By Deborah Evans Price, senior editor, www.watchgmctv.com
   
Songwriter/producer Jason Ingram was named SESAC’s 2010 Christian Songwriter of the Year at the organization’s awards dinner held last week at Nashville’s Hutton Hotel. This is the fifth consecutive year that Ingram has taken home tops honors at the annual event recognizing the Christian community’s top writers and publishers. Sony ATV Timber Publishing was named SESAC’s 2010 Christian Publisher of the Year.
   
“I just feel so humbled to stand here,” Ingram told the crowd as he accepted the honor. “I have been doing this for awhile and God has really renewed my vision for how important what we do is. We live in a culture and climate and a time when people need hope and truth.”
   
One of the industry’s most prolific songwriters, Ingram was recognized for such hits as “Keep Changing the World” recorded by MIKESCHAIR, “Light Up the Sky” recorded by The Afters and “Healing Begins” recorded by Tenth Avenue North.
   
“You hear a lot about the music industry being in a really bad place and you hear record sales aren’t doing as well. You hear so much about the turmoil of this thing we call the music industry,” Ingram told www.watchgmctv.com backstage after the event. “Christian music is suffering on the economic level the same way everyone else is, but the thing I’ve been feeling lately is maybe our influence is going to continue to grow because we still have a reason to do what we do. We still have a reason to say what we have to say. We still have a reason to be as excited because it was never about the economics in the beginning, and maybe taking that out of the picture is going to make our voice louder.”
 
“It’s actually making the art stronger,” adds Tenth Avenue North’s lead vocalist Mike Donehey. “Some of the new stuff that fellow CCM artists are coming out with, I’m blown away... I think this economic downturn has actually been a crucible to purify those that were in this to begin with. I’ve never been more excited for the state of the art of Christian music.”
   
Hosted by SESAC’s John Mullins and Tim Fink, the evening also included a compelling performance by Seth Moseley of the Newsboys hit “Born Again.” Moseley penned the song with co-writer Juan Otero. The songwriting team calls itself the Write Brothers.
   
SESAC, an organization that collects royalties for writers, recognized more than 25 hit songs were penned by SESAC writers. Donehey, Cary Barlowe, Ian Eskelin, Regie Hamm and Tiffany Arbuckle Lee were among the writers honored during the event.

Copyright 2011, www.watchgmctv.com. For permission to repost or reprint, click here.

---

About the Writer

Deborah Evans Price has covered Christian/Gospel music for Billboard magazine since 1994. She also contributes regularly to CountryWeekly, CMA Close Up, Devo’Zine, Christian Single, HomeLife, BMI Music World, and other publications.

A Nashville resident since 1983, Deborah has held editorial posts at Radio & Records, Country News, American Songwriter and Billboard. Amy Grant, Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, Charlie Daniels, 3 Doors Down, Third Day, Don Henley, Bon Jovi, Chris Rice, Sandra Bullock, Mercy Me, Alan Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood and Steven Curtis Chapman are among her many interviews. Additionally, she's a sought-after music industry analyst who has been interviewed on CNN, MSNBC, TNN, The Today Show, and ABC PrimeTime Live, among other outlets.

Deborah is a member of the Gospel Music Association's board of directors and a graduate of Leadership Music. She resides south of Nashville with her husband, Gary, and son Trey.