Prior to the presentation of awards, guests enjoyed a round of intimate performances from a selection of Christian music’s elite composers and rising stars. 2009 Dove New Artist of the Year nominee Fee front man Steve Fee delivered an acoustic rendition of BMI Award-winner “All Because Of Jesus," and songwriters Jim Daddario and Catt Gravitt, joined by Jim Kimball on guitar, performed their BMI Award-winning composition “In Better Hands,” recorded by Natalie Grant.

Prolific producer, choir director and songwriter Donald Lawrence earned the BMI Songwriter of the Year crystal thanks to his compositions “Giants,” recorded by Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers, and “Livin’,” recorded by the legendary Clark Sisters. A profoundly influential figure in contemporary gospel music, Lawrence was also an honoree at the prestigious BMI Trailblazers of Gospel ceremony in January of this year.

The impassioned testimonial “Never Would Have Made It” garnered the BMI Song of the Year honors for Stellar Award-winner and Grammy-nominated Pastor Marvin Sapp and his esteemed collaborator Matthew Brownie. Recorded by Pastor Sapp on his critically acclaimed album Thirsty, “Never Would Have Made It” was published by Marvin L. Sapp Music and Minstrel Melodies. Pastor Sapp will also vie for the Artist of the Year title at the 2009 Dove Awards on April 23 in Nashville.

The ceremony also feted Publisher of the Year Universal Music Publishing Group (Bridge Building Music, Universal Music-Z Songs). The award is determined by the highest percentage of copyright ownership in award songs, and the company’s four award-winning songs include Donald Lawrence’s two award-winners, as well as “Give Me Words to Speak,” written and performed by Aaron Shust, and “Love Song for a Savior,” co-written and recorded by Matt Bronleewe, Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, and Steve Mason of Jars of Clay.

2007 BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year Mark Hall and Skillet’s John Cooper and Brian Howes (SOCAN) all garnered two awards each. The night’s other big winners included genre-bender tobyMac; genre titan Steven Curtis Chapman; Sanctus Real producer Chris Stevens and Sanctus Real member Dan Gartley; Scott Campbell, guitarist for rock outfit Mainstay; singer-songwriter Matt Maher and Needtobreathe’s Bo Rinehart.

In addition to Universal Music Publishing Group, publishers winning multiple awards were EMI Christian Music Group (EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., River Oaks Music Company, Sparrow Song, Worship Together Music), Club Zoo Music, Inc., My Refuge Music, SWECS Music, Q W Publishing, Christian Taylor Music, Photon Music, and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

2009 Christian Music Awards Song List
The Most Performed Songs on Christian Radio during 2008

ALL BECAUSE OF JESUS Steve Fee LeviBear Music Worship Together Music Fee INO Records

BE STILL Ron McClelland Jordan Mohilowski Lucio "Lu" Rubino EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. Everything and More Music Miracle In My Hand Music Publishing Ronbasix Publishing StorySide: B Gotee

BELIEVE Scott Campbell River Oaks Music Company Mainstay BEC Recordings/Tooth & Nail Records

EAST TO WEST Mark Hall Club Zoo Music, Inc. My Refuge Music SWECS Music Casting Crowns Provident

EVERY MAN Mark Hall Club Zoo Music, Inc. My Refuge Music SWECS Music Casting Crowns Provident

GIANTS Donald Lawrence Q W Publishing Universal Music-Z Songs Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers EMI Gospel

GIVE ME WORDS TO SPEAK Aaron Shust Bridge Building Music White Spot Publishing Aaron Shust Brash Music

HE'S DONE ENOUGH Tim "Bishop" Brown J Robersongs Music Tim Brownz Music Beverly Crawford Diamante Music Group

I CAN PRAY Nathan Markee Asheville Music Publishing Chris White Music Dove Brothers Sonlite Records

I'M FOR YOU Toby McKeehan Achtober Songs tobyMac CMG/ForeFront

I'VE BEEN CHANGED Earl Galloway Jeff Steele Christian Taylor Music OSMR Songs Sunset Gallery Music Legacy Five Daywind Records/Daywind Music Group

