Performers FAQ

Performers Main GMA Contact:
Colleen Bowers
Talent Executive
colleen@gospelmusic.org
770.652.5055

A Few Important Credential Details:

• Spouses: Dressing rooms are shared, gender-specific spaces. Because of limited backstage space and credential allotments, we’re unfortunately unable to provide additional backstage credentials for spouses this year unless the spouse is taking the place of a label or management representative. With the gender-specific dressing spaces, we will have a Green Room available for management or your guest to relax, socialize, and grab a bite to eat while they’re backstage with you.

• Hair & Makeup: If you’ll be bringing Hair & Makeup personnel with you, we’ll be happy to provide temporary credentials for them! Just be sure to include their names when submitting your credential requests through your individual link so we can make sure everything is taken care of for them.

• Publicists / Social Media / Content Creators: If you would like to bring someone in this category to your Sunday or Monday soundcheck, please request their credential through your individual credential link. These credentials will allow them to join you during soundcheck to capture content, but they will not be valid for Tuesday and will be deactivated prior to show day. We know how valuable this content is for your teams, so each artist will also receive a digital file containing pertinent content captured by the official Dove Awards photographers and videographers the day after the show.

• Parking Allocations: As a Performer you are given 3 parking spaces for Tuesday, you will need to allocate those three spaces within the link by clicking Day 3: Parking Tuesday field under Access Request/Parking Request. Please keep in mind that these individuals will have to show their credential to be scanned in order to enter the parking lot.

CREDENTIAL PICKUP INFO

DATES FOR PICKUP:
Sunday, October 4, and Monday, October 5.
TIMES:
Sunday Hours : 3:00pm - 8:00pm
Monday Hours : 8:00am - 8:00pm

Pickup location:
Nashville First Baptist Church (FBC Nashville)
Entrance 15
108 7th Avenue South Nashville, TN

Located directly across from Bridgestone Arena, with complimentary 10-minute parking available for credential pickup.

If you have any questions or need help with the credentialing process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Meridth Johnson, at mjohnson@gospelmusic.org. 

Sunday, October 4 or Monday, October 5

Parking will be available at the Nashville First Baptist Church parking lot (P-C/Talent Parking on map), located directly across the street from the Artist/2* Entrance to the arena. In your credential request form, you will be able to select parking for only Tuesday for three of your credential types. Please think through who on your team will be accessing the parking as only the credential that is assigned parking will be able to get into the lot. Please know that once your soundcheck schedule has been confirmed, the appropriate additional parking will be added to accommodate your band and production needs.

CREDENTIAL PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS:

This year, credential distribution will be located at Nashville First Baptist Church (FBC Nashville), directly across from Bridgestone Arena.

Please follow the signs to Entrance 15, where staff will greet you and assist with credential pickup. We recommend bringing a photo ID in case there are any issues during pickup.

This year, your credential will serve as your only access into the parking lot. We understand that you may need to enter the lot before you’ve had a chance to pick up your credential. To accommodate this, 10-minute parking will be available for credential pickup, and parking attendants will direct you to the appropriate short-term parking spaces. From there, you can head inside to pick up your credential before returning to the lot.

*Again, please note that your credential MUST be accessible when entering the parking lot, as it will need to be scanned for entry. If your talent has not yet picked up their credential, the email address used for that specific credential can receive a digital parking pass. This pass will allow ONE-TIME entry into the lot so they can park and then pick up their credential.

Tuesday, October 6

Due to limited availability, each performer team will be allocated three parking spots at the Nashville First Baptist Church parking lot (P-C/Talent Parking on map) located directly across the street from the Artist/2* Entrance  to the arena.

Bus Parking: While some may be familiar with Bridgestone’s loading docks and on-property parking opportunities, unfortunately, we are not able to offer the use of any of these spaces to talent (for buses or vehicles). All spaces will be occupied by production & broadcast trucks necessary to be on-site in order to create a spectacular show.

If you have any questions about parking, feel free to reach out to John Michael Angel at jm.angel@gospelmusic.org.

PR Contact: Christina Garvin
christina@sundaripr.com

Red Carpet Times: 3:30 – 6:00 

Each performer will receive two (2) complimentary tickets—one for themselves and one for a guest—located in the Camera Shot Section nearest the stage. These tickets are non-transferable and intended solely for the performer’s use. Due to pre-planned camera angles, these seats are reserved exclusively for the artist’s use.

Bands/Groups with royalty participants will receive two (2) complimentary tickets as well.

Hired musicians/players and choirs:
Each individual will receive one (1) complimentary ticket, located in a designated musician seating area. The number of these tickets must be requested and can be picked up at Talent check-in.

For any ticket-related questions, feel free to reach out to Monica Jouret at monica@gospelmusic.org or 615.850.9095.

Rehearsal call times will be determined based on the Run of Show and will be shared as soon as we have a more finalized version.

The Run of Show itself will be sent once we receive the green light from the programming and production teams. Please note that this document may remain fluid up and through the week of the event, as some details are still subject to change.

We’ll get this all to you as soon as it’s ready and truly appreciate your patience in the meantime!

 If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Colleen Bowers at colleen@gospelmusic.org.

The Dove Awards security approach reflects a ministry-first mindset, emphasizing preparation, discretion, and protection so everyone involved can focus on worship, creativity, and celebration. Link to Security One-Sheet

Everyone entering Bridgestone Arena is required to enter through an approved security checkpoint. A credential provides authorized access but does not exempt anyone from security screening. All individuals, bags, and personal items are subject to screening and inspection. Bridgestone Arena’s standard bag policy applies unless an exception for essential show-related equipment has been approved in advance. Individuals requiring a laptop, equipment bag or other special accommodation should coordinate that need before arriving. 

Bridgestone Arena follows a "clear or clutch" bag policy, requiring bags to be either clear and no larger than 12" x 12" x 6", or a small clutch/wallet smaller than 6" x 4" x 1.5". 

That said, exceptions will be made for talent and their accompanying team members to bring essential items required for the show. For example, a manager carrying a backpack with a laptop will be allowed. However, all individuals and bags will be subject to security screening and must pass through a metal detector upon entry.

For full details, including what is not permitted, please review Bridgestone’s Prohibited Items list HERE.

Uniformed Metro Nashville Police Department officers will be onsite throughout the event. Bridgestone Arena will also maintain a strong presence of venue security personnel supporting entry screening, access control, credential enforcement, and overall event safety.

For any security questions, please contact Patrick Roshetko

Suspicious behavior, threatening communications, unattended items, unauthorized access attempts, or changes involving a performer’s or presenter’s security detail should be reported immediately to venue security, MNPD, or Patrick Roshetko.

GMA Security Lead: Patrick Roshetko
GMA Security Lead Contact: 615-975-0427 l PatrickRoshetko@gmail.com

The Green Room, sponsored by Compassion International, will be open on Tuesday, October 6, beginning at 10:30am. Heavy appetizers & snacks will be served throughout the day. Coffees & teas will be provided by Just Love Coffee.

Dressing rooms are shared, gender-specific spaces. We kindly ask everyone to please respect each others’ privacy and ask management/guests to wait in the hallway accordingly. Each dressing room will be equipped with light snacks & select hospitality/toiletry items on Tuesday. If additional items are needed during the day (ie: steamer, sewing kit), your hospitality volunteers will be happy to assist you.

Onsite Hospitality Contact: Mel Augustin 949-394-7048

5:00 soft open (concourse)
5:30 arena bowl doors open

Bridgestone WiFi

Network: BridgestoneArena

Password: CrashTheNet