Contrasts in conviction and celebration marked the 56th Annual Dove Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, as Forrest Frank‘s deliberate absence coincided with his sweeping three major honors, including Artist of the Year.
Frank, who had explained his stance in a TikTok video days before the ceremony, chose to prioritize his faith mission over industry recognition, creating a notable void at the prestigious event. His decision to skip the awards was not due to scheduling conflicts or emergencies, but rather a principled choice reflecting his views on authenticity in Christian music.
Despite Frank’s physical absence, his presence loomed large as the Gospel Music Association bestowed upon him the coveted Artist of the Year award and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for his work “Child of God.” The apparent contradiction of honoring someone who deliberately chose not to attend sparked substantial conversation throughout Christian music circles about the balance between recognition and spiritual purpose.
Meanwhile, Jelly Roll, crossing over from mainstream music, made his mark by collaborating with Brandon Lake on “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” which claimed Song of the Year honors.
This partnership demonstrated the growing acceptance of genre-blending within Christian music and highlighted Jelly Roll’s expanding influence in faith-based musical expressions. The energetic atmosphere created by their performance captivated the audience, evident through enthusiastic applause and engagement. The powerful worship anthem resonated with both critics and audiences, bridging stylistic divides.
Brandon Lake’s continued dominance at the ceremony complemented Jelly Roll’s breakthrough moment, with Lake collecting multiple awards that cemented his status as a leading voice in contemporary Christian music. Their success stood in interesting juxtaposition to Frank’s principled stand against industry accolades.
Frank’s decision reverberated beyond music media, drawing commentary from publications like Christianity Today and encouraging broader reflection on the purpose of Christian artistry.
The contrast between Frank’s conviction-driven absence and Jelly Roll’s celebrated crossover success ultimately defined the narrative of the 2025 Dove Awards, prompting industry-wide discussions about authenticity, mission, and the true meaning of recognition in Christian music. Artists receiving such recognition often benefit from relationships with performance rights organizations that ensure they receive proper royalties when their music is played publicly. Frank expressed that his true trophy was salvation itself, emphasizing his conviction that awards can potentially divert focus from gospel proclamation. Many artists like Jelly Roll are discovering that sync deals can provide substantial income while maintaining artistic integrity in their faith journey.
