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

Casting Crowns' Mark Hall Takes Home Two of the Night's Top Honors

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 BMI Christian Music Awards at the company's Music Row offices in Nashville. BMI named Casting Crowns' "Voice of Truth" Song of the Year, while the group's frontman Mark Hall earned the prestigious Songwriter of the Year title. 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 for 25 songs in five categories: Christian Rock, Contemporary Christian, Inspirational, Urban Gospel and Southern Gospel.

BMI executives Beth Mason and Jody Williams greet Steven Curtis Chapman and wife Mary Beth

Gospel star Kirk Franklin, Christian rock outfit Sanctus Real and Casting Crowns' Mark Hall delighted the packed room by delivering scorching performances of their award-winning songs.

BMI's Jody Williams & Beth Mason welcome Kirk Franklin. Pictured are (l to r): BMI's Jody Williams, Kirk Franklin, BMI's Beth Mason & Zomba Songs President Dave Mantel.

Longtime Christian music pacesetters Steven Curtis Chapman and Mark Hall took home BMI Song of the Year crystals for their stirring composition, "Voice of Truth." Recorded by Hall's award-winning band Casting Crowns, "Voice of Truth" was published by Club Zoo Music, Inc., My Refuge Music, Peach Hill Songs, Sparrow Song and SWECS Music.

Rock outfit Sanctus Real performs "I'm Not Alright."

It was a good night for the lead singer of Casting Crowns, who also earned his second BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year honor. Mark Hall's hits ""Lifesong," "Praise You in This Storm" and "Voice of Truth," all recorded by Casting Crowns, garnered three BMI Christian Awards in both the Contemporary and Inspirational categories.

Motown scribe Eddie Holland generates a hearty round of applause.

The ceremony also feted Publisher of the Year Songs of Greater Vision. The award is determined by the highest percentage of copyright ownership in award songs. The company's two honored songs, "Do You Want To Be Forgiven" and "Don't Let The Sandals Fool Ya," secured individual BMI Christian Awards for their adroit writer, Rodney Griffin.