The 47th Annual GMA Dove Awards presentation ceremony was held on October 11, 2016 at the Allen Arena located in Nashville, Tennessee on the campus of Lipscomb University. The ceremony recognized the accomplishments of musicians and other figures within the Christian music industry for the year 2015/2016. The ceremony was produced by the Trinity Broadcasting Network and was hosted by musicians For King & Country and Tye Tribbett. The awards show was broadcast on the Trinity Broadcasting Network on Sunday October 16, 2016.
Performers The show featured the first performance of DC Talk after a 15-year hiatus. The following were some of the musical artists who performed at the 47th GMA Dove Awards: Bethel Music Anthony Brown and Group Therapy Natalie Grant Hollyn Hillsong UNITED Tamela Mann TobyMac Matthew West
Nominees and winners This is a complete list of the nominees for the 48th GMA Dove Awards. The winners are in bold.
General
Song of the Year
“Brother” (writers) Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart (publishers) NeedToBreathe Music, Bear Lee Breathing Music “First” (writers) Hank Bentley, Jason Ingram, Lauren Daigle, Mia Fieldes, Paul Mabury (publishers) All Essential Music, CentricSongs, Open Hands Music, Upside Down Under, Flychild Publishing, Be Essential Songs, So Essential Tunes, Bentley Street Songs “Flawless” (writers) Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Ben Glover, David Garcia, Mike Scheuchzer, Nathan Cochran, Robby Shaffer, Solomon Olds (publishers) Soul Glow Activator Music, 9t One Songs, Universal Music Brentwood Benson Publishing, D Soul Music, MercyMe Music, Wet As A Fish Music, Ariose Music “Good, Good Father” (writers) Pat Barrett, Tony Brown (publishers) Vamos Publishing, Capitol CMG Parago, Common Hymnal Publishing, Housefires Sounds, Tony Brown Publishing Designee, worshiptogether.com songs, sixsteps Music “Just Be Held” (writers) Bernie Herms, Mark Hall, Matthew West (publishers) My Refuge Music, Atlas Holdings, Highly Combustible Music, House of Story Music Publishing, Be Essential Songs “No Longer Slaves” (writers) Jonathan David Hesler, Brian Johnson, Joel Case (publisher) Bethel Music Publishing “The River” (writers) Colby Wedgeworth, Jordan Feliz, Joshua Silverberg (publishers) CentricSongs, Colby Wedgeworth Music, Capitol CMG Amplifier, Red Red Pop, Fair Trade Music Publishing “Touch The Sky” (writers) Joel Houston, Dylan Thomas, Michael Guy Chislett (publisher) Hillsong Music Publishing “Trust In You” (writers) Lauren Daigle, Michael Farren, Paul Mabury (publishers) CentricSongs, Farren Love And War Publishing, Flychild Publishing, So Essential Tunes, Integrity's Alleluia! Music “Worth” (writer) Anthony Brown (publishers) Tyscot Music, Key Of A Music
Songwriter of the Year (Artist)
Chris Tomlin Joel Houston Lauren Daigle Matt Redman Matthew West
Songwriter of the Year (Non-Artist)
Bernie Herms David Garcia Jason Ingram Michael Farren Paul Mabury
Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year
Casting Crowns, Reunion Records Danny Gokey, BMG Rights Management for King & Country, Word Entertainment Lauren Daigle, Centricity Music TobyMac, Forefront Records
Southern Gospel Artist of the Year
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, StowTown Records Gaither Vocal Band, Gaither Music Group Greater Vision, Daywind Records Karen Peck & New River, Daywind Records The Perrys, StowTown Records
Gospel Artist of the Year
Anthony Brown & group therAPy, Tyscot Records Hezekiah Walker, Entertainment One Jonathan McReynolds, Entertainment One Kirk Franklin, Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA Records Tasha Cobbs, Motown Gospel
Artist of the Year
for KING & COUNTRY, Word Entertainment Hillsong UNITED, Hillsong Music Australia/Sparrow Records Lauren Daigle, Centricity Music Lecrae, Reach Records TobyMac, ForeFront Records
New Artist of the Year
Hollyn, Gotee Records Jordan Feliz, Centricity Music Stars Go Dim, Word Entertainment Travis Greene, RCA Inspiration We Are Messengers, Word Entertainment
