UPDATE (Sept. 16): The Gospel Music Association has revealed the second round of performers and presenters for the 57th annual GMA Dove Awards. Newly added performers are Jamie MacDonald, Naomi Raine and Hulvey. Additionally, a special tribute honoring Richard Smallwood will feature Jonathan McReynolds, Kierra Sheard and Donald Lawrence, as well as original members of Smallwood’s ensemble Vision, including Maurette Brown Clark and Ted Winn. Percy Bady will serve as musical director. The second round of presenters includes Bart Millard of MercyMe, in addition to Terrian, Cain, Moriah, actress Jen Lilley, Kelontae Gavin and CalledOut.
PREVIOUSLY (Sept. 9): The upcoming 57th annual GMA Dove Awards is gearing up to be a star-studded event.
For King & Country, CeCe Winans, Anthony Brown, Julie Chen Moonves, Karen Peck, Lisa Knowles Smith and Sarai Rivera are all slated to present, while the first round of performers are TobyMac, Anne Wilson, Chosen Road, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Tauren Wells.
This year’s nominees for artist of the year are Lauren Daigle, Brandon Lake, Josiah Queen, Phil Wickham and CeCe Winans. For King & Country is also up for rap/hip-hop recorded song of the year, while Wilson is up for country/roots recorded song of the year. Chosen Road is up for bluegrass recorded song of the year, Cobbs Leonard is up for honors including traditional Gospel recorded song of the year, and Wells is up for contemporary Gospel recorded song of the year, and TobyMac is up for short form music video of the year.
Additionally, this year will feature the introduction of a new accolade, the Community Impact Award for Peace & Purpose, presented by Jesus Calling. The award is inspired by the late Sarah Young, the author of the best-selling Jesus Calling book, and recognizes an organization that does meaningful, faith-driven work beyond the music industry. The inaugural recipient is God Behind Bars, a nonprofit that brings a faith-driven message to incarcerated individuals and their families. Chen Moonves will introduce and present the honor.
More performers and presenters will be revealed in coming weeks. The upcoming GMA Dove Awards will be held Oct. 6, 2026 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The show will air on TBN and on the TBN+ app on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET and will also be simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. An encore presentation will air on TBN and on the TBN+ app on Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET.
The 57th annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association, in partnership with TPR. The GMA’s Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt, in addition to artist, songwriter and GMA Dove Awards host Tauren Wells serve as executive producers, while Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright serve as producers. Russell E. Hall returns as director, with Scott Moore and Go Live Productions serving as production manager.
