BMI Christian Music Awards Honor the Genre's Most Played Songs

NASHVILLE, TN. (Top40 Charts/ BMI Nashville) - U.S. performing right organization BMI saluted the writers and publishers of the past year's most performed songs on Christian radio and television during the annual Christian Music Awards, held April 19, at the company's Music Row offices in Nashville. BMI named hit-maker Ed Cash the 2008 Christian Songwriter of the Year, while his composition 'Made to Worship' garnered Song of the Year honors. BMI Vice President Jody Williams, along with Senior Director Thomas Cain and Associate Director Beth Mason, of BMI's Writer/Publisher Relations department in Nashville, presented awards spanning five categories: Christian Rock, Contemporary Christian, Inspirational, Urban Gospel and Southern Gospel.

Prior to the presentation of awards, perennial Christian favorites Jars of Clay, rising star Aaron Shust and fiery gospel artist Isaiah Thomas set the evening's warm tone with soulful renditions of their award-winning songs.

Producer and songwriter Ed Cash earned BMI Songwriter of the Year thanks to his profound compositions 'Made to Worship,' 'Holding onto You,' and 'How Can I Keep from Singing.' 'Made to Worship' also garnered BMI Song of the Year for Cash; recorded by contemporary Christian favorite Chris Tomlin, the song was published by Alletrop Music.

The ceremony also feted Publisher of the Year Universal Music Publishing Group. The company's eight award-winning songs include 'The Blessing of Abraham,' written by esteemed producer and chorale director Donald Lawrence; 'Dead Man (Carry Me),' co-written and recorded by Jars of Clay; 'My Savior, My God,' written and recorded by Aaron Shust; and 'Imagine Me,' co-penned and recorded by Kirk Franklin.
For the complete release, please visit www.bmi.com