what are the dove awards

The Dove Awards are annual accolades presented by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) in the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. Established in 1969, these awards celebrate a broad range of musical styles including rock, pop, hip hop, country, and urban within Christian and gospel music. The awards ceremonies, usually held in Nashville, Tennessee, feature live performances and recognize various categories such as Song of the Year, Artist of the Year, and genre-specific awards. The Dove Awards have a distinctive dove statue symbolizing the holy spirit, inspired by the Bible story of Jesus' baptism.