Lipscomb’s last Dove Awards: Redefining success
For 11 years, Lipscomb University has faithfully been the home of the GMA Dove Awards. Over the years, this spectacular event has drawn an array of artists, actors, influencers and writers together in one space– united under one God for the same mission.
The 55th Annual Dove Awards gathered people from New Zealand to Colorado in Nashville, Tennessee, in celebration of God’s work over the past year.
“It reminds me every time I get another opportunity how special it is to write songs that glorify God… It just blows my mind that I still get to write music for Jesus and ultimately I don’t have to carry the pressure of it because it’s going to God.”
Anne Wilson
On the red carpet, artists laughed, hugged and chatted as they shared successes with other creators and interviewers. However, listens, followers and No. 1 hits were not the buzzwords of the night.
For these artists, music is a means to spread the gospel message– reaching those in and outside of the corporate church.
“Success is very different to me now than it used to be… It used to be about an award or a follow or a positive comment. But success is when we are able to reach people outside the bubble we know as church. I think that our industry is being forced to do that more and more and I think that is such a great thing.”
Colton Dixon
Multiple Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) artists at the Dove Awards, such as John Cooper (of Skillet) and Anne Wilson, also double in genres like rock/metal and country. For them, it is important to utilize the opportunities God has provided while remaining proud of their faith and standing up for what they believe in.
“I want my legacy to be, by the grace of God: we never compromised. We were never ever ashamed of the Gospel of Christ… it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes.”
John Cooper, Skillet
Across the board, Dove Awards artists highlighted a deeper purpose in their music beyond fame. Tyler Roberts of Red Rocks Worship continued this sentiment: “This [The Dove Awards] is beautiful, this is amazing and we are having so much fun; this isn’t success. Success is connecting people with Jesus and giving them language to do so.”
Brooke Ligertwood chimed in with her thoughts on success, encouraging others to remain faithful.
“My idea of success is faithfulness. If I have a bunch of things on my mantelpiece but I haven’t been faithful–and if I even looked outwardly faithful but haven’t been inwardly faithful–then for me, that is not success. A life of devotion and faithfulness, truly and deeply walking with Jesus and yielding to him through every season, is my definition of success.”
Brooke Ligertwood
As the 55th Annual Dove Awards came to a close, it became clear that recognizing musical talent was not the main purpose of the well-attended event. Instead, its goal was to celebrate what God does in the time before and after this event– changing lives through words, music and people dedicated to faithfulness.
This is the impact–this is the legacy–that will continue forth from the walls of Lipscomb’s Allen Arena. A new path is being paved for 2025. Bridgestone Arena will be next year’s home for the 56th Annual Dove Awards.
