We’re honored to introduce this year’s finalists for the CMB Special Awards and CMB Station of the Year Awards. Winners will be announced on Friday, May 29, during the CMB Awards Ceremony at Momentum.
Voting on these awards is one of the many benefits of being a CMB Member. It’s not too late to become a member and still have the opportunity to vote.
Please join us in congratulating the following finalists:
2026 Special Award Finalists
Industry Achievement Award
Presented to a Christian broadcaster or associated professional for outstanding and long-term contributions to the growth of Christian Music Radio.
Jon Hamilton – President, Christian FM Media
Jon is the Founder and President of Christian FM Media, the leading syndicator in the CCM radio format. A 45-year veteran of Christian radio, Jon has dedicated his career to strengthening local stations and expanding the reach of Christian music across America. He founded Christian FM Media with a mission to “help stations.” Today, that vision supports nearly 400 CCM stations nationwide with programming, content, and strategic support designed to help independent broadcasters compete and thrive. A longtime advocate for the growth of Christian music radio, Jon has helped bring the CCM format to new audiences through partnerships with organizations such as Westwood One and LRN, leading to numerous mainstream stations transitioning to CCM. Christian FM Media also partners with major broadcast groups, including iHeartRadio and Townsquare Media. His work now generates more than 5,000 hours of customized programming daily and has helped develop syndication platforms for personalities, including Brant Hansen, Lisa Barry, and Doug Hannah. Jon’s leadership, innovation, and passion for service have helped Christian radio grow stronger, reach farther, and impact millions with messages of faith and hope.
John Mays – President, A&R, Centricity Music
John is one of Christian music’s longest serving executives, with a career spanning nearly four decades. He began in A&R at Word Records and EMI Christian Music Group before serving as president of Benson Records. During his tenure, he signed and worked with artists such as Cindy Morgan, Point of Grace, Matt Redman, Nichole Nordeman, Newsboys, and the Passion Worship projects. In 2002, he helped establish Centricity Music, where his A&R efforts have been instrumental in signing and developing artists including Jason Gray, Aaron Shust, Unspoken, Jordan Feliz, Lauren Daigle, Natalie Layne, and Katy Nichole. Mays’ music career began in his teens as a bass player, performing with several Christian music bands before contributing to numerous recordings as a session player. He also co-wrote the hit song “Love In Any Language” for Sandi Patty, included in CCM’s list of the 100 greatest Christian songs.
Tim McDermott – CEO, FEBC
Tim has played a transformative role in the growth of Christian music radio for over forty years. As PD and MD of KCFO (Tulsa) in the late 1970s, he helped pioneer one of the first 24-hour contemporary Christian music stations in America, shaping a format that would expand nationwide. In 1999, Tim envisioned and hosted the contemporary praise and worship program, Enter His Gates, which was soon replicated by many CCM stations. His early support and airplay helped introduce artists like Chris Tomlin, Israel Houghton, and Matt Maher to broader audiences, contributing to the growth of the worship movement on radio. For 27 years, Tim led KSBJ (Houston), guiding the station from 100,000 listeners to more than 800,000 weekly. Under his leadership, KSBJ became an award-winning, nationally recognized station known for excellence and ministry impact. He also launched KSBJ’s mentoring program, investing in Christian radio leaders around the world. Tim has written over 50 articles for HisAir.net and has championed Christian music nationwide through leadership in National Religious Broadcasters and as founding chair of CMB. Today, he continues influencing global ministry through his leadership with Far East Broadcasting Company.
