2018 was a year of firsts for the K-LOVE Fan Awards. The award show — co-hosted by Matthew West and Mandisa — was televised for the first time. The 2018 broadcast was also awarded three Midsouth Regional EMMYs® in the categories of Special Event Coverage, Special Event Director and Special Event Lighting Design. Additionally, Cory Asbury won his first two Fan Awards, thanks to massive smash “Reckless Love.” Moreover, following 14 career nominations, MercyMe took home their first K-LOVE Fan Award…and their second…and their third…and their fourth (but who’s counting?). It’s safe to say the hitmakers swept the 6th annual awards ceremony, winning Artist of the Year, Group/Duo of the Year, Song of the Year for “Even If” and Film Impact for “I Can Only Imagine.” In addition, the award winners performed the movie’s title inspiration with country recording artist and actor Trace Adkins, which proved to be one of the night’s many outstanding collaborations.
Tauren Wells and Natalie Grant also joined forces for a tribute to the power of prayer. Francesca Battistelli united with Asbury for a special rendition of his fan-voted Worship Song of the Year and Breakout Single of the Year. Matt Maher, Jason Crabb and The New Respects brought “What A Friend” to life, together on stage. The Newsboys reunited with former members Peter Furler and Phil Joel for an epic singalong. for KING & COUNTRY brought “joy.” all the way from The Netherlands, and Matthew West honored Billy Graham with “All In.”
2018 K-LOVE Fan Award Winners
Artist of the Year: MercyMe
It’s safe to say that 2018 was MercyMe’s year. The beloved band won all four categories they were nominated in, including the award for Film/Television Impact for “I Can Only Imagine,” the blockbuster hit adapted from frontman Bart Millard’s life. The colossal triumph of the movie undoubtedly propelled the outfit’s unprecedented streak of wins at the 6th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards.
WATCH NOW: MercyMe, 2018 Artist of the Year
Male Artist of the Year: TobyMac
Previous Artist of the Year victor TobyMac returned to the winner’s circle in 2018, collecting his first Male Artist of the Year accolade. Up for four awards that year, including two competing Song of the Year contenders, the hitmaker was in the middle of promoting one of the biggest hits of his career, “I just need U.,” from landmark album, “The Elements,” which dropped in the fall of 2018.
WATCH NOW: TobyMac, 2018 Male Artist of the Year
Female Artist of the Year: Lauren Daigle
On the cusp of taking “You Say” worldwide, Lauren Daigle continued her reign as Female Artist of the Year in 2018, conquering the category for a third time. A month after the K-LOVE Fan Awards took place, the career-defining single dropped at radio in advance of the September release of her sophomore album, “Look Up Child.” And well…the rest is history!
WATCH NOW: Lauren Daigle, 2018 Female Artist of the Year
Group/Duo of the Year: MercyMe
In 2018, MercyMe found themselves adding more No. 1 hits to their catalog thanks to their 2017 LP, “Lifer,” which launched a parade of well-known singles like “Grace Got You,” “Best News Ever,” “Even If” and fan favorite “Happy Dance,” but it was the buzz surrounding their major motion picture based on their first chart-topper that really pushed them to frontrunner status for Group/Duo honors.
WATCH NOW: MercyMe, 2018 Group/Duo of the Year
Song of the Year: “Even If,” MercyMe
Arguably one of MercyMe’s most impactful hits since “I Can Only Imagine” ruled both the Christian and mainstream airwaves in the early 2000s, “Even If” earned the veteran outfit a Song of the Year award as it slowly morphed into a MercyMe classic with its vulnerable lyrics and raw delivery. The song, which the band performed a year prior at the 2017 K-LOVE Fan Awards, hailed from the group’s ninth studio recording, “Lifer.”
Worship Song of the Year: “Reckless Love,” Cory Asbury
“Reckless Love” became Cory Asbury’s first career No. 1 and a massive global smash. “Billboard” named the anthem the biggest Christian song of 2018, and K-LOVE fans clearly agreed when they chose “Reckless Love” as the 2018 Worship Song of the Year. Later that year, the timeless anthem earned multiple GMA Dove Awards, and in 2019, it received GRAMMY® and Billboard Music Award nods.
WATCH NOW: Cory Asbury, 2018 Worship Song of the Year
Breakout Single: “Reckless Love,” Cory Asbury
In a rare move, Cory Asbury’s “Reckless Love” was also declared the Breakout Single of the Year for 2018. Together, Asbury and Francesca Battistelli delivered a one-of-a-kind performance of the formidable anthem declaring the “overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God.” The track was the lead single from Asbury’s sophomore set by the same name.
WATCH NOW: Cory Asbury, 2018 Breakout Single
Sports Impact: Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl Champions
Four-time K-LOVE Fan Award winner Chris Tomlin presented Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champs Nick Foles and Carson Wentz with the 2018 Sports Impact award. After growing up in church, Foles made an authentic commitment to Christ in college that followed him to the NFL. Meanwhile, Wentz — founder of ministry-minded Audience of One — leaned on his faith when an injury sidelined him during the Super Bowl, forcing him to pass the baton to Foles, who pinch-hit for the franchise quarterback.
Film/Television Impact: “I Can Only Imagine”
Based on the life of MercyMe frontman Bart Millard and the rocky relationship he shared with his dad, which inspired a legendary song, “I Can Only Imagine” became a smash at the box office nearly 17 years after it became a seminal hit at radio. Earning upwards of $86 million, the 2018 Film/Television Impact award-winning movie quickly became one of the Erwin Brothers’ most successful biopics.
WATCH NOW: "I Can Only Imagine," 2018 Film/Television Impact
Book Impact: “Street God,” Dimas Salaberrios
Former drug dealer Dimas Salaberrios revealed his fascinating story of transformation in “Street God,” which deeply connected with K-LOVE fans who voted the author/street preacher the 2018 Book Impact recipient. As he relays in his memoir, after a life-changing encounter with God, Salaberrios returned to the streets of his past to share the Gospel with his previous gang members and the next generation of drug pushers.
Don’t miss the 2023 K-LOVE Fan Awards Weekend, May 26-28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Visit klovefanawards.com for more info.
