CM United proudly announces Honey Ribar as the Songwriter of the Year in their 22nd annual songwriting competition. Ribar, whose song “Earthquake (Singing Your Praises)” secured first place in the third quarter, stood out among a talented group of songwriters to receive this top honor.

This long-running annual competition, hosted by CM United via ChristianSongwriting.com, continues to spotlight and support the vibrant talent emerging within the Christian music community. Each year, the contest brings together a diverse pool of songwriters, resulting in a rich blend of artistic and spiritual expression across all categories.

22nd Annual Contest Winners:

 1st Place Winners:

 1st Qtr: Ward Tolbert – The Wood From Jesus’ Cross

 2nd Qtr: Matthew Soileau – One Light

 3rd Qtr: Honey Ribar – Earthquake (Singing Your Praises)

 4th Qtr: Jonathan Harvey – This Christmastime

 2nd Place Winners:

 1st Qtr: Erisa Rei Kopp – Face Like Flint

 2nd Qtr: Sutton Porth – Heaven Is Here

 3rd Qtr: Grant Adams – The Valley

 4th Qtr: Maria Olgerfelt – Unique

 3rd Place Winners:

 1st Qtr: Eli Klimchuk – My Jesus

 2nd Qtr: Brian Tucker – Calling Me

 3rd Qtr: Katie Flemming – Just Asking

 4th Qtr: Cindy Clark – Shout for Joy (Psalm 98)

As the 22nd Annual Songwriter of the Year, Ribar will receive a grand prize package including a comprehensive radio promotion campaign, Spotify playlist placement, a professional press release package, and a career development deal to help advance her music ministry.

Maintaining its high standards and integrity, this year’s competition was judged by a panel of respected music industry professionals: Cale Kight (artist and songwriter), John Katina and James Katina of the renowned Christian group The Katinas, and Chrissy Conway Katina, formerly of the Dove Award-nominated pop trio ZOEgirl.

Honey Ribar Named Songwriter Of The Year By CM United

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Over the years, CM United’s contests have served as launching pads for many successful artists. Notable past participants include Jordan St. Cyr, now signed to a major label; Mark Alan Schoolmeesters, a writer for artists like Chris Tomlin and Jesus Culture; Shay Mooney, now part of the chart-topping duo Dan + Shay; and Dustin Smith, a well-known songwriter and Integrity Music artist. Other rising names include Band Reeves, a duo made up of brothers Jeramy and Cody Reeves from Palestine, Texas, who recently signed with Centricity Music.

Alumni success continues with Sam Hart, who along with his wife Christin was named the 17th Annual Songwriter of the Year. Since relocating to Nashville, Sam signed with Curb/Word Publishing and has become a producer working alongside top Christian artists. Additionally, Cale Kight, a former contestant and now a judge, has achieved multiple Billboard charting hits and collaborates regularly with top Nashville songwriters.

These ongoing stories reflect the meaningful and lasting opportunities created through CM United’s contests—platforms that not only highlight talent but actively contribute to the growth and impact of Christian songwriters across the nation.

Entries for the 23rd Annual, 2nd Quarter Songwriting Contest are now open at ChristianSongwriting.com, inviting new voices to share their music and step into the legacy of faith-filled songwriting excellence.

Grammy-winning artist and America’s worship leader Chris Tomlin’s ‘Good Friday Nashville’ sold-out Bridgestone Arena again  Friday night. As of April, Chris is now tied with Taylor Swift in the #2 ranking of artists who have headlined Bridgestone Arena (Tim McGraw is #1). The annual Good Friday Nashville event began in 2017 and has continued each year, including virtually through a worldwide stream during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Continuing the annual tradition, Chris surprised the packed arena with five surprise guests this year! Including five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan to perform, along with multi-Dove Award winner Phil Wickham, Jenn Johnson of Bethel Music, platinum-selling Brooke Ligertwood, and best-selling author and friend Max Lucado.

Good Friday Nashville has become known for its surprise moments.  Over the years, special appearances have included Lainey Wilson, Rascal Flatts, Lady A, Lauren Daigle, CeCe Winans, Willie Robertson, and many others.

“I’m so grateful for what God is doing through Good Friday Nashville. It’s hard to believe next year will be year 10,” said Tomlin. “This has always been about the Church coming together as one — and over the years, it has been incredible to see and experience what has been built together. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for year 10!

“To everyone who joined us in the arena, tuned in on K-LOVE, and to the team, the partners, and the surprise guests — thank you,” he added. “I pray you and your family had a blessed Easter weekend.”

“Tickets for April 3, 2026, are already available … and as many of you know, they go quick — so get yours now!” Tomlin told the crowd on Friday night. “I hope you and your family will join me as we gather as a community to remember the Cross and celebrate the hope we have in Jesus.”

