BMI Christian Music Awards Proclaim ‘To Ever Live Without Me’ Song of the Year
| Click here for more photos from the event |
| Click for bios of Steven Curtis Chapman and Audio Adrenaline |
Joyce Rice, Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, and Thomas Cain, Senior Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, awarded BMI Citations of Achievement to 31 songs in five categories: AC (Adult Contemporary), CHR (Christian Hit Radio), Contemporary/Traditional Gospel, Rock, and Southern Gospel. Staged at the company's Music Row offices, the ceremonies featured special performances by Lemmie Battles and the quartet Mercy's Mark for the crowd of 200 writers, artists and executives.
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| Onstage at BMI Nashville during the Christian Music Awards are BMI Director Joyce Rice, EMI Music CMG Publishing President Eddie DeGarmo, Song of the Year writer Joe Beck, Songwriter of the Year Bob Herdman, "Three Wooden Crosses" writer Doug Johnson and BMI Executive Vice President Del Bryant. Photo by Steve Lowry |
Joe Beck and Chad Chapin accepted the BMI Crystal for Most Performed Christian Song of the Year as writers of "To Ever Live Without Me." Published by CEC Animal Music and EMI Music CMG Publishing, "To Ever Live Without Me" was recorded by Jody McBrayer on his Sparrow Records album This Is Who I Am.
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| Steven Curtis Chapman | Audio Adrenaline |
Of the 50 writers called out, Steven Curtis Chapman, Bob Herdman, Will McGinniss and Mark Stuart each placed two songs on the awards list to share the title of BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year.
Chapman, BMI's 2001 and 2003 Christian Songwriter of the Year, was cited for writing the AC hits "All About Love" and "How Do I Love Her," included on his Sparrow Records album All About Love.
Herdman and Audio Adrenaline members McGinniss and Stuart were recognized for the Audio Adrenaline CHR hits "Ocean Floor" and "Pierced," from the band's Grammy-winning ForeFront release Worldwide.
EMI Music CMG Publishing enjoyed the BMI Christian Publisher of the Year spotlight by accumulating the highest percentage of copyright ownership in award songs (through its companies River Oaks Music Company, Sparrow Song and Up In The Mix Music).
Other BMI award-winning songwriter/artists included Rebecca St. James, Jars of Clay, Vickie Winans, Donnie McClurkin, John P. Kee, 12 Stones, Relient K, Big Dismal and Greater Vision.
A highlight of the ceremonies was special acknowledgment of "Three Wooden Crosses," written by Doug Johnson. The first song released by a gospel label to reach #1 on the country charts, "Three Wooden Crosses" was named Song of the Year by the ACM (2004), the CMA (2003) and NSAI (2003) and Country Recorded Song of the Year at the GMA's Dove Awards (2004). Johnson was presented with a Citation of Appreciation recognizing the song's message, which has "renewed faith in millions of listeners around the world."
BMI's Citations of Achievement are given in recognition of popularity in the field of Christian music, as measured by feature broadcast performances on American radio and television. The 2003 Christian Music Awards eligibility period ran January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003.
Below is the complete list of 2004 BMI Christian Music Awards winners:
ALL ABOUT LOVE [AC]
Steven Curtis Chapman
Peach Hill Songs
Sparrow Song
Steven Curtis Chapman: Sparrow Records
BUT FOR THE BLOOD [So Gospel]
Belinda Smith
Bridge Building Music, Inc.
The Hoppers: Spring Hill Music Group
CRASH [Rock]
Kevin Dorr
Paul McCoy
Patrick Quave
Eric Weaver
Cracker Rhythm Music
Dwight Frye Music, Inc.
Uproot Publishing
12 Stones: Wind-Up Records
CRAZY MARY [Rock]
Steve Augustine (SOCAN)
Spinning Audio Vortex, Inc.
FM Static: Tooth and Nail Records
FALLING DOWN [CHR]
Ed Cash
Alletrop Music
Bebo Norman: Essential Records
GOD HANDLED IT ALL [So Gospel]
Kyla Rowland
My Abby Publishing
Gold City: Cathedral Records
GOD SITS ON HIGH [So Gospel]
David Jenkins
Rebecca Peck
Centergy Music
Carolina Boys Quartet: Horizon Records
HOW DO I LOVE HER [AC]
Steven Curtis Chapman
Peach Hill Songs
Sparrow Song
Steven Curtis Chapman: Sparrow Records
I AM UNDERSTOOD? [Rock]
Matt Thiessen
Gotee Music, Inc.
