Author: Libra Boyd

Indianapolis, IN. (July 30, 2025) – The Gospel Music Association has revealed the nominees for the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards.  Tyscot Records, which will celebrate its 50^th anniversary next year, is celebrating with three Dove Award nominations. 

Gospel music’s coolest crooner, Jason Nelson (Pastor of the Tab church in Windsor Mills, MD), earned two nominations. His seventh album, You Belong: Live in Durham (Jaelyn Song / Tyscot / Fair Tarde), earned a nomination as Gospel Worship Album of the Year. The project was recorded live at World Overcomers Church in Durham, NC, in the summer of 2023. The set features pulsating tracks such as “You Over Everything,” the choir groove “Don’t Worry” (which features Alexis Johnson, Shawn Bigby, and Zacardi Cortez), and touching moments such as “Come Home.” Nelson’s song, “Yahweh,” a recent Billboard No.1 single with Melvin Crispell III, earned a nomination as Gospel Worship Song of the Year. Meanwhile, “Made New (Radio Edit),” a new and brilliantly inspiring duet with Madison Ryann Ward, is racing up the charts.

“What an amazing day and year this has been,” Nelson says. “Two Dove nominations is more than I expected. I’m humbled by my peers seeing the value of my music and my team that worked so hard to create this sound from You Belong.  God continues to amaze me.”

Then, the legendary Prince of Gospel, John P. Kee, earned a nomination for “Church Medley” in the category of Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year. The track is a fusion of Kee’s 1990s era standards “I Believe,” “I Won’t Let Go,” “It Will Be Alright,” “Thank You Lord (He Did It All),” and “He’ll Welcome Me.” It’s a preview of Kee’s forthcoming two-volume project, Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee, an album with new live recordings of some of the biggest hits of Kee’s 40-year career.

“I’m so honored,” Kee said. “The Dove Awards have always represented excellence. I’m super glad to be nominated.”

The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards, presented in partnership with the Cantinas Arts Foundation, will be held October 7, 2025, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The broadcast will air exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ App Friday, October 10, 2025, at 7:30 pm and 10 pm ET and will be simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. A rebroadcast will air on TBN and the TBN+ App on Friday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET. 

Libra Boyd

Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.

Nashville, TENN. (July 30, 2025) – The Gospel Music Association has revealed the nominees for the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Brandon Lake leads artist nominations with nine. Artist of the Year nominees include Brandon Lake, CeCe Winans, Forrest Frank, Josiah Queen, Lauren Daigle, and Phil Wickham.

A new and diverse crop of talent showcasing the future of Christian and Gospel music is represented in this year’s class of first-time nominees. Artists include: Abbie Gamboa, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Annatoria, bodie, Caleb Gordon, Chelsea Plank, Chris Blue, Connor Price, Davies., Down East Boys, ECCOS, Emerson Day, FK&M, Gabriel EMC, Gracie Binion, Hannah McClure, High Road, Jaelee Roberts, Jamie MacDonald, Jelly Roll, JWLKRS Worship, Karen Espinosa, Kenzie Walker, Lakewood Music Español, Leanna Crawford, Marcus Cole, Megan Woods, Miles Minnick, Nick Day, ONE HOUSE, Patrick Mayberry, Paul McClure, Red Worship, Roosevelt Stewart, SEU Worship, Skye Peterson, The Belonging Co, Transformation Worship, Waleska Morales, Yandel, and Zane & Donna King. 

The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards, presented in partnership with the Cantinas Arts Foundation, will be held October 7, 2025, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The broadcast will air exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ App on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 7:30 pm and 10:00 pm ET, and will be simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. A rebroadcast will air on TBN and the TBN+ App on Friday, October 17th, at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET. 

“It’s such an exciting time as we announce this year’s nominees,” says GMA President Jackie Patillo. “We love honoring the incredible gifts of our community of artists, songwriters, producers, and creatives and showcasing all they’ve accomplished this past year. I look forward to celebrating with you at Bridgestone Arena this October!”

The theme for the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards is Creation Sings. “As someone who lives to create, perform, and lead in worship, I’m constantly reminded that our music is just a reflection of a much greater song… one that began when God spoke the world into existence,” shares Dove Awards Host Tauren Wells. “From the rhythms of the ocean to the harmonies of human praise, all of creation is echoing His glory. I can’t wait to celebrate the artists who are adding their voices to that eternal sound.”

Listen to the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards nominee playlists on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Pandora.

Voted on by the GMA Professional Membership, this year’s nominees were chosen from over 2,800 submitted entries. Final round voting will run August 7th through August 14th, 2025.

For the complete list of nominees, visit https://doveawards.com.

– Excerpted from a media release

Libra Boyd

Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.

New Orleans, LA – Greater St. Stephen Ministries is proud to announce a monumental moment in gospel music history: the Greater St. Stephen Reunion Choir Live Recording, featuring none other than renowned preacher and gospel music trailblazer, Bishop Paul S. Morton. This event will take place on Monday, July 7th at 6:00 p.m. at Greater St. Stephen, 5600 Read Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70127.

This highly anticipated live recording commemorates 40 years of musical excellence at Greater St. Stephen and is sponsored by Tehillah Music Group. The celebration will bring together generations of choir members, musicians, and worshippers to honor the powerful legacy of music birthed from this iconic ministry.

Executive produced by Pastor Jerry G. Parries, President of Tehillah Music Group, this event will showcase the exceptional talents of pastor and GRAMMY® award-winning artist, Bishop Marvin L. Winans, GRAMMY® award-winning artist and producer, PJ Morton, and acclaimed songwriter and producer, Elder Derrick Starks. 

