Matthew West, Joel Smallbone Win Big at ASCAP Christian Music Awards; Full List

Last night, ASCAP honored the songwriters and publishers of Christian music's most performed songs of the past year at our 39th annual Christian Music Awards in downtown Franklin, Tennessee. Top honors went to Matthew West (Songwriter of the Year), for King & Country frontman Joel Smallbone (Songwriter-Artist of the Year) and Capitol CMG Publishing, who earned their 15th straight ASCAP Christian Music Publisher of the Year award.

Country music star Reba McEntire made a special appearance to present the Song of the Year award to writer Colby Wedgeworth and publisher Fair Trade Music, for their chart-topping Jordan Feliz hit "The River." An audience of distinguished songwriters, Christian music stars and music industry leaders were treated to unforgettable performances of some of our winning songs, from Wedgeworth and Feliz ("The River"), Hannah Kerr ("Warrior"), Ryan Stevenson ("Eye of the Storm"), Emily Weisband ("Thy Will") and Matthew West with Randy Phillips of Phillips, Craig and Dean ("Tell Your Heart to Beat Again").

The evening was hosted by ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews, President Paul Williams, EVP of Membership John Titta and VP of Nashville Membership Michael Martin.

Click here for a full list of our winners, and check out some of the Christian Awards highlights: