BMI Christian Awards Honor Songwriters, Publishers

Pictured are (l-r): BMI’s Phil Graham and Leslie Roberts, Word Entertainment’s Rod Riley, Songwriter of the Year honoree Caroll L. McGruder, Publisher of the Year Dale Mathews of Word Entertainment, Song of the Year honoree Building 429’s Jason Roy, Special Citation of Appreciation honoree Jim Van Hook, Song of the Year honorees Building 429’s Aaron Branch and Michael Anderson, Provident Music Group’s Holly Zabk, Song of the Year honoree Building 429’s Jesse Garcia, Provident Music Group’s Devon DeVries, and BMI’s Mike O’Neill and Jody Williams. Photo by John Russell

Members of the Christian music industry gathered Tuesday evening (June 18) for an elegant affair at BMI’s Nashville office to pay tribute to the most impactful songs represented by performing rights organization BMI in the past year. Hosted by BMI’s Associate Director Writer/Publisher Relations Leslie Roberts and Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams, the event honored the year’s top songs as well as publishers.

Building 429‘s “Where I Belong,” written by Jason Roy (Havery Publishing and Sony/ATV Tree) was named Song of the Year 2012. Carroll L. McGruder was named Christian Music Songwriter of the Year 2012; he penned “I’m Going Home With Jesus” and “Saved By Grace.” BMI’s Christian Publisher of the Year honor went to Word Music Publishing (Dayspring Music). Word Music Publishing’s catalog includes “Carry Me To The Cross,” “He Said,” “Live Like That” and “Love Come To Life.”

Additionally, BMI gave a Special Citation of Appreciation to longtime executive Jim Van Hook. As founder of Brentwood Music and Essential Records (which eventually became Provident Music Group) and later as president of Word, Hook has overseen two of the three largest Christian music companies in the United States. He also served as the inaugural dean of Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.

Songs honored during the evening include:

10,000 REASONS (BLESS THE LORD)
Jonas Myrin
EMI CMG Publishing
Matt Redman

BE STILL
Yolanda Adams
Irving Music
Jam Yo Music
Yolanda Adams

CARRY ME TO THE CROSS
Mark Stuart
Jason Walker
68 Guns
Dayspring Music (BMI Christian Publisher of the Year)
Integrity’s Praise! Music
Kutless

COURAGEOUS
Mark Hall
My Refuge Music
Sony/ATV Tree
Casting Crowns

DO EVERYTHING
Steven Curtis Chapman
One Blue Petal Music
Primary Wave Brian
Steven Curtis Chapman

HE SAID
Manuel Reyes
Blanca Reyes Callahan
Dayspring Music (BMI Christian Publisher of the Year)
Group 1 Crew featuring Chris August

I FEEL GOOD
Phillip Feaster
Fred Hammond
Jonathan Miller
Calvin Rodgers
CJMS Music
Derek’s Kids
Face’s Launching Pad Publishing
Music Feast Productions
Universal Music-Brentwood Benson Songs
Fred Hammond

I NEED YOUR GLORY
Earnest Pugh
Black Smoke Publishing
Pughspen Music Publishing Co.
Earnest Pugh

I THIRST
Beverly Lowry
Homeward Bound Music
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (a tribute to Cathedral Quartet)

I’M GOING HOME WITH JESUS
Carroll L. McGruder (BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year)
Best Of Zion Music
the Worship Crew

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN
Bo Rinehart
Bear Rinehart
Needtobreathe Music
Needtobreathe

LIVE LIKE THAT
Dave Frey
Ben McDonald
Dayspring Music (BMI Christian Publisher of the Year)
Sidewalk Prophets

LOVE CAME CALLING
Wayne Haun
Joel Lindsey
Hefton Hill Music
PsalmSinger Music
Universal Music-Brentwood Benson Songs
Triumphant Quartet

LOVE COME TO LIFE
Jeremy Redmon
Jim Scherer
Dayspring Music (BMI Christian Publisher of the Year)
Red 91 Music
Songs Of Whizbang
Big Daddy Weave

ME WITHOUT YOU
Toby McKeehan
Chris Stevens
Achtober Songs
Chriscendo Music
Meaux Mercy Publishing
tobyMac

MY HEART SAYS YES
Troy Sneed
Shytro Publishing
Troy Sneed

REACH
Andrew Fromm
Southern Yankee Publishing
Peter Furler

SAVED BY GRACE
Carroll L. McGruder (BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year)
Rex Nelon Music Company
Triumphant Quartet

SOMETIMES I CRY
Gerald Crabb
Christian Taylor Music
Gerald Crabb’s Songs
Jason Crabb

SPIRITUAL
Donald Lawrence
Q W Publishing
Donald Lawrence

TURN AROUND
Matt Maher
EMI CMG Publishing
Valley Of Songs Music
Matt Maher

WE ARE
Chuck Butler
Ed Cash
Hillary McBride
James Tealy
HillaryMcBrideMusic
Jord A Lil Music
Wondrously Made Songs
Kari Jobe

WHAT A SAVIOR
Jeremiah Jones
Fair Trade Global Songs
Giant Impact LLC
Laura Story

WHEN THE STARS BURN DOWN (BLESSING AND HONOR)
Jennie Riddle
Integrity’s Praise! Music
Phillips, Craig & Dean

WHERE I BELONG (BMI Christian Song of the Year)
Jason Roy
Havery Publishing
Sony/ATV Tree
Building 429

Industry veteran Jim Van Hook receives the Special Citation of Appreciation at the BMI Christian Awards. Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Jody Williams and Jim Van Hook. Photo: John Russell

Building 429 is honored for Song of the Year (“Where I Belong”). Pictured are (l-r): BMI’s Phil Graham, Provident Music Group’s Holly Zabk, Building 429’s Jason Roy and Aaron Branch, Provident Music Group’s Terry Hemmings, Building 429’s Michael Anderson and Jesse Garcia, Provident Music Group’s Devon DeVries, and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: John Russell.

Pictured (L-R): BMI Board Member Neil Smith, BMI Christian Award Winner Jeremiah Jones, BMI’s Phil Graham, Dr. Bobby Jones, BMI Christian Award Winner Earnest Pugh, and BMI’s Mark Mason. Photo: John Russell.

Brandon Heath performs “Jesus In Disguise.”

Steven Curtis Chapman (right) and his son Caleb perform “Do Everything.”