne Haun
- Category 24 – Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year
Sing It Now: Songs Of Faith And Hope – Reba McEntire (producers) Reba McEntire, Jay DeMarcus, Doug Sisemore
- Category 25 – Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album of the Year
Let Them Fall In Love – CeCe Winans (producers) Alvin Love III, Tommy Sims
- Category 26 – Traditional Gospel Album of the Year
The Journey LIVE – Donnie McClurkin (producers) Donnie McClurkin, Trent Phillips, Tre’ Corley
- Category 28 – Spanish Language Album of the Year
Confío – Jaci Velasquez (producers) David Leonard, Chris Bevins
- Category 29 – Worship Album of the Year
Never Lose Sight – Chris Tomlin (producers) Ross Copperman, Jeremy Edwardson, Ed Cash
- Category 32 – Christmas / Special Event Album of the Year
Tennessee Christmas – Amy Grant (producers) Mac McAnally, Marshall Altman, Ed Cash
- Category 33 – Musical / Choral Collection of the Year
For The Sake Of Love – (creators) Lee Black, Cliff Duren, Camp Kirkland, Steve Mauldin, Phil Nitz
- Category 36 – Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
The Garden – Kari Jobe, (art directors) Ezra & Jillian Cohen, Lindsey Pruitt; (photographer) Cameron Powell
- Category 37 – Short Form Video of the Year
Run Devil Run – Crowder (director) Nate Corrona; (producers) Leighton Ching, Shelley Giglio
- Category 38 – Long Form Video of the Year
Of Dirt & Grace – Hillsong UNITED (directors) Joel Houston, Davie Rubie; (producer) Jason Strong
- Category 39 – Inspirational Film of the Year
The Shack – (director) Stuart Hazeldine; (producers) Netter Productions, Summit Entertainment
About GMA:
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles including Pop, Rock, Praise & Worship, Urban Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country, Latin and more. The GMA community includes agents, artists, church leaders, man personnel, record companmal y executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMADove Awaagers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards IMMERSE. For more on supporting the GMA or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.
