Forrest Frank has shared an emotional, vulnerable track following the furore he sparked with his comments about awards shows. Although the lyrics seemingly draw inspiration from the controversy, Forrest underlines that he penned this song over a year ago.

Aptly, the offering is titled ‘Awards’, and finds the Contemporary Christian Music reflecting on his discomfort at being showered in accolades and praise, despite his affirmations that all the glory and credit for his music should go to God and Jesus.

In the caption, the ‘GOOD DAY’ hitmaker explains that he “wrote this song over a year ago when i was first struggling to process the whirlwind of “success”. A year later and i’m still struggling. I have so much to learn & have so many thoughts…but for now i’ll let the song speak for itself. Feels like the right time to share it with y’all”.

Alongside pensive, atmospheric keys, Forrest croons forlornly, “My mom said, ‘Looks like you made it’ / You’re the talk of the town / And you may never come down / All those songs you’ve been making / Helping people to change / While I’m grateful for every ‘Thank you’ I get / Let me set one thing straight / I don’t want an award / I don’t want my name lifted high / All the glory’s yours / I just want you, Lord”.

It’s apparent throughout just how deeply Forrest has been affected by this internal battle over the adulation he receives for his music, with the Texas native having to stop temporarily during the bridge, due to being overcome by emotion. It highlights once again that, throughout this entire uproar, Forrest has simply been sincere and authentic to his beliefs, even if it has caused upset among commentators.

This soul-stirring track echoes the sentiments Forrest shared earlier in the month, when he shared a video explaining why he wouldn’t be attending the DOVE Awards or the GRAMMYs. This instigated a broader discussion surrounding the validity and purpose of awards shows, particularly within the Christian space.

Jelly Roll was vocal in his questioning of Forrest’s statements, with the ‘Need a Favor’ signer-songwriter suggesting his avoidance of awards shows clashes with his reception of profits for making CCM music. Then, when accepting the DOVE Award for Song of the Year alongside Brandon Lake for ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah’, Jelly offered what many interpreted to be a dig at Forrest, when he praised the ceremony and exclaimed, “I’m so glad I could see the the forest for the trees”.

Forrest responded by taking the high road and offering his congratulations to Jelly, before uploading a video explaining that he’s since spoken with Jelly and cleared the air.

He emphasised to Jelly, “I’m a safe place for you, bro. Whether that’s on the phone or on here on social media. I’m for you, bro. God is for you. He has a plan for your life”.

It remains to be seen whether Forrest will ever release ’Awards’, or whether this will stay in his unreleased vault for the time being. Either way, it sheds further light on Forrest’s outlook on awards shows, and the faith-based intentions behind his comments.

Given how Forrest and Jelly have squashed any potential beef, we’re wondering if the duo might join forces and turn ’Awards’ into collaboration – much like how Forrest and Cory Asbury celebrated the end of their brief online dispute by linking up for the recent single, ‘MISUNDERSTOOD’ – with each artist sharing their perspective on the matter through the verses. At the moment, though, the track feels so personal and candid that it feels right to keep it as a solo cut.

For more on Forrest Frank, see below: