After an unparalleled first year in 2013, the 2014 K-LOVE Fan Awards became a highly anticipated event for Christian music and entertainment fans. The Ultimate Fan Experience Weekend introduced the K-LOVE Fan Zone, which featured an entire exhibit floor full of live concerts, meet & greets, celebrity basketball games, Christian music memorabilia and even a look inside Jeremy Camp’s tour bus. The weekend was capped off by the 2nd annual Fan Awards that moved from the historic Ryman Auditorium to Nashville’s legendary Grand Ole Opry House, doubling the size of the venue.
Hosted by Candace Cameron Bure and Matthew West, the 2014 installment of the K-LOVE Fan Awards boasted 23 epic performances — from MercyMe’s opening rendition of “Shake” (complete with dancers and confetti) to UNITED’s stunning closing performance of “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail).” In addition, awards were given out in 11 categories, including the newly minted categories of Worship Song of the Year and Best Live Show. Plus, for the first time ever, fans chose the artist who would appear on a 7UP can. Moreover, for every half million votes cast, K-LOVE and World Hope partnered to provide a home for a family in Detroit. More than 2 million fans voted, and four homes were built for those in need.
2014 K-LOVE Fan Award Winners
Artist of the Year: Casting Crowns
In 2014, Casting Crowns may have lost the Group/Duo category, but they won Artist of the Year, thanks — in part — to the buzz surrounding their latest studio album released at the top of the year. That same year, the band brought the message of the “Thrive” record to life on the K-LOVE Fan Awards stage, performing the title track.
WATCH NOW: Casting Crowns, 2014 K-LOVE Fan Awards
Male Artist of the Year: Chris Tomlin
For the second year in a row, fans voted Chris Tomlin Male Artist of the Year. The decorated songwriter premiered his brand new song, “Waterfall,” at the 2nd annual K-LOVE Fan Awards. “Waterfall” served as the lead single from his forthcoming collection, “Love Ran Red,” that released in October 2014.
WATCH NOW: Chris Tomlin, 2014 Male Artist of the Year
Female Artist of the Year: Mandisa
Riding high on the success of her 2013 album and its subsequent title-cut, “Overcomer,” Mandisa nabbed the first of two K-LOVE Fan Awards in 2014 when she accepted the trophy for Female Artist of the Year. Mandisa would later return in 2018 and 2019 to co-host the show with Matthew West.
WATCH NOW: Mandisa, 2014 Female Artist of the Year
Group/Duo of the Year: Newsboys
Following the unprecedented hype surrounding “God’s Not Dead,” Newsboys returned with “We Believe,” a powerful statement of faith that fueled the veteran band’s reignited momentum. The group, also nominated for Best Live Show, brought the creed-affirming anthem to the K-LOVE Fan Awards stage in 2014.
WATCH NOW: Newsboys, 2014 Group/Duo of the Year
Song of the Year: “Overcomer,” Mandisa
Mandisa took home a second K-LOVE Fan Award in 2014 when “Overcomer” was announced as Song of the Year. Although she initially wrote the song for her friend who was fighting breast cancer in the middle of a pregnancy, the energetic track became a fist-pumping anthem for anyone in the midst of a hard-fought battle.
WATCH NOW: Mandisa, 2014 Song of the Year
Worship Song of the Year: “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” UNITED
Undoubtedly one of the biggest songs of the year — and incidentally, one of the biggest songs in Christian music history — “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” earned UNITED their first K-LOVE Fan Award in the category of Worship Song of the Year, which made its debut in 2014. The worship collective closed out the evening leading the Grand Ole Opry in a moving rendition of their massive hit.
WATCH NOW: UNITED, 2014 Worship Song of the Year
Best Live Show: TobyMac
The short-lived category of Best Live Show served up some hefty competition in 2014 with TobyMac ultimately beating out fellow nominees for KING & COUNTRY, NEEDTOBREATHE, Newsboys, Rend Collective and Switchfoot. Prior to performing at the K-LOVE Fan Awards, the quintessential entertainer had just completed “The Summer Shed Tour” alongside Skillet and Lecrae. To this day, TobyMac’s live show continues to set the bar for other artists in Christian music and beyond.
WATCH NOW: TobyMac, 2014 Best Live Show
Sports Impact: Thomas Davis
Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis was honored with the 2014 Sports Impact award. That year alone, he was also the recipient of the Call to Courage Award given to an athlete who exemplifies the character of Christ through adversity; and was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year by his teammates. Together with his wife, Kelly, Davis is the co-founder of the Defending Dreams Foundation, an organization that equips students with life skills to become strong leaders.
WATCH NOW: Thomas Davis, 2014 Sports Impact
Film/Television Impact: “God’s Not Dead”
“God’s Not Dead” took home the award for Film/Television Impact in 2014. The movie, which features cameos by Newboys and Willie and Korie Robertson, was the first installment in what became one of the most popular faith-based film franchises in history. The movie’s opening weekend success garnered attention from multiple high-profile media outlets with “Entertainment Weekly” calling it the “biggest surprise” of the weekend and “USA Today” adding, “‘God’s Not Dead’ is a box office winner.”
WATCH NOW: "God's Not Dead," 2014 Film/Television Impact
Book Impact: “You’ll Get Through This,” Max Lucado
The ever practical, always personable Max Lucado won Book Impact of the Year in 2014 for “You’ll Get Through This.” “America’s Pastor” used the story of Joseph to encourage readers with the truth that, even in the midst of unexpected trials, God’s promises never change.
WATCH NOW: Max Lucado, 2014 Book Impact
Don’t miss the 2023 K-LOVE Fan Awards Weekend, May 26-28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Visit klovefanawards.com for more info.