IN BETTER HANDS Jim Daddario Thom Hardwell Jim Daddario Music Thom Hardwell Music Natalie Grant Curb Records

LAST NIGHT Marcia Henry Christian Taylor Music Marcia Henry Music Karen Peck Gooch & New River Daywind Records/Daywind Music Group

THE LAST NIGHT John Cooper Brian Howes (SOCAN) EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. Photon Music Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. Skillet Atlantic/INO/Ardent

LIVIN' Donald Lawrence Q W Publishing Universal Music-Z Songs The Clark Sisters EMI Gospel

LOVE IS HERE Drew Middleton DMiddleton Publishing Tenth Avenue North Provident

LOVE SONG FOR A SAVIOR Matt Bronleewe Dan Haseltine Charlie Lowell Steve Mason Bridge Building Music Pogostick Music Jars of Clay Essential/Legacy

NEVER WOULD HAVE MADE IT Matthew Brownie Marvin Sapp Marvin L. Sapp Music Minstrel Melodies Marvin Sapp Zomba

NO DOUBT SALVATION Jeff Weeks Pisgah Ridge Music Palmetto State Quartet Sonlite Records

THE OLDER I GET John Cooper Brian Howes (SOCAN) EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. Photon Music Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. Skillet Atlantic/INO/Ardent

RIGHT NOW PRAISE Jonathan Nelson Justin Savage Integrity's Praise Music Jules 4 U Music Must Hear Music Community Choir featuring John P. Kee Zomba

THE ROCK'S BETWEEN A HARD PLACE AND YOU Dianne Wilkinson Niles Borop Music Kingdom Heirs Sonlite Records

WASHED BY THE WATER Bo Rinehart Needtobreathe Music Needtobreathe Word Entertainment

WE NEED EACH OTHER Dan Gartley Chris Stevens Olde Irish Publishing Regisfunk Music River Oaks Music Company Sanctus Real Sparrow Records

YOU REIGN Steven Curtis Chapman Peach Hill Songs Sparrow Song MercyMe INO Records

YOUR GRACE IS ENOUGH Matt Maher River Oaks Music Company spiritandsong.com Publishing Matt Maher Provident

Steven Curtis Chapman	Jars of Clay

The 2003 BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year was recognized for his work on the Special Event Album of the Year, Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, along with peers Jars of Clay, Rebecca St. James, Ed Cash, Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Steve Mason, Matt Odmark, Aaron Sprinkle, Toby McKeehan and Christopher Stevens.

Ed Cash	Aaron Sprinkle	Toby McKeehan

Versatile BMI songwriter and producer Ed Cash won big as well, adding yet another Producer of the Year honor to his credit, along with a nod to his role as writer on Song of the Year and Worship Song of the Year, "How Great is Our God."

Kirk Franklin	Casting Crowns

BMI's Christian rock artists celebrated another strong showing this year. Rockers Casting Crowns nabbed Group of the Year honors and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Lifesong, while punk rock troupe Relient K snagged Rock Album of the Year for Mmhmm. "The Slam" by tobyMac, featuring producer Christopher Stevens, was named Rock Recorded Song of the Year.

Wayne Haun	Blind Boys of Alabama

Matt Kearney and Robert Marvin's tune, "Trainwreck," was dubbed Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year, while Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year went to producer Aaron Sprinkle for Behind the Music. Kirk Franklin dominated the urban categories, taking home honors for Urban Recorded Song of the Year ("Looking for You") and Urban Album of the Year (Hero).

Switchfoot

Alison Krauss & Union Station were honored along with producer Ronald Block for "Living Prayer," which was named Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year. Carrie Underwood added to her swelling list of accolades as "Jesus, Take the Wheel" was deemed Country Recorded Song of the Year. Rounding out the country and bluegrass categories, The Lewis Family's collaboration with producer Wayne Haun, One Rose, nabbed Bluegrass Album of the Year.

Sixteen-year-old BMI artist Corey Brooks' album About You earned the young performer his first GMA nomination for Country Album of the Year. Brooks made the trip to Nashville all the way from West Virginia to attend the ceremony. Although he went home without an award, he left with something that may very well mean much more. "This was my first GMA Awards show and it amazed me how God is using everyone's unique talent as tools to glorify Him," Brooks mused. "I was so honored to be nominated with such phenomenal artists in the rising genre of Christian Country Music." 

