The Dove Awards are all set to move into their new home on the night of Oct. 7.
For the first time in the show’s 56-year history, the awards will be taped live at Bridgestone Arena. Previously, the show was held at Allen Arena on the Lipscomb University campus in Nashville, which seats approximately 5,000 people. Bridgestone, on the other hand, has a capacity of 20,000.
Jackie Patillo, president of the Gospel Music Association, said capacity at the former venue was becoming an issue, forcing the awards to look for a new home.
“For the past three years, I want to say, we’ve been selling out Allen Arena like two months prior to the show,” she told The Tennessean. “That became really, really challenging when we didn’t have enough seats for our nominees.”
Naomi Raine performs with Chandler Moore for the 55th GMA Dove Award inside the Allen Arena at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.
She added that although being in a new venue has been logistically challenging for the GMA team, she thinks the bigger space is going to allow the awards to be more impactful than ever. “I’m excited we are able to honor our artists in this way by providing a platform where all God’s diverse kingdom can come together.”
Tauren Wells returns as host for third year
Singer, songwriter and pastor Tauren Wells returns for his third year as host of the annual awards show and said he is approaching this with “new room, same spirit.”
” I always love the spirit of the Dove Awards,” Wells said. “It’s always a celebration of everyone and everyone’s gifts. I don’t have a lot to do with the overall creative, but I know for my personal performance, it’s going to be a great nod to church and some of the things we love about church throughout the years. I want to showcase my choir roots.”
Tauren Wells performs with John Cooper, of Skillet, during the 55th GMA Dove Award at Allen Arena in Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.
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And, there might be a little roasting and poking fun at themselves.
“We’re going to try to not roast everybody too hard, you know? But you’ve got to roast people a little bit,” he said, laughing. “I’ve been joking with my wife because there are jokes that will come to my mind and I’ll tell her and she’s like, ‘You can’t say that.’ I’m like, ‘But it’s funny and I want to.'”
One thing Wells is no stranger to is playing a room the size of Bridgestone Arena, saying he’s always trying to make a big room feel small.
“I love being in a big room,” he said. “But the trick is how do we make a big room small? How do we make the moments personal? How do we make them intimate and impactful? Because people are watching this show for different reasons than they watch other shows.”
Lauren Daigle poses on the Red Carpet before the 55th Annual GMA Dove Award at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.
What can fans expect at this year’s Dove Awards? Fire and other surprises
The brother duo For King & Country is set to open the show with a fiery performance of their new single, “World on Fire.”
Performers for this year’s show include CeCe Winans, Lauren Daigle, Tauren Wells and Elevation Worship. Presenters include Candace Cameron Bure, Chris Tomlin, Crowder and Bart Millard.
“In addition to some amazing performances and great presenters, we’re doing a segment that will honor the Opry 100,” Patillo said. “Because Christian and country music have a lot in common. Steven Curtis Chapman is an Opry member and he is going to be leading the way along with Lady A and Vince Gill doing a sweet, sweet segment.”
For King and Country performs during their A Drummer Boy Christmas tour performance at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.
How can I watch the Dove Awards?
The 56th annual Dove Awards will be recorded live Oct. 7 at Bridgestone Arena. The award winners will be kept secret until the show airs on TBN or the TBN+ app starting Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. CT. Find out more at tbn.org/2025doveawards.
If you go:
What: 56th annual GMA Dove Awards
Where: Bridgestone Arena
When: Oct. 7
Tickets: doveawards.com
Melonee Hurt covers music and music business at The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK — Tennessee. Reach Melonee at [email protected] or on Instagram at @MelHurtWrites.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: GMA Dove Awards set to be handed out at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Here’s how to watch.
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