BMI has recently named Essential Music Publishing (EMP) writer Ethan Hulse as BMI’s Christian Songwriter of the Year. This is the third consecutive year that he has received this honor. In addition, EMP received 11 individual song awards (listed below) representing 12 of the team’s writers.

“We are incredibly proud of this group of songs and the writers who helped create them,” shares Holly Zabka, Sr. Vice President for Essential Music Publishing and Head of Creative for Provident Label Group. “As a publishing company, it’s so encouraging to not just see a large number of songs represented, but so many different writers from our Essential Music Publishing team contributing. Honored to celebrate alongside them and excited for what’s next.”

Christian Songwriter of the Year Ethan Hulse was the co-writer on three songs recognized this year “Rescue Story” (Zach Williams), “Stand In Your Love” (Josh Baldwin), and “The Father’s House” (Cory Asbury). Hulse signed his first publishing deal with Essential Music Publishing in 2016 and has become one of the most sought-after writers in Christian music. With cuts also recorded by Cory Asbury, Bethel Music, Josh Baldwin, and Zach Williams, Hulse has seven No. 1 songs to his name.

Essential Music Publishing – BMI Song Awards (EMP writers):
“Rescue Story”
(Ethan Hulse, Andrew Ripp, Jonathan Smith, Zach William

“Stand In Your Love”
(Ethan Hulse)

“The Father’s House”
(Ethan Hulse)

“God’s Not Done With You”
(Tauren Wells)

“See A Victory”
(Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Jason Ingram)

“The Blessing”
(Chris Brown, Steven Furtick)

“Alive”
(Jason Ingram, Jonathan Smith, Zach Williams)

“Nobody”
(Mark Hall)

“The God Who Stays”
(Jonathan Smith)

“Together”
(Ran Jackson, Ricky Jackson)

“Yes I Will”
(Mia Fieldes, Jonathan Smith)

BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) paid tribute to the best and brightest in Christian music with its annual Christian Awards celebration. The honorees were announced today on BMI.com and across the organization’s digital platforms, celebrating the encouraging and uplifting music of BMI’s Christian songwriters. To honor these achievements, BMI created a page on its website where fans can watch special video messages and performances, listen to award-winning music, and more. To view this exclusive content and hear the story behind some of this year’s uplifting songs, please visit bmi.com/christian2021.

“The BMI Christian Awards is one of our favorite annual celebrations, but it is especially meaningful after the events of the last year. Throughout this time, each and every one of these extraordinary songwriters has used their gift to uplift others,” says Leslie Roberts, AVP, Creative, BMI Nashville. “BMI is so proud to honor the creators of the inspirational songs of hope and faith that bring comfort to so many around the world. I am hopeful that we will all be together again to celebrate in person next year.”

The Song of the Year title went to “Way Maker,” written by Sinach and published by Capitol CMG Publishing. In 2020, the hit won the Dove Award for Song of the Year, making Sinach the first Nigerian Christian artist to win the award. The song has been covered by numerous artists including Christian rock band Leeland as well as the iconic Michael W. Smith. The Leeland and Smith versions of the song entered the Billboard Hot Christian Chart in the top ten, marking the first time in history that two versions of the same song resided together in the top of the chart.

For the third year in a row, the Songwriter of the Year award went to Ethan Hulse, who wrote “Rescue Story,” “Stand In Your Love” and “The Father’s House.”  In 2019, Hulse won his first BMI Award and was simultaneously named Songwriter of the Year.

Capitol CMG took home the Publisher of the Year award. The company had the highest percentage of copyright ownership among the year’s most-performed songs, including the hits “Believer,” “Burn the Ships,” “Dead Man Walking,” “God’s Not Done With You,” “Holy Water,” “Let It Rain (Is There Anybody),” “See a Victory,” “Stand In Your Love,” “The Blessing,” “The Father’s House,” “Way Maker,” and “You Are Loved.”

