Cece Winans, Ella Langley Lead Dove Award Nominees: ‘We Have a God That Loves Us’
Big noms, new faces and country crossovers lead an inspiring 2026 for Christian music
Key Takeaways
- Phil Wickham and CeCe Winans lead the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards nominations.
- Country stars Lainey Wilson and Ella Langley earn major Christian music nods.
- Watch the 2026 Dove Awards on TBN this October 9, hosted by Tauren Wells.
For Christian music fans, one of the biggest announcements of the year has officially arrived.
The Gospel Music Association unveiled the nominees for the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards, which celebrate the songs, albums and artists that have shaped Christian and Gospel music over the past year. See the full list of nominees at GospelMusic.org.
Eight-time Dove Award winner Tauren Wells will return to host the ceremony for a fourth consecutive year. This year, Wells is also serving as an executive producer, will perform during the show and earned two nominations of his own.
Coming at no surprise, the incredible Phil Wickham leads all male artists with nine nominations, while the beautiful and beloved CeCe Winans tops all female artists with seven. Joining them in the coveted Artist of the Year category are Brandon Lake, Lauren Daigle and Josiah Queen.
New Artist of the Year nominees represent Christian music’s next generation
While many familiar names are back on this year’s ballot, the Dove Awards consistently shines a light on Christian music’s rising stars. The nominees for New Artist of the Year are bodie, Emerson Day, Jamie MacDonald, Megan Woods and SEU Worship. Among them, MacDonald continues her breakout year with a nomination that follows the success of her debut self-titled album and the hit song “Left It In the River,” which also earned a Song of the Year nomination.
Brandon Lake, Lainey Wilson and Ella Langley highlight faith’s influence on country music
Faith continues to resonate across country music as well. Nominees for Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year include: Ella Langley’s “Speaking Terms”, Brandon Lake and Lainey Wilson’s “The Jesus I Know Now”, Ben Fuller’s “Black Sheep”, Scotty Inman’s “Broken Man Can”, Anne Wilson and Cole Swindell’s “Still Do”.
Lake and Wilson’s collaboration has already become one of Christian music’s standout moments of the year after the pair performed the song together during Cowboy Church at CMA Fest in Nashville. A moving performance that introduced thousands of country music fans to their powerful message of faith.
As her star rises, Ella Langley has also been increasingly open about her Christian faith. During a recent concert, the country star paused her set to remind fans of their worth in God’s eyes, telling the crowd:
“You are good enough today. The fact that you woke up this morning made you good enough for today. The fact that we have a God that loves us is why you are good enough today. You will always be good enough. You will always be good enough. We’ll always fall short but always be good enough for that kind of love. I hope today that if you heard anything from me in this set tonight, I want you to feel that kind of love. Because there’s no one else in this world that can give it to you the way that our Lord and Savior can. That type of love.”
That same heart for God’s unconditional love shines through in “Speaking Terms,” her nominated song about grace and forgiveness. Langley is proof that when artists share their faith authentically, it touches hearts in profound ways.
The 2026 Dove Awards theme celebrates unity in Christ
As one of Christian music’s favorite nights, the Dove Awards chooses a theme and focus for the show each year. This year’s theme is “Together For One,” inspired by Colossians 3:14: “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
“Every year, the Dove Awards bring the diverse voices of the Christian music community together to celebrate the God we all serve, and that’s exactly the heart behind this year’s theme, ‘Together For One,’ says Jackie Patillo, President of the Gospel Music Association. “This year’s class of nominees embodies that spirit, creating life-changing music that continues to unite people across the globe.”
How to watch the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards
Christian music’s biggest night returns to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Tuesday, October 6, where thousands of fans, artists and industry leaders will gather for an unforgettable evening celebrating faith through music.
Beyond the awards show, fans can also take part in the Dove Awards Music City Fan Experience, which includes a Night of Worship at the historic Ryman Auditorium with Elevation Worship, the New Artist of the Year Showcase, a riverboat lunch cruise featuring artists and songwriters, exclusive faith-based entertainment previews and premium awards seating.
The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards will broadcast exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ App on Friday, October 9, at 7:30 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET, with a rebroadcast on Friday, October 16, at the same times. Fans can also listen live on SiriusXM’s The Message (Channel 65) during the October 9 simulcast.
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