Awards honor Christian music's top songs

NASHVILLE, April 23 (UPI) -- Casting Crowns' "Voice of Truth" won Song of the Year and the group's Mark Hall earned Songwriter of the Year at the BMI Christian Awards in Nashville.

The awards recognized the most performed songs on Christian radio during 2006, a BMI news release said. Twenty-five songs were honored in the Christian Rock, Contemporary Christian, Inspirational, Urban Gospel and Southern Gospel categories

Hall, Casting Crowns' frontman, earned his second BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year honor for hits such as "Lifesong," "Praise You in This Storm" and "Voice of Truth," which captured BMI Christian Awards in either the Contemporary or Inspirational categories.

Among other winners at Sunday's ceremonies were Yolanda Adams, Trailblazers of Gospel winner; and Kirk Franklin, Urban Gospel honoree.