Contemporary Christian Music luminary Michael W. Smith was honored last night (April 30) by the top names in Contemporary Christian, Gospel, country and pop music, for his 35-year career in music. Notably, in the same time span, Smith has earned 35 No. 1 singles.

Host Kathie Lee Gifford said that the original idea for the concert was to welcome 35 artists to celebrate 35 years, but interest from the artist community swelled, and last night more than 50 artists gathered to perform three hours’ worth of songs recorded or written by Smith, as well as some classic hymns and surprises.

Gifford began the evening by bringing out Smith and his wife Deborah, who took their seats on stage. But when artists are honoring a talented singer/songwriter/pianist whose music helped shape what became the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) genre, and who also penned numerous classics such as Amy Grant’s “Thy Word” as well as his own 1983 hit “Great Is The Lord” (which he co-wrote with his wife Debbie), and his 1991 crossover hit “Place In This World” (co-written with Amy Grant), it’s tempting to bring him in for collaborations, which they did often throughout the evening.

Amy Grant, Wynonna, Randy Travis, Steven Curtis Chapman, Jordin Sparks with Jordan Smith, Rascal Flatts, The Backstreet Boys’ Brian Littrell, Charlie Daniels, the Gatlin Brothers, Vince Gill with Wayne Kirkpatrick, Matthew West, Avalon, The Oak Ridge Boys, CeCe Winans, Francesca Battistelli, Sandi Patty, Natalie Grant, Ricky Skaggs with the Isaacs, Jason Crabb, Lee Greenwood, Mark Lowry, Jim Brickman, T. Graham Brown and more performed throughout the evening.

Several video messages came from former President George W. Bush, U2’s Bono and Franklin Graham.

Backstreet Boys’ Brian Littrell offered a stunning vocal that held closely to Smith’s original on “Place In This World.” Matthew West offered “Go West Young Man,” while Charlie Daniels offered the hymn “How Great Thou Art,” before giving up one of his own signature hits.

“This is probably the most secular song ever, but Michael wants it and Michael gets it,” Daniels said, before bringing fire and fiddle for a rendition of “Devil Went Down To Georgia,” as Smith joined on piano and background vocals.

Rascal Flatts offered a moving rendition of “Pray For Me,” and later Randy Travis walked onstage with his wife Mary Travis, where they greeted and hugged Smith.

Smith was later joined onstage by the members of his original band. They brought him an original tour jacket, before he sat behind the piano for “Could He Be Messiah,” “Be Strong,” and “You Need A Savior.”

MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard greeted the crowd, and explained that though the band was set to perform, he was sick with laryngitis. He invited Smith to take his place to lead his hit “Secret Ambition.”

Several comedians were also featured throughout the evening, including Steve Lowry, who performed a snippet of his parody “Face In This World.” “We are the same age,” he joked, looking at Smith. “While I was doing ministry, someone was getting facials,” he quipped.

The show closed with Smith joining longtime friend, co-writer, and tourmate Amy Grant at the piano, as she performed her classic “Thy Word,” before they were joined by the rest of the cast of performers for Smith’s signature “Friends.”

“35 Years Of Friends: Celebrating The Music Of Michael W. Smith” full setlist:
Phil Keaggy, Mac Powell, Phillips, Craig & Dean, Point of Grace – “Agnus Dei”
Jason Crabb – “Love Crusade”
Ricky Skaggs with The Isaacs – “I’d Rather Have Jesus”
Zach Williams – “I’ll Stand”
David Hamilton – Instrumental
David Hamilton, Jordin Sparks, Jordan Smith – “All is Well”
Matthew West – “Go West”
Charlie Daniels – “How Great Thou Art”
Charlie Daniels with Michael W. Smith – “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”
Jars of Clay – “I’ll Lead You Home”
Rascal Flatts – “Pray for Me”
Avalon with Jay DeMarcus – “I Will Be Here”
Mark Lowry – “Face in This World”
Gatlin Brothers with Phillips, Craig & Dean – “Shine On Us”
Sandi Patty and Natalie Grant – “How Majestic”
Jim Brickman – “Love of My Life”
Michael W. Smith with original band – “Could He Be Messiah,” “Be Strong,” “You Need a Savior”
Randy Travis and Steven Curtis Chapman – “Above All”
Lee Greenwood with Wes King and sons – “There She Stands”
Brian Littrell – “Place in This World”
Michael W. Smith – “Secret Ambition”
Oak Ridge Boys – “Draw Me Close”
Nicole C. Mullen, Danny Gokey, Katinas, Matthew Ward, Calvin Nowell – “Crown Him with Many Crowns, ” “Easter Song”
CeCe Winans with Point of Grace – “King of Glory”
Matt Maher – “This is Your Time”
Laura Story with Francesca Battistelli – “How to Say Goodbye”
Russ Taff – “Healing Rain”
Wayne Kirkpatrick with Vince Gill – “Never Been Unloved”
Mark Hall – “I’m Waiting on You”
Tait, Matt Maher, Avalon, Wynonna, CeCe Winans – “Help Is on the Way”
Wynonna – “Majesty”
Amy Grant with Michael W. Smith – “Love Will Find a Way,” “Thy Word”
All sing including T. Graham Brown – “Friends”

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is accepting nominations for the 2019 NAB Marconi Radio Awards until May 31. The Marconi Radio Awards recognize overall excellence and performance in radio.

Stations and on-air personalities may nominate themselves in the categories of “Station of the Year by Market Size,” “Station of the Year by Format,” “Personality of the Year by Market Size,” “Legendary Station,” and “Best College Radio Station of the Year,” which has been renamed from “Noncommercial Station of the Year.” Nominations will also be accepted for new awards categories of “Legendary Manager of the Year” and “Best Radio Station Podcast.”

