Music News (7/29/26)
2026 BMI Christian Awards Honors Top Songwriters & Publishers
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mike Steinberg, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Ellie McKay, Capitol CMG Publishing’s David Gutekunst, First-time BMI award winning songwriter Jessie Early, First-time BMI award winning songwriter Blake Wiggins, BMI songwriter Jonathan Smith, Be Essential Songs’ Jamie Rodgers, Be Essential Songs’ Holly Zabka, Be Essential Songs’ Jannah Smitherman, BMI’s Mike O’Neill, BMI’s Todd Horvath and BMI’s Clay Bradley pose after winning BMI’s Song of the Year for “Made For More” at the 2026 BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI
The 2026 BMI Christian Awards celebrated the best in Christian music last night (July 22) at BMI’s Nashville office on Music Row.
The evening paid tribute to the top Christian songwriters and publishers behind the 25 most-performed songs of the previous year, and was hosted by BMI’s AVP of Creative, Nashville Leslie Roberts; EVP, Chief Revenue and Creative Officer, Mike Steinberg; and BMI’s CEO Mike O’Neill.
The Christian Song of the Year honors went to “Made For More,” written by Jessie Early, Jonathan Smith and Blake Wiggins. Performed by Josh Baldwin, the hit song has generated over 95 million global streams and became Baldwin’s first No. 1 on the Billboard’s Christian AC Airplay chart.
Leading up to Song of the Year, BMI named the 25 most-performed Christian songs of the previous year including “Altar,” written by Forrest Frank, Lasanna “Ace” Harris, Steve Rice and Willie Scott Jr.; “Nothin’ Sweeter,” written by TobyMac and Jordan Mohilowski; “Running Back To You,” penned by Seph Schlueter; “Thank you Jesus for the Blood,” written by Charity Gayle alongside Steven Musso; and “Unsung Hero,” written by Luke Smallbone. BMI also recognized 18 first-time award winners such as Leanna Crawford, Frankie Holleman, Zachary Kale, Patrick Mayberry, Steven Musso and Megan Woods.
BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year honors went to Steven Furtick for writing three of the 25 most-performed songs, including “Another One,” “Goodbye Yesterday” and “Lion.” The multi-Grammy-winning songwriter who has co-written all three of these major worship tracks, serves as a primary executive producer and songwriter for both Elevation Worship (“Another One,” “Lion”) and Elevation Rhythm (“Goodbye Yesterday”). Through these music collectives, he has co-written multiple defining faith-based global anthems and earned six No. 1s, including the 2025 BMI Christian Song of the Year “Praise,” “Graves Into Gardens” and “Talking to Jesus.”
Capitol CMG Publishing brought home Publisher of the Year during the evening for representing 19 of the 25 most-performed songs of the year, including BMI’s Christian Song of the Year, “Made For More,” as well as “Altar,” “Grave Robber,” “If I Got Jesus,” “My God Can,” “Somebody Prayed,” “Take You At Your Word,” “The Truth” and “Who Else.”
The awards opened with a prayer from 2018 BMI Compass Award recipient Elwyn Raymer, and the evening featured special performances, including Mississippi native Belle Frantz’s soulful rendition of the classic hymn, “Amazing Grace.” 2022 BMI Icon Steven Curtis Chapman spoke highly of Drew Parker as he welcomed him to stage for his performance of “Blame Jesus.” Jamie MacDonald gave the final performance of the evening with her No. 1 breakout single, “Left It In The River.”
Adam James Inks With Sony Music Publishing Nashville
Pictured (L-R, back row): Jaxon Snipes, Anna Weisband, Taylor Ratkovich, Bella Messina, Synnovea Halsel and Rusty Gaston; (L-R, front row): Adam James and Aubrey Landon
Adam James has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville.
James has written songs for Luke Combs, Dierks Bentley, Nate Smith and more. Most recently, he co-wrote four songs on Cody Johnson’s CMA Album of the Year-winning Leather, including “Whiskey Bent” featuring Jelly Roll and “C’mon Cowgirl.”
He also co-wrote Kenny Chesney’s No. 1 hit “Knowing You,” which earned a Song of the Year nomination at the 2022 ACM Awards.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity to be at Sony Music Publishing,” says James. “The energy I feel from the team when I walk through the door every day is truly inspiring. I’m sincerely fired up to work with all y’all. It also makes me super happy to know my songs will be hanging out with Roger Miller’s and Dennis Linde’s on a massive cloud storage database somewhere. Dreams do come true!”
“Adam is one of the most exceptional songwriters in this town,” adds Aubrey Landon, Senior Director, Creative A&R, Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “He is carrying the torch for country music and is the kind of writer that can make you laugh, cry and feel emotion in his writing. I’m incredibly grateful and excited to start this creative journey with him!”
