The 53rd annual Dove Awards winners have been announced, with Anne Wilson taking home two awards, both for New Artist of the Year and Pop Contemporary Song of the Year, the latter for her debut “My Jesus” single. It’s a long way from where Wilson thought she would be at this stage in life, switching from her dreams of being an astronaut to becoming a singer after the tragic loss of her brother.
It was when Wilson sat down to sing “What a Beautiful Name It Is,” shortly after her brother Jacob passed away in 2017, that the surprising beginnings of her new career began.
“As I was playing, my parents overheard, and asked if I would sing (the song) at the funeral,” Wilson said from stage (via The Tennessean). “It was the first time I had ever sang in front of anyone. The song is an integral part of the story of the song ‘My Jesus.’ I’m so grateful that I get to share how the Lord turned a tragedy into something so beautiful.”
Another artist who turned a tragedy into something positive is TobyMac, who performed “The Goodness” with Blessing Offor, taking a moment to reflect on how much his life has changed since the tragic loss of his son, Truett, due to an accidental drug overdoes in 2019.
“I just wanted to take a second to say thank you,” TobyMac said ahead of his performance. “Thank you for kindness that you showed me and my family as we walked through the deepest valley in losing my firstborn son. Thank you for your thoughts. Thank you for your prayers. Through it all we have absolutely felt surrounded by love, and that my friends is what the body of Christ should feel like, so thank you.
“There were times I thought I’d never write another song, much less a song that’s uptempo, a song that felt like joy,” he continued. “But all I can tell you is I’ve learned that our God is kind. He’s good. He might not always give us what we want, or take away the pain, but He is right there in it with us. I’ve learned that He doesn’t leave. He remains.”
Other winners of the night included Dolly Parton, who along with Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson, Jerry Salley and Bradley Walker won Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year, for “In the Sweet By and By.” NEEDTOBREATHE won Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year, for Into the Mystery. for KING & COUNTRY won Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year, for What Are We Waiting For?, and Ernie Haase & Signature Sound won Southern Gospel Album of the Year, for Keeping On.
CeCe Winans won the night’s highest honor, Artist of the Year — a surprising first in the category for the 58-year-old, whose music career has spanned more than 25 years as a solo artist. See the complete list of winners here.