In addition to the major award winners, BMI also paid homage to the Twenty-Five Most Performed Christian Songs of the Year (2020). This year’s winners featured 17 first time Christian award winners including Cody Carnes (“The Blessing”), Franni Cash Cain (“Holy Water”), Martin Cash (“Holy Water”), Dillon Chase (“Symphony”), Dave Clark (“River”), Sheri Easter (“You Are Loved”), Cassidy Estevez (“Symphony”), Rob Estevez (“Symphony”), Luke Guevara (“Symphony”), Matt Hales (“Burn the Ships”), Jason Ingram (“Alive,” “See A Victory”), Ricky Jackson (“Together”), Andrew Ripp (“Rescue Story”), Sinach (“Way Maker”), Rita Springer (“Stand In Your Love”), Mitch Wong (“Believer”), and Jimmy Yeary (“The God I Serve,” “Sometimes It’s The Radio”), who has previously been awarded seven BMI Country Awards. Legendary Christian songwriter and producer Bernie Herms is receiving his 17th and 18th Awards. He was named 2016 Christian Songwriter of the Year and also wrote the 2016 Christian Song of the Year, “Good Good Father.”

For a complete list of winners, video messages and performances, go to bmi.com/christian2021.

There’s no stopping the outstanding performance of CeCe Winans’ current album, Believe For It. Prior to street date, the record began to acquire a buzz throughout the Christian and Gospel industry which heightened the anticipation of hearing new music from the celebrated voice of Winans. The live recording featuring 12 heart-felt songs of worship quickly rose to the top of the charts claiming the number one spot, simultaneously, on four different Billboard Gospel Charts with the album remaining in the number slot for seven consecutive weeks.

Winans is now making her mark at key Christian radio stations and networks like: K-Love, KLTY (Dallas), KSBJ (Houston), The Fish (Atlanta & Los Angeles), WONU (Chicago), Sirius XM, The Message and many more. The single, “Believe For It,” holds a Top 10 presence on the Billboard Christian Charts chiming in at #7 on Billboard Christian Airplay Chart, #9 on the Billboard Monitored Chart, #7 on Billboard Christian Digital Song Sales Chart and #9 on the Mediabase Christian AC Chart.

The album is currently at #4 on Billboard’s Top Christian/Gospel Album chart and has been in the top 10 every week since its release 20 weeks ago. The US On-Demand streams for “Believe For It”, the song that distributes hope to the multitudes, has surpassed the 13 million cyber count and the album is over 41 million and increasing daily.

“It’s always a privilege to work with artists of CeCe’s caliber. We are beyond excited about the success she is having with this record and we know there is much more to come,” says Jeff Moseley, Founder & President of Fair Trade.

The 36 million video views the album has received on YouTube and FaceBook keeps the momentum of “Believe For It” vigorous and tracking upward on the Christian Charts. But it’s the many testimonies of Winans’ fans and followers sharing their stories of how the song has touched their hearts and changed their lives that is at the core success of this single and album. For Winans, singing is always about spreading the good news of the gospel, encouraging people to trust God, believe, and never give up.

As the 12 time Grammy winner reflects on the achievement of her 11th solo album she has this to say, “I’m thrilled with the success of BELIEVE FOR IT because I think the message of the song is more important today than ever before. I celebrate reaching Top Ten and the millions of views the videos have received – not because it elevates me in any way – but because the songs promote the truth of the Gospel and the hope we have in Christ.”

Jason Nelson, best-known for his No. 1 gospel ballads “Forever” and “I Am,” will emerge from a three-year recording hiatus on 8/6 with the release of his sixth album, Close (Jaelyn Song Music/ Tyscot / FairTrade).  “First, it’s a studio record [his past sets have been live sessions]. Secondly, I delve into music that helped to nurture my sound as a singer. It pays homage to Dawkins & Dawkins, Fred Hammond, Commissioned. The first album I ever purchased was by Jaco Pastorious (a legendary bassist known for his work with jazz fusion band, Weather Report). All of them played a major role in my musical journey.”   

With hints of Jazz, R&B, and Pop flavors, Nelson is flexing new musical muscles on Close. Joining him for this sonic workout are luminaries such as R&B singer, Chrisette Michele; jazz bassist, John Patitucci; and Cross Worshipleader, Osby Berry. Although, the set breaks new musical ground for Nelson; it’s still an album that solidly delivers the heartfelt, Jesus-centered songs of faith that Nelson’s core fans have come to love.   The first radio single, “Residue,” has already racked a million streams and charted in the Top 20 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart.