Caldwell Signs With Warner Chappell Music Nashville & Cornman Music
Pictured (L-R): Austen Adams (President, WCM Nashville), Nate Lowery (President, Cornman Music), Caldwell, Chris Owen (Creative Director, Cornman Music) and Christina Wiltshire (VP, A&R, WCM Nashville). Photo: Courtesy of WCM
Caldwell has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Cornman Music.
Caldwell picked up the drums at age five and first turned to songwriting during high school. Inspired by the sounds of Eminem, Elvis Presley, Bruno Mars and Morgan Wallen, his track “Beer & Baddies” featuring Sexyy Red debuted at No. 31 on the Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay Chart and Rolling Stone named him UK’s #1 Artist to Watch. The Greenville, South Carolina native recently made his CMA Fest debut on the Dr Pepper Amp Stage. He recently signed with EMPIRE Nashville.
“I knew I wanted to work with the Cornman guys from the first time we all drank whiskey till the sun came up. I feel I have found a second home outside of South Carolina with Warner Chappell and Cornman from Austen [Adams], Nate [Lowery], Chris [Owen], and the immortal Brett James. The team truly got my music, my songwriting and who I am as an artist. I’m ready to contribute to the ongoing legacy of Brett James and put a few trophies on some shelves,” he shares.
“Caldwell’s ability to weave country, rock, and hip-hop into a sound that feels so distinct and genuine is rare,” says Christina Wiltshire, VP A&R, WCM Nashville. “He’s a dynamic storyteller with no limit to where his music can go, and we’re thrilled to champion him alongside our friends at Cornman.”
“Brett James and I met with Caldwell back in August and quickly realized that we wanted to work with him,” addsLowery, CEO, Cornman Music. “Brett really believed in him and his music and was confident that he was gonna be a star. Chris Owen and I look forward to working together with Caldwell and his team.”
DELTONA Inks With Sony Music Publishing Nashville & The Core Entertainment
Pictured (L-R): Caleb Miller (DELTONA), Ned Abernathy (DELTONA) and Chris Deaton (DELTONA); (L-R, back row): Kenley Flynn (Sony Music Publishing), Hannah Lane (The Core Entertainment), Jamie Sudhalter (The Core Entertainment), Laura Moxley (The Core Entertainment), Simon Tikhman (The Core Entertainment), Molly Shehan (Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC), Chief Zaruk (The Core Entertainment) and Rusty Gaston (Sony Music Publishing).
Country-rock trio DELTONA have signed a publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville, in partnership with The Core Entertainment.
Made up of vocalist Ned Abernathy, guitarist Caleb Miller and drummer Chris Deaton, who all met at The Bluebird Cafe during a writers round, DELTONA has built a sound that blends Southern storytelling, rock energy and big, anthemic hooks. The trio has quickly gained attention with a growing catalog, major tour opportunities and early industry recognition.
The signing follows the release of DELTONA’s latest single, “The Country,” which landed on major playlists including Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Country, Apple Music’s New In Country, Spotify’s All New Country, and Pandora’s Top Country Hits and New Country. Written by the band alongside Dan Agee and Nick Wayne, the song celebrates the trio’s Southern roots and joins a catalog that includes “Heartbreak Fix,” “Love Don’t Love Me,” “How To Not Help A Heartbreak,” “Cared Enough to Cry” and “Party’s In The Back.”
Known for their energetic live shows, DELTONA has shared the stage with Lee Brice, Jordan Davis, Avery Anna, Rodney Atkins, George Birge and Cooper Alan while continuing to grow both as performers and songwriters.
“We are ecstatic to be joining the Sony Music Publishing Nashville family in partnership with The Core,” says DELTONA. “We clicked with Kenley and Rusty [Gaston] right away, and Chief and Simon have believed in our vision from the beginning. Both teams understand who we are as writers and the nostalgic country-band energy we’re working to bring back. Having Sony Music Publishing and The Core behind us gives us the confidence to lean further into our songwriting, keep developing creatively and build something that feels true to us. We’re beyond excited for the journey ahead.”
“DELTONA are a true band with a clear point of view and songs built to hit just as hard live as they do on the record,” share Simon Tikhman and Chief Zaruk, CEOs and Co-Founders of The Core Entertainment. “This partnership will give them an even broader creative network as they continue sharpening their sound and building a catalog that feels unmistakably their own.”
“From the first time I met Caleb, Chris and Ned, it was clear they were born to do what they’re doing as DELTONA,” adds Kenley Flynn, VP of Creative A&R at Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “Their music is authentic, fun, high energy and built on a genuine love and appreciation for country music. We’re honored that DELTONA, Chief, Simon and Jamie [Sudhalter] trusted in us as partners to help take this to the highest highs.”
Category: Music News
