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BMI hosted the 2023 BMI Christian Awards this evening celebrating its top Christian songwriters and music publishers with BMI’s Christian Song, Songwriter and Publisher of the Year revealed. In addition, the ceremony named 15 first-time winners for their hand in writing some of the top 25 most-performed Christian songs of the previous year. The event also paid special tribute to Dottie Leonard Miller with the BMI Spotlight Award for her meaningful contributions to the genre, marking the first time this accolade was presented at this ceremony. BMI’s AVP of Creative, Nashville, Leslie Roberts and BMI’s VP of Creative, Nashville, Clay Bradley, hosted the invitation-only ceremony at BMI’s Music Row office.
As BMI’s Spotlight Award honoree, Miller was celebrated for her devotion to Christian music. The CEO/Founder of one of the first female-owned and operated music businesses, Daywind Music Group and New Day Christian Distributors, was treated to a surprise performance by contemporary Southern Gospel trio SOUTHBOUND, as she is an instrumental part of their career. In receiving the BMI Spotlight Award, Miller joins an exclusive group of honorees including Randy Edelman, Frank Gari and Mike Post.
Additional performances during the night included The Voice contestant, Brennley Brown, who performed her new song “Miracle Story,” as well as Jon Reddick who shared a special rendition of his multi-week hit, “God Turn It Around.” Katy Nichole, who was a first-time winner tonight, served as the final performer with “In Jesus Name (God of Possible),” which became the fastest-rising debut single from any female artist in the history of the Billboard Christian Airplay chart.
Throughout the ceremony, BMI named the top 25 most-performed Christian songs which went to “Because He Lives,” “Child of Love,” “Fires,” “Goodness of God,” “House of the Lord,” “I Choose Joy,” “My Jesus,” “Promised Land,” “What If” and more.
“Jireh” was named the 2023 Song of the Year. Written by BMI songwriters Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Chandler Moore and Naomi Raine, the critically acclaimed track performed by contemporary worship bands, Elevation Worship and Maverick City, was the most-performed Christian Song of the Year. The Gold certified hit reached the top spot on the Hot Gospel Songs Chart and garnered multiple nominations from the Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards and GMA Dove Awards.
Leading into the Songwriter of the Year category, the BMI Christian Awards celebrated 15 first-time honorees including Dante Bowe, Carrington Gaines, Tasha Layton, Carrie Moeller, Chandler Moore, Aaron Moses, Naomi Raine, Redimi2 and Don West.
The coveted Songwriter of the Year award was presented to Jeff Pardo, who had a hand in writing five of this year’s award-winning songs. Pardo’s credits include “Come What May,” “In Jesus Name (God of Possible),” “My Jesus,” “Yes He Can” and “Gospel Song,” which he serves as the sole writer.
Capitol CMG Publishing took home the accolade for Publisher of the Year, as they are responsible for 11 of the 25 most-performed songs of the year including “Because He Lives,” “Child of Love,” “Come What May,” “Goodness of God,” “Gospel Song,” “In Jesus Name (God of Possible),” “In the House,” “My Jesus,” “Promised Land,” “Promises” and “Yes He Can.”
For a complete list of 2023 BMI Christian Awards winners, please visit https://www.bmi.com/christian2023
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