The twelve-track set is also the first fruit of Nelson’s Jaelyn Song imprint’s new marketing and distribution partnership with Tyscot Records and FairTrade Services. “I love the freedom of being able to curate my career and make decisions that I feel are the best for me,” Nelson says after a nearly decade-long recording relationship with RCA Inspirational. 

A Baltimore, Maryland native, Nelson has been active on the national stage since 2005. Over the years, he’s enjoyed a string of gospel radio hits such as “Shifting the Atmosphere,” “Nothing Without You,” “I Am” and “Forever” that have earned him over 100 million digital streams. He is also Pastor of The Tab (Formerly The Tabernacle at Greater Bethlehem Temple) in Windsor Mills, MD. He and his wife, Tonya, have two children, Jaelyn Paris and Jason Christopher.

Pre-Order Link: https://smarturl.it/JNClose

Nigerian gospel music minister & fashion designer Agaga Praise Kukerim well known as Yadah & the litu girl under the management of SonsHub Media is preparing to release her debut album whose title is revealed to be THE LOVE STORY.

The album is scheduled for release August 8th of 2021 at The Transforming Church located at the end of 7th Avenue beside Lub Gas, Gwarimpa-Abuja by 4PM.

The album release date is also the scheduled date for the second edition of her yearly concert YADAH LIVE IN CONCERT which was halted last year due to COVID-19.

The fifteen track album contains some of the already released songs such as the evergreen Beyond Me, Free of Charge, Out of Nothing and Onye Inaputara the other eleven songs are new songs which in no doubt are going to bless lives.

Featured artists on the album include the legendary Solomon Lange the Yabo crooner, producer cum artist Manus Akpanke and versatile South side Afro singer Prinx Emmanuel the God No Dey Shame Us crooner.
Artist lineup for this concert includes the likes of KJ, Thombee, Solomon Lange, Mercy Chinwo, Chris Morgan, Jimmy D Psalmist, Samsong, Steve Crown and a host of other artists.

It promises to be an exciting time in God’s presence at the concert/album launch and get set to experience God’s unwavering love via the album which is all about the undeserved LOVE of God as a father towards us all His children.

Make out time to be there if you can make it and prepare your mind to be blessed with the beautiful songs from Yadah.

GRAMMY® and Stellar Award winner, Jonathan McReynolds, continues his reign in gospel music by adding another #1 single to his resume. The single, “Grace” (lifted from the PEOPLE EP), has earned #1 status on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart. Along with this milestone, McReynolds celebrates winning 3 Stellar Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year, Producer of the Year and Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, during the 36^th Stellar Gospel Music Awards telecast. Jonathan McReynolds current EP, PEOPLE, is available wherever music is sold and streamed now.

Beginning September 30, Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music will take their GRAMMY® winning collaboration on the road, embarking on a multi-city tour simply titled Jonny x Mali. Tickets are available for purchase at JonnyXMali.com.

“I told Mali at the recording, being a gospel artist is simply more fun for me when he’s around. We are the perfect odd couple of musical creativity. I love it. I draw the lines; he colors the picture. Magic and Bird love. A teacher and a poet. I think people will hear it and love it too,” shares Jonathan McReynolds.

The PEOPLE EP by Jonathan McReynolds boasts collaborations with Mali Music, The Walls Group and Pastor Mike Todd. It is available now everywhere that music is streamed. Impacting radio now are the singles “Grace” and “Best Thing.” The new #1 single, “Grace” marks McReynolds’ fourth #1 single preceded by “Movin’ On,” “Make Room” and “Not Lucky, I’m Loved.”

Watch “Grace” video below;

For more information on Jonathan McReynolds visit jonathanmcreynolds.com; on Facebook at Facebook.com/jmcreynoldsmusic; on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube using the handle @jonmcreynolds. 

For more information on Entertainment One visit EntertainmentOne.com.

