The 51st Annual GMA Dove Awards presentation ceremony was recorded on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, through October 5, 2020, at the TBN in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The awards are given by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) recognizing the accomplishments of musicians and other figures within the Christian music industry for the year 2020. The awards show aired on the Trinity Broadcasting Network on Friday, October 30, 2020.
The nominations were announced by the GMA on August 13, 2020, with producer and songwriter Jason Ingram leading eight nominations among non-artists, while Zach Williams and For King & Country led the artist nominations with six. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony featured pre-recorded performances and no live acceptance speeches.
Nominations announcement The nominations were announced on August 13, 2020, by Brooke Ligertwood of Hillsong Worship, Joel Smallbone of For King & Country, Anthony Brown, Christine D'Clario, Joseph Habedank, and Aaron Cole from their individual homes, which was broadcast on the GMA Dove Awards' Facebook page, YouTube channel and SiriusXM/Pandora.
Nominees and winners This is a complete list of the nominees for the 51st GMA Dove Awards. Winners are in bold.
General
Song of the Year "Almost Home" (writers) Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Ben Glover, Mike Scheuchzer, Nathan Cochran, Robby Shaffer, (publishers) 9t One Songs, Ariose Music, No Sappy Music, Tunes of MercyMe "Burn the Ships" (writers) Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Matt Hales, Seth Mosley, (publishers) CentricSongs, Kilns Music, Method to the Madness, Shankel Songs, Shaun Shankel Pub Designee, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., WC Music Corp. "Dead Man Walking" (writers) Emily Weisband, Jeremy Camp, Jordan Sapp, (publishers) Capitol CMG Paragon, Only in You Publishing, Songs By JSapp "Deliver Me (This is My Exodus)" (writers) Desmond Davis, Donald Lawrence, Marshon Lewis, Robert Woolridge, William Stokes, (publishers) QW Publishing, William Stokes Publishing House and Primary Wave Beats, Shonmacmusic, ROBBASS ENC, Desmond Davis Designee "Holy Water" (writers) Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash, Scott Cash, (publishers) Andrew Bergthold Designee, Capitol CMG Genesis, Capitol CMG Paragon, We The Kingdom ASCAP Designee, We The Kingdom Music "King of Kings" (writers) Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, Scott Ligertwood, (publishers) Fellow Ships Music, Hillsong Music Publishing Australia, So Essential Tunes "Love Theory" (writers) Kirk Franklin, (publishers) Aunt Gertrude Music Publishing LLC "Nobody" (writers) Bernie Herms, Mark Hall, Matthew West, (publishers) Be Essential Songs, Highly Combustible Music, House of Story Music Publishing, My Refuge Music, One77 Songs "Rescue" (writers) Jason Ingram, Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury, (publishers) CentricSongs, Fellow Ships Music, Flychild Publishing, See You at the Pub, So Essential Tunes "Rescue Story" (writers) Andrew Ripp, Ethan Hulse, Jonathan Smith, Zach Williams, (publishers) Anthems of Hope, Be Essential Songs, Cashagamble Jet Music, EGH Music Publishing, Songs By Fishbone, Wisteria Drive "See a Victory" (writers) Ben Fielding, Chris Brown, Jason Ingram, Steven Furtick, (publishers) Fellow Ships Music, Music by Elevation Worship Publishing, SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia, So Essential Tunes "The God Who Stays" (writers) AJ Pruis, Jonathan Smith, Matthew West, (publishers) Be Essential Songs, Cashagamble Jet Music, Combustion Five, Highly Combustible Music, One77 Songs, Two Story House Music "Way Maker" (writer) Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu, (publisher) Integrity Music Europe
Songwriter of the Year Chris Brown Kirk Franklin Lauren Daigle Matthew West Zach Williams
Songwriter of the Year (Non-artist) Ed Cash Ethan Hulse Jason Ingram Jonathan Smith Paul Mabury
Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year For King & Country, Curb Word Hillsong United, Hillsong Music & Resources / Sparrow Records Tauren Wells, Provident Music Group TobyMac, Forefront / Capitol CMG Zach Williams, Provident Label Group
