The 53rd Dove Awards is over, and the Christian music industry is celebrating the new winners. The ceremony stands alongside the Grammy Awards as the most anticipated show of the year, and the sold-out audience proves it.
Like a year ago, the show aired exclusively on Trinity Broadcasting Network. Erica Campbell and Chris Tomlin co-hosted the ceremony.
CeCe Winans makes history at the 53rd Dove Awards
Stunning performances and historical moments made the ceremony memorable. One of the milestones belongs to CeCe Winans as she became the first Black female solo artist to win Artist of the Year. Full of gratitude, CeCe Winans could not say a word during her acceptance speech but sang a few lines from “To God Be The Glory.”
Her second award was in the category Song of the Year for the song “Believe For It.” Winans’ acceptance speech was encouraging, yet she said God would be going to do much more for the CMM industry:
“It’s amazing when we come together and we love each other and we stand for righteousness, it’s amazing what God will do. It’s amazing what He’s already done. But He wants to do so much more. I’m believing for God to move in this industry greater than He ever has before,” CeCe says and continues:
“The God we serve responds to faithfulness and the testimonies I’ve heard through this song have blessed my life. I want us to understand that the God of miracles is still working miracles. So, keep believing.”
Phil Wickham and for KING & COUNTRY won most of the awards
Phil Wickham and the Australian duo for KING & COUNTRY won three awards each. That makes them the most awarded artists of the ceremony.
Phil Wickham won statuettes in categories, Songwriter of the Year — Artist, Worship Recorded Song of the Year for “Hymn of Heaven,” and Worship Album of the Year for “Hymn of Heaven.” While accepting the latter award, Wickham said:
“I’ve been leading worship since I was 12 years old. I can’t believe God would give me a voice beyond the walls of my church to write new prayers for the church to sing. It’s just another reason to remember God’s grace and faithfulness in our lives.”
“RELATE” and “What are we waiting for? The Worldwide Special” brought for KING & COUNTRY victories in categories Short Form Music Video of the Year (Concept) and Long Form Video of the Year, respectively. One more Dove Award went to the duo for “What Are We Waiting For?” As Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.
Rising star Anne Wilson shines bright
In 2022, the 53rd Dove Awards brought the first nominations to Anne Wilson, and two of them were victorious. Her hit song titled “My Jesus” won an award in the category of Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. Wilson also won an award in one of the big categories — “New Artist of the Year.”
While receiving the award for “My Jesus,” Wilson shared an inspiring story about the song:
“I’m so grateful for the power of songs and specifically ‘My Jesus.’ This song has impacted so many lives. A woman recently shared with me that she was struggling to continue with life. She heard ‘My Jesus’ come on the radio and decided to give her life to Jesus. That’s the power that songs have, especially songs that glorify the Lord.”
That is the power of Gospel music!
Now, it is time to learn about all winners of the 53rd Dove Awards
General
- Artist of the Year: CeCe Winans
- New Artist of the Year: Anne Wilson
- Songwriter of the Year: Artist: Phil Wickham
- Songwriter of the Year: Non-Artist: Jason Ingram
- Producer of the Year: Jeff Pardo
- Song of the Year: “Believe For It” (Writers) Dwan Hill, Kyle Lee, CeCe Winans, Mitch Wong
Inspirational
- Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year: “God Is Good” – Francesca Battistelli
- Inspirational Album of the Year: Be Still & Know – Jordan Smith
- Inspirational Film/Series of the Year: The Chosen
Pop
- Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year: “My Jesus” – Anne Wilson
- Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year: What Are We Waiting For? – for KING & COUNTRY
Southern Gospel
- Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: “My Feet Are On The Rock” – Gaither Vocal Band
- Southern Gospel Album of the Year: Keeping On – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Gospel
- Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: “Gotta Believe” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard
- Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year: Clarity – DOE
- Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: “My Portion” – Jekalyn Carr
- Traditional Gospel Album of the Year: Breakthrough: The Exodus (Live) – Ricky Dillard
Worship
- Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year: “Breathe” – Maverick City Music, ft. DOE, Jonathan McReynolds, Chandler Moore
- Worship Recorded Song of the Year: “Hymn of Heaven” – Phil Wickham
- Gospel Worship Album of the Year: Tribl Nights Atlanta – Tribl, Maverick City Music
- Worship Album of the Year Hymn of Heaven – Phil Wickham
Country & Bluegrass
- Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year: “In The Sweet By And By” – Dolly Parton, ft. Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson, Jerry Salley, Bradley Walker
- Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year: God Is Real – The Sound
Rock
- Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year: “Higher Power” – Crowder, ft. Hulvey
- Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year: Into The Mystery – NEEDTOBREATHE
Rap/Hip Hop
- Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year: “King Jesus” – KB, nobigdyl.
- Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year: No Church In A While – Lecrae, 1K Phew
Spanish
- Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year: “Danzando” – Gateway Worship Español, ft. Daniel Calveti, Becky Collazos, Christine D’Clario, Travy Joe, Josh Morales
- Spanish Language Album of the Year: Viviré – Marcos Witt
Miscellaneous
- Children’s Album of the Year: Getty Kids Hymnal – Hymns from Home – Keith & Kristyn Getty, ft. The Getty Girls
- Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year: Emmanuel: Christmas Songs Of Worship (Live) – Chris Tomlin
- Recorded Music Packaging of the Year: Canyon – Ellie Holcomb
- Short Form Music Video of the Year (Concept); RELATE – for KING & COUNTRY
- Short Form Music Video of the Year (Performance): Fake It – Tauren Wells, ft. Aaron Cole
- Long Form Video of the Year: What Are We Waiting For? | The Worldwide Special – for KING & COUNTRY
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