The extraordinary celebration will also feature special appearances by gospel singer and songwriter Dr. Micah Stampley, pastor and gospel singer Bishop Neal Roberson, and additional guest artists. The Greater St. Stephen Reunion Choir Live Recording will be hosted by Bishop T. Delbert Robinson, Senior Pastor of Greater St. Stephen, who continues the legacy of excellence in ministry.

“This is more than a recording,” said Bishop T. Delbert Robinson, Senior Pastor of Greater St. Stephen. “It’s a reunion, a revival, and a celebration of a sound that has changed and transformed lives around the world. ”

This powerful night will not only capture the voices and harmonies of the past and present, but it will set the tone for the future of gospel music at Greater St. Stephen.

Libra Boyd

Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.

Photo L–R: BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Ryan Dahl, EJ Gaines, Be Essential Songs’ Holly Zabka, Capitol CMG Publishing’s David Gutekunst, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Ellie McKay, BMI Songwriter of the Year Jeff Pardo, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Katie Barolak, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Isabel Newell, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Kelly Redfern, BMI Spotlight Award Honoree Jackie Patillo, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Brad O’Donnell, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Kent Draughon, and BMI’s Mike Steinberg pose after winning BMI’s Song, Songwriter, and Publisher of the Year at the 2025 BMI Christian Awards. | Photo Credit: Larry McCormack for BMI

NASHVILLE, TN – BMI celebrated the best in Christian music at the 2025 BMI Christian Awards held June 17, at its Nashville office on Music Row.  The evening paid tribute to the top Christian songwriters and music publishers behind the 25 most-performed songs of the previous year, and also revealed BMI’s Christian Songwriter, Song and Publisher of the Year. In addition, Jackie Patillo, President of the Gospel Music Association and the GMA Foundation, was honored with the BMI Spotlight Award for her unwavering dedication to the genre and illustrious career. The private event was hosted by BMI’s AVP, Creative, Leslie Roberts. 

As BMI’s Spotlight Award honoree, Patillo was celebrated as a visionary leader and for her dedication to shaping and championing the world of Christian and Gospel music. As a surprise tribute, GRAMMY nominated and five-time GMA Dove Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Natalie Grant, accompanied by Bernie Herms, gave a compelling performance of her very first recording, “I Am Not Alone.”

After receiving the Spotlight Award, Patillo thanked her family, friends, and those who have impacted the community, including BMI, “for championing songwriters and composers… and for recognizing the beauty of Christian and Gospel music.” She said, “This is more than just a business. We are all making a difference and impacting culture, and that’s what we get up for every day. I don’t know that anyone really feels worthy, but I truly feel this is what amazing grace looks like.”  In receiving this honor, she joins an exclusive group of music creators, including Dottie Leonard Miller, Randy Edelman, and Frank Gari.

BMI’s Christian Song of the Year went to “Praise,” written by Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Stephen Furtick and Chandler Moore. The hit song from Elevation Worship’s eleventh album, CAN YOU IMAGINE?, spent 31 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart, reached the Top 20 on the Christian Airplay chart and currently has over 171 million streams on YouTube.

Leading up to Song of the Year, BMI named the 25 most-performed Christian songs of the previous year including “GOOD DAY,” written by Forrest Frank, “I Believe” written by Chris Davenport, Jonathan Smith and Phil Wickham, “Praise You Anywhere” written by Hank Bentley and Ben Fielding (APRA), “That’s My King” written by Lloyd Nicks Jr. and Jessica Patrice Russ, and “What Are We Waiting For?” written by Sean Douglas, Josh Kerr and Luke Smallbone, among others. In naming the top songs, BMI also recognized 18 first-time award winners.

Jeff Pardo was named BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year for writing five of the 25 most-performed songs including “Don’t Stop Praying,” “Heaven Changes Everything,” “Praise The Lord” with Jake Henry and Micah Tyler, “Running Home” and “Strong” with Anne Wilson. The previously named 2023 BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year and GRAMMY-nominated songwriter has made an impact on the genre as a musician and producer and has successfully crossed genres as well, working with artists such as Lady A, Ben Rector, Tauren Wells and more.

Capitol CMG Publishing brought home Publisher of the Year for representing 17 of the 25 most-performed songs of the year including BMI’s Christian Song of the Year, “Praise,” as well as “Don’t Stop Praying,” “I Believe,” “Jesus Does,” and “Take It All Back,” to name a few.

The 2025 BMI Christian Awards featured special moments during the ceremony including Roberts calling BMI’s 2019 Compass Award winner Elwyn Raymer up to the stage to start the celebration with a prayer and country songwriter Jordan Rowe giving the audience a preview of his unreleased song, “Way Back,” and first-time BMI award-winner Seph Schlueter sharing his uplifting hit “Counting My Blessings.”

For a complete list of winners, visit: https://www.bmi.com/award-shows/christian-2025.

Libra Boyd

Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.

By Libra Boyd, Editor in Chief

Is anyone besides me excited that mainstream audiences will soon be introduced to gospel music’s young sensations, The Brown Four? This weekend, the sibling quartet from Memphis will take the American Idol stage for its three-hour “Songs of Faith” Easter special on ABC.

Ranging from the ages of nine to thirteen, The Brown Four are known in the gospel music community for their close harmonies, stage presence, and heartfelt delivery of traditional gospel music. Simply put, they can “SANG”! Even more remarkable is that, as young as they are, they’ve been this amazing for years. The proof is in the virality of nearly every Brown Four performance that hits social media.

The Brown Four will join a lineup that includes CeCe Winans as well as American Idol alumnus Roman Collins, Jelly Roll, and Brandon Lake. Idol judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan will also perform songs that reflect their faith.

American Idol’s “Songs of Faith” Easter Special airs Sunday, April 20, at 8/7c on ABC. I can hardly wait to experience The Brown Four on the national stage.

Here they are doing what they do best.

Libra Boyd

Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.