‘Good Friday Nashville’ is the largest ticketed Christian concert EVER at Bridgestone Arena. The event continues its reign as the longest-running annual charity-related concert at Bridgestone Arena as each year proceeds have gone back to the community. The event continues to benefit the foster care and adoption crisis through ‘For Others, ’ a non-profit organization created by Tomlin and his wife Lauren. For Others is a collective of donors, nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies holistically addressing the crisis plaguing our nation’s most vulnerable through local and nationwide initiatives.

During the concert, Chris announced tickets for ‘Good Friday Nashville’ 2026 were now available and over the weekend, have already sold over 60% of the tickets. Good Friday Nashville is a moment for all the streams of the church to come together as one to remember the sacrifice and celebrate the gift of Jesus,  go to www.christomlin.com NOW for tickets.

Last week, before “Good Friday Nashville,” Chris released “You Are My King (Amazing Love)” as part of Spotify’s First Easter Singles Campaign, alongside a collaboration with Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake.

Tremendous achievements in 2024 included a record-breaking tour and the global success of the song “Holy Forever.” Tomlin recently announced a first-of-its-kind concert series taking place this year “Worship Under The Stars” inviting people to a breathtaking celebration of faith, worship, and the vast beauty of creation at hand-selected, spectacular outdoor venues -including Central Park in New York City, Red Rocks in Colorado, and Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore!

‘Good Friday Nashville’ is promoted & produced by Awakening Events who have enjoyed a 20-year touring relationship with Chris and generously donate their time, energy, and resources to this concert each year. ‘Good Friday Nashville’ is presented by K-LOVE, Air1 and WAY-FM.

Earnest Pugh, the award-winning five-octave range Gospel Balladeer, is back on top! Pugh’s latest single, “Don’t Give Up,” currently sits at the top of the Billboard Airplay and Media Base Gospel charts this week. According to Pugh, “The single challenge listeners to hold on to every promise God made to them.” Pugh came into prominence in 2008 with his breakout hit, “Rain On Us,” and has since released 17 radio singles.

His fifth No. 1 hit comes on the heels of an epic viral moment, where Pugh’s music was exposed to millions of American Idol fans as contestant Canaan James Hill masterfully sang Pugh’s rendition of “I Need Your Glory” (written by James Fortune) for the judges and Idol’s massive national viewership. The ripple effect of that moment resulted in several of Pugh’s prior CDs and singles returning to the top of iTunes/Billboard charts. “I Need Your Glory” soared to No. 1 within hours of the show’s airing.

Pugh penned “Don’t Give Up” in support of a role he played in the upcoming film, “Love Mountain,” where he portrays the character Elliot, a father of four children who are all navigating life’s ups and downs.

As the committed father, voice of reason, and counsel, Elliot made sure that the kitchen table conversations centered around the premise that “giving up is never an option!” When industry executive and CEO of Blacksmoke Films, Kerry Douglas, saw the intensity and passion of Pugh’s role in the film, he encouraged him to write a song to coincide with it. The song ended up being the lead-out single on the motion picture’s soundtrack.

2025 is shaping up to be an amazing year for the Blacksmoke artist. Plans are to release an EP titled We Wanna See You Vol. 1 (Release Date 5/30). The lead-out single, “Your Glory – 2 C U” is now available on all digital platforms.  The six-song EP is one of two sessions from the Live Recording he did in San Antonio last summer, which was produced by E. Devon Goodwin and Keith Williams.

Stay tuned for two other projects featuring Pugh this year: “Right There” (LaSha’ Knox) and “Expectancy” (The Family). He is also putting the final touches on his documentary titled “A Song in the Night.” Pugh is Executive Producer of the Docuseries and RickyB is Producer.

Bethel Music, the renowned, GRAMMY-nominated collective of worship artists and songwriters, performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show this Friday, April 18. Their Good Friday appearance featured the powerful new single, “The Church,” led by Jenn Johnson, from their latest album “WE MUST RESPOND.”

In addition to Friday’s performance, Bethel Music is gearing up for their upcoming WORSHIP & MINISTRY NIGHTS TOUR, kicking off on June 5 in Daytona Beach, FL. The 12-city circuit will feature prominent worship leaders Jenn Johnson, Paul McClure, Hannah McClure, Edward Rivera, David Funk, Kristene DiMarco, John Wilds and Emmy Rose.

Each night will include a powerful time of worship and ministry, providing moments for attendees to respond, wait on the Lord, and be unified as His people. In this sacred space, Bethel Music expects God to touch the hearts of His people and to do something extraordinary. 

