2015 BMI Christian Awards Celebrates Christian Music’s Best Songs, Songwriters and Publishers

Phil Wickham’s “This Is Amazing Grace” named Song of the Year; Capitol CMG Publishing earns Publisher of the Year; Chris Stevens named Songwriter of The Year

Posted in News on June 24, 2015

Broadcast Music, Inc. saluted the top 25 of the past year’s most performed Christian rock, contemporary Christian, inspirational, southern and urban gospel songs on U.S. Christian radio at the 2015 BMI Christian Awards, held last night at BMI’s Nashville offices on Music Row. The annual awards ceremony also honored the Song, Songwriter and Publisher of the Year.

“We’re thrilled to be able to honor these songwriters and composers,” Jody Williams, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, noted. “They’ve made the top Christian music of the past year, earning tons of airplay all while spreading a positive message.” 

The invitation-only event kicked off with performances by Christian artists Jason Crabb, presenting “He Knows What He’s Doing” off his upcoming album, Phil Wickham singing the Song of the Year award winner “This is Amazing Grace” and Kenna West and Michael Farren singing the award-winning track “Say Amen.”

“This is Amazing Grace” took home the honor of Song of the Year. Written by Phil Wickham, Josh Farro and Jeremy Riddle and published by Phil Wickham Music, Seems Like Music and Sing My Songs, the track reached #1 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart. 

Songwriter of the Year went to Chris Stevens, who penned the hits “Beautiful Day,” “Overcomer” and “Slip On By.” The GRAMMY-award winning producer, engineer and songwriter has worked with artists TobyMac, Sanctus Real, Carrie Underwood and Shakira, among others. He was also named BMI’s Christian Songwriter of the Year in 2010 and 2012.

Capitol CMG Publishing took home the Christian Publisher of the Year crown with the hits “All The People Said Amen,” “All You’ve Ever Wanted,” “Beautiful Day,” “Hope In Front Of Me,” “Overcomer,” “Slip On By” and “Your Grace Finds Me.”

Williams and Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, Leslie Roberts served as the evening’s hosts. Here’s a complete list of the night’s winners:

SONG OF THE YEAR

This Is Amazing Grace
Phil Wickham
Josh Farro*
Jeremy Riddle*
Phil Wickham Music
Seems Like Music
Sing My Songs

*Share not licensed by BMI

 

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Chris Stevens
Beautiful Day
Overcomer
Slip On By

 

PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR

Capitol CMG Publishing
(Meaux Mercy Publishing, Songs of Universal)

All The People Said Amen
All You’ve Ever Wanted
Beautiful Day
Hope In Front Of Me
Overcomer
Slip On By
Your Grace Finds Me

 

AWARD WINNING SONGS

ALL THE PEOPLE SAID AMEN
Matt Maher
Capitol CMG Paragon
Valley of Songs Music
Matt Maher

ALL YOU’VE EVER WANTED
Mark Hall
Bernie Herms
G650 Music
My Refuge Music
Pure Note Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Tree
Casting Crowns

BEAUTIFUL DAY
Toby McKeehan
Chris Stevens
Achtober Songs
Meaux Mercy Publishing
Moody Producer Music
Jamie Grace

BROKEN HALLELUJAH
Jordan Mohilowski
Miracle In My Hand Music Publishing
The Afters

FIX MY EYES
Luke Smallbone
Kilns Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
for KING & COUNTRY

GOOD NEWS FROM JERUSALEM
Dianne Wilkinson
Christian Taylor Music
Tribute Quartet

HOPE IN FRONT OF ME
Danny Gokey
Bernie Herms
BMG Platinum Songs
Creative Heart Publishing
G650 Music
Pure Note Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Danny Gokey

I AM
Ed Cash
Alletrop Music
Crowder

I DON’T SAIL ALONE
Daryl Williams
Chris White Music
Daryl Williams Trio

I PLAYED IN THE BAND
Bill Gaither
Larry Gatlin
Barton Creek Music
Hanna Street Music
Mike Curb Music
The Booth Brothers

KEEP MAKING ME
Dave Frey
Ben McDonald
Sam Mizell
Be My Iamb Music
Dayspring Music
On Like A Neckbone Music
Sidewalk Prophets

LET THEM SEE YOU
JJ Weeks
JJWB Music
JJ Weeks Band

LOVE TAKE ME OVER
Steven Curtis Chapman
BMG Platinum Songs
One Blue Petal Music
Steven Curtis Chapman

MULTIPLIED
Bear Rinehart
Bo Rinehart
Bear Lee Breathing Music
Needtobreathe Music
Needtobreathe

OVERCOMER
Chris Stevens
Meaux Mercy Publishing
Moody Producer Music
Mandisa

PRESS ON
Jason Roy
Sony/ATV Tree
Building 429 feat. Blanca Callahan of Group 1 Crew

SAY AMEN
Jason Cox
Kenna West
Christian Taylor Music
Brian Free & Assurance

SHAKE
Solomon Jerome Olds
Soul Glow Activator Music
Mercy Me

SLIP ON BY
Chris Stevens
Meaux Mercy Publishing
Moody Producer Music
Finding Favour

SPEAK LIFE
Toby McKeehan
Achtober Songs
tobyMac

STRANGELY DIM
Mia Fieldes
Sony/ATV Tree
Upside Down Under
Francesca Battistelli

TAKE IT FROM ME, MESHACH
Rodney Griffin
Songs of Greater Vision
Triumphant Quartet

THIS IS AMAZING GRACE
Phil Wickham
Phil Wickham Music
Seems Like Music
Sing My Songs
Phil Wickham

WE BELIEVE
Richie Fike
Integrity’s Praise! Music
Newsboys

YOUR GRACE FINDS ME
Jonas Myrin
Capitol CMG Paragon
Matt Redman

SOURCENews TAGS Christian Nashville BMI Christian Music Awards Booth Brothers Ed Cash Casting Crowns Steven Curtis Chapman Jason Crabb Larry Gatlin Danny Gokey Rodney Griffin Group 1 Crew Mark Hall Bernie Herms Matt Maher Toby McKeehan Jordan Mohilowski Chris Stevens tobyMac