BMI honored 2007's most played songs on Christian radio and TV during the annual Christian Music Awards. BMI VP Jody Williams, along with Senior Director Thomas Cain and Associate Director Beth Mason, of BMI’s Writer/Publisher Relations department, presented awards in five categories: Christian Rock, Contemporary Christian, Inspirational, Urban Gospel and Southern Gospel.
Ed Cash was named the 2008 Christian Songwriter of the Year and his song "Made to Worship" took home the Song of the Year honors.
Jars of Clay, Aaron Shust and Isaiah Thomas each performed their award-winning songs during the ceremony.
"Paid in Full Through Jesus, Amen"
Daywind Records
Performed by Greater Vision
Purchase/Download
A touch of banjo and Rodney's lyrics helped make "Paid in Full" a song that stood out over and above the rest.
"Real To Me"
Performed by Nichole Nordeman
Purchase/Download
The upbeat sound of this song don't take away from the punch of the lyrics at all.
"Shine On"
Lava/Atlantic
Performed by Needtobreathe
Purchase/Download
From their debut album Daylight, "Shine On" certainly showed that the Rinehart brothers, Bo and Bear, know how to shine.
"Sky Full of Angels"
Taranda Greene
Performed by TaRanda Greene
TaRanda Greene of Southern Gospel's The Greenes has made quite a name for herself as a solo artist. She was nominated in the Singing News magazine as one of the top 10 Female Vocalists of the year in 2006.
"Strong Tower"
BEC recordings
Performed by Kutless
Purchase/Download
The title track off of Kutless's first rock-worship album did well on radio and with fans even if some critics were nonplussed.
"Um Good"
EMI Gospel
Performed by Smokie Norful
Purchase/Download
Smokie's first radio single off of Life Changing wowed fans, radio and even critics.
"We Praise You"
Gospocentric
Performed by The McClurkin Project
Donnie McClurkin may have officially retired from gospel music, but hey - this is family. Donnie and his sisters brought the second McClurkin Project to the table 8 years after their debut album hit stores and this one quickly became one of the better gospel releases of 2007.