Founded in 1964, the 4,500-member Gospel Music Association is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music. The GMA represents all styles of gospel music including contemporary pop, rock, urban gospel, praise & worship, Southern gospel, country and children's gospel music. The GMA produces the GMA Music Awards, which recognize achievement in all genres of gospel music and are voted on by members of the GMA.

BMI's 2006 GMA Winners:

Song of the Year
"How Great is Our God"
Ed Cash/Alletrope Music

Group of the Year
Casting Crowns

Producer of the Year
Ed Cash

Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year
"Trainwreck"
Matt Kearney (artist and producer)
Robert Marvin (producer)

Rock Recorded Song of the Year
"The Slam"
tobyMac
Toby McKeehan and Christopher Stevens (producers)

Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year
"In Christ Alone"
Don Koch

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year (tie)
"Long As I Got King Jesus"
Brian Free & Assurance
James Cleveland (producer)

"Through The Fire"
Crabb Family
Gerald Crabb (producer)

Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year
"Living Prayer"
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Ronald Block (producer)

Country Recorded Song of the Year
"Jesus, Take the Wheel"
Carrie Underwood

Urban Recorded Song of the Year
"Looking for You"
Kirk Franklin (artist & producer)

Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
"God Blocked It"
Kurt Carr (artist & producer)

Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
"Not Forgotten"
Israel & New Breed
Israel Houghton and Aaron W. Lindsey (producers)

Worship Song of the Year
"How Great is Our God"
Ed Cash/Alletrope Music

Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year
Behind The Music
Aaron Sprinkle (producer)

Rock Album of the Year
Mmhmm
Reliant K
Matthew Tehissen (producer)

Pop /Contemporary Album of the Year
Lifesong
Casting Crowns

Inspirational Album of the Year (tie)
Rock of Ages...Hymns & Faith
Vince Gill

Southern Gospel Album of the Year
Live at Brooklyn Tabernacle
Crabb Family
Jason Crabb, Adam Crabb, Aaron Crabb, Kelly Bowling (producers)

Bluegrass Album of the Year
One Rose
Lewis Family
Wayne Haun (producer)

Urban Album of the Year
Hero
Kirk Franklin (artist & producer)

Traditional Gospel Album of the Year
Atom Bomb
Blind Boys of Alabama
John Chelew (producer)

Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year
Mary, Mary
Steve Huff (producer)

Special Event Album of the Year
Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and
The Wardrobe
Steven Curtis Chapman, Jars of Clay, Rebecca St. James, Ed Cash, Steven
Curtis Chapman, Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Steve Mason, Matt Odmark,
Aaron Sprinkle, Toby McKeehan

Musical of the Year
Grace That Amazes
Lari Goss

Short Form Music Video of the Year
"Stars"
Switchfoot

Aaron Sprinkle	Relient K	Ed Cash

Singer/songwriter/producer Aaron Sprinkle was showered with the most praise, earning eight nominations for his work with artists in a variety of categories, including pop/contemporary, rap/hip-hop and worship. Three of his nominations are for CD compilations that will compete for Special Event Album of the Year, including Happy Christmas Volume Four, Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and WoW Christmas Green.

Casting Crowns	Steven Curtis Chapman

Pop-punk outfit Relient K came in with six nods, earning two for "Be My Escape," two for their album Mmhmm, and two as contributing artists on a pair of Special Event Album nominees.

Earning five nominations apiece were Christian rock band Casting Crowns, who will vie for Group and Artist of the Year; alt-rock group Switchfoot, whose Nothing Is Sound is up for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year; and 2005's Producer of the Year Ed Cash, who hopes for a repeat win in that category.

Crabb Family	Jars of Clay	Wayne Haun

Southern gospel veterans the Crabb Family also took home five GMA nominations, with individual family members Gerald, Jason, Adam and Aaron each earning their own multiple nods.

