Entertainment news and discussion on TalkFuse.
BMI 2026 Christian Awards Honors Genre’s Top Songs, Writers, Publishers
BMI honoured the writers and publishers behind its 25 most-performed Christian songs of the past year at its 2026 Christian Awards in Nashville. The awards highlight the commercial and radio success of contemporary Christian music, with “Made For More” recognised as song of the year after becoming Josh Baldwin’s first Christian AC Airplay chart-topper.
Steven Furtick was named songwriter of the year after writing three of the honoured songs, while Capitol CMG Publishing won publisher of the year for representing 19 of the 25 selections. Eighteen first-time winners were recognised, and the event also featured performances from Belle Frantz, Drew Parker and Jamie MacDonald.
In short
- “Made For More” won BMI Christian Song of the Year.
- Steven Furtick was named songwriter of the year.
- Capitol CMG Publishing represented 19 honoured songs.
Explained simply
BMI is an organisation that collects royalty payments for songwriters and publishers whenever their songs are performed on radio, television and other media. The BMI Christian Awards celebrate the writers and publishers behind the year's most-performed songs in the Christian music genre, recognising both the commercial success of the music and the creative work behind it.
Contemporary Christian music is a significant sector of the music industry with its own radio stations, dedicated fan base and streaming presence. The awards are meaningful because they reflect what has genuinely connected with listeners rather than reflecting opinion or taste, making them a reliable measure of which songs and artists are gaining traction.
Key players in Christian music include record labels, publishing companies and established artists, many of whom have long histories in the space. These institutions compete for recognition through the performance of their catalogues and signed writers, with annual awards providing important markers of influence and success within the genre.