Brandon Lake was the first to make history by walking away with five trophies at the Dove Awards 2025. It was not about the victories alone, but surprise acts by Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll, and Jon Batiste raised the roof at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville with applause.
Dove Awards 2025: Brandon Lake Steals The Show With 5 Big Wins.
It was a beautiful night in Nashville on October 7, 2025, as the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards lit up the city. It was a night to remember.
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Brandon Lake was the most successful winner of the evening, having won five prestigious awards. The worship leader took home Songwriter of the Year and the highly sought after Song of the Year for his booming power collaboration with rapper Jelly Roll, Hard Fought Hallelujah. This was a historic landmark in the history of Christian music, in that it brought together worship and mainstream genres in a manner that was never before seen.
Top Winners Announced
Forrest Frank was the winner of Artist of the Year, but also took Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year with his album ‘Child of God’. New Artist of the Year went to rising star Leanna Crawford, the award of a lifetime after almost nine years of pursuing her music calling in Nashville.
Gospel legend CeCe Winans won two awards; Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year: Come Jesus Come with Shirley Caesar. The first time it was conducted at the Bridgestone arena, the ceremony was very electrifying with heartfelt speeches.
Surprise Performances Steal Hearts
The crowd was also surprised by the entry of country superstar Carrie Underwood who joined Ben Fuller to perform their nominated song, “If It Was Up To Me”. Another unexpected guest was Grammy winner Jon Batiste who led Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll to a rain-soaked ending to Hard Fought Hallelujah.
Host Tauren Wells sets the atmosphere flawlessly as she proclaims: Without Jesus, we have nothing. We would not have any songs without Jesus. His words fell echoes across the arena that reminded all of them of the reason they were there.
The show was broadcast on TBN and the TBN+ app on October 10, 2025, and will be reaired on October 17. Other prominent winners were Hulvey in the Rap/Hip Hop Album category as well as Phil Wickham in the Inspirational Recorded Song category.
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