BMI hosted the 2024 BMI Christian Awards this evening celebrating its top Christian songwriters and music publishers with BMI’s Christian Song, Songwriter and Publisher of the Year revealed. In addition, the ceremony named 21 first-time winners for their hand in writing the top 25 most-performed Christian songs of the previous year. BMI’s AVP of Creative, Nashville, Leslie Roberts hosted the invitation-only ceremony at BMI’s Music Row office.

Throughout the ceremony, BMI named the top 25 most-performed Christian songs such as “Fear Is Not My Future,” “God Is in The Story,” “Heart of God,” “Hymn of Heaven,” “Love Me Like I Am,” “Rest On Us,” “Who I Am” and more. First-time winners included Bryan Fowler, Enrique Holmes, Jesse Cline, Nicole Hannel, Jonathan Jay, Jacob Mills, Levi Mills, Hannah Shackelford, Anthony Skinner and P!nk.

“Gratitude” was named the 2024 Song of the Year. Written by BMI songwriters Dante Bowe and Ben Hastings (APRA), the No. One hit is featured on Brandon Lake’s album, House of Miracles. The track received critical praise for its raw honesty and received nominations from the 2023 GMA Dove Awards for Song of the Year and Worship Recorded Song of the Year.

The coveted Songwriter of the Year award was presented to Phil Wickham, who had a hand in writing four of this year’s award-winning songs including “Holy Forever,” “Hymn of Heaven,” “Then Christ Came,” and “This Is Our God.” The multi-GRAMMY nominated worship artist has garnered billions of streams and his latest album, I Believe, has earned two No. One singles at Christian radio.

Essential Music Publishing took home the accolade for Publisher of the Year, as they are responsible for 12 of the 25 most-performed songs of the year including “Cornerstone,” “God Is in This Story,” “Heart of God,” “Holy Forever,” “I Thank God,” “I’m So Blessed,” “Perfectly Loved,” “Same God,” “Thank God I Do,” “Then Christ Came,” “This Is Our God” and “Who I Am.”

The 2024 BMI Christian Awards featured special moments throughout the night as Anne Wilson offered a stripped-down version of her hit, “Strong,” accompanied by BMI’s 2023 Songwriter of the Year, Jeff Pardo. Prolific newcomer Charly Beathard made her BMI performance debut with “Hallelujah Anyway,” while multi-Grammy nominated artist Phil Wickham performed an acoustic rendition of his song “Hymn of Heaven.”

If you missed the dynamic Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Tye Tribbett’s electrifying “Only One Night Tho” Tour, you are in luck! Tribbett is bringing back his sensational performance for one exclusive night on July 19 at 7:00 PM at the House Of Blues Las Vegas. This special show celebrates Tribbett’s prestigious James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Icon Award as well as receiving the most nominations with eight nods at this year’s Stellar Awards.

Fans can secure their seats early by visiting the Live Nation website and using the pre-sale code STELLAR. General ticket sales will commence on Friday, June 21, ensuring everyone has the chance to experience this extraordinary event.

Tye Tribbett is renowned for his high-energy performances and powerful vocals that transcend the traditional boundaries of gospel music. With a career spanning over two decades, Tribbett has consistently delivered chart-topping hits and soul-stirring live shows, making him one of the most influential artists in contemporary gospel music.

This night promises to be an unforgettable evening of music, worship, and inspiration. Fans can expect Tribbett’s signature style of worship, blending elements of gospel, R&B, and hip-hop, creating a unique and immersive worship experience. With his recent GRAMMY win, the conclusion of his tour, and now receiving a lifetime achievement award from the Stellar Awards, Tribbett is having an unstoppable year—and he’s only just getting started!

Internationally renowned Christian music artist Chris Tomlin will release a new version of his critically acclaimed song “Holy Forever” this Friday with rising sensation Cain. The global impact of this song, written alongside Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Phil Wickham, and Jason Ingram, continues 2 years after its original release as a single off his Grammy-nominated album Always.

Since that time, the Grammy, Billboard Music Awards, and K-LOVE Award nominated “Holy Forever” has reached RIAA Gold status, remained at #1 on the charts for six weeks, became Tomlin’s  21^st career radio #1 single, and began an undeniable movement as church leaders across the globe discovered the song and began adding it to their church services. That attention, and the remarkable run at radio, triggered a global response to the song. “Holy Forever” has totaled more than 160 Million streams to date.

