The first decade of the K-LOVE Fan Awards produced too many incredible performances to count. Time and time again, K-LOVE artists have showcased why their songs deserve your vote via the Fan Awards stage over the course of the past 10 years. However, those who have attended the ceremony in person know the best performances are the ones that unite various artists, transforming a favorite track into a shining moment that’s meant to be savored. From unlikely pairings to cross-genre alliances, since its inception in 2013, the K-LOVE Fan Awards has always fostered community both on stage and off. Whether Christian artists are banding together to sing for a good cause or bringing fresh life to a hit that’s already topped the charts, here are 10 show-stopping K-LOVE Fan Awards collaborations worthy of a standing ovation.
Cory Asbury & Francesca Battistelli, “Reckless Love” (2018)
Cory Asbury went from unknown worship leader to revered singer/songwriter seemingly overnight thanks to the global impact of “Reckless Love,” the title-cut of his sophomore LP. In 2018, he took home his first pair of K-LOVE Fan Awards as fans voted the impassioned anthem Breakout Single of the Year and Worship Song of the Year. Moreover, the father of four tapped 2016 Fan Award winner Francesca Battistelli for a stirring performance of the track that had everyone in the audience on their feet, hands raised, awash with the kindness of God.
WATCH NOW: "Reckless Love" 2018 Fan Awards Performance
CeCe Winans & Lauren Daigle, “Believe For It” (2022)
Pair a Gospel legend with the reigning queen of Christian music, and you have a recipe for a hit. CeCe Winans and Lauren Daigle delivered just that when they sang “Believe For It” live together for the very first time ever on the 2022 K-LOVE Fan Awards stage. Astoundingly, the night also marked Winans’ first ever K-LOVE Fan Awards Female Artist of the Year nod and performance. Meanwhile, Daigle remains the most-awarded female artist in K-LOVE Fan Awards history with eight statuettes to her name.
WATCH NOW: "Believe For It" 2022 Fan Awards Performance
Tenth Avenue North & Moriah Peters, “Losing” (2013)
Tenth Avenue North called it quits in 2020, leaving frontman Mike Donehey to pursue a solo career, but back in 2013, the popular band was thick into the promotion cycle for their single, “Losing,” from their critically-acclaimed album, “The Struggle.” The outfit, who originally formed in college in West Palm Beach, Fla., began their performance huddled around a singular mic, allowing their arresting a cappella harmonies to soar before launching into the syncopated pop offering with a full band. Furthermore, Tenth Avenue North called on a choir teeming with gang vocals and former tourmate Moriah (Peters) Smallbone to add an impressive feminine touch to the song about the difficult art of forgiveness.
Tauren Wells & Natalie Grant, “When We Pray” (2018)
Natalie Grant lent her guest vocals to Tauren Wells’ “When We Pray” for a one-of-a-kind collaboration at the 2018 K-LOVE Fan Awards. A poignant video introduced the standout performance detailing Grant’s recent cancer scare that put her future vocal capabilities in jeopardy. Embodying a physical answer to prayer, the powerhouse vocalist proved God hears us when we call out to Him, as she traded unbelievable vocals with Wells on “When We Pray,” the opening track of his debut set.
WATCH NOW: "When We Pray" 2018 Fan Awards Performance
Matthew West & Carly Pearce, “Truth Be Told” (2021)
Country music sweetheart Carly Pearce made her first appearance at the K-LOVE Fan Awards following the show’s COVID hiatus, performing “Truth Be Told” alongside seven-time co-host Matthew West in 2021. The duo stripped down the thoughtful track for a bare-bones performance that focused solely on the song’s honest lyrics, serving up one of the evening’s highlights. Void of any fancy production, the pair proved sometimes the simplest set-ups are the most powerful. Prior to taking the stage, Pearce explained that the opportunity to collaborate with West on the vulnerable selection felt like a “wink” from God and right in lockstep with the music she wants to sing — songs full of grit and transparency.
WATCH NOW: "Truth Be Told" 2021 Fan Awards Performance
Matt Maher, Jason Crabb & The New Respects, “What A Friend” (2018)
Matt Maher began his outstanding 2018 K-LOVE Fan Awards performance on piano with Jason Crabb helping him deliver a soulful rendition of “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” Then, as the screen rose, revealing a full host of musicians complete with members of family band The New Respects, the singer/songwriter launched into his modern-day “What A Friend.” Commanding the stage like a rockstar, the unassuming Maher helmed electric guitar and, with the help of his friends, turned his twist on the traditional hymn into a full-on jam session.