Casting Crowns' lead singer Mark Hall picked up a total of four solo mentions, including two Song of the Year nominations for the hits "Lifesong" and "Voice of Truth." Pop/rock quartet Jars of Clay, producer Wayne Haun and Relient K frontman Matthew Theissen rounded out the quadruple nominees list.

CeCe Winans	Toby McKeehan	Switchfoot

BMI award-winning artist/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman, who has collected 49 Dove Awards to date -- more than any other artist in gospel music history -- has a chance to pass the 50-trophy mark this year if any of his three nominations results in win.

Also earning triple nominations were 13-time GMA Award winner Lari Goss, gospel producer Sanchez Harley and church group Israel & New Breed; leader Israel Houghton is up for five of his own GMAs.

Other BMI nominees included double earners Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Vince Gill, Grits, Kids In The Way, Dave Moody, tobyMac (Toby McKeehan) and CeCe Winans, as well as Yolanda Adams, Blind Boys of Alabama, Building 429, Fred Hammond, Rodney Jerkins, Lewis Family, Donnie McClurkin, Martha Munizzi, Dottie Peoples and George Teren, who is also up for a 2006 ACM Award.

Songwriter of the Year contenders will be revealed, along with the winner, at the 37th Annual GMA Music Awards ceremony, to be hosted by 2006 Dove nominees Rebecca St. James and Kirk Franklin. The recorded show will be televised in national syndication from April 15 to May 21.

Founded in 1964, the 4,500-member Gospel Music Association is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music. The GMA represents all styles of gospel music including contemporary pop, rock, urban gospel, praise & worship, Southern gospel, country and children's gospel music. The GMA produces the GMA Music Awards, which recognize achievement in all genres of gospel music and are voted on by members of the GMA.

BMI's 2006 GMA Awards Nominees:

8 Nominations
Aaron Sprinkle

6 Nominations
Relient K

5 Nominations
Ed Cash
Casting Crowns
The Crabb Family
Israel Houghton
Aaron W. Lindsey
Otto Price
Switchfoot

4 Nominations
Mark Hall
Dan Haseltine
Wayne Haun
Jars of Clay
Charlie Lowell
Steve Mason
Matt Odmark
Matthew Theissen

3 Nominations
Steven Curtis Chapman
Jason Crabb
Lari Goss
Sanchez Harley
Israel & New Breed

2 Nominations
Alletrope Music
Kelly Bowling
Kurt Carr
Teron Carter
Club Zoo Music
Gerald Crabb
Adam Crabb
Aaron Crabb
Christopher Davis
Dizmas
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Jerome Fontamillas
Vince Gill
Percy Gray, Jr.
Grits
Stacy Jones
Mat Kearney
Kids In The Way
Ay'Ron Lewis
Dave Moody
NewSong
Ric Robbins
Rebecca St. James
SWECS Music
tobyMac (Toby McKeehan)
CeCe Winans

Other Nominees
Yolanda Adams
Duane Allen
Paul Allen
Rev. F.C. Barnes
Luther Barnes
Blind Boys of Alabama
Ronald Block
Kevin Bond
Paul Boutte
Damon Bracy
Brian Free & Assurance
Building 429
Kyle Bynoe
Marc Byrd
Champions for Christ Publishing
Dean Chance
John Chelew
Stan Dailey
Alvin Darling
Daywind Music Group
Hector Diaz
Chris Eaton
Kirk Franklin
Aaron Gillespie
Rob Graves
Kenny Greenberg
Greenberg Music
Fred Hammond
Tom Hemby
Rick Hendrix
George Huff
Steve Huff
Integrity's Praise! Music
Rodney Jerkins
Lee Jerkins
Fred Jerkins III
Don Koch
Jean-Luc Lajoie
Shawn Lane
Frank Lenz
Lewis Family
Robert Marvin
Donnie McClurkin
Annie McRae
McRaes
Nelson McSwain
Meaux Mercy
The Mighty Clouds of Joy
Buck Moore
Martha Munizzi
Michael Neale
Peach Hill Songs
Aaron Pearce
Dottie Peoples
Rizen
Roger Ryan
Carolyn Sanders
Belinda Smith
Sparrow Song
Spinning Audio Vortex
Ralph Stanley
Ralph Stanley II
Derrick Starks
Christopher Stevens
Marty Stuart
George Teren
Rev. Gerald Thompson
Anthony Vero
Reed Vertelney
Tommy Walker
Fred Washington
Mark Whitehead
BeBe Winans
Marcos Witt