Chris recently wrapped the European leg of his “Holy Forever World Tour” packing venues like SSE Arena in Belfast, Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam and Mitsubishi Live Arena in Düsseldorf. This overwhelming response has continued in Canada this summer with additional dates added to the schedule due to demand. The tour will pick up again this fall with a second U.S. leg.

Accomplished writer and worship leader Pat Barrett will join as special guest in Canada and Tauren Wells and Cain will join for the fall dates. “We are so expectant for what God is going to do on these nights, and we’re believing for countless life-changing testimonies to be cultivated during these nights together,” shared Cain.

Tickets are moving quickly with some dates already sold out, more information is available at ChrisTomlin.com.

Holy Forever World Tour:

CANADA

8-14       Windsor, Ontario                           SOLD OUT

8-15       Cambridge, Ontario                      SOLD OUT

8-16       Toronto, Ontario                             

8-17       Niagara, Ontario                            

8-21       Calgary, Alberta – Night 1             

8-22       Calgary, Alberta – Night 2             SOLD OUT

8-23       Edmonton, Alberta – Night 1         SOLD OUT

8-24       Edmonton, Alberta – Night 2

Pat Barrett as special guest

NORTH AMERICA LEG 2

10-8       Henderson, NV                               Lee’s Family Forum

10-9       Ontario, CA                                    Toyota Arena

10-10     Phoenix, AZ                                    Mullett Arena

10-11     San Diego, CA                                 Viejas Arena

10-23     Hartford, CT                                   XL Center

10-24     Pittsburgh, PA                                Petersen Events Center

10-25     Canton, OH                                     Canton Memorial Civic Center

11-1       Houston, TX                                    Berry Center

11-2       Fort Worth, TX                              Dickies Arena

11-3       San Antonio, TX                             Freeman Coliseum

11-7       Atlanta, GA                                     Gas South Arena

11-8       Charlotte, NC                                  Bojangles Coliseum

11-9       Norfolk, VA                                     Chartway Arena

11-14     Minneapolis, MN                            Target Center

11-15     Chicago, IL                                      NOW Arena

11-16     Indianapolis, IN                              Gainbridge Fieldhouse

11-21     Orlando, FL                                    Addition Financial Arena

11-22     Sunrise, FL                                      Amerant Bank Arena

11-23     Tampa, FL                                      Yuengling Center

Tauren Wells + Cain as special guests on varying nights 

Well-respected worship leader and songwriter Pat Barrett will head out on his “Beautiful Life Tour” with special guest Patrick Mayberry this fall. Tickets are now on sale for the 12-date tour which begins on September 5th. 

Barrett, an Atlanta-based artist, expresses overflowing gratitude for the opportunity to invite people into this new worshipful journey. The “Beautiful Life Tour” finds inspiration in Ecclesiastes, a book exploring the wide spectrum of life in its mundanity, pain, redemption, and holy beauty. It will be a space for honesty, communion, and encouragement as people hold the tension of life before God in worship.

“There are certain aspects of faith that are meant to be shared, and I look forward to sharing not just the songs that have helped me the past couple of years, but hopefully other people as well and create a new experience for all of us,” shares Pat Barrett. “My hope in all these cities is to connect with people and experience communion together, not in the bread and wine sense, but in the connection sense.”

With a full band, Barrett will blend some of his classics (“Build My Life,” “Good Good Father,” “The Way”) with brand-new songs (“Shelter,” “Praise Him,” “Seen Known Loved”). Each night promises to be influenced by the people who are there as they will see where faith takes them each night.

Patrick Mayberry shares, “I AM SOOOO EXCITED ABOUT BEING A PART OF THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE TOUR! I have been a long-time fan of Pat Barrett, and sharing the stage with him is a dream come true! These nights are going to be fun and worshipful! I don’t know if the world is ready for the Pat Power times 2, but I sure am!”

September 5, 2024 – Milwaukee (West Allis), WI*
September 6, 2024 – Minneapolis (Golden Valley), MN
September 7, 2024 – Oswego, IL
September 8, 2024 – Louisville, KY
September 12, 2024 – Pittsburgh (Murrysville), PA
September 13, 2024 – North Attleboro, MA
September 14, 2024 – South Portland, ME
September 15, 2024 – Leesburg, VA
September 19, 2024 – Burlington, NC
September 20, 2024 – Atlanta (Marietta), GA
September 21, 2024 – Port St. Lucie, FL
September 22, 2024 – New Port Richey, FL

*No Patrick Mayberry

Newcomer Josiah Queen makes history with his debut album, The Prodigal, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. Not only did it top the charts, but it was also the biggest album streaming debut by a new artist in CCM history with an incredible 6.6 million global streams.

