2026 K-LOVE Fan Awards: Artist of the Year Nominees

Brandon Lake earned his first Artist of the Year stripes in 2025, thanks to the extraordinary crossover success of “Hard Fought Hallelujah (feat. Jelly Roll),” which fans also voted Song of the Year. The nine-time K-LOVE Fan Award winner heads into the 2026 ceremony with three nods. He’s spent the last year pounding the pavement in support of his fourth label effort, “King Of Hearts.” The massive 50-city arena trek has seen record attendance, numerous sell-outs and an array of special guests, including several notable country acts Lake has recently collaborated with as he charts a new faith-forward path in country music.

CeCe Winans is no stranger to the Artist of the Year category. Still, despite multiple nominations in the bracket, the legendary vocalist has never claimed the title. In 2025, she did take home the trophy for Female Artist of the Year — her first, and only, K-LOVE Fan Award to date. Confirming her status as a genre icon, Winans collected her 18th GRAMMY® Award earlier this year for her cover of Stephen McWhirter’s “Come Jesus Come,” which also added a GMA Dove Award to her collection last fall. Additionally, the gospel music luminary has been avidly touring in support of her most recent project, “More Than This,” for which she just dropped a deluxe version that features collaborations with country riser Cody Johnson and gospel pioneer Shirley Caesar.

Elevation Worship returns to the Artist of the Year bracket for the first time since 2021. Although they’ve never triumphed in this particular category, the North Carolina-based collective earned K-LOVE Fan Award hardware back in 2024 when fans named them Group of the Year. The veteran act released their 18th album, “SO BE IT,” in February. The 10-track live endeavor boasts their award-winning collaboration with Brandon Lake, “I Know A Name,” fan favorite “God I’m Just Grateful” with Chandler Moore, and current single, “Alleluia” — also featuring Moore — which is concurrently up for Worship Song of the Year.

Seemingly overnight, Jamie MacDonald skyrocketed from backup singer to fan favorite in no time once listeners got a taste of her soulful artistry. Following three nods last year as a first-time K-LOVE Fan Awards nominee, the emerging vocalist earns her inaugural entry for Artist of the Year a mere year-and-a-half after her debut radio single, “Desperate,” bowed. “Desperate” swiftly raced to No. 1, granting MacDonald her first chart-topper. “Left It In The River” — nominated for Song of the Year — followed, garnering the buzzworthy songstress a second consecutive No. 1 hit. Now, as her next radio contender, “Ain’t No Way,” climbs the charts, she’s vying for another K-LOVE Fan Awards triple play, including a run at Female Artist of the Year.

As one of the most consistent hitmakers in Christian music, Jeremy Camp has received countless K-LOVE Fan Awards nominations over the course of the past 13 years. Yet, the father of three has never taken home a golden ‘K.’ He triples his chances of winning one in 2026 with not only an Artist of the Year nod, but also an entry for Male Artist of the Year and a nomination for Song of the Year, courtesy of blazing No. 1 “No Survivors.” The undeniable hit saw Camp return to his early rock roots, much to the delight of fans. He’s also been quite the road warrior over the previous 12 months, most recently wrapping the “Hits Deep” tour, where he shared the stage with TobyMac and Crowder.

Josiah Queen collected his inaugural K-LOVE Fan Awards nomination in 2024 on the strength of his debut album, “The Prodigal.” Earning his first Artist of the Year honor, the Tampa native returns in 2026 with even more credibility, having released his sophomore effort, “Mt. Zion”; headlined sold-out tours, both domestically and internationally; and garnered his first No. 1, courtesy of “Can’t Steal My Joy” with former tourmate Brandon Lake. The folky hit is also a contender for Song of the Year. Moreover, Queen, who originally thought he would pursue a career in finance, will vie for Male Artist of the Year, further cementing his position as an artist to watch.

Co-hosting the K-LOVE Fan Awards this year for the first time, Lauren Daigle will join Sadie Robertson Huff to emcee the 2026 fan-voted ceremony. Her Artist of the Year nomination is the cherry on top of a phenomenal season that has seen the nine-time K-LOVE Fan Award winner grace high-profile stages with a performance at Carnegie Hall, an appearance on “A Capitol Fourth,” a hosting gig on “CMA Country Christmas,” a narrator slot at Walt Disney World’s Candlelight Processional and an original song on the “House of David” Season 2 soundtrack. Her most recent No. 1, Song of the Year contender “Let It Be A Hallelujah,” marked a decade since the release of her acclaimed debut. The Louisiana native previously took home the trophy for Artist of the Year in 2016 and 2019.

MercyMe reenters the Artist of the Year conversation on the strength of their blockbuster sequel, “I Can Only Imagine 2,” which premiered in February with Broadway’s John Michael Finley and “This Is Us” star Milo Ventimiglia leading the film’s cast. While the story behind MercyMe’s signature anthem, “Even If,” played out on the silver screen, the beloved band toured the country in support of their 12th studio project, “Wonder & Awe.” In the meantime, their radio single, “Make It Well” — a take on the timeless hymn that inspired “Even If” and the subsequent movie — climbed the charts, landing the outfit a Song of the Year nod. As part of K-LOVE’s Landmarks series, MercyMe is poised to headline the sold-out “K-LOVE Live at Red Rocks” Aug. 5, 2026, at Colorado’s most scenic amphitheater.

With four entries, including Artist of the Year, Phil Wickham is 2026’s most-nominated K-LOVE Fan Awards artist. His Song of the Year contender, “What An Awesome God,” became a multi-format smash that remained at the top of the charts for a record-setting number of weeks. Meanwhile, his follow-up, “Homesick For Heaven,” quickly summited the charts, garnering him a well-deserved seat on the Worship Song of the Year ballot. Both selections appear on the SoCal native’s “Song Of The Saints” album, which is currently propelling his first-ever solo arena outing with fellow nominees Tauren Wells and Jamie MacDonald along for the ride. Despite consistent nominations from year to year, to date, Wickham has only earned one K-LOVE Fan Award when he was designated 2023’s Book Impact winner for his debut devotional, “On Our Knees.”

Artist of the Year is one of two K-LOVE Fan Awards nominations TobyMac accrued this year. The reliable hitmaker is also up for Song of the Year for “Heaven On My Mind.” From intimate theaters to sprawling arenas, he’s taken the No. 1 single across the country. Over the span of the past 12 months, he’s also collaborated with an array of artists, including Jamie MacDonald, CeCe Winans and Forrest Frank. Most recently, he’s shared the stage with Crowder and Jeremy Camp for his latest installment of the annual “Hits Deep” tour. He’ll bring his contagious live energy to select outdoor venues this June for a string of summer shows with Zach Williams, Seph Schlueter and MacDonald.