Steven Curtis Chapman	Toby McKeehan	Kirk Franklin

Previous BMI Award winners include Songwriters of the Year Steven Curtis Chapman, Toby McKeehan, Kirk Franklin, Gerald Crabb, Bob Herdman and Audio Adrenaline's Will McGinniss and Mark Stuart, plus Dottie Peoples, Yolanda Adams, Rebecca St. James, Michael Tait, Jars of Clay, Jennifer Knapp, Skillet, Pillar, Marc Byrd, Chad Chapin, Rodney Griffin, Charlie Peacock, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Relient K, and Joe Beck.

BMI's Citation of Achievement performance certificates are given annually in recognition of popularity in the field of Christian music, as measured by feature broadcast performances on American radio and television; this year's Christian Music Awards eligibility period ran January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004.

Mark Hall	Switchfoot

San Diego alt-rockers Switchfoot were another of the night's big winners, taking four Dove statuettes including Artist of the Year. The Crabb Family also notched four awards including Southern Gospel Album, with patriarch Gerald Crabb collecting three as writer of "He Came Looking for Me," "Forever" and "Through the Fire."

Casting Crowns

Earning double mentions were Israel & New Breed, Ed Cash, Steven Curtis Chapman, Aaron Lindsey and Toby McKeehan.

The Crabb Family	Gerald Crabb

Hosted by a slate of stars including Chapman, CeCe Winans, Rebecca St. James and Israel Houghton, the awards show will be televised in national syndication through network affiliates and independent stations.

BMI's 2005 GMA Award winners:

Song of the Year
"Who Am I?"
Mark Hall, songwriter; Club Zoo Music, SWECS Music

Songwriter of the Year
Mark Hall

Artist of the Year
Switchfoot

Israel & New Breed	Ed Cash

Steven Curtis Chapman	Building 429

Aaron Lindsey	Day of Fire

tobyMac	Grits

Dave Moody	The Isaacs

Israel Houghton	The Lewis Family

Casting Crowns	Gerald Crabb	Israel Houghton

Casting Crowns reeled in the most nominations with seven, including Group, Artist, and Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song ("American Dream"), Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song ("Who Am I?") and Long Form Music Video ("Live From Atlanta"). Claiming six nods is the group's lead singer-songwriter, Mark Hall, who is up for Male Vocalist and Song of the Year trophies for "Who Am I?".

Jim Cooper	Jason Roy	Matt Bronleewe

The Crabb Family also garnered a total of six nominations including Group and Southern Gospel Album, while the group's patriarch, Gerald Crabb, earned a Song of the Year mention ("Through the Fire"), plus five more songwriting nods in categories spanning country, inspirational and southern gospel.

Brendan Graham	Wayne Haun	Otto Price

Additional Song of the Year contenders include Israel Houghton of Israel & New Breed ("Friend of God"), Brendan Graham ("You Raise Me Up"), Kenny Greenberg ("More"), Matt Bronleewe ("Healing Rain"), and Jason Roy and Jim Cooper ("Glory Defined"). Other BMI-affiliated Dove nominees include Rodney Jerkins, Switchfoot, Dottie Peoples, Building 429, Hector Cervantes, Grits, the Talley Trio, Martha Munizzi and last year's top Dove nominee Wayne Haun.

Steven Curtis Chapman	Fred Hammond	Martha Munizzi

The GMA Music Awards will begin at 6pm on Wednesday, April 13 with a new format for 2005 -- awards and performances will share the limelight throughout the evening. Steven Curtis Chapman, Cece Winans, Rebecca St. James and Israel Houghton are among those set to host this year's festivities, which will be taped at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville for national syndication during the month of June.

