The 2014 Christian Music Awards were held Tuesday in Nashville at one of Broadcast Music, Inc.'s (BMI) corporate offices.
The award ceremony honors the Christian songs that were played the most on the radio in the past year.
Contemporary singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin was the big winner last night, taking home the Christian Song of the Year and one of the Songwriter of the Year awards for "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)." The hit single was the first release from his latest studio album, "Burning Lights," and reached number one on the Billboard charts. "Whom Shall I Fear" was co-written by Ed Cash and Scott Cash.
Casting Crown's Mark Hall won a Songwriter of the Year award for "Already There," as did Aaron Lindsey for "It's Not Over (When God Is in It)," TobyMac for "Steal My Show," Brandon Heath for "Jesus in Disguise," and Matt Maher for his hit single "Lord, I Need You."
Christian Publisher of the Year honors went to Capitol CMG Publishing – a division of Capitol Christian Music Group.
BMI Writer/Publisher Relations Vice President Jody Williams was one of the Christian Music Awards' hosts, and expressed admiration for the power of spiritual music.
"I'm always amazed by the inspirational stories these songs provide to fans of Christian music and beyond," he told The Tennessean.
Contemporary Christian artist and "American Idol" finalist Danny Gokey stated before the awards dinner that he was looking forward to performing during the ceremony, and introducing the audience to songs from his upcoming album, "Hope in Front of Me."
"I'm excited to kind of be introduced into this world," said Gokey before the awards dinner. His first Christian album, "Hope in Front of Me," will be in stores next week.
"I feel like I've been out of pocket for a couple of years, and now people are talking about the song ('Hope in Front of Me') and trying to figure out who I am as an artist," he told The Tennessean.
Gokey signed to RCA Nashville as a country artist before transitioning to Christian music and a publishing deal with BMI.
"Tonight, I get to ... show them what I'm about while I sing the music, because the music explains itself."
