BMI celebrated the 12 months’s prime Christian songwriters, publishers and songs Tuesday evening (July 22) in the course of the 2026 BMI Christian Awards at its Music Row headquarters in Nashville.
Hosted by BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Mike Steinberg and CEO Mike O’Neill, the annual occasion acknowledged the writers and publishers behind the 25 most-performed Christian songs of the previous 12 months whereas honoring the group’s Christian Track, Songwriter and Writer of the Yr.
Taking dwelling Christian Track of the Yr was “Made For Extra,” written by Jessie Early, Jonathan Smith and Blake Wiggins and recorded by Josh Baldwin. The track has surpassed 95 million world streams and have become Baldwin’s first No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian AC Airplay chart.
BMI additionally acknowledged the 25 most-performed Christian songs of the 12 months, together with “Altar,” “Nothin’ Sweeter,” “Working Again To You,” “Thank You Jesus For The Blood,” and “Unsung Hero.” The night additionally celebrated 18 first-time BMI Christian Award winners, together with Leanna Crawford, Patrick Mayberry, Megan Woods, Frankie Holleman, Zachary Kale and Steven Musso.
Steven Furtick was named BMI Christian Songwriter of the Yr after contributing to 3 of the 12 months’s most-performed songs: “One other One,” “GOODBYE YESTERDAY,” and “LION.” Furtick has develop into certainly one of Christian music’s most profitable up to date songwriters via his work with Elevation Worship and Elevation Rhythm, incomes a number of No. 1 songs over the previous a number of years.
Capitol CMG Publishing earned Writer of the Yr, representing 19 of the 25 most-performed songs, together with “Made For Extra,” together with “Altar,” “Grave Robber,” “If I Obtained Jesus,” “My God Can,” “Anyone Prayed,” “Take You At Your Phrase,” “The Fact,” and “Who Else.”
The night opened with a prayer from 2018 BMI Compass Award recipient Elwyn Raymer and featured a number of stay performances. Mississippi singer-songwriter Belle Frantz delivered a soulful rendition of “Wonderful Grace,” whereas BMI Icon Steven Curtis Chapman launched Drew Parker, who carried out “Blame Jesus.” Jamie MacDonaldclosed the night together with her No. 1 hit “Left It In The River.”
Held yearly on Nashville’s Music Row, the BMI Christian Awards acknowledge the songwriters and publishers behind the music that continues to form Christian radio, streaming and worship providers around the globe.
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