Day of Fire	Kim Hill	Dottie Peoples

Song of the Year Nominees:

"Friend of God"
Israel Houghton
Champions for Christ Music Publishing
Integrity's Praise! Music
Sound of the New Breed

"Glory Defined"
Jim Cooper
Jason Roy
Dayspring Music

"Healing Rain"
Matt Bronleewe
Songs From the Farm Publishing
Songs of Windswept Pacific

"More"
Kenny Greenberg
Greenberg Music

"Through the Fire"
Gerald Crabb
Lehsem Songs

"Who Am I"
Mark Hall
Club Zoo Music
SWECS Music

"You Raise Me Up"
Brendan Graham (IMRO)
Peermusic (Ireland), Ltd.

Seven Nominations
Casting Crowns

Six Nominations
Gerald Crabb
The Crabb Family
Mark Hall

Five Nominations
Matt Bronleewe
Wayne Haun
Israel Houghton
Otto Price
Switchfoot

Four Nominations
Steven Curtis Chapman
Fred Hammond
Martha Munizzi
Joe Pace

Three Nominations
Paul Allen
Mike Bowling
Building 429
Ed Cash
Hector Cervantes
Jim Cooper
Jason Crabb
Day of Fire
Kenny Greenberg
Grits
Toby McKeehan
Pillar
Thousand Foot Crutch
Bebe Winans

Two Nominations
Bobby All
Josiah Bell
Kene Bell
Myron Butler
Teron Carter
Barry D.
delerious?
Paul Ebersold
Michael English
Lari Goss
Brendan Graham
Chris Huffman
The Isaacs
Jars of Clay
Rodney Jerkins
Stacy Jones
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Lewis Family
Aaron Lindsey
Lisa McClendon
Trevor McNevan
The Oak Ridge Boys
Charlie Peacock
Club Zoo Music
CrossWay
Steve Moore
J Moss
Israel & New Breed
Dave Moody
Dottie Peoples
The Perrys
Jason Roy
Martin Smith
Songs From the Farm Publishing
Taylor Sorensen
Aaron Sprinkle
Angie Stone
SWECS Music

Single Nominees
Yolanda Adams
Audio Adrenaline
Alejandro Allen
Duane Allen
Steve Augustine
Percy Bady
Joe Baldridge
Cindy Ballard
Joe Beck
Barry Beckett
Rob Beckley
Big Tent Revival
Big Dismal
Kevin Bond
Joe Bonsall
Kelly Bowling
Rebecca Isaacs Bowman
Clint Brown
Gavin Brown
Joel Bruyere
Billy Buchanan
Marc Byrd
Cedric Caldwell
Eulises Canada
Champions for Christ Music Publishing
Chigger Hill Boys & Terri
Aaron Crabb
Ryan Clark
Don Cook
Adam Crabb
Billy Ray Cyrus
Dayspring Music
Christine Dente
Scott Dente
Darryl Dixon
Jeff & Sherri Easter
Lester Estelle
Sara Evans
Kirk Franklin
Stuart Garrard
Terri Argot Gore
Greater Vision
Brian Green
Greenberg Music
George Hamilton IV with the Moody Brothers
Dan Haseltine
Patti Hawkins
Hawk Nelson
Maurice Henderson
Noah Henson
Bob Herdman
Kim Hill
Gregg Hionis
Stephen Hurd
Integrity's Praise! Music
Sonya Isaacs
Mahalia Jackson
Fred Jerkins
Stan Jones
Kalel
Wayne Kirkpatrick
Jennifer Knapp
Rodney Lay, Jr.
Lehsem Songs
Lifegate Music
Michael Linney
Charlie Lowell
Joyce Martin McCullough
Robert Marvin
Stephen Mason
Donnie McClurkin
Nelson McSwain
Mark A. Miller
Gordon Mote
Dan Munizzi
Newsboys
Matt Odmark
Erin O'Donnell
Solomon Olds
Michael Parker
Sandi Patty
Rebecca J. Peck
PeerMusic III
Peermusic (Ireland), Ltd.
Pettiodee
Praise Street Worship Band
The Principles
Andrew Ramsey
Ric Robbins
George Rowe
Shannon Sanders
Skillet
Donna Smith
Matthew Smith
Songs of Windswept Pacific
Sound of the New Breed
Scott Stapp
Christopher Stevens
Rebecca St. James
Kevin Stokes
Mark Stuart
Marty Stuart
Jerry Sullivan
Mooki Taylor
Jon Thatcher
Linda Thompson
Tait
Michael Tait
Talley Trio
Troy Vest
Asaph Ward
Earl Wright III
Paul Wright
Young Harmony

