CHRIS TOMLIN, BERNIE HERMS AND EMI CMG PUBLISHING RECEIVE TOP HONORS AT THE 29TH ANNUAL ASCAP CHRISTIAN MUSIC AWARDS DEGARMO & KEY REUNITE FOR ASCAP VISION AWARD

Nashville, Tennessee - April 23, 2007 - Over 200 songwriters and music industry leaders joined dozens of Christian music’s top stars, including Brian Littrell, MercyMe, Third Day, Natalie Grant, Jaci Velasquez, Salvador, Mark Schultz, Chris Tomlin, Newsong, Todd Agnew, BarlowGirl, Pocket Full of Rocks, Sanctus Real, Rush of Fools, David Crowder Band, Jadon Lavik, Jeremy Riddle, Ayiesha Woods, Superchic[k] and Big Daddy Weave to celebrate the presentation of the 29th Annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards at a dinner held this evening at Richland Country Club in Nashville, Tennessee.

This year’s gala evening, hosted by ASCAP Senior Vice President Connie Bradley, featured a Luau theme. ASCAP Vice President Dan Keen joined Bradley in presenting awards to the ASCAP songwriters and publishers of the most performed Christian songs of 2006.

The evening’s top writer and publisher awards were: Songwriter of the Year: Chris Tomlin for “How Great Is Our God” and “Made To Worship”; Song of the Year: “Praise You In This Storm” (written by Bernie Herms, published by Banahama Tunes & Word Music, LLC). Christian Publisher of the Year: EMI CMG Publishing for “How Great Is Our God,” “I’m Not Alright,” “Made To Worship,” “The Face Of Love,” “What If” and “Wholly Yours.”

In recognition of their innovative leadership in the field of Christian Rock music, DeGarmo & Key reunited to receive the ASCAP Vision Award. DeGarmo & Key also known as D&K are credited for being the forefront to infuse rock ‘n roll music with Christian lyrics. In the span of their 17-year career D&K sold more than 2 million records, received 9 GRAMMY and 27 Dove award nominations and were the first Christian band to have a video on MTV. The audience was thrilled when DeGarmo & Key took the stage to perform “Boycott Hell” and two other D&K classics.

Sixsteprecords/Sparrow Records lead-worshiper and 2006 GMA Artist and Male Vocalist of the Year, Chris Tomlin, took home the night’s top honor as ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year. Tomlin currently has three songs on the CCLI Top 10 and five songs on the Top 25 and is up for nine nominations at Wednesday’s 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards.

Tomlin was honored with a special performance by Hunter Smith (Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts), and super songwriter, Chris Wilson. Connorsvine performed a song they wrote to express their deep love of Christ and also in appreciation of Tomlin’s dedication to leading believers in a passionate daily walk with God.

The evening also featured performances by ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year Brett James as well as Ruby Amanfu and Katie Herzig.

The planning and preparation of the evening’s events was directed and produced by Dan Keen, joined by Gerilynn Pearce, Suzanne Lee, Michelle Goble, Chad Green and Shauna McCulley all from ASCAP’s Nashville office.