Southern Gospel Artist of the Year Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Gaither Music Gaither Vocal Band, Gaither Music Jason Crabb, Red Street Records Joseph Habedank, Daywind Records Karen Peck & New River, Daywind Records
Gospel Artist of the Year Jekalyn Carr, Lunjeal Music Group Jonathan McReynolds, E1 Music Kirk Franklin, RCAI Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Motown Gospel Travis Greene, RCAI
Artist of the Year For King & Country, Curb Word Hillsong Worship, Hillsong Music & Resources/ Sparrow Records Lauren Daigle, Centricity Music Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Motown Gospel Zach Williams, Provident Label Group
New Artist of the Year Chris Renzema, Centricity Cochren & Co., Gotee Records Elle Limebear, Provident Switch, Dream Records We the Kingdom, Capitol CMG
Producer of the Year Ben Isaacs Ed Cash & Steven V. Taylor (Team) Federico Vindver Jonathan Smith Jordan Sapp Justin Savage Michael Guy Chislett Shaun Martin, Maxwell Stark, Ronald Hill (Team) Wayne Haun
Rap/Hip Hop
Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year "Keepin it movin am & guv demo.mp3" – Andy Mineo, Guvna B (writers) Andrew Mineo, Ignacio Saucedo, Isaac Borquaye "Follow God" – Kanye West (writer) Kanye West "Armies" – KB (writers) Kevin Elijah Burgess, Wes Writer, Ed Cash, Scott McTyeire Cash, Chris Tomlin, Mashell Leroy "Set Me Free" – Lecrae (writers) Lecrae Moore, Osiris Williams, Christopher Hulvey, Erica Atkins-Campbell, Gabriel Azucena, J Raul Garcia, Torey D'Shaun "Enough" – Social Club Misfits (writers) Jordan Sapp, Kyle Williams, Martin Santiago, Fernando Miranda
Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year Not By Chance – Aaron Cole (producers) Cole Walowac, Chris King, Chino Work in Progress – Andy Mineo (producers) Evan Ford, Joel McNeill of 42 North, Iggy Music, GAWVI, Matthew Scott Cohen, Nottz, !llmind Heathen – Gawvi (producers) Gawvi, Jonathan Barahona, Tyshane Thompson, Garnell Watts, Matt Cohen, Jon Jon, Justin Barahona Jesus Is King – Kanye West (producers) Kanye West, Federico Vindver, Budgie, E. Vax, BoogzDaBeast, Francis Starlite, Benny Blanco, Xcelence, Brian 'Allday', Angel Lopez, Timbaland, Michael Cerda, Pi'erre Bourne, Warryn Campbell, Labrinth, DrtWrk MOOD // DOOM – Social Club Misfits(producers) Chris Howland, Chris King, Daramola, Derek Minor, Desmond South, Evan Ford, Gavin George, Iggy Music, Jacob Cardec, Jimi Cravity, Jordan Sapp, Lasanna "Ace" Harris, Mashell Leroy, Sean Hamilton, Sean Minor, Shama "Sak Pase" Joseph, Steve "Pompano Puff" Tirogene, Tedashii Anderson, Tee Wyla, Zach Paradis Rock/Contemporary
Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "More Than Bones" – Demon Hunter (writers) Patrick Judge, Ryan Clark "Juggernaut" – John Mark McMillan (writers) John Mark McMillan "My Arms" – Ledger (writers) Jennifer Ledger, Colby Wedgeworth, Ethan Hulse "Royal Blood" - RICHLIN (writers) Brandon Richardson, Zach Holmes"Legendary" - Skillet(writers) John L. Cooper, Korey Cooper, Seth MosleyRock/Contemporary Album of the Year Out of Body – Apollo LTD (producer) Ground Control Peace – Demon Hunter (producer) Jeremiah Scott Love Letter Kill Shot – Disciple (producer) Travis Wyrick Declaration – Red (producers) Rob GravesVictorious – Skillet(producers) John L. Cooper, Korey Cooper, Kevin Churko, Seth Mosley, Mike "X" O'Connor Pop/Contemporary
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "Nobody" – Casting Crowns featuring Matthew West (writers) Bernie Herms, Matthew West, Mark Hall "Burn the Ships" – For King & Country (writers) Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Seth Mosley, Matt Hales "Dead Man Walking" - Jeremy Camp (writers) Emily Weisband, Jeremy Camp, Jordan Sapp"Rescue" – Lauren Daigle(writers) Jason Ingram, Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury"Holy Water" - We the Kingdom (writers) Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash, Scott Cash
