KLOVE Fan Awards: For King & Country, Zach Williams Win Top Prizes

For King & Country and Zach Williams had their hands full by the end of the 2021 K-LOVE Fan Awards. 

The Tennessean reports the Christian music acts each earned two top prizes at the fan-voted ceremony and concert, which was taped earlier this week at the Grand Ole Opry House and premiered Friday night on TBN.

For King & Country — an Australian-born, Nashville-based duo comprised of brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone — was named Artist of the Year and Group of the Year. 

Southern rocker Williams was named Male Artist of the Year, and also scored a win alongside Dolly Parton: their duet "There Was Jesus" was named Song of the Year.

The awards show, now in its eighth year, is produced by Christian radio network K-LOVE, and capped off their annual "Fan Awards Weekend" in Nashville. Christian star Matthew West hosted for the sixth time, and also performed "Truth Be Told" with Carly Pearce.

Zach Williams

Other genre-crossing collaborations included Danny Gokey with Evan Craft and Redimi2, Kari Jobe with Cody Carnes and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tauren Wells with Gary LeVox, and Zach Williams with CAIN.   

Rising trio Cain picked up their first-ever K-LOVE award for Breakout Single of the Year (their 2021 single, "Rise Up"). And so did one of contemporary Christian music's long-running stars: Michael W. Smith earned Worship Song of the Year for his version of Sinach's "Waymaker."

This year's show was among the first large scale events held at the Grand Ole Opry House since March of 2020. On social media, For King & Country's Joel Smallbone said therer was "a truly electric feeling, getting to hug and see so many of you at the (awards show). Thrilled to step into these better days ahead."

If you missed the Friday night airing on Trinity Broadcasting Network, it's available to stream on the TBN app. Learn more at www.klovefanawards.com.

➤2021 K-LOVE Fan Awards winners:

• Male Artist of the Year​​:  Zach Williams
• Female Artist of the Year:  Lauren Daigle ​​​​​
• Group of the Year​​:  For King & Country
• Breakout Single: Cain, “Rise Up”
• Worship Song of the Year:  Michael W. Smith, “Waymaker”
• Song of the Year: Zach Williams and Dolly Parton, “There Was Jesus” 
• Artist of the Year:  For King & Country