Daywind Music Group Creators Win 12 Statues at 25th Annual Absolutely Gospel Music Awards
NASHVILLE, TN – May 7, 2026 – The 25th annual Absolutely Gospel Muisc Awards were presented Tuesday night, May 5th, 2026, at The Mulehouse Theater in Columbia, Tn. Daywind Music Group (DMG) artists were honored with 12 wins.
Joseph Habedank, who cohosted with Gary Chapman, was the big winner of the night taking home the coveted Fan Favorite Artist award.
The first award of the night was presented to Autumn Nelon for her solo debut single, “God Won’t” featuring The Isaacs which was named Southern Roots Single of the Year.
Legendary songwriter, Lanny Wolfe, whose music is distributed by DMG parent company New Day Christian, was the recipient of the Cornerstone Award, given to person whose career has greatly impacted the Gospel music industry. Wolfe was presented the award by Bev McCann, Absolutely Gospel Music owner, Dusty Wells, Director of A&R and Label Relations for Daywind Records, and Jackie Patillo, Executive Director of the Gospel Music Association.
Karen Peck and her group New River received 2 awards, while the LeFevre Quartet, Chuck Wagon Gang, Grascals, Scotty Inman, Southbound, Sue C. Smith, Lanny Wolfe, Joseph Habedank, Lee Park Worship, and Channing Eleton each received a statue.
DMG artists highlighted the night with their moving performances. Habedank debuted his latest song, “A Letter to Mom,” that was just released to digital services; High Road performed their current single “There is a Rock”; Guardians Quartet performed their current release “I Know”; and Southbound brought the house down with their performance of “His Love”.
The evening wrapped with an all-star performance of the Lanny Wolfe classic “God’s Wonderful People.”
“What a great night for our DMG artists. We’re very grateful to Bev McCann, the staff of Absolutely Gospel, and the fans who voted for our artists. These incredibly talented artists and songwriters take the Gospel out into the world and are ministering to many hurt and needy people. It’s nice to take a night to celebrate them,” says DMG President, Ed Leonard.
Full list of DMG winners:
Southern Gospel/Southern Roots Group of the Year – LeFevre Quartet
Southern Roots Singe of the Year – “God Won’t” Autumn Nelon feat. The Isaacs
Progressive Single of the Year – “Goodness and Mercy” Lee Park Worship feat. Todd Smith
Southern Gospel/Progressive Female Artist of the Year – Karen Peck
Progressive Group of the Year – Karen Peck & New River
Fan Favorite Award – Joseph Habedank
Progressive Country/Bluegrass Group of the Year – Chuck Wagon Gang
Positive Country Album – Reminiscin’ Scotty Inman
Cornerstone Award – Lanny Wolfe
Bluegrass Singe of the Year – “Broken Angels” Grascals and Dolly Parton
Songwriter of the Year – Sue C. Smith
Musician of the Year – Channing Eleton
Progressive Album – I Left It In the Water Southbound
Representing the finest in Southern Gospel and bluegrass music, Daywind Music Group is home to 6 record labels including Daywind Records, New Day Records, Billy Blue Records, Vital Records, Big Picture Records, and Thoroughbred Records, as well as the top music publishing company in the genres, Daywind Music Publishing.