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year The Story's Not Over – Jeremy Camp (producer) Jeff Sojka, Jordan Sapp, Colby Wedgeworth, Ben GloverCitizen of Heaven – Tauren Wells(producers) Chuck Butler, Jordan Sapp, Kirk Franklin, Max Stark, Colby Wedgeworth, Rascal FlattsReason – Unspoken (producers) Chris Stevens, Dave Clauss, Jeff Pardo, Tedd Tjornhom, David Spencer Live at the Wheelhouse – We the Kingdom (producers) We the Kingdom Rescue Story – Zach Williams (producers) Jonathan Smith
Inspirational
Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year "Now Is Forever" – Gaither Vocal Band (writers) Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither, Gordon Mote "I Give Up" – Laura Story (writer) Laura Story "His Mercy Is More" – Matt Boswell & Matt Papa (writers) Matt Boswell, Matt Papa"Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me" – Selah(writers) Michael Farren, Rich Thompson, Jonny Robinson"He Touched Me/There's Something About That Name/Because He Lives-Medley" – Steven Curtis Chapman (writers) Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither
Inspirational Album of the Year Don't Wanna Miss This – Cana's Voice (producers) Wayne Haun, Jim Hammerley, Jerard Woods Faultlines Vol. II – Kalley (producer) Jason Ingram I Give Up – Laura Story (producers) Craig Swift, Chris Bevins His Mercy Is More: The Hymns of Matt Boswell and Matt Papa – Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Keith & Kristyn Getty (producers) Nathan NockelsFirm Foundation – Selah(producers) Brent Milligan, Chris Bevins, Jason Kyle Saetveit Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "This Is the Place" – Gaither Vocal Band (writers) Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither, Gordon Mote "The God I Serve" – Karen Peck & New River (writers) Rebecca Bowman, Sonya Yeary, Karen Peck Gooch, Jimmy Yeary "What Kind of Man" – Legacy Five (writers) Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox, Sue Smith"The Power of an Empty Tomb" – The Erwins(writer) Joel Lindsey"Can I Get A Witness" – The Sound (writers) Kenna Turner West, Brent Baxter, Jason Cox
Southern Gospel Album of the Year Mercy & Love – Bill & Gloria Gaither and their Homecoming Friends (producers) Bill Gaither, Kevin Williams That Day Is Coming Live – Collingsworth Family (producer) Wayne Haun, Kim CollingsworthPure Love – Legacy Five(producers) Scott Fowler, Wayne Haun, Trey Ivey20/20 – The Crabb Family (producer) Dottie Leonard Miller, Jason Crabb, Scott Godsey The Crown – The McKameys (producers) Jeff Collins, Roger Fortner
Bluegrass/Country/Roots
Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year "He Won't Let Go" - Gloria Gaynor, featuring Bart Millard (writers) Gloria Gaynor, Andrew Ramsey, Shannon Sanders "Sometimes It's The Radio" – Joseph Habedank (writers) Joseph Habedank, Tony Wood, Jimmy Yeary"Ain't No Grave" – Karen Peck & New River(writers) Jonathan David Helser, Melissa Helser and Molly Skaggs"Elizabeth" – Keith & Kristyn Getty, Ellie Holcomb (writers) Kristyn Getty, Ellie Holcomb "Amazing Grace" – The Oak Ridge Boys (writer) John Newton
Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year Testimony – Gloria Gaynor (producer) Chris Stevens, F. Reid Shippen You Are Loved – Jeff & Sheri Easter (producers) Jeff Easter, Sheri Easter, Greg ColeGod & Country – Jimmy Fortune(producers) Ben IsaacsA Great Adventure, LIVE Solo Performances of Timeless Hits - Steven Curtis Chapman (producers) Steven Curtis Chapman, Bill Gaither No Depression in Heaven: The Gospel Songs of the Carter Family - The Chuck Wagon Gang (producers) David Johnson, Jeff Collins
Contemporary Gospel
Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Blessings On Blessings" – Anthony Brown & Group therAPy (writer) Anthony Brown "Won't Be Moved" - Gene Moore (writers) Bryan Sledge, Cedric Smith, Dameon Reeves"People" – Jonathan McReynolds(writer) Jonathan McReynolds"B!g" – Pastor Mike Jr. (writer) Michael McClure, Curtiss Glenn, Rodeny Turner "Won't Let Go" – Travis Greene (writers) Travis Greene
Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year 2econd Wind: Ready – Anthony Brown & Group therAPy (producers) Anthony Brown, Justin Savage TIME – Deitrick Haddon (producers) Deitrick Haddon, Marcus Hodge People – Jonathan McReynolds