At the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards Sunday night in New York, Christian music was well represented with some of the genre's best taking home awards for their work.
RELATED: Contemporary Christian, Gospel GRAMMY Nominations Announced
In the category for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song,
Hillsong Worship's wildly-popular "What A Beautiful Name" took the gold (other nominees include
MercyMe's "Even If,"
Natalie Grant's "Clean,"
Casting Crowns' "Oh My Soul" and
Tauren Wells' "Hills and Valleys"), while newcomer
Zach Williams got the honor of Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for his debut
Chain Breaker, beating out strong contenders
Rise (Danny Gokey),
Echoes (
Matt Maher),
Lifer (MercyMe) and
Hills and Valleys (Tauren Wells).
"JESUS. It's the most incredible Name that has transformed our lives. This is the most enormous privilege. Thank you Brian Houston & Bobbie Houston and our entire incredible team. No matter how far or close you feel to God, His love is greater, His Name more powerful, more wonderful, more beautiful than any other. May this glorify the Name above every other name, the Name of Jesus," Hillsong Worship shared post-win.
Williams also took to social media to express his gratitude: "Blown away. Completely shocked. I'm a huge fan of everyone in the category and honored to win, but without God none of this would be possible. Thank you all for your love and support! I think I can speak for everyone on this album when I say we don't write these songs to win awards. We already have the greatest reward of all and that is Jesus. We write these songs because we believe in the power they have to transform and change lives for the kingdom of God."
Gospel music showed up in a big way as well, with powerhouse
CeCe Winans sealing the deal on both her nominations for Best Gospel Album (
Let Them Fall In Love) and Best Gospel Performance/Song for "Never Have To Be Alone." Additionally, country music legend
Reba McEntire won for Best Roots Gospel Album with her recent faith-based debut
Sing It Now: Songs of Faith and Hope.
Several CCM artists turned out for the big event, taking to social media throughout the night to post photos and updates. Among the artists present were MercyMe, Tim Timmons, Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant (who presented a few categories in the pre-ceremony with husband/producer Bernie Herms), Danny Gokey, Travis Greene and Tauren Wells. For a complete list of GRAMMY winners, click
here.
