2023 K-LOVE Fan Awards: Artist of the Year Nominees

This year’s crop of Artist of the Year nominees grows from six contenders to eight. Moreover, four of the acts vying for the coveted accolade — Brandon Lake, CAIN, Phil Wickham and Steven Curtis Chapman — are all first-time Artist of the Year nominees. The remaining four are veterans of this category with for KING & COUNTRY, Lauren Daigle and TobyMac all having previously been awarded Artist of the Year honors. Meanwhile, 2023 marks Matthew West’s second Artist of the Year nod since 2014. Fans get the final say as to who will walk away the winner.

Hosted by CAIN, the 10th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards will air exclusively on TBN Friday, June 2, 2023, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT.

Cast your vote for Artist of the Year now.

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Brandon Lake

Heading into the 2023 K-LOVE Fan Awards with four total nominations, Brandon Lake is one of this year’s most-nominated artists. His inaugural Artist of the Year nod affirms the “Gratitude” singer possesses a rare combination of both talent and heart that has quickly endeared him to listeners.

CAIN

Not only is CAIN hosting the K-LOVE Fan Awards for the first time this year, but the trio is also up for their first Artist of the Year trophy. The siblings, who won a K-LOVE Fan Award in 2021 for Breakout Single of the Year for their debut smash, “Rise Up (Lazarus),” launched their inaugural headlining run this spring, bringing their innovative “Live and In Color” outing to 31 cities across the country.

for KING & COUNTRY

As the reigning Artist of the Year, for KING & COUNTRY has swept this category four times. The 16-time K-LOVE Fan Award winners will once again vie for the golden ‘K’ in 2023 thanks to the success of their fourth studio LP, “What Are We Waiting For?,” and a string of sold-out tour dates in support of the project.

Lauren Daigle

Lauren Daigle is no stranger to this category. The eight-time K-LOVE Fan Award winner was crowned Artist of the Year back in 2016 and again in 2019. The decorated songstress just released her first batch of new music in five years — a self-titled collection, which features emotive lead single “Thank God I Do.”

Matthew West

Given that he’s hosted the K-LOVE Fan Awards seven times and taken home two statuettes, it’s hard to believe this is only Matthew West’s second Artist of the Year nomination. Not only is he a chart-topping solo act, but the longtime fan favorite is also responsible for penning some of the biggest hits in Christian music, including this year’s Song of the Year contender, “I’m So Blessed,” recorded by CAIN.

RELATED CONTENT: This Is My Story with Matthew West

Phil Wickham

Leading this year's nominations, Phil Wickham earns his first Artist of the Year nod on the strength of a string of monster hits, including his current single, “This Is Our God,” and “Hymn of Heaven,” the third consecutive chart-topper from his most recent album and a 2023 contender for both Song of the Year and Worship Song of the Year.

Steven Curtis Chapman

He might have 59 GMA Dove Awards and five GRAMMY® Awards to his name, but Christian music luminary Steven Curtis Chapman, surprisingly, doesn’t have any K-LOVE Fan Awards lining his mantle. His debut Artist of the Year nod comes in addition to a Song of the Year nomination for “Don’t Lose Heart,” which summited the charts earlier this year, making him the first Christian artist to ever achieve 50 No. 1s.

TobyMac

TobyMac was the very first Artist of the Year winner when the K-LOVE Fan Awards debuted 10 years ago. He continues to be a perpetual nominee in this category, though 2013 remains his only win in the prized bracket. Between a recent album full of hits, a multi-artist arena tour and a parade of consistent collaborations, this three-time Fan Award winner shows no signs of slowing down.

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