The 2026 Grammy Awards were a night of firsts. Yesterday (February 1), the coveted ceremony inked the names of several musicians into its history books. Gospel singer, songwriter, and producer Darrel Walls was one of these newly decorated acts.
Previously nominated as a member of the sibling gospel quartet, The Walls Group, Darrel’s collaborative album with PJ Morton breakthrough to secure a trophy. Walls and Morton’s revered body of work Heart Of Mine snatched the win for Best Gospel Album, beating out Yolanda Adams’ Sunny Days, Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s Tasha, Tamela Mann’s Live Breathe Fight, and Tye Tribbett’s Only On The Road Live.
“To God be the glory, man. Wow,” professed Walls during his acceptance speech. “This is my first Grammy, y’all. Thank you, Lord. Thank you to my family. Thank you to PJ for taking a chance on me, man.”
He continued: “I really appreciate you. Thank you to my gospel family. Just thank you to everybody, the team who had a lot of things to do. I am really struggling right now, but I’m grateful. I’m thankful. Thank you to the Academy. Thank you to my peers. I love you guys.”
PJ Morton stepped to the stage microphone to thank his collaborator and their supporters.
“I wanted to give the time to [Darrel], but I’m just so grateful, man,” chimed Morton. “He took me at a time where I was uninspired, really, and wanted to reignite that. And Daryl is one of the best in the world at this, and one of the best voices. And I’m just so glad that we were able to collaborate on this.”
He closed: “I’mma wrap it up. But thank y’all so much, man. Everybody that voted, I love y’all. Thank you.”
Watch Darrel Walls and PJ Morton’s full acceptance for Best Gospel Album during the 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony below.
The duo was also nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song (“Amazing”). This win marks PJ Morton’s sixth win as a solo act (apart from his work with Maroon 5).
2024’s Best Traditional R&B Performance (“Good Morning”), 2022’s Album of the Year (Jon Baptiste’s We Are), 2021’s Best Gospel Album (Gospel According to PJ: From the Songbook of PJ Morton), 2020’s Best R&B Song (“Say So”), and 2019’s Best Traditional R&B Performance (“How Deep Is Your Love”).
View the full list of winners for the 2026 Grammy Awards here.
Darrel Walls & PJ Morton’s album, Heart Of Mine, is out now via Gumbo Studios/Tyscot Records. Click here to stream or order.