Winners Announced At Tonight's 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards Ceremony

Tonight, the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards were handed out in 42 categories, as well as 4 special awards, with Hillsong UNITED taking home 5 honors, including the coveted “Artist of the Year” and “Song of the Year” trophies.  Switchfoot and Skillet joined Hillsong UNITED as multiple winners of the evening.  Co-hosted by Lecrae and MercyMe’s Bart Milliard, the awards drew a record attendance at the Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University.  The entire show will be broadcast exclusively on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) on Sunday, October 12.  For a full list of winners, please click HERE.

List of televised award winners:

Song of the Year:  “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)”  - Hillsong UNITED

Artist of the Year:  Hillsong UNITED

New Artist of the Year:  Ellie Holcomb

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: “Revival” – Karen Peck & New River

Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year:  “Every Praise” – Hezekiah Walker

Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year:  Never Land – Andy Mineo

Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year:  Overcomer - Mandisa

Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: “A Little More Jesus” – Erica Campbell

Praise and Worship Album of the Year:  Majestic – Kari Jobe

Inspirational Film: God’s Not Dead

Special recognition honors also presented this evening included:

Lifetime Achievement Award - Hillsong

GMA IMPACT AWARD – Eddie DeGarmo

The Grady Nutt Humor Award – Akintunde

The Outstanding Mainstream Contribution to Gospel Music Award - SiriusXM

Quote pulls from the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards: 

"We believe the local church is going to be the salvation to the rest of the world.  Keep the church strong.  Through the sacrifices of many...on behalf of 1000s of volunteers, over the past 30 years- I've been honored to be a part of this. -Creative Pastor JD--accepting on behalf of Hillsong

"We always say faith, family, and ducks. In that order." - Alan Robertson

"I was writing this music for the people that sit in the back pew of the church. People that do come, but it's not quite in their hearts." - Jonathan McReynolds

"We grew up singing at those old time tent revivals, and we've been praying this year that God would just revive this world." - Karen Peck and New River on "Revival"

"It's called Thicker Than Water...we are kind of like the black Brady Bunch." -The Tankards- Rock Rockman

"People are hungry. They want some light from heaven. The song inspired the film. These guys came along and made it into something special." -Michael Tait of the Newsboys on "God's Not Dead"

"When you hear a good traditional gospel song it makes you wanna go buy a three piece suit" - Pat Boone

"I'm amazed by his love, I'm honored by the fact He would choose me and use me to spread his love." Erica Campbell

"I have been encouraged tonight in a polarized world to see a bunch of young folks with a whole lot of energy coming together to praise the Lord." - Bill Gaither

"We praise until the breakthrough comes, and I love to get to watch that happen." Kari Jobe

"Honestly, I'm just sitting in God's word and the songs just keep coming." - Ellie Holcomb

"Some of our jokes we made up on the fly. I love Lecrae we have been friends for a while and he is just one of my favorite people." - Bart Millard of MercyMe referring to co-host Lecrae