Joe Paulo – CEO, Hope Media Group
Joe has devoted his life’s work to using media to engage people to love Jesus, serve others, and spread Hope. A 30-year veteran of Christian radio, he serves Hope Media Group, engaging audiences more than 100 million times each month across all platforms. Joe’s contributions to Christian media include leadership roles at stations in the Carolinas and at K-LOVE. He guided Houston’s KSBJ through strategic growth, including its transition to Hope Media Group in 2020. In 2022, he led the merger of two healthy ministries, expanding their reach beyond what either could achieve independently. Under his leadership, nearly $45 million was raised to fund strategic acquisitions, ministry expansion, and a new Ministry & Media Center serving the future of Christian media. The ministry expanded its digital strategy, including the nationally recognized podcast Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, which reached No. 1 in its category, and Vida Unida, a Spanish all-music format reaching more than half a million listeners in Houston, Miami, and New York City. Joe previously served as CMB Chair and remains committed to strengthening the Christian radio community.
Kenny Rodgers – SVP, Audience, Capitol Christian Music Group
Kenny is a seasoned music industry executive at Universal Music Group with more than 20 years of experience in radio promotion and artist development. A graduate of the University of North Alabama with a degree in Music Business, Kenny began his career at Word Records in 2006, where he helped break artists such as for KING & COUNTRY, Francesca Battistelli, and Sidewalk Prophets. He rose to Senior Director of National Promotion before transitioning to Capitol Christian Music Group in 2016. Promoted to VP of National Promotion in 2019, he led CCMG’s promotion team to the No. 1 radio market share for seven consecutive years, launching and developing artists including Pat Barrett, Anne Wilson, We The Kingdom, and Jamie MacDonald. Since 2019, he has served on the Momentum Leadership Team, championing excellence and advocating for radio’s continued strength as a vital force in the music industry. Most recently, Kenny was promoted to Senior Vice President, Audience, where he focuses on expanding the reach of CCMG artists beyond radio through digital platforms and strategic storytelling.
Rick Stevens – Retired GM, KYTT / K-LIGHT
Early in his career, Rick worked at KMBI in Spokane and KBGN in Caldwell before spending two years in Manila with Far East Broadcasting Company. There, he saw firsthand the power of Christian radio to reach across cultures and transform communities for Christ. That vision led him to the Oregon Coast, where he joined KYTT/K-LIGHT in Coos Bay. For the past 42 years, Rick faithfully stewarded the station, serving as GM, PD, MD, and morning show co-host. Under his leadership, KYTT grew in influence while building a reputation as one of the most sonically diverse music stations. Rick’s ministry has always extended beyond the studio. In 2000, he launched Pray Oregon Coast, uniting churches to reach every home in the Bay Area with the Gospel. During the pandemic, he helped establish the Good Neighbor Fund to support those in need. He also founded 43° North, the Oregon Coast’s largest Christian music festival, organizing hundreds of concerts for decades. His legacy runs deeper than radio to lives touched, a strengthened community, and the Gospel faithfully proclaimed.
Community Service Award
Presented to a Christian broadcaster, radio station or associated professional who, during the past year, has shown outstanding effort in community service.
KCBI (Dallas / Fort Worth)
KCBI 90.9 FM mobilized listeners in Dallas-Fort Worth to live out their faith by meeting real needs through prayer, service, and outreach. When urgent needs arise, KCBI listeners responded enthusiastically. As icy weather approached, KCBI launched a 24-hour Blanket Challenge to collect 1,000 blankets for those experiencing homelessness. Within hours, listeners overwhelmingly surpassed that goal. By the end of the challenge, they had given over six times the goal, providing blankets and sweatpants to more than 6,200 unsheltered individuals during dangerous weather. Listeners served throughout the year. Three hundred volunteers participated in KCBI’s Faith Hope Love Service Day, preparing 2,500 pairs of shoes for children in need and packing 1,800 Love Boxes for mothers facing unplanned pregnancies. KCBI also became the new home of the beloved Christmas WISH initiative hosted by Bonnie Curry. Listeners and sponsors rallied around four families facing difficulty, providing each with up to $5,000 during the Christmas season and reminding them that they were not alone. Prayer remained the ministry’s heartbeat, with more than 24,000 prayers lifted for listeners through the station’s on-air and online Prayer Center in 2025. Volunteers prayed face-to-face with nearly 700 people at community events, including back-to-school fairs and food distributions. KCBI distributed more than 73,000 digital spiritual resources, equipping listeners with biblical tools like Praying the Bible and Prayers for Everyday Life. Together, KCBI listeners served more than 108,000 people, bringing hope, strengthening families, and sharing Christ’s love across Dallas-Fort Worth.
