Phil Wickham, CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake sweep 2024 Dove Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Phil Wickham, CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake and newcomer Forrest Frank swept the 2024 Gospel Music Affiliation’s Dove Awards, an occasion honoring the most effective in Christian music, movie and TV. 

Wickham took dwelling 4 Doves, together with Worship Album of the Yr, and each Lake and Winans took dwelling three awards on the annual present hosted this yr by Tauren Wells. Winans took dwelling the night time’s high honor — Artist of the Yr — and gained Gospel Worship Album of the Yr for Extra Than This, in addition to Inspirational Recorded Track of the Yr for “My Tribute (to God be the Glory).” Jonathan Smith was most awarded with seven wins together with Producer of the Yr. 

Lake, who was nominated for 16 awards, took dwelling Worship Recorded Track of the Yr for “Praise,” Pop/Modern Album of the Yr for Coat of Many Colours and Songwriter of the Yr for “Praise,” together with Elevation Worship.

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Talking to The Christian Publish on the pink carpet forward of the award present, Lake, the 34-year-old worship pastor at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina, stated he tries to remain “in tune with the spirit” when creating music. 

‘My best factor I can supply is my testimony,” he stated. “Sometimes there’s a day where I’m feeling certain things and different portions of the Bible, and I’m like, ‘I need to lean into this,’ and write a song about how the grace of God applies to me, and how I’ve experienced it. Some days, I like to write songs about the healing that I’ve seen God do, and not downplay it or water it down, but quite literally, use phrases like, ‘I’ve seen metal plates dissolve,’ and that’s in my testimony. I’ve seen crazy things happen. Not to under spiritualize it, but I’m just trying to stay in tune with the Spirit, and just ask Him what He wants me to sing. And hopefully, it blesses people. I’m still learning myself.”

Newcomer Forrest Frank was awarded the coveted “New Artist of the Year,” whereas his tune “Good Day” snagged the Pop/Modern Recorded Track of the Yr award. The 28-year-old, who shot to fame by posting movies on social media, informed CP he’s nonetheless reeling from his fast success.

“The fact that anybody would listen to something that I make and say that’s good is shocking to me,” he stated. “Anything beyond that is all just a bonus. So the fact that I’m here and nominated for an award is beyond me. I think God wants it that way, so I just give Him all glory for this, and He’s orchestrating my path.”

Frank informed CP he feels “alive” when performing worship music, including that he tries to “put the truth of the Gospel” in every song he pens.

“Going back to making pop music is just like, it’s like air. There’s no substance in it for me, personally. The fact that I get to wake up every day and worship Jesus and then just record it, and other people get to worship Jesus too. It is so fulfilling and so life-giving, and I’m here to stay,” he said.

Worship music also earned some of the night’s top honors, with “Holy Forever” from Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram and Phil Wickham, successful Track of the Yr.

Jenn Johnson, a worship pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, California, described “Holy Forever” as an “eternal song” — one which strips away deal with the self and facilities completely on God’s character.

“It doesn’t have any ‘I’s’ or ‘we’s,’ it’s all about who He is. It’s a reminder for us to keep our eyes on Him and who He is,” she stated. 

As worship music has surged in recognition, the Johnsons mirrored on its skill to fulfill folks the place they’re, particularly in troublesome occasions. “I think when people are going through stuff, ‘nice’ or ‘cool’ songs don’t really work,” Brian stated. “Worship brings the presence of God, and that’s what people need. It’s an anchor.”

“God Problems” from Maverick Metropolis Music gained Modern Gospel Recorded Track of the Yr. Artist KB took dwelling the award for Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Yr for His Glory Alone II. 

“Unsung Hero,” a movie about Rebecca St. James and Joel and Luke Smallbone of For King & Nation, and their life journey to grow to be Christian recording artists, gained Function Movie of the Yr, beating out “Ordinary Angels,” “The Blind,” “Journey to Bethlehem” and “Sound of Freedom.”

Reflecting on the nomination, Joel shared: “We’ve spent over a decade working on music, but filmmaking is something we’ve stepped into as a family here and there. This project, with Luke producing and me playing our dad, is our first legitimate foray into the film world. It’s such a personal story, and we’re really excited. Filmmaking, for us, is all about the ensemble, our parents and the entire team coming together.”

The Smallbone brothers informed CP they’ve been overwhelmed by the response to the movie: “We wanted to do this film because so many people think they need a platform or worldly success to make an impact,” Luke stated. “Our hope is that ‘Unsung Hero’ redefines success. If you want to change the world, go home and love your family. That has a lasting legacy. It gave people hope again, particularly parents who realize that what they do at home matters more than they might think.”

The duo, who walked the carpet with their wives, added that staying grounded of their religion and identification in Christ stays a precedence, particularly with the rising calls for and temptations of the trade.

“They say a cord of three strands is not easily broken, but four is even better. It’s all about team sport — life is team sport, community, partnership, and balance. We get out of balance, just like everyone else, but we’ve stuck it out through thick and thin,” Joel stated. 

“I’m really proud of us. From Moria and me meeting at Luke and Courtney’s wedding 14 years ago to today, we’re better versions of ourselves because we’ve stood by each other — and that’s thanks to God and our commitment to each other.”

Different notable winners of the night time included Christine D’Clario, who gained Spanish Language Recorded Track of the Yr for “Tantas Historias;” Ernie Haase & Signature Sound gained Southern Gospel Recorded Track of the Yr for “Until We Fly Away” and Melvin Crispell III gained Conventional Gospel Recorded Track of the Yr for “God Is (Radio Edit).”

Crispel told CP that when creating music, he “always starts with Scripture,” adding: “A melody can come to you and I record that melody, but then I ask myself, ‘What do I want to talk about?’ That’s what leads me to Scripture, whether it’s something I went through, a testimony, how does that relate to Scripture, and what is the message I want to relay through this song? That’s really the catalyst for songwriting. I’m still developing as a songwriter. I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m grateful for the process.”

The Grammy-nominated singer said his music gives listeners a “sneak peek” into his personal worship with God. 

“It’s all about knowing and remembering why you do what you do, what you were created to do, and that Jesus is at the forefront,” he said. “Every time you minister, the goal should be Jesus. Where it’s an audience full of people, the audience is really Him.”

A re-broadcast of the Dove Awards will air on TBN and TBN+ on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.