June 21, 2016
BMI Honors Christian Music’s Best at The 2016 BMI Christian Awards In Nashville
For King and Country’s “Shoulder” named Song of the Year;
Word Music Publishing earns Publisher of the Year;
Matt Maher and Chris Tomlin Named Songwriters of the Year
NASHVILLE, June 21, 2016 – Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI)®, global leader in music rights management, honored the top 25 songs played on Christian radio during the past year at the 2016 BMI Christian Awards, held this evening at BMI’s Nashville offices on Music Row. The songwriters and publishers of the past year’s most performed Christian rock, contemporary Christian, inspirational, southern and urban gospel songs on U.S. Christian radio are honored at the annual awards.
“We’re honored to be able to celebrate these top Christian music creators,” Jody Williams, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, noted. “These songwriters and publishers earned incredible airplay while spreading a wonderful message.”
The invitation-only event featured a special tribute to Joe Moscheo by Steven Curtis Chapman and performances by All Sons & Daughters and Matt Maher.
The Song of the Year title went to “Shoulders,” written by BMI songwriter Luke Smallbone with Ben Glover, Joel Smallbone and Tedd Tjornhom and published by Dayspring Music, Kilns Music and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corporation. The song was recorded by For King and Country and reached number 4 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart.
The Songwriter Of The Year award went to two outstanding songwriters this year. Matt Maher earned the title for his songs “Because He Lives (Amen),” Come As You Are” and “Soul On Fire.” His co-writer on “Because He Lives (Amen),” Chris Tomlin, also was awarded Songwriter of the Year for the song, as well as “At The Cross (Love Ran Red)” and “Jesus Loves Me.”
Word Music Publishing (Dayspring Music and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corporation) took home the Publisher of the Year award. The company had the highest percentage of copyright ownership among the year’s most-performed songs, including the hits “More Than You Think I Am,” “Save My Life,” “Shoulders,” “Through All Of It” and “Who I Am.”
Williams and Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, Leslie Roberts served as the evening’s hosts.
See the complete list of the 2016 BMI Christian Awards winners.
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Media Contact
Lauren Branson
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BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year Matt Maher performs his hit “Because He Lives (Amen)” at the BMI Christian Awards, held in Nashville.
Photo by Steve Lowry
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BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Songwriters of the Year Chris Tomlin and Matt Maher and BMI’s Jody Williams pause for a photo during the BMI Christian Awards.
Photo by Steve Lowry
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Pictured at the BMI Christian Awards are BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Songwriters of the Year Chris Tomlin and Matt Maher, BMI’s Mike O’Neill, Del Bryant and BMI’s Jody Williams.
Photo by Steve Lowry
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The Publisher of the Year award winners gather on stage with BMI executives at the Christian Awards. (L-R): BMI’s Leslie Roberts, World Music Publishing’s Joel Timen, Josh Bailey, Rod Riley, Janine Appleton, Ben Vaugh, Jonathan Mason and Trevor Mathiesen and BMI’s Jody Williams.
Photo by Steve Lowry
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The Song of the Year Award winners pose on stage with BMI representatives. (L-R): BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Word Music Publishing’s Josh Bailey, Trevor Mathiesen and Joel Timen, songwriter Joel Smallbone, Word Music Publishing’s Janine Appleton, Jonathan Mason, Rod Riley, Ben Vaughn and Jake Ottmann, BMI’s Jody Williams.
Photo by Steve Lowry
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Family and friends of Joe Moscheo gather for a photo at the BMI Christian Awards. The late Joe Moscheo was honored with a speech and performance by BMI songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman.
Photo by Steve Lowry
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Posing for a picture together, BMI songwriter and producer Bernie Herms, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, songwriter Jonas Myrin and BMI’s Phil Graham gather at the BMI Christian Awards.
Photo by Steve Lowry
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Songwriter Chris Tomlin and his wife Lauren pose with BMI’s Leslie Roberts (center) at the BMI Christian Awards. Chris was named one of the Songwriters of the Year at the ceremony.
Photo by Steve Lowry
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BMI’s Jody Williams, Southern Gospel Music Guild’s Judy Neelon, BMI award-winning songwriter Kenna West, BMI’s Leslie Roberts and BMI award-winning singer/songwriter Karen Peck gather at the BMI Christian Awards.
Photo by Steve Lowry
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Mrs. Billy Ray Hearn, wife of late Billy Ray Hearn, founder of Capitol Christian Music Group, poses for a picture with BMI’s Leslie Roberts at the BMI Christian Awards.
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Songwriter Chris Stevens and his wife, Nancy, with BMI's Leslie Roberts (right) at the BMI Christian Awards. Chris was named Songwriter of the Year at the 2015 Christian Awards.
Photo by Steve Lowry
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BMI songwriters David Alan Leonard and Leslie Anne Jordan, also known as All Sons and Daughters, perform “I Surrender” at the BMI Christian Awards.
Photo by Steve Lowry
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BMI songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman plays a tribute to late BMI executive Joe Moscheo. Moscheo worked tirelessly on behalf of songwriters of all genres, particularly gospel and Christian writers.
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