As an independent musician, Josiah Queen is a testament to the power of dedication and the resonance of a harmonious melody with a global audience reaching 125M total streams. The title track “The Prodigal” has amassed more than 46M global streams with over 50M views on social content utilizing the track. This song is climbing the radio chart and was Apple Music’s Top 100 Songs in 2023.

Queen was also named one of Amazon’s Breakthrough Artists to Watch in 2024. His music reaches more than 2.2M monthly Spotify listeners as his songs are included on multiple genre playlists across the platform.

“It’s been surreal to see the response to The Prodigal,” Josiah Queen tells Billboard. “It’s wild to me that these songs which I wrote in my living room and bedroom have made their way to people all over the world. My hope is that the album leads people closer to God.”

Josiah Queen Debut Album Hits No. 1 On Billboard Top Christian Albums Chart

Stream & Enjoy

https://youtube.com/watch?v=3B3hC706X90%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Queen continues to grow and impact the church and global music audiences. His journey, crafted with faith-filled lyrics and heartfelt melodies, is an anthem of authenticity and devotion that’s resonated with fans of all ages. Completing his first-ever headline tour, Queen sold out all 24 dates. He will be joining Forrest Frank for his summer tour with dates announced this week before he heads out on a new fall tour. He will also make his Grand Ole Opry debut this summer on July 2nd.

Josiah Queen is co-managed by Hyphen Media Group and Mad Jack Management.

Earlier this week seven-time GRAMMY-winner TobyMac was surprised by Pandora and his record label, Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG), with numerous career accolades.

TobyMac was awarded with a Billionaires Plaque, commemorating his music having been streamed over 1 billion times on the platform.  The plaque was presented on June 11 by SiriusXM Pandora’s Al Skop, Senior Director, Music Programming.  Pandora has also celebrated artists from multiple genres over the years for reaching the milestone on its platform including Drake, DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Metallica, Rihanna, Taylor Swift and fellow Christian acts like Chris Tomlin, Hillsong United, MercyMe, Skillet and more.

“I am just so grateful,” said TobyMac. “I look out at all of you and see a team – some people I’ve worked with for decades, some for months, but a team that has championed my songs and helped me spread how deep and wide God’s never-ending love is, and for that I am so thankful. I love experiencing God breathing life into a song, allowing people to make that song their own and experience God’s faithfulness in their own lives – it’s why I will keep doing it ’til someone tells me I can’t anymore.”

Hosted by CCMG in their new Nashville office, the label also took the opportunity to celebrate the success of TobyMac’s LIFE AFTER DEATH project, honoring its five No.1 radio singles.  Additionally, they presented him with plaques commemorating the RIAA Gold certification of his single “Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight),” as well as for the RIAA Platinum certifications for both “Speak Life” and “City On Our Knees.”

“We are thrilled to honor TobyMac and his unprecedented success. From being awarded Pandora’s Billionaires Plaque to numerous awards for his catalog and current album LIFE AFTER DEATH, there is so much to celebrate,” expressed Brad O’Donnell, CCMG Co-President. “We are extremely grateful to be involved with such a special artist like Toby.”

“It’s a privilege to recognize the impact that TobyMac’s music and creativity has on the world,” adds Hudson Plachy, CCMG Co-President. “We are so proud to work alongside Toby and celebrate all of these well-deserved accomplishments.”

Last week TobyMac debuted his brand new single “Nothin’ Sweeter,” along with a coinciding lyric video. The single is the first release from an upcoming studio project (release date TBD) and follows his highly-decorated album LIFE AFTER DEATH, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Albums chart, produced five number one radio hits and has surpassed 475M Global streams.

TobyMac recently received the K-LOVE Fan Award Song of the Year honor for his 2024 hit “Faithfully,” which spent nine weeks at the top spot and broke Billboard’srecord for most Christian Airplay number ones among soloists. TobyMac will be hitting the summer festival circuit this month, starting with FishFest on June 15.

SiriusXM and Pandora today announced Victoria Alfonso joined the company as Artist & Industry Relations Coordinator – Country & Christian.

In her new role, Alfonso will coordinate talent visits at the SiriusXM Nashville studio, develop partnerships with artists and their teams and assist with ongoing initiatives across SiriusXM and Pandora. She will report to Bekah Digby, Associate Director, Artist & Industry Relations and will be based in Nashville, TN.

