2026 BMI Christian Awards Honors Top Songwriters & Publishers

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mike Steinberg, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Ellie McKay, Capitol CMG Publishing’s David Gutekunst, First-time BMI award winning songwriter Jessie Early, First-time BMI award winning songwriter Blake Wiggins, BMI songwriter Jonathan Smith, Be Essential Songs’ Jamie Rodgers, Be Essential Songs’ Holly Zabka, Be Essential Songs’ Jannah Smitherman, BMI’s Mike O’Neill, BMI’s Todd Horvath and BMI’s Clay Bradley pose after winning BMI’s Song of the Year for “Made For More” at the 2026 BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

The 2026 BMI Christian Awards celebrated the best in Christian music last night (July 22) at BMI’s Nashville office on Music Row.

The evening paid tribute to the top Christian songwriters and publishers behind the 25 most-performed songs of the previous year, and was hosted by BMI’s AVP of Creative, Nashville Leslie Roberts; EVP, Chief Revenue and Creative Officer, Mike Steinberg; and BMI’s CEO Mike O’Neill.

The Christian Song of the Year honors went to “Made For More,” written by Jessie Early, Jonathan Smith and Blake Wiggins. Performed by Josh Baldwin, the hit song has generated over 95 million global streams and became Baldwin’s first No. 1 on the Billboard’s Christian AC Airplay chart.

Mississippi native and BMI songwriter Belle Frantz performed a soulful rendition of the classic hymn, “Amazing Grace” at the 2026 Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Leading up to Song of the Year, BMI named the 25 most-performed Christian songs of the previous year including “Altar,” written by Forrest Frank, Lasanna “Ace” Harris, Steve Rice and Willie Scott Jr.; “Nothin’ Sweeter,” written by TobyMac and Jordan Mohilowski; “Running Back To You,” penned by Seph Schlueter; “Thank you Jesus for the Blood,” written by Charity Gayle alongside Steven Musso; and “Unsung Hero,” written by Luke Smallbone. BMI also recognized 18 first-time award winners such as Leanna Crawford, Frankie Holleman, Zachary Kale, Patrick Mayberry, Steven Musso and Megan Woods.

BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year honors went to Steven Furtick for writing three of the 25 most-performed songs, including “Another One,” “Goodbye Yesterday” and “Lion.” The multi-Grammy-winning songwriter who has co-written all three of these major worship tracks, serves as a primary executive producer and songwriter for both Elevation Worship (“Another One,” “Lion”) and Elevation Rhythm (“Goodbye Yesterday”). Through these music collectives, he has co-written multiple defining faith-based global anthems and earned six No. 1s, including the 2025 BMI Christian Song of the Year “Praise,” “Graves Into Gardens” and “Talking to Jesus.”

Capitol CMG Publishing brought home Publisher of the Year during the evening for representing 19 of the 25 most-performed songs of the year, including BMI’s Christian Song of the Year, “Made For More,” as well as “Altar,” “Grave Robber,” “If I Got Jesus,” “My God Can,” “Somebody Prayed,” “Take You At Your Word,” “The Truth” and “Who Else.”

The awards opened with a prayer from 2018 BMI Compass Award recipient Elwyn Raymer, and the evening featured special performances, including Mississippi native Belle Frantz’s soulful rendition of the classic hymn, “Amazing Grace.” 2022 BMI Icon Steven Curtis Chapman spoke highly of Drew Parker as he welcomed him to stage for his performance of “Blame Jesus.” Jamie MacDonald gave the final performance of the evening with her No. 1 breakout single, “Left It In The River.”

BMI’s VP, Creative Nashville, Clay Bradley gives opening remarks at the 2026 BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

2022 BMI Icon Steven Curtis Chapman spoke highly of Drew Parker as he welcomed him to stage at the 2026 BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Drew Parker gave a special rendition of his powerful song “Blame Jesus”
at the 2026 BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

The 2026 BMI Christian Awards were sponsored by Studio Bank and opened with a prayer from 2018 BMI Compass Award recipient Elwyn Raymer. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Jamie MacDonald gave the final performance of the evening at the 2026
Christian Awards with her No. 1 breakout single, “Left It In The River.” Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

BMI’s AVP, Creative Nashville, Leslie Roberts welcomes the crowd at the
2026 BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Capitol CMG Publishing brought home Publisher of the Year at the 2026 Christian Awards for representing 19 of the 25 most-performed songs
of the year including BMI’s Christian Song of the Year, “Made For More,” as well as “Altar,” “Grave Robber,” “If I Got Jesus,” “My God Can,” “Somebody Prayed,” “Take You At Your Word,” “The Truth” and “Who Else.” Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Lorie Hollabaugh
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