It is my pleasure to announce the winners of the B n’ G Best of Christian Music Awards! Remember, at stake are the B n’ G Hardees Biscuits and Gravy Platter Award and the Pillsbury Biscuits People’s Choice Award. Drumroll please…

In the category for Best Folk/Pop album, the winners are..

Andrew Peterson, Far Country. This album stands right up there with my favorite albums of all time, secular or Christian. Peterson writes beautiful melodies, but what makes this album amazing is Peterson’s ability to get his listeners to turn their eyes to heaven with a longing desire in their hearts. Everything seems a little clearer and more beautiful when Far Country is playing.

Andrew Peterson, Far Country.

In the category for Best Mainstream/Modern Rock album, the winners are..

Jars of Clay, Jars of Clay. Perhaps the most important album in Christian music history, Jars of Clay almost single-handedly created a genre. The album went double platinum in 1995 – absolutely unheard of for a Christian band back then and is still extremely rare today. But beyond the historical importance and selling success, the album itself is quite a feat. My favorite feature of this album is variety of subject matters addressed. Every song is spiritually-centered, but each one focuses on different aspects of the Christian walk while, for the most part, avoiding cheap cliches.

DC Talk, Jesus Freak.

In the category for Best Ska/Punk album, the winners are..

Five Iron Frenzy, Quantity is Job 1. I agree with Kyle. This album wins because of These Are Not My Pants. And because their other album nominated won the Pillsbury Award, and I wanted to spread out the love. Oh yeah.

Five Iron Frenzy, All the Hype Money Can Buy.

In the category for Best Alternative/ Hard Rock album, the winners are..

Further Seems Forever, How to Start a Fire. There are moments on this album that make me stop whatever I’m doing and lose myself in the music. FSF is amazing for letting the music fit with the passion and energy of the singer and lyrics. When most bands are too busy repeating the chorus, FSF changes tunes and adds an extra bridge. It doesn’t make for radio hits, but it does make for a fantastic album from start to finish.

Further Seems Forever, How to Start a Fire. As proof of this album’s greatness (or of most of the voters unfamiliarity with the albums in this category) How to Start a Fire has the privilege of getting more votes than any other nominee in any of the categories. Way to go.

In the category for Best Song, the winners are..

Andrew Osenga, “High School Band.” Every month or so I have a new favorite song, or at least a recycled favorite. “High School Band” wins this honor for these awards because of Osenga’s amazingly good sense not to say too much. While most good songwriters tell you the truth, Osenga tells you a story that conveys the same truth but in a more meaningful way. In this song, Osenga conveys the deep human need for love and acceptance (along with a model of how to do it) through three short profiles of small-town citizens. But the song is more than that – much more. Listen to it a couple of times and then try to explain the point of the song. It will be difficult to do, because by telling a story Osenga is conveying something richer and deeper and truer than just “the deep human need for love and acceptance.”

Andrew Peterson, “More.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award winners are…

Keith Green. Keith Green was involved in Christian music for only six years before dying in a plane crash. In those six years, Green and his wife Melody wrote more fantastic songs than all the other nominees did in their combined careers.

(Tie) DC Talk and Keith Green.

Thank you everyone for participating! This was a lot of fun for me to organize and think about. I hope you enjoyed it too. Check out the albums, artists and songs if you don’t know them – I’m sure it’ll be worth the time!