Dolly Tributes, Tearful Wins and ‘Truth’: The Most Unforgettable Moments From the 2026 Dove Awards
Natalie Grant, Amy Grant and CeCe Winans helped make the 2026 Dove Awards a night to remember
Key Takeaways
- Amy Grant and Natalie Grant paid a sparkling tribute to icon Dolly Parton onstage.
- Jaime MacDonald won New Artist of the Year and thanked CeCe Winans for her impact.
- CeCe Winans and Tasha Cobbs Leonard secured major wins honoring faith and music.
The 2026 GMA Dove Awards were full of memorable moments, heartfelt shoutouts and beautiful reminders of the incredible women making a difference in Christian music. From standout performances by Hope Darst, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Anne Wilson, Jamie MacDonald and Naomi Raine to appearances by Shawn Johnson East, Franni Cash, Jen Lilley, Jenn Johnson, Julie Chen Moonves and CeCe Winans, the night celebrated women whose gifts and faith have touched countless lives.
The evening also featured a magnificent Dolly Parton tribute by Natalie Grant and Amy Grant. Both women have been pillars of the Christian music community for decades, and seeing them come together to honor Dolly on a stage illuminated with pink sparkles was a magical moment.
But beyond the performances and awards, one of the most beautiful themes of the night was the way women celebrated one another. From heartfelt words of encouragement to moving acceptance speeches, these moments showed how the Christian music community continues to lift each other up.
Here are some of the most memorable moments from the 2026 Dove Awards that celebrated the incredible women whose music and faith continue to impact hearts around the world.
Natalie Grant and Amy Grant honor Dolly Parton with heartfelt Dove Awards tribute
For both Natalie Grant and Amy Grant, honoring Dolly Parton at the 2026 Dove Awards with performances of “How Great Thou Art” and “I Will Always Love You” was the honor of a lifetime.
Before the performance, Amy shared heartfelt words about Dolly and the way her faith shaped her life and music.
“Faith was woven into who she was, how she lived, and the music she made. She was extraordinarily talented. What a singer! What a songwriter! A quick wit, funny. She took a lot of stand-up comedians to their knees,” Amy said with a laugh.
“She was creatively generous, and she was not afraid to stand up or stand down and be the person she was made to be.”
She went on to thank Dolly for showing the world how to live with love and generosity.
“And now let us run with endurance the race set before us, all of us. We love you, Dolly.”
For Natalie, the opportunity to sing in Dolly’s honor was also a chance to celebrate a friend. After the two sang together on the song “Step By Step,” they formed a sweet relationship.
Jamie MacDonald wins New Artist of the Year and honors CeCe Winans
Jamie MacDonald is making waves in Christian music after years of stepping through every door the Lord has opened for her. Her big night at the Dove Awards was made even more special by the women who celebrated her journey, both on the red carpet and onstage.
Before the show, Ellie Holcomb and Bodie shared heartfelt shoutouts to Jamie, expressing their excitement about watching her career grow. Later that evening, Jamie took home the New Artist of the Year award and used her acceptance speech to honor another woman who helped shape her faith and music: CeCe Winans.
“I was trying to heal after years of addiction and shame, and I got ahold of a CeCe Winans record. Or, should I say, a CeCe record got ahold of me,” Jamie said. “And it changed everything. I began to sing the truth over myself. And since then, this room has filled my heart and my mouth with the truth. So thank you, guys, all for the contribution you made!”
It was a powerful reminder that behind so many success stories are the artists whose music and encouragement helped pave the way.
Ellie Holcomb and Bodie celebrate Jamie MacDonald’s rising career
Jamie MacDonald wasn’t just making an impression onstage. Before the show, fellow artists were already cheering her on and celebrating the way she has embraced her calling. Ellie Holcomb shared how meaningful it has been to watch Jamie grow into her gifts, while Bodie was eager to celebrate the rising star’s success.
“I have known Jamie MacDonald for a lot of years. It’s been so sweet to watch her lean into the invitation that God has given her to share her gift with all of us,” Ellie said.
And musician Bodie agreed. “I want to give a big shoutout to Jamie MacDonald. She’s taking the world by storm right now. I’m just so excited to watch her fly. She’s so humble, so talented.”
Their words were especially sweet in light of Jamie’s New Artist of the Year win. It was a full-circle moment that showed just how meaningful it can be when fellow artists recognize and encourage one another.
CeCe Winans and Tasha Cobbs Leonard with major Dove Awards wins
The night’s celebrations continued as more women took home honors for their contributions to Christian and Gospel music.
Reigning Christian music icon CeCe Winans won Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year for “More Than This.” She accepted the award with grace, directing the glory back to the Lord.
After delivering a jaw-dropping performance featuring her stunning vocals and compelling lyrics, Tasha Cobbs Leonard went on to win Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for her album TASHA.
Tasha had previously felt most comfortable recording live albums, but when God led her into the studio, she embraced the opportunity. She was surprised and excited to see how He guided her in writing the album.
Together, these wins celebrated not only the women’s extraordinary talent but also the faith and perseverance behind the music that continues to inspire listeners.
Shawn Johnson East, Hope Darst and Lauren Daigle give flowers to women who inspire them
Before the awards show, Woman’s World asked several beloved artists on the red carpet which women in the industry they wanted to shout out or “give flowers” to. Their answers offered a glimpse into the friendships, mentorships and everyday encouragement that make the Christian music community so special.
For Shawn Johnson East, one of her inspirations comes from the world of sports, while another made a lasting impact early in her career. “I always look up to Lindsey Vonn. She’s been such a leader in the women’s sports world, and I’ve always been her biggest fan,” she said. “And my first agent, when I started getting into this world, I was very overwhelmed. I was a little kid and I remember her gifting me my very first real Bible, and her saying, ‘Never forget this in the world that you’re about to go into.’”
Hope Darst, meanwhile, had a special shoutout for a fellow artist who knows all about balancing a busy career with family life. “Who am I gonna give my flowers to tonight? I have to give them to Natalie [Grant],” she said with a smile. “We are truly friends outside of this, and she was on a plane at 3 am and is now here. I’m just like, she gets the ‘working mom’ flowers. That’s what she gets right now.”
And when Lauren Daigle was asked to name the women she wanted to celebrate, she couldn’t choose just one. “I’ll give three,” the beloved singer/songwriter said. “One is Natalie Grant. Love her. Two is Amy Grant. Love her. And three is Ellie Holcomb. I was talking to all three of those women this week!”
The Dove Awards reminded us of the power of cheering each other on
The 2026 Dove Awards were a heartwarming celebration of the extraordinary women shaping Christian music and the many people who encourage them along the way. From honoring legends like Dolly Parton to celebrating rising stars like Jamie MacDonald, the evening was filled with reminders that there is room for everyone to shine.
At its heart, the Christian music community is made up of incredible women and men who continue to seek new ways to use their gifts to point the spotlight back to God. And when artists come together to lift one another up, they remind us all of what makes this community so special.
It’s an honor to be a fan of so many talented, faith-filled people who share their gifts with the world and invite us to join them in worship and praise.
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