Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena became the center of Christian and gospel music on October 6 as the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards brought together some of the genre’s biggest names for an evening of powerful performances, emotional tributes, and major career milestones.
Among the night’s most talked-about moments was a special collaboration between country music superstar Lainey Wilson and Christian music powerhouse Brandon Lake, who joined forces onstage to perform their award-winning song, “The Jesus I Know Now.”
Exclusive Access was on hand at Bridgestone Arena, capturing the celebration and the memorable performance that brought together two of music’s most recognizable voices.
Lainey Wilson and Brandon Lake Bring Country and Christian Music Together
One of the evening’s highlights came when Wilson and Lake shared the stage, showcasing the growing connection between country and contemporary Christian music.
Their collaboration, “The Jesus I Know Now,” delivered a message of faith and personal reflection, combining Wilson’s distinctive country sound with Lake’s passionate worship style.
The performance was a fitting moment for Lake, who emerged as one of the evening’s biggest winners, taking home three Dove Awards, including Songwriter of the Year.
For Wilson, the appearance further demonstrated her ability to connect with audiences beyond country music while remaining true to the storytelling and authenticity that have helped define her career.
Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake and Josiah Queen Lead the Winners
While the performances provided plenty of memorable moments, the evening also recognized the artists and creators making an impact across Christian and gospel music.
Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake and Josiah Queen led the night with three Dove Awards each.
Wickham earned one of the ceremony’s most prestigious honors, Artist of the Year, while Lake was recognized as Songwriter of the Year.
Queen celebrated a major career milestone as his song “Dusty Bibles” received Song of the Year honors, further establishing him as one of Christian music’s rising stars.
Meanwhile, Jamie MacDonald was named New Artist of the Year, marking another breakthrough moment for a new generation of performers.
Gospel Music Icons Receive Their Flowers
The celebration also placed a spotlight on gospel music’s enduring legacy.
Grammy-winning powerhouse Tasha Cobbs Leonard earned two awards, including recognition for “Church,” her collaboration with John Legend.
Gospel legend CeCe Winans continued her remarkable run, winning Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Southern gospel veteran Karen Peck added another achievement to her decorated career, earning her ninth Dove Award for Southern Gospel Album of the Year with Good Answers.
Another memorable moment came when Jonathan McReynolds, Kierra Sheard, Donald Lawrence, Maurette Brown Clark and Ted Winn united to honor the musical legacy of gospel icon Richard Smallwood.
The tribute celebrated Smallwood’s influence on generations of gospel artists and the lasting impact of his contributions to the genre.
An Evening of Tributes and Inspirational Entertainment
Hosted by Tauren Wells, the 57th Annual Dove Awards celebrated more than chart-topping music. The ceremony highlighted the artists, songwriters and storytellers whose work continues to inspire audiences around the world.
Amy Grant and Natalie Grant also came together for a special tribute honoring Dolly Parton, adding another memorable moment to the Nashville celebration.
Faith-based film and television received recognition as well, with the animated feature David earning two Dove Awards and The Chosen receiving Television Series of the Year honors for its fifth season.
From the red carpet to the stage, the 2026 GMA Dove Awards brought together established icons and emerging talent for a celebration of faith, music and creative achievement.
The performance featuring Lainey Wilson and Brandon Lake stood out as a moment that connected country and Christian music audiences, demonstrating the crossover appeal of both artists.
Exclusive Access captured exclusive photos of Wilson and Lake performing together, along with additional moments from one of Nashville’s biggest nights celebrating Christian and gospel music.
For fans who missed the ceremony, an encore broadcast is scheduled for October 16 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET on TBN, the TBN+ app and TBN’s YouTube channel.