JONNY X MALI – Tour Dates

• September 30th: Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
• October 1: Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte, NC
• October 3rd: Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia PA
• October 4th: Sony Hall, New York, New York
• October 5th: Toad’s Place, New Haven, CT
• October 7th: Lincoln Theatre, Washington DC
• October 10th: Chicago IL, House of Blues
• October 13th: The Novo, Los Angeles, CA

4x GRAMMY winning duo and Curb | Word Entertainment recording artist for KING & COUNTRY will unveil their brand new single “Relate,” available everywhere on Friday, August 6. The new track exemplifies for KING & COUNTRY’s ability to write instant earworms while crafting lyrics that hit straight to the heart. Over a bed of synth pads, shimmering guitars, and driving percussion, Joel and Luke Smallbone make an impassioned call to arms for unity – while we all have our differences, we all share the basic human experiences. When we focus on what brings us closer rather than what drives us apart, we can begin to understand each other and “relate” to one another in a profound way. The official music video for “Relate” will premiere on Apple Music also on August 6.

Joel and Luke share in a statement: “’Relate’ is really the ongoing search for compassion and empathy amidst our differences. For us, music has always been about the sense of finding community and connection through the universal language of song. We’re brought together in a beautiful way by that lyric or melody regardless of our backgrounds, differences or where we’re from… As the chorus conveys, ‘I don’t know what it’s like to be you, you don’t know what it’s like to be me, but what if we’re all the same in different kinds of ways, can you relate?’”

Additionally on August 6, for KING & COUNTRY will debut “Relate” to the world with a live appearance on the nationally syndicated morning talk show Fox & Friends. This news follows the announcement of for KING & COUNTRY’s first arena tour in two years with RELATE | The 2021 Fall Tour. The 24-date trek will see Joel and Luke Smallbone return to arenas and amphitheaters to perform BRAND NEW music from their upcoming studio album, along with selections from the duo’s nine No. 1 hits. For more information, click HERE.

for KING & COUNTRY has broken their own industry record with their sixth consecutive No. 1 single, the multi-chart smash hit “Amen.” The chart-topping duo now have FIVE No. 1 hits from their GRAMMY winning, RIAA Gold certified album Burn The Ships, and nine No. 1 hits overall. “Amen” is currently climbing the mainstream charts, reaching No. 15 and 14 on Billboard and Mediabase’s AC charts, respectively. Billboard recently wrote about the duo’s unparalleled success in a Chart Beat piece at the link provided HERE.

With a passion to encourage congregational worship, create resources for churches and draw listeners closer to God, Highlands Worship releases Prayers To The King Aug. 13 to digital retail and streaming outlets globally. The 10 songs on the LP were meticulously crafted to create a contemplative, peaceful and worshipful environment to encourage and inspire listeners to connect with God in prayer.

Produced and co-written by Highlands Worship’s Chris Griffin and mixed by Chris Greeley (Bethel Music), Prayers To The King also features nine songs co-written by legendary Hosanna! Music songwriter Lynn DeShazo (“Ancient Words, “More Precious Than Silver,” “Be Magnified,” etc.).

“Our goal with writing songs specifically for the prayer environment is to help create the moment where we can connect with God,” shares Griffin. “The Bible says, ‘Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise [Psalm 100:4].’ Worship can walk us into God’s presence.”

Uniquely written and recorded for the Pray First app created by Church of the Highlands, one of the largest churches in America, the new music is being shared with the world on the app at no cost. Churches and individuals are invited to download the app for free on their devices via the Apple App or Google Play stores. In fact, the open-source app is built so that if churches wish, they may reconfigure the app specifically for their congregations.

“Our prayer is that the playlist of songs in the app is way more than just music— we hope it helps people encounter God in a real way,” continues Griffin.

Along with the app, Highlands Worship has beautifully captured every Prayers To The King song on video. These videos will release in the coming weeks, with select video premieres to be announced soon.

Prayers To The King and the Pray First app are an extension of Church of the Highlands’ annual 21 Days of Prayer that begins Aug. 8 and invites congregants to pray over their church, communities and nation.

