Matthew West is the big winner at the annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards. The two-day virtual event kicks off today (Oct. 7) at 10 a.m. ET across all social media platforms.
West won song of the year for the fifth time and songwriter of the year for the third time.
West won Christian music song of the year for c0-writing “Nobody,” the Casting Crowns hit on which he was featured. West will perform the song and accept the award in exclusive videos to be shared on all @ASCAP social media platforms.
West co-wrote “Nobody” with Mark Hall of Casting Crowns and Bernie Herms. The song is published by Combustion Music, House of Story Music Publishing, Kobalt Songs Music Publishing and One 77 Songs.
West previously won Christian music song of the year for writing or co-writing “More” (2005), “You Are Everything” (2009), “The Motions” (2010) and “Hello My Name Is” (2014).
West previously won the Christian music songwriter of the year award in 2014 and 2017. West, 43, is a five-time Grammy nominee.
Capitol CMG Publishing received the award for ASCAP Christian music publisher of the year for the 18th consecutive year for songs including “Reason,” “Holy Water,” “Almost Home” and “Build My Life.” ASCAP will share a video from Brad O’Donnell, Capitol CMG co-president, accepting the award.
Paul Williams, ASCAP chairman of the board and president, introduced the social media event with a video message, saying, “Your music, especially this year, is a beacon; a light in the darkness. It lifts our spirits and unites us…What we do together — harnessing what’s in our hearts and souls to create art that can transform lives — holds great power.”
ASCAP will share photos, videos and acceptance speeches from some of its top songwriters and publishers posted with the hashtag #ASCAPAwards to @ASCAP on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
In addition, @ASCAP will feature performances of two of the year’s top hits in the Christian music realm. Chad Mattson and Jonathan Lowry of Unspoken will team up for “Reason” and Luke and Joel Smallbone of the duo For King & Country will deliver “God Only Knows.”