With Lecrae and MercyMe's Bart Millard at the helm, the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards, Christian music's biggest night, was a big hit. From the excitement of the preshow to the hustle and bustle of the Red Carpet to the magic of the awards, the stars were out in full force.
Lecrae and Bart played off each other in seriousness as well as in comedy. The two know how to get laughs. In one skit, they traded places. Lecrae gave Millard his own "hypeman" and Bart brought up an acoustic band for Lecrae to perform with. Lecrae's first question was, "Where the turntables at?"
Bart's response? "Oh, we actually play our music."
"I'll remember that next time I'm on Jimmy Fallon," Lecrae quipped.
Performances by Newsboys, Erica Campbell (with Lecrae joining her on stage mid-song), 1 Girl Nation, Kari Jobe, Mandisa, Meredith Andrews, MercyMe, Hezekiah Walker (with a 30 member choir), Andy Mineo, Natalie Grant were all highlights of the night as was the closing song that for KING & COUNTRY did.
As for the winners, Hillsong United took top honors leaving the stage with 5 wins. Another Hillsong Church group, Hillsong, took home the Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Song of the Year - "Oceans (Where Feet May Fall)" - Hillsong United
- Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year - "Oceans (Where Feet May Fall)" - Hillsong United
- Southern Gospel Performance of the Year - "Say Amen" - Brian Free & Assurance
- Gospel Performance of the Year - "I Can Only Imagine" Tamela Mann
- Artist of the Year - Hillsong United
- New Artist of the Year - Ellie Holcomb
- Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year - "100" - KB
- Rock Song of the Year - "Not Gonna Die" - Skillet
- Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year - "Love Alone is Worth the Fight" - Switchfoot
- Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year - "Oceans (Where Feet May Fall)" - Hillsong United
- Inspirational Song of the Year - "You Amaze Us" - Selah
- Southern Gospel Song of the Year - "Revival" Karen Peck & New River
- Bluegrass Song of the Year - "Won't It Be Wonderful There" - Dailey & Vincent
- Country Song of the Year - "Love With Open Arms" - Doug Anderson
- Contemporary Gospel/Urban Song of the Year "Every Praise" - Hezekiah Walker
- Traditional Gospel Song of the Year "A Little More Jesus" - Erica Campbell
- Worship Song of the Year - "Oceans (Where Feet May Fall)" - Hillsong United
- Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year - Never Land - Andy Mineo
- Rock Album of the Year - Rise - Skillet
- Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year - Fading West - Switchfoot
- Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year - Overcomer - Mandisa
- Inspirational Album of the Year - Hymns - Michael W. Smith
- Southern Gospel Album of the Year - Oh What a Savior - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
- Bluegrass Album of the Year - Every Mile - Nathan Stanley
- Country Album of the Year - Drive - Doug Anderson
- Contemporary/Gospel Urban Album of the Year - Greater Than - Tye Tribbett
- Traditional Gospel Album of the Year - Duets - Donnie McClurkin
- Special Event Album of the Year - Cathedrals Family Reunion
- Christmas Album of the Year - Christmas Is Here - Brandon Heath
- Praise and Worship Album of the Year - Majestic - Kari Jobe
- Songwriter of the Year - Chris Tomlin
- Inspirational Film of the Year - God's Not Dead