Producer of the Year
Bernie Herms David Garcia Kirk Franklin Wayne Haun (Team) Seth Mosley & Michael X O’Connor
Rap/Hip Hop
Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year
“Uncomfortable” – Andy Mineo (writers) Gabriel Azucena, Ramon Ibanga Jr., Gabriel Lambirth, Andy Mineo, Kortney Pollard, Joseph Prielozny “No Quit” – Derek Minor (writer) Derek Johnson “Can’t Do You” – Lecrae (writer) Lecrae Moore “I Just Wanna Know” – NF (writers) Nate Feuerstein, Tommee Profitt “Jumped Out The Whip” Tedashii (writers) Tedashii Anderson, Gabriel “Gawvi” Azucena
Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year
Uncomfortable – Andy Mineo (producers) 42 North, Alex Medina, Black Knight, Daniel Steele, Dirty Rice, Elhae, Gabriel Lambirth, Gawvi, Illmind, Jon Bellion Therapy Session – NF (producers) Tommee Profitt, David Garcia, The720 Church Clothes 3 – Lecrae (producers) Black Knight, Epikh Pro, GAWVI, Mykalife, Ryan Righteous, S1 This Time Around – Tedashii (producers) Gabriel Azucena, Jamaal “Elhae” Jones, Crystal “Crystal Nicole” JohnsonPompey, John “The Kracken” Williams Forward – Flame (producers) SPEC, Courtney Orlando, G. Roc
Rock/Contemporary
Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“God is On The Move” – 7eventh Time Down (writers) Mikey Howard, Cliff Williams, Ian Eskelin, Tony Wood “Move” – Audio Adrenaline (writers) Adam Agee, Seth Mosley “Happiness” – NEEDTOBREATHE (writers) Bo Rinehart, Bear Rinehart, Seth Bolt, Josh Lovelace “Take Me Over” – Red (writers) Johnny Andrews, Anthony Armstrong, Randy Armstrong, Josh Baker, Michael Barnes, Rob Graves, Jason McArthur “Live On Forever” – The Afters (writers) Jordan Mohilowski, Dan Ostebo, Matt Fuqua, Josh Havens, Jason Ingram
Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year
Cities – Live In New York City – Anberlin (producer) Aaron Sprinkle Sound Of The Saints – Audio Adrenaline (producers) Seth Mosley, Joshua Silverberg, Nick Baumhardt Dead Man Walking – John Tibbs (producer) Ben Shive The Wonderlands: Sunlight & Shadows – Jon Foreman (producers) Tyler Strickland, Anton Patzner, Neal Avron, Keith Tutt, Aaron Roche, Dan Brigham, Jeremy Lutito, Jason Morant Surrender – Kutless (producer) Aaron Sprinkle
Pop/Contemporary
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“My Story” – Big Daddy Weave (writers) Mike Weaver, Jason Ingram “Just Be Held” – Casting Crowns (writers) Mark Hall, Bernie Herms, Matthew West “Good Good Father” – Chris Tomlin (writers) Pat Barrett, Tony Brown “Tell Your Heart To Beat Again” – Danny Gokey (writers) Bernie Herms, Randy Phillips, Matthew West “The River” – Jordan Feliz (writers) Jordan Feliz, Colby Wedgeworth, Joshua Silverberg “Trust In You” – Lauren Daigle (writers) Paul Mabury, Michael Farren, Lauren Daigle
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
Beautiful Offerings – Big Daddy Weave (producer) Jeremy Redmon Empires – Hillsong UNITED (producers) Michael Guy Chislett, Joel Houston Be One – Natalie Grant (producers) Bernie Herms, Robert Marvin Love Riot – Newsboys (producers) Mark Needham, Zach Hall, Seth Mosley, Mike X O’Conner This Is Not A Test – TobyMac (producers) Christopher Stevens, Toby McKeehan, David Garcia
Inspirational
Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year
“Pieces” – Bethel Music & Amanda Cook (writers) Amanda Cook, Steffany Gretzinger “Let It Be Jesus” – Christy Nockels (writers) Chris Tomlin, Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman “Heaven's Shore” – David Phelps (writer) David Phelps “O Praise the Name (Anastasis)” – Hillsong Worship (writers) Marty Sampson, Benjamin Hastings, Dean Ussher “Till I Met You” – Laura Story (writers) Laura Story, Christopher Stevens, Bryan Fowler
Inspirational Album of the Year
Brave New World – Amanda Cook (producers) Jason Ingram, Paul Mabury, Amanda Cook The Burning Edge of Dawn – Andrew Peterson (producers) Gabe Scott, Ben Shive, Joe Causey Walls – Gateway Worship (producers) Walker Beach, Josh Alltop, Miguel Noyolla OPEN HEAVEN/ River Wild – Hillsong Worship (producer) Michael Guy Chislett Hymns II: Shine On Us – Michael W. Smith (producers) Kyle Lee, Jim Daneker, Michael W. Smith
