(April 20, 2009) BMI saluted the writers and publishers of the past year’s most performed songs on Christian radio and television during the annual Christian Music Awards held this Saturday in Nashville.
UMPG’s Donald Lawrence was named the 2009 Christian Songwriter of the Year. Prolific producer, choir director and songwriter Donald Lawrence earned the BMI Songwriter of the Year crystal thanks to his compositions "Giants," recorded by Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers, and "Livin’," recorded by the legendary Clark Sisters. A profoundly influential figure in contemporary gospel music, Lawrence was also an honoree at the prestigious BMI Trailblazers of Gospel ceremony in January of this year.
The ceremony also feted Publisher of the Year Universal Music Publishing Group (Bridge Building Music, Universal Music-Z Songs). The award is determined by the highest percentage of copyright ownership in award songs, and the company’s four award-winning songs include Donald Lawrence’s two award-winners, as well as "Give Me Words to Speak," written and performed by Aaron Shust, and "Love Song for a Savior," co-written and recorded by Matt Bronleewe, Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, and Steve Mason of Jars of Clay.
This is Universal Music Publishing Group’s second consecutive Christian Publisher of the Year crown. Dale Mathews, President of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing (UMPG’s Christian/Gospel music division) accepted the award on behalf of the company.
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