The Dove Awards nominations were announced on Thursday, August 13, with Zach Williams and for KING & COUNTRY leading the list of nominees with five each. Hillsong Worship, Kirk Franklin and Jonathan McReynolds earned four nods each, while rapper Kanye West earned a surprising three nods, including one for Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year, for his Jesus is King record.
Zach’s nominations include Song of the Year, for “Rescue Story,” Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year, for Rescue Story, and Artist of the Year. Brother duo for KING & COUNTRY’s five nominations also include Artist of the Year, as well as Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year, for “Burn the Ship.”
“The GMA is honored to continue its legacy of celebrating our diverse creative community and the music that moves us and ministers to us all, especially during these trying times,” GMA President Jackie Patillo said in a statement. “We believe this year, especially, our community and our world need to show love to one another and, above all, recognize and worship our faithful Creator.”
Hillsong Worship, Lauren Daigle and Tasha Cobbs Leonard were also nominated for Artist of the Year.
Zach earned a No. 1 single from Rescue Story, with “There Was Jesus,” his collaboration with Dolly Parton.
“There was Jesus is really a song that’s about reflection,” Zach shared in a video that was posted on YouTube. “I was looking back to four years ago, where I had no idea that God was in the moment, that He was even with with me through some of the things that had gone on in my life. But looking back now, I can see that He had his hand in it. In everything I was doing, He was creating a way, and honestly allowing me to live through some of these experiences.
“I remember writing this song, the day we wrote it, and turning to the producer, and I said, ‘Man, how cool would it be if we could get Dolly Parton to sing on this?'” he continued. “We both kind of laughed and threw it under the rug. A few weeks later, we made a phone call to her manager, and she agreed to listen to the song.”
Other Dove Awards nominees include the Gaither Vocal Band, Jeremy Camp, Kari Jobe and more. See the complete list at DoveAwards.com.
The winners will be announced in a broadcast-only ceremony, airing on TBN on Friday, October 30.