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
“Jesus Changed Everything” – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (writers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey “Jesus Gave Me Water” – Gaither Vocal Band (writer) Lucie E. Campbell “I am Blessed” – Karen Peck & New River (writers) Karen Peck Gooch, Kenna West, Michael Farren “Keep On” – Perrys (writers) Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey “Jesus, The One” – The Hoppers (writer) Paula Stefanovich
Southern Gospel Album of the Year
Still – Booth Brothers (producers) Jason Webb, Lari Goss, Ronnie Booth, Michael Booth, Jim Brady That Day Is Coming – Collingsworth Family (producer) Wayne Haun Happy People – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (producers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Todd Collins How We Love – Mark Lowry (producers) Mark Lowry, Kevin Williams Moments Like These – The Bowling Family (producer) Mike Bowling
Bluegrass/Country
Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year
“He’s In Control” – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (writer) Steve Watts “In The Heat of the Fire” – Flatt Lonesome (writer) Kelsi Harrigill “Life’s Railway to Heaven (with the Oak Ridge Boys)” – Jimmy Fortune (writers) Eliza R. Snow, M.E. Abbey “I’ll Fly Away” – Joey + Rory (writers) Albert E. Brumley “Leave It All on the Altar – The Isaacs (writers) Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither, Buddy Greene
Country Recorded Song of the Year
“Love Covered My Sin” – Doug Anderson (writers) Wayne Haun, Randall Garland, Val Dacus “Small Town Someone (Lunch)” – Jeff & Sheri Easter (writers) Sheri Easter, Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox “I Believe (with The Whites)” – Jimmy Fortune (writer) Jimmy Fortune “He Touched Me” – Joey+Rory (writer) William J. Gaither “Seconds Count” – Shenandoah ft. Karen Peck (writers) Coy Fulmer/Doc Walley
Bluegrass/Country Album of the Year
Small Town, Celebrating 30 Years of Music & Marriage – Jeff & Sheri Easter (producers) Madison Easter, Greg Cole, Jeff & Sheri Easter Hits & Hymns – Jimmy Fortune (producer) Ben Isaacs Hymns That Are Important To Us – Joey+Rory (producers) Rory Lee Feek, Joe West Good News Travels Fast – Shenandoah (producers) Bud McGuire, Mike McGuire Shoulders – Wilburn & Wilburn (producers) Ben Issacs, Jonathan Wilburn, Jordan Wilburn
Contemporary Gospel/Urban
Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year
“Wait On You” – Janice Gaines (writers) Janice Gaines, LaShawn Daniels, Jerren Spruill, Jesse Francois, Jenay Daniels “The Way That You Love Me” – Jonathan McReynolds (writers) Chuck Harmony, Claude Kelly “Wanna Be Happy?” – Kirk Franklin (writer) Kirk Franklin “One Way” – Tamela Mann (writer) Eric Dawkins “I’m Good” – Tim Bowman Jr. (writers) Tim Bowman Jr., Rodney Jerkins, Johna Austin, Marvin WInans Jr, Leon Ware, Authur Ross
Urban Worship Recorded Song of the Year
“Worth” – Anthony Brown & group therAPy (writer) Anthony Brown “Fill Me Up” – Tasha Cobbs (writer) William Reagan “The Anthem” – Todd Dulaney (writers) Henry Seeley, Joth Hunt, Liz Webber “Intentional” – Travis Greene (writer) Travis Greene “Spirit Break Out” – William McDowell (writers) Ben Bryant, Luke Hellebronth, Myles Dhillon, Tim Hughes
Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album of the Year
Masterpiece – Deitrick Haddon (producers) Marcus Hodge, Chris Blakk, Deitrick Haddon, Siege Monstracity, Christopher Daniels, Tubbyoung, David “Dae Dae” Haddon, Calvin Frazier, BlaqSmurph, Jairus Mozee, Life Music: Stage Two – Jonathan McReynolds (producers) Warryn Campbell, Darhyl "DJ" Camper Jr., Chuck Harmony, Israel Houghton, Darryl "Lil Man" Howell, India.Arie, Claude Kelly, Aaron Lindsay, Jonathan McReynolds, PJ Morton, Shannon Sanders