“I think it’s going to reflect life a little more for me,” he says of the new album, out in October on ForeFront Records. “Life is more than just making records and meeting deadlines. Your music should be moving through your life and what is moving through your life should be in your music. [This album] will be a greater depiction of thoughts, feelings and life versus just one snapshot of a given moment.”
McKeehan has had a lot to inspire him the last few years. He and his wife, Amanda, adopted twins (Moses and Marlee) and also have a five-year-old son, Truett. dcTalk, the trio McKeehan rose to fame in along with pals Michael Tait and Kevin Max, is still on hiatus with each member pursuing individual projects. Thus, McKeehan has been touring with Warren Barfield and Third Day, and working on his next solo effort.

One song slated to be on the new album, “Slam,” was inspired by Mel Gibson’s film The Passion Of the Christ.”‘Slam’ is about Christ doing it all on the cross,” says McKeehan. “It’s not direct. When you hear the song, you wouldn’t think that it was about The Passion. It’s a little more loosely tied lyrically, a little more abstract, but it basically says in a nutshell this is the slam, he’s the one, he came to do it like it ain’t been done before.”

McKeehan says the album expands sonically on his solo debut Momentum. “It’s pushing the boundaries of Momentum, probably like pushing every wall out a little further — meaning the rock & roll things rock a little hard, the funk element grooves a little harder and the hip-hop probably bumps a little better. It’s not like I was trying to reinvent tobyMac. I’ve just been in this crock pot a little longer now with this tobyMac thing, and things are starting to run over the edges of that pot I call my musical gumbo. There’s pop, rock, reggae, hip-hop. I’m putting everything in and stirring it up. It’s like a big pot of gumbo and everyone’s invited to the party.”

Steven Curtis Chapman	Toby McKeehan

Paul Corbin, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville and Joyce Rice, Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, will present Citations of Achievement recognizing the top songs of each genre, with the ceremony culminating in the announcements of Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year and Most Performed Christian Song of the Year (all genres).

Kirk Franklin	Gerald Crabb

Previous BMI Award winners include past Songwriters of the Year Steven Curtis Chapman, Toby McKeehan, Kirk Franklin, and Gerald Crabb, plus Dottie Peoples, Yolanda Adams, Rebecca St. James, Kevin Max, Michael Tait, Jars of Clay, Jennifer Knapp, Skillet's John L. Cooper, Pillar, Marc Byrd, Chad Chapin, Rodney Griffin, Audio Adrenaline, Charlie Peacock, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Bob Herdman and Joe Beck.

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 eligibility period ran January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003.

Wayne Haun	Steven Curtis Chapman	Pete Stewart

Producer Wayne Haun topped the list with nine nods including Southern Gospel Song, Bluegrass Song, Country Song, Southern Gospel Album, Country Album, Special Event Album and Choral Collection. Steven Curtis Chapman earned seven mentions for recordings in the Song of the Year, Male Vocalist, Pop/Contemporary Album and Long Form Music Video categories. Producer Pete Stewart is vying for six trophies including Rap/Hip Hop Song, Rock Song and Rock Album.

CeCe Winans	Connie Smith	Marc Byrd

Additional Song of the Year contenders are Chris Eaton [PRS] ("Child of Mine"), Doug Johnson ("Three Wooden Crosses"), and Mark Hall of Casting Crowns ("If We Are The Body"), who has also just been added to the Songwriter of the Year list. Other BMI-affiliated nominees include Marc Byrd, The Crabb Family, Jars of Clay, Toby McKeehan, Sandi Patty, Robert Randolph, Relient K, Rizen, Marty Stuart and Cece Winans.

