Kanye West nabs his first-ever nomination for 2020 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards
Christian music stars Zach Williams and For King & Country top the list of artist nominees for the 51st annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards.
The Nashville-based association revealed its 2020 nominees on Thursday. Williams and For King & Country each have five nominations, and both are up for Artist of the Year. They're trailed closely by Hillsong Worship, Kirk Franklin and Jonathan McReynolds, each with four nods apiece.
But another, first-time nominee will likely earn a disproportionate amount of attention: Kanye West.
The polarizing rapper (and now, a presidential candidate) is up for three awards, stemming from his 2019 album "Jesus Is King," which dominated the Christian and gospel charts upon its release.
As is often the case, the Doves' actual top nominee is a behind-the-scenes figure: producer and songwriter Jason Ingram, who tops the overall list with eight nominations. Other first-time nominees include Gloria Gaynor, We The Kingdom and Unspoken.
Since 2013, the ceremony has been held in Nashville at Lipscomb University's Allen Arena. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year's show will be a "broadcast-only celebration" with pre-recorded performances and acceptance speeches.
It will air Friday, October 30 on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).
2020 Dove Awards Nominees
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
for King & Country
Hillsong Worship
Lauren Daigle
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Zach Williams
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Almost Home” – (songwriters) Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Ben Glover, Mike Scheuchzer, Nathan Cochran
“Burn The Ships” – (songwriters) Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Matt Hales, Seth Mosley
“Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus)" – (songwriters) Desmond Davis, Donald Lawrence, Marshon Lewis, Robert Woolridge
“Dead Man Walking” – (songwriters) Emily Weisband, Jeremy Camp, Jordan Sapp
“Holy Water” – (songwriters) Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Marin Cash, Scott Cash
“King of Kings” – (songwriters) Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, Scott Ligertwood
“Love Theory” – (songwriters) Kirk Franklin
“Nobody” – (songwriters) Bernie Herms, Mark Hall, Matthew West
“Rescue” – (songwriters) Jason Ingram, Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury
“Rescue Story” – (songwriters) Andrew Ripp, Ethan Hulse, Jonathan Smith, Zach Williams
“See A Victory” – (songwriters) Ben Fielding, Chris Brown, Jason Ingram, Steven Furtick
“The God Who Stays” – (songwriters) AJ Pruis, Jonathan Smith, Matthew West
“Way Maker” – (songwriters) Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Chris Renzema
Cochren & Co.
Elle Limebear
Switch
We The Kingdom
GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jekalyn Carr
Jonathan McReynolds
Kirk Franklin
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Travis Greene
POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
“NOBODY" – Casting Crowns (feat. Matthew West) – (songwriters) Bernie Herms, Matthew West, Mark Hall
“Burn The Ships” – for King & Country– (songwriters) Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Seth Mosley, Matt Hales
“Dead Man Walking” – Jeremy Camp – (songwriters) Jeremy Camp, Emily Weisband, Jordan Sapp
“Rescue” – Lauren Daigle – (songwriters) Jason Ingram, Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury
“Holy Water” – We The Kingdom – (songwriters) Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash, Scott Cash
SOUTHERN GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
“This Is The Place” – Gaither Vocal Band – (songwriters) – Gloria Gaither, Williams J. Gaither, Gordan Mote
“The God I Serve” – Karen Peck & New River – (songwriters) Rebecca Bowman, Sonya Yeary, Karen Peck Gooch, Jimmy Yeary
“What Kind Of Man” – Legacy Five – (songwriters) Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox, Sue Smith
“The Power Of An Empty Tomb” – The Erwins – (songwriter) Joel Lindsey
“Can I Get A Witness” – The Sound – (songwriters) Kenna Turner West, Brent Baxter, Jason Cox
CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR:
“Blessings on Blessings” – Anthony Brown & group therAPy – (songwriter) Anthony Brown
“Won’t Be Moved” – Gene Moore – (songwriters) – Bryan Sledge, Cedric Smith, Demeon Reeves
“People” – Jonathan McReynolds – (songwriter) Jonathan McReynolds
“B!g” – Pastor Mike Jr. – (songwriters) Michael McClure, Curtiss Glenn, Rodney Turner
“Truly Amazing God” – Travis Greene – (songwriter) Travis Greene
GOSPEL WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
“Miracle Worker” – JJ Hairston – (songwriter) Rich Tolbert Jr.
“Something Has To Break” (Live) – Kierra Sheard, featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard – (songwriters) J. Drew Sheard, Kierra Valencia Sheard, Mia Fieldes, Jonathan Smith
“Promises” – Maverick City Music – (songwriters) Aaron Moses, Lemuel Marin, Carrington Gaines, Dante Bowe, Joe L. Barnes, Keila Alvarado
“Proverbs 3” – Todd Dulaney – (songwriters) Todd Dulaney, Jaylen Moore, Isaac Tarver
“Only You Can Satisfy” (Live) – William McDowell and Chris Lawson (songwriters) William McDowell, Chandler Moore
WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
“King of Kings" (Live at Qudos Band Arena, Sydney, AU/2019) – Hillsong Worship – (songwriters) Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood, Jason Ingram
“Goodness of God” – Jenn Johnson – (songwriters) Ben Fielding, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Ed Cash, Jason Ingram
“The Blessing” (Live) – Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Elevation Worship – (songwriters) Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick
“Way Maker” – Leeland – (songwriter) Osinachi Okoro
“Great Things” – Phil Wickham – (songwriter) Phil Wickham, Jonas Myrin
RAP/HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
"Not By Chance" – Aaron Cole
"Work in Progress" – Andy Mineo
"HEATHEN" – GAWVI
"Jesus Is King" – Kanye West
"MOOD // DOOM" – Social Club Misfits
ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
"Out of Body" – Apollo LTD
"War" – Demon Hunter
"Love Letter" – Disciple
"Declaration" – Red
"Victorious" – Skillet
POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
"THE STORY’S NOT OVER" – Jeremy Camp
"Citizens of Heaven" – Tauren Wells
"Reason" – Unspoken
"Live At The Wheelhouse" – We The Kingdom
"Rescue Story" – Zach Williams
SPANISH LANGUAGE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
"Soldados" – Alex Campos
"Shekinah (Live)" – Barak
"Aleluya (En La Tierra)" – Elevation Worship
"Origen y Esencia" – Jesus Adrian Romero
"Sinergia" – Un Corazon y LEAD
For a full list of nominees, visit doveawards.com.