This week, BMI honored the top 25 songs played on U.S. Christian radio during the past year at the 2019 BMI Christian Awards, held at BMI’s Nashville offices on Music Row. The songwriters and publishers of the most performed Christian rock, contemporary Christian, inspirational, southern and urban gospel songs are honored at the annual awards.
“I love celebrating the writers, publishers, and artists at this awards dinner,” said Leslie Roberts, Executive Director, Creative. “Every year I am blown away by our performances, and as always, I am honored to present awards to the writers and publishers of this genre.”
Kicking off the invitation-only event was a set by comedian John Crist. Performances included Mallary Hope’s current single “Me,” Zach Williams’ Fear Is A Liar,” and Koryn Hawthorne’s “Speak The Name.”
The Song of the Year title went to “Reckless Love,” written by Ran Jackson and published by Be Essential Songs and Richmond Park Publishing. The song hit number one on Billboard’s U.S. Hot Christian Songs chart and remained there for 18 weeks. The song spent 68 weeks in total on the chart, with 53 weeks in the Top 10, and was ranked as the top Christian Song of 2018 by Billboard.
The Songwriter of the Year award went to Ethan Hulse, who wrote “Old Church Choir,” “When We Pray,” “Whole Heart” and “Word Of Life.”
Be Essential Songs 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 “Different,” “Do It Again,” “Fear Is A Liar,” “God of All My Days,” “Old Church Choir,” “O’Lord,” “Reckless Love,” “When We Pray,” “Whole Heart,” “Words of Life,” and “Your Love Defends Me.”
During the program, Jody Williams, VP, Creative honored Elwyn Raymer with the BMI Compass Award for his contributions to the genre of Christian music throughout his career. The BMI Compass Award honors a person in the industry who exemplifies the unique ability to always find the correct way to achieve the greater good.
Song of the Year
“Reckless Love”
Ran Jackson
Be Essential Songs
Richmond Park Publishing
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