WATCH NOW: "What A Friend" 2018 Fan Awards Performance
Bart Millard, Jeremy Camp, Dave Frey, Francesca Battistelli, Jamie Grace & Matt Maher, “Hope Can Change Everything” (2014)
As fans cast their votes in 2014, K-LOVE partnered with World Hope to help build homes for needy families in Detroit. That same year, artists banned together to release an original single whose proceeds benefitted World Hope and their philanthropic efforts. Bart Millard (MercyMe), Jeremy Camp, Dave Frey (Sidewalk Prophets), Francesca Battistelli, Jamie Grace and Matt Maher took the stage for a star-studded collaboration as they performed “Hope Can Change Everything” for the first and only time exclusively on the K-LOVE Fan Awards stage.
Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Chris Brown & Tasha Cobbs Leonard, “The Blessing” (2021)
Kari Jobe and her husband, Cody Carnes, closed out the 2021 K-LOVE Fan Awards with a heaven-sent rendition of their GRAMMY®-nominated “The Blessing.” Adorned in white, the couple was joined onstage by Gospel songstress Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Elevation Worship’s Chris Brown and a choir of voices. The 2021 Song of the Year contender traveled all around the globe after Jobe, Carnes, Brown and Elevation Worship’s pastor and visionary, Steven Furtick, penned the track weeks before the pandemic gripped the U.S.
WATCH NOW: "The Blessing" Live Performance
Riley Clemmons & Walker Hayes "For The Good" (2022)
Based on her radio hits, it’s easy to see that Riley Clemmons is a solid songwriter. But watch her on stage, and it’s evident she’s also a born entertainer. With as much energy as a veteran act, Clemmons confidently commanded the stage for her live rendition of “For The Good” at the 2022 K-LOVE Fan Awards. Meanwhile, to the delight of fans, country newcomer Walker Hayes (“Fancy Like”) joined the singer/songwriter on the second verse, but it was Clemmons who stole the show with her contagious smile and sparkling stage presence.
WATCH NOW: "For The Good" 2022 Fan Awards Performance
Danny Gokey, Evan Craft & Redimi2, “Be Alright” / “Love God Love People” (2021)
Four-time K-LOVE Fan Award winner Danny Gokey, Latin superstar Evan Craft and hip-hop artist Redimi2 brought Craft’s “Be Alright” to life on the 2021 K-LOVE Fan Awards stage before mashing it up with a special bilingual version of Gokey’s “Love God Love People” from his celebrated effort, “Haven’t Seen It Yet.” The upbeat performance marked both Craft and Redimi2’s first appearance at the annual award show.
WATCH NOW: "Love God, Love People" Live Performance
Bonus Collaborations
So many collaborations, so little space. Here are three extra collabs that were just too good not to mention.
Laura Story & Newborn, “Blessings” (2013)
Laura Story wins the award for sweetest collaboration. In 2013, Story performed her signature hit “Blessings” at the first annual K-LOVE Fan Awards with a very special guest. Seated at a grand piano for a simple, yet poignant, delivery of the original selection, Story had her eight-month-old “blessing,” Josie, nestled against her chest in a wrap throughout the entire song. The touching, truth-filled single invited listeners to unearth the beauty in suffering — something Story knows all too well, considering she wrote the song after her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Crowder & Tedashii, “Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains)” (2016)
Crowder gave fan favorite “Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains)” a proper award show treatment in 2016, pulling out all the stops with fiery production, an unmatched band of multi-instrumentalists, his signature mascot, Kenny Rodgers, and a cameo by rapper Tedashii. The unexpected Crowder/Tedashii combo took the swampy selection from 2014’s “Neon Steeple” next level, proving once again that Crowder’s music and demeanor crosses genres effortlessly.
WATCH NOW: Crowder 2016 Fan Awards Performance
Jamie Grace & TobyMac, “Hold Me” (2013)
TobyMac discovered Jamie Grace on YouTube and signed the 19-year-old to his record label. The seven-time GRAMMY® winner appeared alongside the budding star for an acoustic rendering of her now Gold-certified single, “Hold Me,” on the iconic Ryman stage during the 2013 K-LOVE Fan Awards.
Don’t miss all of this year’s show-stopping collaborations at the 2023 K-LOVE Fan Awards Weekend, held May 26-28, 2023, in Nashville. For more information, visit klovefanawards.com.
