Christian Retailing

Matthew West, Ben Glover take top songwriting honors Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Wednesday, 08 May 2013 03:28 PM America/New_York

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) recently honored the songwriters and publishers of Christian music's most-performed songs at its 35th annual Christian Music Awards in Nashville.

Top honors at the May 6 event at the historic Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn., were awarded to Matthew West (Sparrow Records), ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year; Ben Glover, ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year; "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)" written and recorded by Matt Redman on his album 10,000 Reasons (sixstepsrecords), ASCAP Christian Music Song of the Year; and Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG), ASCAP Christian Music Publisher of the Year.

Singer/songwriter and guitarist Phil Keaggy was also honored with the ASCAP Golden Note Award in recognition of his career achievements. ASCAP's Michael Martin spoke of Keaggy and his "incredible career," noting that his "influence on both the contemporary Christian and mainstream music markets is immeasurable."

West, a multiple ASCAP Christian Song of the Year winner, West has four No. 1 hits and is a four-time GRAMMY nominee.

Glover, who received his third ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year award, wrote six of the year's most-performed songs: Sidewalk Prophet's "Live Like That"; For King and Country's "The Proof of Your Love" and "Busted Heart (Hold On to Me)"; Group 1 Crew's "He Said"; Chris August's "Center of It"; and Britt Nicole's "All This Time." Glover has 20 No. 1 hits on the Christian and country charts, and he has multiple Dove Awards nominations.

Along with his ASCAP song honor, Redman won two GRAMMYs earlier this year in the Best Contemporary Christian Music Song and Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance categories for "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)," his first No. 1 hit.

ASCAP Publisher of the Year honors went to CCMG for the 10th consecutive year. CCMG's 11 hits were honored as most-played songs, including Redman's "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)"; Chris August's "Center of It"; and Britt Nicole's "All This Time."