Syndicators and affiliates may also submit nominations for the category of “Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year.”

“For three decades, the Marconi Awards have honored broadcast stations, industry leaders, programmers and on-air talent for their tremendous work in entertaining and informing tens of millions of listeners across the country,” said NAB Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning and Industry Affairs Steve Newberry. “We are excited to bring new changes to the awards that recognize radio’s continuing innovation and evolution.”

Nominations must be submitted online. Entry rules can be found here. Finalists will be announced in July.

On Sept. 26, the winners will be announced during the NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner & Show at the Radio Show, produced by NAB and the Radio Advertising Bureau, held in Dallas (Sept. 24-27).

If you’re looking for the soul of Nashville music, you might find it at the AIMP awards.

Those initials stand for Association of Independent Music Publishers, the group that staged its fourth honors ceremony at the Ryman on Tuesday evening (April 30). This event captures a lot of the warmth, camaraderie and mutual support that are the hallmarks of the Music City community.

For you younger readers, there was a time when Music Row consisted of independent entrepreneurs and folks who operated tiny outposts of national firms. This was before conglomerates arrived, demanding “class A office space,” which meant constructing big, modern buildings and destroying bungalows.

The AIMP event feels a lot like the way Music Row used to be.

Or, as attendee Paul Worley dubbed it, “The REAL Nashville music awards.”

What he meant was, people with acoustic instruments singing songs with heart, rather than flashy production numbers. Also, friends congratulating friends.

Colleagues in attendance included Mike Molinar, Michael McAnally Baum, Michael Martin, Beth Laird, Luke Laird, David Preston, Dave Pacula, Gilles Godard, Butch Baker, Woody Bomar, B.J. Hill, Walter Campbell, Alicia Warwick and Barry Dean.

The show’s host was TV personality and former Miss Tennessee Ashley Eicher. She proclaimed, “I fell in love with the songwriting community and the stories behind the songs.”

Ashley McBryde presented the Rising Writer/Artist Award to HARDY. “This is cool,” he said. “I think this is the first thing I’ve ever won in my life. I want to thank the Nashville community. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better family.”

Josh Thompson presented the Rising Songwriter of the Year to Aaron Eshuis. This was also the first award of Aaron’s career.

The Song Champion Award went to BMI’s gracious Leslie Roberts. The Publisher’s Pick Award was “Made for You,” written by Benjy Davis, Joey Hyde and Neil Medley.

The newly named Jeff Carlton Strong Song Award — presented with the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center — was given to “Love Wins.” Singer and co-writer Carrie Underwood accepted via video.

Matt Jenkins and Chris Van Belkom honored an absent Luke Combs with the Artist/Writer of the Year award. Jeffrey Steele presented the AIMP Songwriter of the Year honor to Jessie Jo Dillon. “I’m gonna get emotional up here,” she said. “I don’t even know what to say. I just want to thank independent publishers as a whole, for being the lifeblood in this town. I’m shocked. I was really not expecting this at all.” She was up against the arguably more prominent Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Osborne, Ross Copperman and Shane McAnally.

Perhaps the segment that crystallized the communal vibe of the show was the presentation of the Independent Spirit Award to Celia Froehlig. “She didn’t turn my career around,” said Josh Osborne. “She GAVE me a career.”

“I can’t imagine not having her as my mentor,” said Robin Palmer. “You are what this award personifies,” co-presenter Pat Rolfe said to Celia.

A parade of video testimonials ensued. Testifying were Allen Shamblin, Dale Bobo, Pat Higdon, Steve Bogard, Allison Jones, Frank Liddell, Blake Chancey, Marc Beeson, Kelly Bolton, Forest Whitehead and Kelsea Ballerini, many of whom were “in the house” as well.

“I really don’t know what I have done to deserve this,” said the honoree. “It’s a privilege and an honor for me to be part of this community. I appreciate this more than you guys can ever know.”

Ree Guyer and John Ozier presented the Publisher of the Year award to SMACKsongs. Co-owner Shane McAnally took the stage with the firm’s other top execs.

“I don’t feel worthy of being the spokesperson,” he said, referring to the company’s staff. “This is my favorite night, because these are my people, my favorite people.”

Scattered throughout the ceremony, the six AIMP Nashville Song of the Year nominees were performed.

Jimmie Allen sang “Take It From Me” as a soulful ballad, accompanying himself on piano. Travis Denning performed an exciting, acoustic rendition of “Burning Man.” Adam Hambrick delivered “I Lived It.” Teddy Robb offered a hearty “Drowns the Whiskey.” HARDY returned to the stage to perform “Break Up In the End.” Natalie Hemby and her adorable daughter sang “Rainbow,” which she cowrote with McAnally and Kacey Musgraves. Dallas Davidson announced that “Rainbow” was the winner.

“We wrote ‘Rainbow’ in 2013, when we were all going through a rough time,” commented Natalie. “It just kinda fell out of the sky….If you’re ever going through a rough time, it’s time to let the rainbow shine.”

Doug Johnson, Janie West, Jody Williams, Tim Wipperman, Tracy Gershon, Jon Nite, Luke Dick, Courtney Crist, show producer Tim Fink, Juli Griffith, Abbe Nameche, Jeff Skaggs, Robert Carlton, Ben Hayslip, Stephanie Cox and Steve O’Brien were cheering. Sherod Robertson led a contingent of enthusiastic MusicRow attendees including Alex Kobrick, Haley Crow and LB Rogers.

Here’s another AIMP delight. We headed for home at the divinely early hour of 9:00 p.m.