Influential Gospel Visionary and Leader Jackie Patillo to Receive the BMI “Spotlight Award” as a Special Tribute During the Invitation-Only Celebration
BMI today announced that the 2025 BMI Christian Awards will be held on June 17 at the organization’s Nashville office. Jackie Patillo, Gospel Music Association President, will be honored with the BMI Spotlight Award for her unwavering dedication to the genre and illustrious career as an advocate for all Christian and Gospel music creators. In addition, BMI’s Christian Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Publisher of the Year and the 25 most-performed Christian songs of the previous year will be announced. The private event will be hosted by BMI’s AVP of Creative, Nashville, Leslie Roberts, BMI’s President & CEO, Mike O’Neill.
“Through Jackie’s dynamic leadership, innovative vision, and unwavering love for Christian and Gospel music, she’s been able to bring both genres together through a message that unifies all while reaching a new generation of music lovers,” said Roberts. “The work that she’s done over her illustrious career is inspiring, and we’re thrilled to be presenting Jackie with the BMI Spotlight Award. We’re also looking forward to celebrating all our award-winning songwriters and producers, highlighting their achievements through community, worship and music.”
The Spotlight Award salutes Patillo’s rich history of championing Gospel music creators and the genre’s legacy throughout her career spanning over three decades. As a veteran music executive with posts at Star Song, Benson, Integrity, and Verity Records, she has helped shape the careers of numerous iconic artists, including Natalie Grant, Stephen Hurd, Lisa McClendon, Donnie McClurkin, Joe Pace, Israel & New Breed, Marvin Sapp, Alvin Slaughter and many more. As the President of the Gospel Music Association and GMA Foundation, where she has led the organization since 2010, Patillo has taken her commitment to advocating for all Christian and Gospel music makers to a new level. Under her leadership, the GMA has expanded its reach, unified the genre’s diverse voices, and strengthened its mission to expose, promote, and celebrate Gospel music across all styles and generations.
In addition to her day-to-day work, Patillo also serves as the Co-Executive Producer of the GMA Dove Awards, Gospel music’s biggest night, viewed by over 3 million people annually on TBN. She was inducted into the Stellar Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2019, the SOURCE Hall of Fame in 2023, and was honored on her 10th anniversary with the Jackie Patillo Leadership Dove Award, now presented annually to an outstanding industry leader.
In receiving the BMI Spotlight Award, Patillo joins an exclusive group of honorees including Dottie Leonard Miller, Randy Edelman and Frank Gari.
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Each week, Learn, Listen, Watch, Discover and Share with BMI! From must-see videos, to creative inspiration and dynamic playlists we’re excited about, BMI’s The Weekly is dedicated to delivering specially curated content designed for music creators and music fans alike!
BMI represents more than 1.4 million songwriters, composers, and publishers with over 22.4 million musical works.
BMI represents more than 1.4 million songwriters, composers, and publishers with over 22.4 million musical works.