Dorinda Clark-Cole, Jonathan McReynolds, Kirk Franklin & More Honored at 2024 BMI Trailblazer of Gospel Music Awards
BMI's Trailblazer of Gospel Music honoree Dorinda Clark-Cole and BMI's President & CEO Mike O'Neill attend the 2024 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards on March 28, 2024 at Flourish in Atlanta, GA.Â
BMI's VP, Creative, Atlanta Catherine Brewton, BMI Champion Award recipient Jonathan McReynolds and BMI's President & CEO Mike O'Neill attend the 2024 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards on March 28, 2024 at Flourish in Atlanta, GA.Â
BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) celebrated the best in Gospel music on March 28, 2024 at the 2024 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards held at Flourish in Atlanta, GA. Gospel legend and world-renowned evangelist Dorinda Clark-Cole, of the acclaimed Clarke sisters, was honored as a Trailblazer of Gospel Music in recognition of her illustrious career spanning over 50 years. Jonathan McReynolds received the BMI Champion Award, the first time this accolade was presented at this ceremony, for his exceptional artistry and impact on Gospel music.
BMIâs Gospel Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year and the Top 25 Gospel Songs of the previous year were also announced at the private ceremony hosted by BMIâs President & CEO, Mike OâNeill and Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton.
The inspirational luncheon began with a celebration of music and joyful worship, with Tim Bowman, Jr., performing his BMI award-winning song âJesus,â with Kim Burrell and Faith City Music, co-written with LeâAndria Johnson and VaShawn Mitchell. Zacardi Cortez brought the house down with his BMI award-winning song âYouâve Been Good to Me,â before moving to the eventâs main honorees and award-winners.
As a Trailblazer of Gospel Music, Dorinda Clarke-Cole was saluted for her legendary career and contributions to the genre with several powerful tribute performances honoring her legacy. Crystal Aikinâs heartfelt voice kicked things off with âIâm Coming Out,â and Tasha Page-Lockhart brought the audience to their feet with a moving performance of âIâm Still Here.â Yolanda Adams followed with a magnetic rendition of âTake It Back,â with Lisa Knowles-Smith jumping in to help close out the performance. Clark-Coleâs niece Kierra Sheard finished the amazing tribute with an uplifting version of âMy Redeemer Liveth.â
Upon receiving the afternoonâs highest honor, Clarke-Cole admitted to being âdeeply humbledâ and âextremely grateful.â She continued with advice for songwriters saying, âwhen you are at your lowest, thatâs when God can get your greatest⌠keep writing, keep getting inspired by God because somebody is being blessed.â
After receiving the BMI Champion Award celebrating his outstanding success in Gospel music and beyond, Jonathan McReynolds thanked BMIâs Catherine Brewton and Wardell Malloy for all the love and support they have given him throughout his career. His tribute started with DOE giving a beautiful performance of âGraceâ and she also joined Tyree Miller for a duet of âCycles.â Darrel Walls followed with his resounding rendition of âLovinâ Me,â and Jason Nelson shared his passionate version of âGod Is Good,â which brought the audience to their feet.
Throughout the event, BMI saluted the Top 25 most-performed Gospel songs of the previous year, leading up to the highly anticipated BMI Gospel Song of the Year award, which went to âKingdomâ written by Kirk Franklin, Jonathan Jay, Chandler Moore and Jacob Poole. The song by Maverick City Music X Kirk Franklin debuted at #17 on the Billboardâs Hot Christian Songs chart, #6 on Billboardâs Hot Gospel Songs chart. It also received a 2023 GRAMMY Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song. BMIâs Gospel Songwriter of the Year was a three-way tie between Kirk Franklin, Travis Greene and Tamela Mann for each writing two of the most performed Gospel songs of the previous year. Franklin was honored for âBless Meâ and the BMI Gospel Song of the Year âKingdom,â Greene for âFinishedâ and âTent Revival,â and Mann was also honored for âFinishedâ and âHe Did It For Me.â
BMIâs Gospel Publisher of the Year went to Essential Music Publishing, for the second year in a row.
To join the conversation on social media, follow us @BMI and use #BMIGospel. Please visit https://www.bmi.com/trailblazers2024 to see a full list of BMIâs Trailblazers of Gospel Music Award honorees.