2025 BMI Christian Awards Honors Year’s Best & Brightest
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Capitol CMG Publishing Ryan Dahl, EJ Gaines, Be Essential Songs’ Holly Zabka, Capitol CMG Publishing’s David Gutekunst, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Ellie McKay, BMI Songwriter of the Year Jeff Pardo, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Katie Barolak, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Isabel Newell, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Kelly Redfern, BMI Spotlight Award Honoree Jackie Patillo, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Brad O’Donnell, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Kent Draughon and BMI’s Mike Steinberg. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI
The 2025 BMI Christian Awards honored the best in Christian music last night (June 17) at a celebration at its Nashville office on Music Row hosted by BMI’s AVP, Creative, Leslie Roberts.
The evening paid tribute to the top Christian writers and publishers behind the 25 most-performed songs of the previous year, and also revealed BMI’s Christian Songwriter, Song and Publisher of the Year. Jackie Patillo, President of the Gospel Music Association and the GMA Foundation, was also honored during the evening with the BMI Spotlight Award for her unwavering dedication to the genre and her illustrious career.
BMI Spotlight Award honoree Jackie Patillo at the 2025 BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI
As BMI’s Spotlight Award honoree, Patillo was celebrated as a visionary leader and for her dedication to shaping and championing the world of Christian and Gospel music. As a surprise tribute, five-time GMA Dove Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Natalie Grant gave a compelling performance of her very first recording, “I Am Not Alone” accompanied by Bernie Herms. After receiving the Spotlight Award, Patillo thanked her family, friends, and those who have impacted the community, including BMI.
“This is more than just a business. We are all making a difference and impacting culture, and that’s what we get up for every day. I don’t know that anyone really feels worthy, but I truly feel this is what amazing grace looks like.”
BMI’s Christian Song of the Year went to “Praise,” written by Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Stephen Furtick and Chandler Moore. The hit song from Elevation Worship’s 11th album, Can You Imagine?, spent 31 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart, reached the top 20 on the Christian Airplay chart and currently has over 171 million streams on YouTube.
Leading up to Song of the Year, BMI named the 25 most-performed Christian songs of the previous year including “Good Day,” written by Forrest Frank; “I Believe” written by Chris Davenport, Jonathan Smith and Phil Wickham; “Praise You Anywhere” written by Hank Bentley and Ben Fielding (APRA); “That’s My King” written by Lloyd Nicks Jr. and Jessica Patrice Russ; and “What Are We Waiting For?” written by Sean Douglas, Josh Kerr and Luke Smallbone, among others. In naming the top songs, BMI also recognized 18 first-time award winners.
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Leslie Roberts, BMI Songwriter of the Year Jeff Pardo, BMI’s Mike Steinberg and BMI’s Clay Bradley celebrate Pardo as this year’s BMI Songwriter of the Year. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI
Jeff Pardo was named BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year for penning five of the 25 most-performed songs including “Don’t Stop Praying,” “Heaven Changes Everything,” “Praise The Lord” with Jake Henry and Micah Tyler, and “Running Home” and “Strong” with Anne Wilson. The previously-named 2023 BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year and Grammy-nominated songwriter has successfully crossed genres as well, working with artists such as Lady A, Ben Rector, Tauren Wells and more.
Capitol CMG Publishing received Publisher of the Year honors for representing 17 of the 25 most-performed songs of the year including BMI’s Christian Song of the Year, “Praise,” as well as “Don’t Stop Praying,” “I Believe,” “Jesus Does” and “Take It All Back,” to name a few.
Among the special moments during this year’s ceremony were Roberts calling BMI’s 2019 Compass Award winner Elwyn Raymer up to the stage to kick off the celebration with a prayer, country songwriter Jordan Rowe giving the audience a preview of his unreleased song, “Way Back,” and first-time BMI award-winner Seph Schlueter sharing his uplifting hit “Counting My Blessings.”
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, Be Essential Songs’ Holly Zabka, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, BMI’s Mike Steinberg, EJ Gaines and Capitol CMG Publishing’s David Gutekunst celebrate BMI’s Song of the Year “Praise.” Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI
Natalie Grant performing at the 2025 BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI
