2023 ASCAP Christian Awards header

2023 ASCAP Christian Music Awards

October 2, 2022

ASCAP celebrated the writers and publishers of the most-performed Christian songs of 2022 at an exclusive celebration held October 2 in Nashville. 

The multi-talented Brandon Lake was named ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year for his five winning songs. Contemporary Christian music great Matthew West was honored with the ASCAP Golden Note Award. David Spencer, David Spencer Songs and Essential Music Publishing won Song of the Year for the Katy Nichole hit "In Jesus Name (God of Possible)," and Capitol CMG Publishing became Publisher of the Year for the 21st time.

ASCAP GOLDEN NOTE AWARD: Matthew West

Matthew West is simply one of the modern masters of Christian music. A five-time Grammy nominee, West has had cuts by Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, Casting Crowns (including back-to-back #1 singles), Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant, among others. He has notched 30 #1 songs as an artist and/or songwriter, and been named ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year an unprecedented five times.

Tributes from Amy Grant, Anne Wilson, Michael W. Smith, Tim Tebow, AJ Pruis & Mark Hall (Casting Crowns)

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Brandon Lake

Multi-talented singer, songwriter, guitarist and worship pastor Brandon Lake is moving from strength to strength these days. He earned four Grammys in 2023 for his work with Maverick City Music, and recently signed to Provident Music as a solo artist. He wins his first ever ASCAP Songwriter of the Year honor, for five massive ASCAP Christian hits:Ain't Nobody • Gratitude • Honey in the Rock • Same God • This Is Our God

Watch Brandon's acceptance speech

Congratulatory message from Gospel Music Association President & Executive Director, Jackie Patillo

SONG OF THE YEAR: "In Jesus Name (God Of Possible)"

Writer: David SpencerPublishers: David Spencer Songs, Essential Music Publishing LLC

PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR: Capitol CMG Publishing

Capitol CMG's expert ear for songwriting talent has earned them a 20th consecutive ASCAP Christian Publisher of the Year honor – and 21st overall. They're winning this year for publishing 10 of the most popular ASCAP Christian songs of 2022:Always • Build a Boat • For the Good • God Really Loves Us • New Creation • Same God • See Me Through It • Sunday Sermons • The Goodness • This Is Our God

Capitol CMG

Winning Songwriters & Publishers of the Most Performed ASCAP Christian Songs of 2022

AIN'T NOBODY

Writer: Brandon LakePublisher: Brandon Lake Music

Ain't Nobody, Brandon Lake

ALWAYS

Writers: Daniel Carson & Ben GloverPublishers: 9 T One Songs, Ariose Music Group Inc, Capitol CMG Publishing, Daniel Carson Songs, Vamos Publishing

Always, Chris Tomlin

BUILD A BOAT

Writers: Pete Becker, Colton Dixon, Mikey Gormley & Johan LindbrandtPublishers: Dior And Athens Publishing, Travellers Hollow Music, LLC, Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group

Build A Boat, Colton Dixon

CHRISTMAS EVE/SARAJEVO 12/24

Writer: Jon OlivaPublisher: Warner Chappell Music

Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 Jon Olivo

FOR GOD IS WITH US

Writers: Jordan Reynolds & Joel SmallbonePublishers: Buckeye26, CURB|Word Music Publishing, Jreynmusic, Method To The Madness, Shankel Songs, Warner Chappell Music

For God Is With Us, For King and Country

FOR THE GOOD

Writer: Colby WedgeworthPublishers: Capitol CMG Publishing, Wedgeworth Publishing

For The Good, Riley Clemons

GOD REALLY LOVES US

Writers: Crowder & Ben GloverPublishers: 9 T One Songs, Ariose Music Group Inc, Capitol CMG Publishing, Sixsteps Music

God Really Loves Us, Crowder

GRATITUDE

Writer: Brandon LakePublishers: Bethel Music Publishing, Brandon Lake Music, Heritage Worship Publishing, Maverick City Publishing Wordwide

Gratitude, Brandon Lake

HONEY IN THE ROCK

Writer: Brandon LakePublishers: Bethel Music Publishing, Brandon Lake Music, Heritage Worship Publishing, Maverick City Publishing Wordwide

Honey In The Rock, Brooke Ligertwood, Brandon Lake

HOW FAR

Writers: AJ Pruis, Keith Everette Smith & Matthew WestPublishers: Combustion Music, Me Gusta Music, Music Services, Pruis Not Prius, Story House West Wing Music, Third Story House Music, Wave Tree Music

How Far, Tasha Layton

HYMN OF HEAVEN

Writers: Bill Johnson & Brian JohnsonPublishers: Bethel Music Publishing, Brian And Jenn Publishing

Hymn of Heaven, Phil Wickhan

I'M SO BLESSED

Writers: Logan Cain, Madison Cain, Taylor Cain Matz & Matthew WestPublishers: Combustion Music, Essential Music Publishing LLC, Logan Cain Music, Madison Cain Music, Me Gusta Music, Taylor Cain Music, Third Story House Music

I'm So Blessed, CAIN

I SEE GRACE

Writer: Matthew WestPublisher: Combustion Music, Me Gusta Music, Third Story House Music

I See Grace, Micah Taylor

LOVE ME LIKE I AM

Writer: Joel SmallbonePublishers: CURB|Word Music Publishing, Method To The Madness, Shankel Songs, Warner Chappell Music

Love Me Like I Am, For King and Country

ME ON YOUR MIND

Writer: Matthew WestPublishers: Combustion Music, Me Gusta Music, Third Story House Music

Me On Your Mind, Matthew West, Anne Wilson

NEW CREATION

Writer: Mac PowellPublishers: Capitol CMG Publishing, Songs Of J Mac Powell

New Creation, Mac Powell

PERFECTLY LOVED

Writer: Rachael LampaPublisher: Essential Music Publishing LLC, Mamaknowsmusic

Perfectly Loved, Rachael Lampa

SAME GOD

Writers: Pat Barrett & Brandon LakePublisher: Bethel Music Publishing, Brandon Lake Music, Capitol CMG Publishing, Heritage Worship Publishing, Housefires Sounds, Maverick City Publishing Wordwide

Same God, Elevation Worship

SEE ME THROUGH IT

Writer: Kyle WilliamsPublishers: Capitol CMG Publishing, Centricity Publishing

See Me Through It, Brandon Heath

SUNDAY SERMONS

Writer: Ben GloverPublishers: 9 T One Songs, Ariose Music Group Inc, Capitol CMG Publishing

Sunday Sermons, Anne Wilson

THANK GOD I DO

Writer: Nate RuessPublishers: Bearvon Music, Warner Chappell Music

Thank God I Do, Lauren Daigle

THE GOODNESS

Writer: Kyle WilliamsPublishers: Capitol CMG Publishing, Centricity Publishing, Raccoon Room

The Goodness, Tobymac, Blessing Offer

THIS IS OUR GOD

Writer: Pat Barrett & Brandon LakePublishers: Brandon Lake Music, Capitol CMG Publishing, Essential Music Publishing LLC, Housefires Sounds

This Is Our God, Phil Wickham

WHO I AM

Writers: Krystal Polychronis, David SpencerPublisher: David Spencer Songs, Essential Music Publishing LLC, Krystal Polychronis

Who I Am, Ben Fuller

Listen to the winning songs on Spotify

Hear playlist

Watch winning song videos on YouTube

Watch now

2023 ASCAP Christian Music Awards press release

Read now

Read the official Christian Music Awards rules & regulations

Read the PDF