2012 BMI Christian Music Awards Honor Genre’s Most-played Songs

Kirk Franklin, Mark Hall, tobyMac, Matt Maher, Kyla Rowland, Chris Stevens & EMI CMG Publishing Win Top Honors

Posted in News on June 20, 2012

BMI celebrated the songwriters and music publishers behind the past year’s most-performed songs in Christian music tonight during the organization’s annual Christian Music Awards, held at BMI’s Nashville offices on Music Row.

Consistent chart-topper tobyMac earned his third consecutive Christian Songwriter of the Year crystal and shares the 2012 honor with Casting Crowns frontman Mark Hall, singer/songwriter Matt Maher, Southern gospel staple Kyla Rowland and hit songwriter/producer Chris Stevens. The unusual five-way tie occurred because the hit-makers each wrote or co-wrote two of the songs on the year’s most-performed list.

Cross-format superstar Kirk Franklin earned Christian Song of the Year honors for his smash “I Smile,” published by Aunt Gertrude Music Publishing LLC and Bridge Building Music.

With the highest percentage of copyright ownership among the year’s most-performed songs, powerhouse EMI CMG Publishing clinched the Christian Publisher of the Year win.

During the ceremony, prolific family group the Isaacs, 2012 Dove Awards Artist of the Year Jason Crabb and dynamic contemporary Christian singer/songwriter Chris Tomlin each delivered inspirational performances.

Jody Williams, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, and Associate Director Leslie Roberts served as the evening’s hosts alongside Phil Graham, BMI Senior Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations.

2012 BMI Christian Awards Winners

Songwriters of the Year
MARK HALL
“Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)”
“If We’ve Ever Needed You”

MATT MAHER
“Hold Us Together”
“I Lift My Hands”

TOBYMAC
“Hold Me”
“Hold On”

KYLA ROWLAND
“Did I Mention”
“This Old Sinner Testifies”

CHRIS STEVENS
“Hold Me”
“Stronger”

Song of the Year
“I SMILE”
Kirk Franklin
Aunt Gertrude Music Publishing LLC
Bridge Building Music
Kirk Franklin

Publisher of the Year
EMI CMG PUBLISHING
“Better Than A Hallelujah”
“He Wants It All”
“Hold Us Together”
“I Lift My Hands”

Award-winning Songs

BETTER THAN A HALLELUJAH
Sarah Hart
Chapin Hartford
Chapin Hartford Music
Michael Puryear Music
River Oaks Music Company
spiritandsong.com Publishing
Amy Grant

BORN AGAIN
Wesley Campbell
Michael Tait
Don’t Chase Music
Tait Music
Te Puke Publishing
Newsboys

DID I MENTION
Kyla Rowland
Christian Taylor Music
The Perrys

GLORIOUS DAY (LIVING HE LOVED ME)
Mark Hall
My Refuge Music
Sony/ATV Tree
Casting Crowns

HE WANTS IT ALL
Dominique Jones
Four Jones Publishing
Meaux Mercy Publishing
forever JONES

HOLD ME
Toby McKeehan
Chris Stevens
Achtober Songs
Regisfunk Music
Jamie-Grace featuring tobyMac

HOLD ON
Jesse Frasure
Toby McKeehan
Achtober Songs
Rio Bravo Music, Inc.
tobyMac

HOLD US TOGETHER
Matt Maher
Steve Wilson
Meaux Mercy Publishing
Skyline Apartments Music
spiritandsong.com Publishing
Worship Together Music
Matt Maher

I BELIEVE
Ay’Ron Lewis
Black Smoke Publishing
Straightchurch Publishing
James Fortune and FIYA feat. Zacardi Cortez & Shawn McLemore

I CHOOSE TO WORSHIP
Jonathan Brown
Wess Morgan
Wess Morgan Music
Wess Morgan

I LIFT MY HANDS
Matt Maher
Chris Tomlin
Valley of Songs Music
Worship Together Music
Chris Tomlin

I SMILE
Kirk Franklin
Aunt Gertrude Music Publishing LLC
Bridge Building Music
Kirk Franklin

IF WE’VE EVER NEEDED YOU
Mark Hall
Bernie Herms
My Refuge Music
Sony/ATV Tree
Casting Crowns

I’VE NEVER KNOWN A DAY
Van Mitchell, Jr.
True Testament Music
The Inspirations

LIFT ME UP
Jordan Mohilowski
Miracle In My Hand Music Publishing
The Afters

LISTEN TO THE SOUND
Jason Roy
Havery Publishing
Sony/ATV Tree
Building 429

MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD
Jon Abel
Barry Weeks
45 Degrees Music
Bridge Building Music
The Museum

RAIN ON US
Daniel Moore, II
Daniel Moore, Sr.
Dem Two Music
S4DT Publishing
Earnest Pugh

SOMEBODY DIED FOR ME
Kyle Matthews
Christy Sutherland
Catalytic Songs
Mattmoosic
Triumphant Quartet

STARRY NIGHT
Ed Cash
Alletrop Music
Chris August

STRONGER
Chris Stevens
Regisfunk Music
Mandisa

THIS OLD SINNER TESTIFIES
Kyla Rowland
Christian Taylor Music
Lonesome Bend Publishing
The Perrys

YOU LOVE ME ANYWAY
Dave Frey
Ben McDonald
Dayspring Music
Sidewalk Prophets

YOU WERE FAITHFUL YESTERDAY
Rodney Griffin
Songs of Greater Vision
Greater Vision

YOUR GREAT NAME
Michael Neale
Integrity’s Praise! Music
Natalie Grant

SOURCENews TAGS Christian Gospel Nashville BMI Christian Music Awards Ed Cash Jason Crabb Kirk Franklin Rodney Griffin Mark Hall Matt Maher Toby McKeehan Daniel Moore Michael Puryear Kyla Rowland Chris Stevens tobyMac Barry Weeks