A second round of performers and presenters has been added to the lineup for the 57th GMA Dove Awards. Among those joining the bill are Jamie MacDonald, Naomi Raine and Hulvey. The Gospel Music Association also confirmed a tribute to Richard Smallwood, featuring Jonathan McReynolds, Kierra Sheard and Donald Lawrence, along with original members of Smallwood’s ensemble Vision, including Maurette Brown Clark and Ted Winn. Percy Bady will serve as musical director for the tribute.
A lineup of presenters has been announced for the Oct. 6 event at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, which airs on TBN and the TBN+ app on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET, with a simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. Among them is Bart Millard of MercyMe, along with Terrian, Cain, Moriah, actress Jen Lilley, Kelontae Gavin and CalledOut. An encore presentation follows on Oct. 16, at the same times.
New Performers Added
Anne Wilson, Chosen Road, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Tauren Wells were among the opening acts, alongside TobyMac. MacDonald, Raine and Hulvey have now joined that lineup. The announcement did not include information about which songs each performer will play.
Presenters Expand
For King & Country head up the lineup of performers, which also includes CeCe Winans, Anthony Brown, Julie Chen Moonves, Karen Peck, Lisa Knowles Smith and Sarai Rivera. Bart Millard rounds out that group, alongside Terrian, Cain, Moriah, Jen Lilley, Kelontae Gavin and CalledOut.
Chen Moonves is set to both introduce and present the new Community Impact Award for Peace & Purpose, which comes from Jesus Calling. The honor goes to an organization whose faith-driven work stretches well beyond the music industry.
“The award is inspired by the late Sarah Young, the author of the best-selling Jesus Calling book.”
The New Award
God Behind Bars has become the first recipient of the Community Impact Award for Peace & Purpose, an award inspired by the late Sarah Young, who wrote the bestselling Jesus Calling book. The organization delivers a faith-driven message to people behind bars and their loved ones.
Nominees for Artist of the Year
Five artists are being considered for the title of artist of the year this season: Lauren Daigle, Brandon Lake, Josiah Queen, Phil Wickham and CeCe Winans.
TobyMac is a nominee for short form music video of the year. For King & Country is also in contention for rap/hip-hop recorded song of the year, while Wilson is competing for country/roots recorded song of the year. Chosen Road is among those vying for bluegrass recorded song of the year, Cobbs Leonard is in the running for traditional Gospel recorded song of the year, and Wells is seeking recognition in the category of contemporary Gospel recorded song of the year.
Production Team
The GMA Dove Awards, produced through a partnership between the Gospel Music Association and TPR, hold their 57 edition. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt take on executive producer roles alongside artist, songwriter and GMA Dove Awards host Tauren Wells. Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright round out the production team.
Scott Moore and Go Live Productions fill the production-manager role, while Russell E. Hall steps back into his director’s chair for the project.
What Comes Next
More performers and presenters will be revealed in coming weeks. The show airs on Oct. 9 and Oct. 16, with the event held Oct. 6 at Bridgestone Arena.
This second round of announcements builds on an already impressive lineup. It brings a tribute to Smallwood into the ceremony, giving it a reflective note, while a new award adds a community-focused element to the evening’s presentation.
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