The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) honored the songwriters and publishers of Christian music's most performed songs of the past year at the 35th annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards, held earlier in the month at the historic Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee.

ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board Paul Williams presented renowned songwriter and legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award, and the evening's honorees were celebrated before an audience of distinguished songwriters, Christian music stars and music industry leaders, with top honors awarded to the following:

ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year: Ben Glover
ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year: Matthew West
ASCAP Christian Music Song of the Year: "10,000 Reasons", written and recorded by Matt Redman, published by Said and Done Music, Sixsteps Music, Thank You Music and Worshiptogether.com Songs
ASCAP Christian Music Publisher of the Year: Capitol CMG Publishing

A total of 25 most performed song honors were presented by ASCAP Nashville Membership co-heads Michael Martin and LeAnn Phelan, joined by Director of Strategic Services Kele Currier and Associate Director of Membership Ryan Beuschel.

Performances included award-winning songwriters Daniel Bashta with "God's Not Dead (Like A Lion)" and Jon Egan's "Overcome", while Christian rock up-andcomers Finding Favour kicked off the night's festivities and ASCAP Golden Note Award honoree Phil Keaggy thrilled the audience with a surprise performance.

Ben Glover earned his third ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year award, having written six of this 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);" "He Said," recorded by Group 1 Crew featuring Chris August; "Center Of It," also recorded by Chris August; and Britt Nicole's "All This Time".

Glover has enjoyed a combined twenty career #1s on the Christian and country charts and multiple Dove Awards nominations, as well as an established career as a country songwriter and producer, recently celebrating his first #1 with "Hard to Love" by Lee Brice. ASCAP's Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year Matthew West is a four-time Grammy nominee and has been praised by The New York Times as "a vivid and compelling songwriter".

A multiple ASCAP Christian Music Song of the Year winner, he's had four #1 hits and his songwriting credits include cuts by ascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, Diamond Rio and more. He was recently nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Original Music and Lyrics, and his fifth studio album, Into The Light, was nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Album at this year's Grammy Awards.

Matt Redman wrote and recorded this year's top ASCAP Christian Music Song, "10,000 Reasons." The song earned Grammy awards for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance and Best Contemporary Christian Music Song, and topped the Billboard Christian Songs chart to become Redman's first #1 hit.

ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento presented the ASCAP Christian Music Publisher of the Year award to Capitol CMG Publishing, who claimed the title for the 10th consecutive year with 11 award-winning songs: "10,000 Reasons," "Carry Me To The Cross," "White Flag," "God's Not Dead (Like A Lion)," "Live Like That," "The Proof of Your Love," "You Lead," "Me Without You," "He Said," "All This Time" and "Center Of It." Notable songwriters and artists in attendance included Chris August, Jason Gray, Brandon Heath, Dan Muckala, Britt Nicole, Josh Wilson, The Afters and more.

Source: Integrity Music