BMI Christian Music Awards set for June 21

NEW YORK (BMI) - BMI will honor the songwriters and publishers of the past year's most performed Christian songs at the 2004 BMI Christian Music Awards on Monday, June 21. Staged at the company's Music Row offices, the invitation-only event will spotlight the top songs in the Adult Contemporary, Christian Hit Radio, Rhythmic, Rock, Southern Gospel and Contemporary/Traditional Gospel categories.

Paul Corbin, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville and Joyce Rice, Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, will present Citations of Achievement recognizing the top songs of each genre, with the ceremony culminating in the announcements of Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year and Most Performed Christian Song of the Year (all genres).

Previous BMI Award winners include past Songwriters of the Year Steven Curtis Chapman, Toby McKeehan, Kirk Franklin, and Gerald Crabb, plus Dottie Peoples, Yolanda Adams, Rebecca St. James, Kevin Max, Michael Tait, Jars of Clay, Jennifer Knapp, Skillet's John L. Cooper, Pillar, Marc Byrd, Chad Chapin, Rodney Griffin, Audio Adrenaline, Charlie Peacock, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Bob Herdman and Joe Beck.

BMI's Citations of Achievement are given in recognition of popularity in the field of Christian music, as measured by feature broadcast performances on American radio and television. The eligibility period ran January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003.