Chris Tomlin Top Winner at BMI Christian Awards

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Phil Graham, Song of the Year writer Scott Cash, Publisher of the Year Eddie DeGarmo of Capitol CMG Publishing, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Song of the Year writer Ed Cash, Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year writer Chris Tomlin, Songwriter of the Year Brandon Heath, and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo by John Russell

BMI feted some of the top songs on Christian radio over the past year at Tuesday evening’s (June 17) BMI Christian Awards, held at the organization’s Nashville offices. Hosted by BMI Director, Writer/Publisher relations Leslie Roberts, the elegant celebration honored the year’s most performed songs in Christian rock, contemporary Christian, inspirational, southern and urban gospel.

“Tonight is a celebration of partnerships at work,” said BMI’s Jody Williams, in welcoming attendees. Indeed, as many of Christian music’s top artists also co-wrote many of their hits, the Songwriter of the Year category featured a six-way win. Winners for Songwriter of the Year included Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall (“Already There,” “Jesus, Friend Of Sinners”), Aaron Lindsey (“It’s Not Over [When God Is In It],” “My Testimony”), TobyMac (“Steal My Show,” “You Lead”), Brandon Heath (“Jesus in Disguise,” “Steal My Show”), Matt Maher (“Lord, I Need You,” “White Flag”) and Chris Tomlin (“Whom Shall I Fear [God of Angel Armies],” “White Flag”).

Tomlin was the evening’s big winner, earning his first Christian Song of the Year honor for “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies),” which was featured on Tomlin’s Burning Lights project, and co-written by BMI songwriters Ed Cash and Scott Cash, and published by Alletrop Music, McTyeire Music, S.D.G. Publishing, sixsteps Songs, and Worship Together Music.

“Thank you for this and letting me be part of this family,” said Tomlin. “I think about how we all stand on other peoples’ shoulders. I think about people like Louie Giglio, and like Ed Cash. We wrote this, and I felt like it was a song the whole world needed to hear. We are living in a time of fear, but we are a people of faith, not of fear. I’m honored to share these songs.”

The evening was not only about honoring music, but experiencing music. Danny Gokey showcased his polished stage presence and versatile, soul-infused pop tenor on the radio-worthy “Hope In Front of Me” and “More Than You Think I Am.” His first Christian project, Hope In Front of Me, will be released June 24.

Jon Guerra gave a stirring acoustic performance of two songs from his EP Glass, including “Stained Glass” and “I Will Follow.” “This is very different, releasing music with people who do that for a living. When I was releasing music on my own, it just involved a tweet and a call to my mom. It’s a little more involved now,” he quipped.

With the highest percentage of copyright ownership among the year’s most-performed songs, Capitol CMG Publishing earned the title of Christian Publisher of the Year.