Hosted by Matthew West and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, the 2016 K-LOVE Fan Awards opened with a surprise performance from NEEDTOBREATHE, who debuted their brand-new song “Happiness” in advance of their next studio project, “HARD LOVE.” Switchfoot and Passion also graced the K-LOVE Fan Awards stage for the first time, and Jeremy Camp and Francesca Battistelli were among the evening’s presenters. Meanwhile, Lauren Daigle took home her first Artist of the Year trophy.
While Pepsi Mid-America served as the title sponsor of the K-LOVE Fan Awards from 2013-2015, starting in 2016, Coca-Cola Consolidated became the presenting sponsor. In addition, that same year, the K-LOVE Fan Awards won two regional EMMY® Awards for Lighting and Set Design.
2016 K-LOVE Fan Award Winners
Artist of the Year: Lauren Daigle
Lauren Daigle took home her first Artist of the Year trophy in 2016. She would repeat the win again in 2019. From her first No. 1 at radio to her inaugural GRAMMY® nomination, Daigle was celebrating a record-breaking 12 months at the 4th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards. At the time, the “First” singer was opening for UNITED’s “Empires Tour” and writing for her sophomore release.
WATCH NOW: Lauren Daigle, 2016 Artist of the Year
Male Artist of the Year: Danny Gokey
Danny Gokey broke Chris Tomlin’s streak in 2016, when fans voted him Male Artist of the Year. Sharing the real-life inspiration behind “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again,” the “American Idol” alum quickly endeared himself to music lovers around the world with his redemptive story of losing his wife and then finding love again sooner than he ever imagined.
WATCH NOW: Danny Gokey, 2016 Male Artist of the Year
Female Artist of the Year: Lauren Daigle
Performing “First” later on in the evening, in 2016, Lauren Daigle proved she was every bit the rare breakout act with longterm potential after fans chose the Louisiana native as both their Artist of the Year and their Female Artist of the Year at the 4th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards.
WATCH NOW: Lauren Daigle, 2016 Female Artist of the Year
Group/Duo of the Year: for KING & COUNTRY
Cementing their place as one of the top acts in Christian music, for KING & COUNTRY collected another Group/Duo of the Year accolade for the second year running. In 2016, the Aussies were up against veteran acts like Big Daddy Weave, Casting Crowns, UNITED, MercyMe and Newsboys.
WATCH NOW: for KING & COUNTRY, 2016 Group/Duo of the Year
Best Live Show: for KING & COUNTRY
Just beginning their “Priceless” era, for KING & COUNTRY proved they were worthy of the Best Live Show award earlier in the year when they were part of the Winter Jam lineup, followed by a string of headlining dates — both stateside and internationally. While the duo didn’t fill a performance slot that year, they were on hand to present the Male Artist of the Year award for the 2016 K-LOVE Fan Awards.
WATCH NOW: for KING & COUNTRY, 2016 Best Live Show
Song of the Year: “Good, Good Father,” Chris Tomlin
He might have conceded Male Artist of the Year honors to Danny Gokey, but Chris Tomlin still emerged a winner in 2016, taking home another golden statuette for Song of the Year for “Good, Good Father.” Although he didn’t write the powerful anthem, the worship leader stewarded the mega-anthem around the world, watching it slowly morph into one of his signature tracks.
WATCH NOW: Chris Tomlin, 2016 Song of the Year
Worship Song of the Year: “Holy Spirit,” Francesca Battistelli
Francesca Battistelli earned the second K-LOVE Fan Award of her career in 2016 as she rode the wave of her stunning rendition of “Holy Spirit,” which she also performed at the 2016 K-LOVE Fan Awards. Battistelli broadened the reach of the already popular anthem — written by Bryan and Katie Torwalt — as it began circulating in churches around the globe after she recorded her own version of it for “If We’re Honest.”
WATCH NOW: Francesca Battistelli, 2016 Worship Song of the Year
Breakout Single: “Tell Your Heart To Beat Again,” Danny Gokey
Not only did Danny Gokey sweep the Male Artist of the Year category, but fans also named “Tell Your Heart To Beat Again” the 2016 Breakout Single of the Year. Gokey, who performed the poignant ballad on the Fan Awards stage, brought his story to life reminding listeners, “Let every heartbreak and every scar be a picture that reminds you Who has carried you this far.”
WATCH NOW: Danny Gokey, 2016 Breakout Single
Best Lyric: “Grace Wins,” Matthew West
Seven-time K-LOVE Fan Awards co-host Matthew West actually won his first K-LOVE Fan Award in 2016. The underrated singer/songwriter garnered his debut ‘K’ for “Grace Wins” in the one-and-done category of Best Lyric. The voting bracket for Best Lyric only lasted one year before it was officially retired, making West the only artist in Fan Awards history to own a trophy that bears the category’s name.
WATCH NOW: Matthew West, 2016 Best Lyric
Sports Impact: Adam LaRoche
After 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, first baseman Adam LaRoche gave up a multimillion-dollar contract with the Chicago White Sox to put his family first and stay true to his core values and beliefs. The family man and outspoken Christian was on hand at the Grand Ole Opry House to accept the 2016 Sports Impact award.
WATCH NOW: Adam LaRoche, 2016 Sports Impact
Film/Television Impact: “War Room”
“War Room” proved to be another winner from the Kendrick Brothers, nabbing the 2016 Film/Television Impact award. Landing at No. 2 at the box office, the film grossed $11 million during its opening weekend. With a plot centered around a couple whose marriage was on the rocks, the movie proved that some battles can only be fought on our knees.
WATCH NOW: "War Room," 2016 Film/Television Impact
Book Impact: “Sacred Marriage,” Gary Thomas
Bestselling author Gary Thomas walked away a Book Impact winner at the 2016 K-LOVE Fan Awards thanks to the practical tips and insights he shared in “Sacred Marriage.” Throughout the book, the writer proposed that the primary purpose of marriage isn’t just to make us happy, but to make us holy.
WATCH NOW: Gary Thomas, 2016 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.