The Dove Awards will broadcast live from Municipal Auditorium in Nashville on Thursday, April 28.

Casting Crowns

Congratulations to BMI's 2004 Dove Award Nominees:

NINE NOMINATIONS
Wayne Haun

SEVEN NOMINATIONS
Steven Curtis Chapman

SIX NOMINATIONS
Pete Stewart

FIVE NOMINATIONS
CeCe Winans

FOUR NOMINATIONS
Marc Byrd
The Crabb Family
Barbara Fairchild
Lari Goss
Toby McKeehan
Smokie Norful
Robert Randolph
Connie Smith

THREE NOMINATIONS
Audio Adrenaline
Kevin Bond
Cedric Caldwell
Casting Crowns
Miguel Angel Guerra
Jars of Clay
The Martins
Otto Price
Michael Tait

TWO NOMINATIONS
Matt Bronleewe
Byron Cage
Kurt Carr
Gerald Crabb
Chris Eaton
George Hamilton IV
The Hoppers
The Hoskins Family
Doug Johnson
Greater Vision
Grits
Dave Moody
Newsboys
Charlie Peacock
Relient K
Rebecca St. James
Mark Stuart
Marty Stuart
Michael Anthony Taylor

OTHER NOMINEES
Craig Adams
Alejandro Allen
Duane Allen
Paul Allen
Dallas Austin
Percy Bady
Cindi Ballard
Barry Beckett
Josiah Bell
Kene Bell
Big Dismal
Big Rocc
Blue Highway
Jason Burkum
Myron Butler
Steve Carey
Teron Carter
Chad Chapin
The Churchmen
Mike City
Club Zoo Music
John Cooper
Aaron Crabb
Adam Crabb
Jason Crabb
Kathy Crabb
Billy Ray Cyrus
dcTalk
Christine Dente
Scott Dente
Craig Duncan
Sheri Easter
James R. "Budd" Ellison
Jerome Fontamillas
David Foster
Richard Frierson
John Ginty
GlassByrd
Karen Peck Gooch
Wendi Foy Green
Andy Griffith
Mark Hall
Sanchez Harley
Dan Haseltine
Mark Heimermann
Tom Hemby
Rick Hendrix
Maurice Henderson
Bob Herdman
Here's To JO Music
Jeremy Holderfield
Canton Jones
Monroe Jones
Stacy Jones
Jay Joyce
Joey Kibble
Mark Kibble
Wayne Kirkpatrick
Jennifer Knapp
The Lewis Family
Charlie Lowell
Stephen Mason
Lisa McClendon
Donnie McClurkin
Joyce Martin McCollough
Ann McCrary
Rod McGaha
Will McGinniss
Nelson McSwain
Mike Curb Music
Carlton Moody
Phillip Moore
Dan Munizzi
Martha Munizzi
Dan Murph
Naomi and the Segos
Greg Nelson
Grant Nicholas
Arnold Lanni
Adriann Lewis
Ay'Ron Lewis
Little Pooky's Music
Aaron Neville
Art Neville
Newsboys
Grant Nicholas
The Oak Ridge Boys
Alan O'Bryant
Matt Odmark
Joe Pace
Dolly Parton
Sandi Patty
Peach Hill Songs
The Perrys
Dan Pitts
The Principles
Desmond Pringle
Tom Reeves
Alvin Richardson
Rizen
Ric Robbins
Carroll Wayne Roberson
Joseph Rojas
Matt Rollings
George Rowe
Roger Ryan
Sandtown
Ray Scott
Seventh Day Slumber
Mike Severson
Skillet
Belinda Smith
Soul Dog
Aaron Sprinkle
Kevin Stokes
Storm Boy Music
Jerry Sullivan
Swecs Music
Sweet Radical Music
Sydney Erin Music
Tait
T-Bone
Matthew Thiessen
Mark Lee Townsend
Virtue
Billy Joe Walker, Jr.
Kevin Ward
Steven Weaver
West Lodge Music
Fletch Wiley
Mario Winans
Marvin L. Winans, Jr.
Vickie Winans
Gerald Wolfe
Vicki Yohe]]> 2004-03-31T17:00:00+00:00