Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards

Photo (l-to-r): John P Kee, Charles Jenkins, Kirk Franklin, Ed Cash

BMI celebrated the best in Gospel music songwriting at the 2025 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards held at Flourish on April 3, 2025 in Atlanta, GA.

Gospel music pioneer and pastor John P. Kee was honored as a Trailblazer of Gospel Music in recognition of his artistry and inspiring influence on the genre throughout his prolific career spanning over 40 years. .

As a Trailblazer of Gospel Music, John P. Kee was honored for his signature blend of traditional and contemporary Gospel music that continues to resonate with fans around the world across generations and genres.

The musical tributes to Kee kicked off with Lena Byrd Miles giving her moving interpretation of "Yes Lord," followed by Chrystal Rucker's performance of "The Anointing." The tributes continued with Kelontae Gavin singing "Never Shall Forget" and Jekalyn Carr giving a passionate performance of "Standing in the Need," both of which brought the audience to their feet. Lisa Knowles-Smith and her children KJ and Ndia paid homage to Kee with their amazing renditions of "Lily in the Valley" and "He'll Welcome Me." Vanessa Bell Armstrong followed with "Wave It Away," featuring Donald Lawrence and The Company, and Zacardi Cortez ended the tributes with an uplifting performance of "Jesus is Real."

Upon receiving the honor, Kee, known as the "Prince of Gospel," thanked his family and friends, many of whom were in the room, for their love and support. He went on to say that he was going to "flip the moment" by presenting BMI's Brewton with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her "vision and determination that have paved the way for future generations of women in business."

The highly anticipated BMI Gospel Song of the Year award, which went to "Goodness of God" written by Ed Cash, Ben Fielding (APRA) and Jason Ingram. Performed by CeCe Winans, the hit single reached #1 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart. It also spent an incredible 118 weeks at #1 on Billboard's Gospel Digital Songs Sales.

Kirk Franklin and Charles Jenkins tied for BMI's Gospel Songwriter of the Year for each writing two of the most performed Gospel songs of the previous year. Franklin was honored for "All Things" and "Try Love." Jenkins was recognized for his hit songs, "God Be Praised" and "Look at God," marking the first time he's received this coveted title and bringing his total to eight BMI Awards garnered over his successful career.

BMI's Gospel Publisher of the Year went to Capitol CMG for having the highest publisher share percentage of the top 25 songs, including BMI's Gospel Song of the Year, "Goodness of God."

Throughout the afternoon, BMI saluted the 25 most-performed Gospel songs of the previous year (see below):