RIAA Platinum-selling, Dove Award-winning Katy Nichole announces the Aug. 15 release of her highly anticipated, Centricity Music sophomore album, Honest Conversations. The 12-song album includes today’s (April 18) release of the title track at digital and streaming outlets everywhere plus the lead single, “When I Fall,” which is already a Top 10 and climbing Billboard radio hit.

Nichole’s Honest Conversations was produced by GRAMMY-nominated Jeff Pardo and follows three back-to-back No. 1 hits at radio with singles from her record-breaking debut album, Jesus Changed My Life. Largely inspired by Nichole’s conversations with God, the new album reflects her unabashed honesty and impeccable artistry that has made this 24-year-old one of Christian music’s fastest-rising talents.

“When I wrote ‘Honest Conversations,’ it was me wrestling with my relationship with God,” reveals Nichole, who has shared her struggle with depression and anxiety. “If I’m so loved by God, why do I still have this much pain? I look in the mirror and don’t like who I see, and I’m frustrated by my mental health struggles, and in the same breath, I’d say I’m thankful I’ve gone through what I have because it made me the person I am today.

I don’t want God to take away certain aspects, I just want to know he’s there. And it feels like there are a lot of moments I can’t find him. ‘Honest Conversation’ is asking the question, ‘where are you God?’

“I hope that people find healing in these songs on Honest Conversations, and find peace in whatever storm they are walking in,” continues Nichole. “Life is full of ups and downs, and at the end of the day, we get to find joy in all of these places. It’s hard to do that sometimes, but healing takes time. I have just begun the next chapter of my healing journey, and I hope this record makes people feel like they’re getting a big hug when they’re going through something. Life is messy and complicated, but there is still so much beauty to be found.”

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The first radio single and concept music video revealed from Honest Conversations, “When I Fall,” has already become a soundtrack for millions. To date, clips of the song have been heard more than 200 million times on TikTok alone and shared by over 200 thousand other creators on the social platform.

Nichole has sung “When I Fall” along with her No. 1 singles and fan favorites at packed venues across the country. Continuing to traverse 14 states leading up to the release of Honest Conversations, her itinerary comprises a dozen concerts on the Jesus Music Tour with Cain followed by fairs and festivals this summer, including a “K-LOVE Live in New York” event Aug. 8 with TobyMac and Jeremy Camp and a concert at “The World’s Largest Christian Music Festival at the Ark Encounter” Aug. 23.

GRAMMY-Award winning singer/songwriter Brandon Lake recently announced on social media that he will be making a late-night network television appearance this coming week. Lake has been booked to perform alongside country music superstar/rapper Jelly Roll on ABC’s ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’. Tune in on Thursday, April 24 at 11:35pm ET.

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You can also catch Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll performing their hit single “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on ABC’s ‘American Idol’ this Sunday (April 20). The Easter Sunday ‘Idol’ special will feature songs of faith and inspiration.

Jekalyn Carr joins the “Tam Fam” for a special interview and performance of “Don’t Faint.” Carr catches up with Tamron Hall and revisits her initial show debut in 2023.

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Although we are on the eve of Easter weekend, plans have already been unveiled for an epic Christmas 2025 tour. Christian and Gospel music icons Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Cece Winans will join forces for the Christmas Together tour. The limited run kicks off on November 28 in Greensboro, NC and will run through December 8 with a stop in St. Louis, MO. A ticket pre-sale launches April 21 before the April 25 general onsale.

Capitol Christian Music Group’s rising recording artist Jamie MacDonald blends soulful melodies with powerful lyrics that resonate with audiences seeking hope and inspiration. Her music explores themes of faith, redemption, and the strength to keep going, no matter what life throws at you.

Her debut single under CCMG, “A Million Chances,” was released in November 2024, followed by the highly successful “Desperate,” which quickly climbed the charts and generated major buzz in the industry. Just this week, “Desperate” and MacDonald achieved some major career milestones including

 #1 at Mediabase Christian Adult Contemporary
 and #1 at Billboard Christian Adult Contemporary.

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Additionally, MacDonald was recently nominated for CMB (Christian Media Broadcasters) Breakout Artist for Momentum 2025 and will be performing at the KLOVE Fan Awards, both during the Emerging Artist showcase and on the main stage, where she’ll perform “Desperate.”

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FOX News Channel (FNC) will air special programming in celebration of Easter on Sunday, April 20^th. The network will broadcast the Pope’s Easter Sunday Mass from St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City from 4:15-6 AM, and the mass will be immediately followed by the annual Urbi et Orbi blessing to the world.

Additionally, Sunday afternoon from 12-12:30 PM/ET, Franklin Graham will deliver his annual Easter message on FNC. Entitled “Easter from the Ashes,” the special was recorded in Southern California amid the wildfire damage. Graham’s special will feature music from American musician Michael W. Smith and musical artist Charity Gayle.