Five SG songs win BMI Christian Music awards
BMI, one of the three major radio airplay charting organizations, announced its annual 2008 Christian Music Awards, recognizing the most played songs on Christian radio in 2007. Five songs recorded by several Southern Gospel artists made the list:
ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY, EVERYTHING BUT TYPICAL
Adam Kohout
Tery Wilkins
Asheville Music Publishing
Chris White Music
Leah’s Heart Music
The Dove Brothers
Sonlite Records/Crossroads Music GroupGOD’S WORD
Dennis Murphy
Asheville Music Publishing
Chris White Music
Kingdom Heirs
Sonlite Records/Crossroads Music Group
OVER AND OVER
Belinda Lee Smith
Seventh Row Music
Jeff and Sheri Easter
Word EntertainmentPAID IN FULL (THROUGH JESUS, AMEN)
Rodney Griffin
Songs of Greater Vision
Greater Vision
Daywind Records/Daywind Music Group
SKY FULL OF ANGELS
Lisa Stewart Seals
Potter’s Daughter Music
TaRanda Greene
Daywind Records/Daywind Music Group
Avalon’s “Orphans of God” also made the list; though the Talley Trio covered the song, the song was listed under Avalon’s name.
The Singing News Fan Awards, inarguably Southern Gospel’s most prestigious awards, make no bones about their purpose; they do not claim to track the best in any category, or the most played songs, but simply fan favorites. From an airplay perspective, on the other hand, the BMI Christian Music awards actually mean something. BMI monitors all stations, not just select charting stations; though they might not track every instance a song is played, and though they’re only one of three airplay agencies, they use industry-standard tracking methods. And that a list of the airplay leaders in Christian music would include five Southern Gospel songs says something toward the continued vitality of the genre.
Comment by Jason (April 21, 2008, 9:18 pm)
Daniel,
It’s interesting that you mention that. I am sitting in my motel in Pigeon Forge, Tn at the present. My family and I went to Dollywood and heard KH this morning. (As an aside, my 3 yr. old and 19 mo. old seemed to enjoy their first concerts.) Steve French mentioned the status of God’s Word. He made a big deal out of Dennis being “up there with Kirk Franklin, and all them”
They’re certainly proud of their drummer. Of course, it is a great song.
Jason
Comment by Levi SJ (April 21, 2008, 10:56 pm)
I am much excited about this! “God’s Word” is one of my favorite songs from the past few years. I have a little extra excitement, too, since Dennis Murphy is from a town in the same region of WV as where I grew up. (Ok, not really close, but close enough to say we werre both in WV at the same time at one point.) Congrats to all the SoGo BMI representatives!