Alfonso graduated from Belmont University in May of this year. She held prior streaming and marketing internships at Big Machine Label Group, UMG – Capitol Christian Music Group and Warner Music Nashville.

Renowned gospel artist CeCe Winans performed her latest single, “That’s My King,” on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ this week. The track is from her new chart-topping live album, More Than This.

More Than This is not just another album, it’s a testament to CeCe’s musical prowess, spiritual depth, and unwavering commitment to spreading the message of faith and inspiration through her music. Winans continues to elevate the genre, touching hearts and souls with her unparalleled talent and unwavering devotion to her craft.

5X GRAMMY Award-winner Brandon Lake has announced plans for an exciting new album coming soon. Tear Off The Roof (Live From The Holy City) is slated to arrive on June 21. You can see the LP’s album artwork and track listing below. The record, which Lake calls his favorite project to date, features live versions of some of his most well-known songs and is set to arrive on Brandon’s birthday next week.

Tear Off The Roof (Live From The Holy City)

01. PRAISE YOU ANYWHERE (LIVE)

02. GRAVES INTO GARDENS (LIVE)

03. HONEY IN THE ROCK (LIVE)

04. REST ON US (LIVE)

05. ADOPTION SONG (LIVE)

06. COAT OF MANY COLORS (LIVE)

07. FEAR IS NOT MY FUTURE / RATTLE! (LIVE)

08. TEAR OFF THE ROOF (LIVE) feat. Jordan Colle

09. TALKING TO JESUS (LIVE)

10. AGNUS DEI (LIVE)

11. COME HOME (LIVE)

12. THIS IS A MOVE (LIVE FROM GREENSBORO) feat. Tasha Cobbs

13. TOO GOOD TO NOT BELIEVE (LIVE FROM PITTSBURGH) feat. Cody Carnes

14. YOUR LOVE IS STRONG (LIVE) feat. Jon Foreman

15. LION INSTRUMENTAL (LIVE)

16. COUNT ‘EM (LIVE)

17. GRATITUDE (LIVE)

18. PRAISE (LIVE)

Central City Productions recently announced the nominees in 36 categories for the 39th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards taping on Saturday, July 20th, returning to Las Vegas at the Orleans Arena. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning TV personality and comedian Loni Love, alongside Marconi Award-winning radio/TV personality and comedian Rickey Smiley, the evening will bring together gospel music’s brightest stars for a celebration billed as “The Greatest Night in Gospel Music.”

The 39th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will premiere on the Stellar Network on Saturday, August 3rd at 8PM and 10PM EST and in broadcast syndication from August 10, 2024 – September 8, 2024.

Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions, Inc. commented, “The Stellar Awards has always been a beacon of hope and inspiration, celebrating the very best in gospel music. We are thrilled to have Loni Love and Rickey Smiley as our hosts this year, and we know they will bring a special touch of joy and excitement to the evening.”

Celebrated artist Kim Burrell is set to receive the Aretha Franklin Icon Award; and GRAMMY Award and multiple Stellar Award winner Tye Tribbett is set to receive the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award.

Adding to the excitement, this year’s Stellar Awards is part of the STELLAR PLUS week, a fun-filled extravaganza centered around the flagship show. From fashion and Afrobeats day events to masterclasses and more, the Stellar Plus week offers a diverse array of activities for attendees. Whether you’re a music enthusiast, fashion lover, or someone seeking inspiration, there’s something for everyone.

For those planning to attend, a full list of events and ticket information is available at stellarplusexperience.com. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to be a part of gospel music history and celebrate the artists who inspire us all. Stellar Plus events are sponsored by: Amazon Music, Compassion, The Recording Academy and more. Stellar Plus Event tickets are available now at stellarplusexperience.com.

Stellar Awards taping Tickets are available now at www.stellarawards.com or Ticketmaster.com. Additional announcements regarding ancillary events will follow. Some of the biggest names in Gospel will be appearing as participants in this year’s show – stay tuned for future announcements and follow @thestellars on Instagram and Twitter, or Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Facebook for the latest news and updates about the Greatest Night in Gospel Music.

This year’s Stellar Awards is Sponsored by Procter & Gamble with Presenting Sponsorship provided by AT&T, State Farm, McDonalds, Disney, Walmart, AFLAC and General Motors.

The 39th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Producer and Executive in Charge of Production; Michael A. Johnson as Producer and Director, Erin Johnson as Talent Producer and Daniel Moore as Music Director.

A full list of the 39th annual nominees can be found on the official Stellar Awards website.