5 Moments That Made History at the 2025 Dove Awards

by Hope Nation

October 15, 2025
3 minute read

We expected a great show… but end up witnessing a move of God. That was the 2025 Dove Awards.

From the very beginning, host Tauren Wells set the tone. He opened by preaching straight from 1 Thessalonians 5:12, reminding everyone to love and celebrate one another well.  Because none of this, not the songs or the spotlight, would mean anything without Jesus.

We got to chat with some of your favs like Tauren, Colton Dixon, Hope Darst, Elevation Worship, and Josiah Queen on the red carpet. Check it out 👇

 

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But now, what you came here for. Here are three moments that REALLY set the Dove Awards apart this year.

1. Ding, Dong… It’s Carrie Underwood!

Carrie Underwood walked out to join Ben Fuller for a stunning live duet of their song “If It Was Up to Me.”

No one saw it coming — the crowd gasped, and the phones came out.

@tbn_official A surprise no one saw coming! @Carrie Underwood joined @Ben Fuller Official ♬ original sound – TBN

2. Fire, Smoke, and… RAIN?

for KING + COUNTRY opened the show surrounded by flames so hot you could feel the heat from your seat.

Jon Batiste, Brandon Lake, and Jelly Roll teamed up for “Hard Fought Hallelujah” backed by a massive choir… as rain poured from the ceiling. It was like worship meets Flashdance? But for some reason you want to cry.

 

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3. Songs Getting “CeCe’d”

Throughout the night, Tauren kept joking about songs “getting CeCe’d.” Translation: when CeCe Winans covers a song, it  becomes hers. And it’s been proven – Tauren shared that one of his church members once said CeCe’s “new song” blessed her deeply… only to realize it was actually Tauren’s own track.

She’s done it with “Goodness of God”… and now with “Come Jesus Come.” When she sang it live, you could feel the presence of God in the room while thousands of phone flashlights lit up the room.

 

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4. Grande Ole Opry Turns 100

In a crossover of faith and country music history, the Doves honored 100 years of the Grand Ole Opry with a celebration performance that brought generations together.

Steven Curtis Chapman, Lady A, and Vince Gill took the stage to mark the milestone blending Christian roots and country storytelling into one moment.

5. Jelly Roll’s Acceptance Speech

When “Hard Fought Hallelujah” won Song of the Year, Jelly Roll gave one of the most moving acceptance speeches the Dove stage has ever seen.

He quoted Matthew 6, talking about how Jesus spent His time with the least of these, and he thanked the people who did the same for him. Then he looked out and said,

“I am standing here because people took time with the least of these.” | Jelly Roll

You could feel the emotion in his voice. And it was a beautiful reminder that Jesus really does change stories.

 

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The 2025 Dove Awards will be remembered for more than who took home trophies. It will be the reminder that Jesus is still the reason we sing.

If you missed the show, don’t worry you can still watch it on the TBN+ app. Tap HERE for more info.

Watch Us Talk to Your Favorite Artists on the Red Carpet! 
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