Red Coats Are Coming Publishing
Relient K: Gotee Records
I KNOW [Rock]
Jeremy Holderfield
Joseph Rojas
Seventh Day Slumber: Crowne Music Group
I LOVE THE LORD [So Gospel]
Richard Smallwood
Rich-Wood Music
The Talley Trio: Crossroads Music Group
I'M COMING OUT [Contemp/Trad Gospel]
Dorinda Clark Cole
Asaph A. Ward
Crystal Aire Music
Forever Grace Publishing
Lilly Mack Music
Miralex Music
Taseis Ditty Music
Dorinda Clark Cole: GospoCentric
I'M WALKING [Contemp/Trad Gospel]
Donnie McClurkin
Don Mac Music
Seven Summits Music
Donnie McClurkin: Verity Records
MY HEART GOES OUT [CHR]
Chris Eaton (PRS)
Here's To Jo Music
Warren Barfield: Creative Trust Workshop
MY PRAISE [AC]
Don Koch
Bang Bang Radio Music
Phillips, Craig and Dean: Sparrow Records
OCEAN FLOOR [CHR]
Bob Herdman
Will McGinniss
Mark Stuart
Flicker U.S.A. Publishing
River Oaks Music Company
Up In The Mix Music
Audio Adrenaline: ForeFront Records
OH HOW WONDROUS [Contemp/Trad Gospel]
John P. Kee
Ja Twan Publishing
Tryscot Songs
Zomba Songs Inc.
John P. Kee & New Life: Verity Records
PIERCED [CHR]
Bob Herdman
Will McGinniss
Mark Stuart
Flicker U.S.A. Publishing
River Oaks Music Company
Up In The Mix Music
Audio Adrenaline: ForeFront Records
PILE OF CROWNS [So Gospel]
Rodney Griffin
Songs of Greater Vision
Greater Vision: Daywind Records
PLEASE COME DOWN TO ME [So Gospel]
Gerald Crabb
Lehsem Songs
The Crabb Family: Crabb Family Records
PRAISE IS WHAT I DO [Contemp/Trad Gospel]
William H. Murphy, III
Lilly Mack Music
M3M Music
Shekinah Glory Ministry: Kingdom Records
THE PRAYER [Contemp/Trad Gospel]
David Foster
Carole Bayer Sager
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Donnie McClurkin with Yolanda Adams: Verity Records
REMEMBER (I.O.U.) [Rock]
Eric Durrance
Ricky Jackson
Drive It Home Publishing, Inc.
Dwight Frye Music, Inc.
Big Dismal: Wind-Up Records
SHAKE YOURSELF LOOSE [Contemp/Trad Gospel]
Antun D. Foster
Bernard D. Hailey
Kaija Hayes
Vickie Winans
Twonie S. Productions
VIVIANE, INC.
Zomba Songs Inc.
Vickie Winans: Verity Records
SONG OF LOVE [AC]
Matt Bronleewe
Rebecca St. James
Bibbitsong Music
Songs From the Farm Publishing
Songs of Windswept Pacific
Up In The Mix Music
Rebecca St. James: ForeFront Records
(THERE'S GOTTA BE) MORE TO LIFE [CHR]
Lucy Woodward
Diesel Liesel Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Stacie Orrico: Virgin Records /ForeFront Records
TO EVER LIVE WITHOUT ME [AC]
Joe Beck
Chad Chapin
CEC Animal Music
River Oaks Music Company
Jody McBrayer: Sparrow Records
TRAVELING LIGHT [AC]
Marc Byrd
Meaux Mercy Publishing
Joel Hanson/Sara Groves: Creative Trust Workshop
THE VALLEY SONG (SING OF YOUR MERCY) [CHR]
Dan Haseltine
Charlie Lowell
Stephen Mason
Matt Odmark
Bridge Building Music, Inc.
Pogostick Music
Jars Of Clay: Essential Records
UNDENIABLY YOU [AC]
Billy Chapin
Jim Cooper
Kevin Cyka
Dayspring Music, LLC
Avalon: Sparrow Records
WE NEED TO THANK GOD [So Gospel]
Niles Borop
Jeffrey Steele
Christian Taylor Music
Niles Borop Music
The Inspirations: Horizon Records
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