“Pray First is a saying that the people of Church of the Highlands use often to remind us that in every situation we should take our burdens to God,” shares Worship Pastor John Larson, who leads Highlands Worship’s team of 1,000+ members and 70+ full or part-time musicians. “Prayer is our first priority, not our last resort. The Bible says that God sees when each sparrow falls [Matthew 10:29]. So how much more does God love and care for us? Our hope is to pray without ceasing; that every moment of our lives is covered by a faith-filled habit of prayer.”

The full Highlands Worship, Prayers To The King track listing follows:

1) Ever Close

2) You’re Coming (Pray)

3) Help Of Heaven

4) Prayer To The King

5) You Can Do All Things

6) Into The Water

7) Control

8) Echoes

9) Let It Fall

10) Even If I Tried

eOne celebrated a powerful night of faith and music at the 36^th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, which aired on BET on Sunday, August 1st. The Stellar Awards, which taped live on July 10th at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN, featured several of eOne’s chart-topping artists during its broadcast including Jonathan McReynolds, JJ Hairston and Latice Crawford.

Amongst the 5 Stellar Award wins, eOne cemented the major categories Male Vocalist of the Year and Choir of the Year (full list below). During the telecast Jonathan McReynolds delivered a powerful performance of his #1 single “Grace” and his GRAMMY winning single “Movin On” with Mali Music. JJ Hairston opened the show with his brand-new single “Great Jehovah” – impacting radio now. Latice Crawford, celebrated her new album release, The Cure, on the blue-carpet and she presented an award during the main telecast. Hitmaker, James Fortune, also presented on the main telecast, in celebration of his nomination and #1 single, “Nobody But Jesus (feat. Lisa Knowles-Smith).”

A complete list of Entertainment One’s wins can be seen below:

eOne’s 36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Winners

Category #3 – MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Jonathan McReynolds; People; eOne Music

CATEGORY #8 – CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– JJ Hairston; Not Holding Back; JamesTown Music / eOne Music

CATEGORY #9 – PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
– Jonathan McReynolds, Darryl “LiLMaN” Howell & Rogest “Rosco” Carstarphen, Jr.; People; eOne Music

CATEGORY #12 – CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Jonathan McReynolds; People; eOne Music

CATEGORY #21 – CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– JJ Hairston; Not Holding Back; JamesTown Music / eOne Music

“Look What You’ve Done,” the latest single from BEC Recordings’ powerhouse vocalist Tasha Layton, is officially one of summer’s biggest hits, landing at #8 on Billboard’s Christian AC Indicator chart this week. Penned by Layton, Matthew West, AJ Pruis and Keith Everette Smith, the track marks Layton’s second consecutive Top 10 single within a year.

“Hearing how ‘Look What You’ve Done’ has ministered to the hearts of listeners has been overwhelming,” Layton shares. “Although the song reflects my testimony, it has resonated as a testimony for so many others as well. For those who have experienced the transforming love of God, it is easy to point out where He has rescued, saved, healed and delivered. It’s an anthem of praise for what God has done and an encouraging proclamation of what He will continue to do. And it is because He proves Himself time and time again that we can trust Him with our hearts and lives. ‘All I can say is, hallelujah! Look what You’ve done!’”

One of Billboard’s Top 5 female Christian artists of 2020, Layton’s latest release—the three-song Look What You’ve Done EP—bowed last month. Along with the hit title-cut, the project also features “I Got You,” a carefree, windows-down pop anthem, as well as “Brave Heart (Dear Daughter),” a soaring ballad affirming God’s lovingkindness to his children in the face of adversity.

Layton’s breakthrough single, “Into The Sea (It’s Gonna Be Ok),” was among the biggest hits at Christian radio in 2020. Landing in the Top 10 on both Billboard’s Christian AC Monitored and Christian Airplay charts, “Into The Sea” also appeared on multiple year-end charts and earned more than 10 million streams in 2020 alone.

South Carolina native Tasha Layton launched her music career in Los Angeles, quickly becoming an in-demand session singer. She appeared on Season 9 of American Idol and spent four years as a back-up vocalist for pop superstar Katy Perry. Layton’s voice has also been heard in productions for Disneyland and Cirque du Soleil, as well as Nickelodeon television, and she has served as an instructor at the National Praise and Worship Institute at Nashville’s Trevecca Nazarene University.