KFLQ (Albuquerque)
The heart of 91.5 Family Life Radio’s community service in 2025 was the story of midday host Shannyn Caldwell. 91.5 FM was the Pink Chair Sponsor for Albuquerque’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, where “Shannyn’s Kicking Cancer Team” was joined by more than 7,000 participants. She walked and hosted what became her final event, raising awareness for breast cancer prevention while boldly sharing her faith. With Shannyn’s passing, that outreach remained a meaningful reminder that community service often begins by standing faithfully beside someone in their hardest season. From listener Sara, “Thank you, Shannyn, for loving Albuquerque.” That spirit guided all FLR’s community efforts. In July, listeners responded to an invitation to support Albuquerque’s annual Jump In 2 School Bash. Over 5,000 people attended, donating nearly 3,000 backpacks. During the event, 215 students received free haircuts and 70 received nail services, helping children begin the school year with dignity while hearing about Jesus. Hosting and partnering at many concerts was another way 91.5 reached Albuquerque. In 2025, FLR worshiped with thousands in the community at Freedom Celebration, and more. Wrapping up the year was the FLR Community Toy Drive, with 1,038 toys distributed through Victory Outreach in Albuquerque’s International District, serving 54 impoverished families, including 108 children. Each family received The Christmas Story booklet, and 75 salvations happened at the Jesus Is the Greatest Gift Winter Wonderland event. These impactful efforts reflected a simple mission: to serve the Albuquerque community in ways that are compassionate and Christ-centered.
KNWS (Waterloo / Cedar Rapids)
KNWS/Life 101.9’s mission is to lead people to Christ and nurture believers in their spiritual growth through Christ-centered media while serving as the hands and feet of Jesus through bold, impactful community service projects. This mission was carried out by a dedicated team of six full-time and two part-time staff members, and a passionate group of volunteers who work together to serve communities across eastern Iowa. In 2025, Life 101.9 listeners rallied to support children receiving care at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital through the annual Cards for Kids campaign, donating $18,000 in gift cards for families and helping cover everyday needs so parents could focus on what matters most: the health and well-being of their child. Life 101.9 listeners also demonstrated remarkable generosity during Iowa’s Biggest Baby Shower, donating more than 57,000 diapers and wipes and over 630 other essential baby items. These donations supported three pregnancy centers throughout the region that helped build healthy families by providing care and resources before, during, and after pregnancy. Recognizing the holiday season could be especially difficult for some families, Life 101.9 partnered with listeners to support the Salvation Army Toy Drive. This effort helped provide gifts and hope to families across the listening area, bringing joy and encouragement during the Christmas season. Through these initiatives and many others, Life 101.9 continues to mobilize its listeners to make a meaningful difference, strengthening families and serving the community with compassion, generosity, and faith.
KZTH (Oklahoma City)
The House FM’s community outreach in 2025 reflected a commitment to serve others with compassion and support. The station’s Outreach Director mentored at-risk youth through Community Advance, leading media workshops, songwriting classes, service projects, while the team invested more than 46 volunteer hours in mentorship and prayer support. When wildfires struck Payne County, damaging 229 homes and destroying 100, the station partnered with Our Daily Bread and local officials to mobilize relief. Listeners helped collect vital supplies for over 100 displaced families, while volunteers sorted 6,635 pounds of food and the station provided critical on-air updates. Community outreach continued throughout the year. The annual Feed a Family event collected 699 turkeys in just three hours. The team distributed 1,600 backpacks, provided 3,500 college care packages, reunited four families through Home for Christmas, and honored nine teachers. Listeners raised $5,925 for Homeless Alliance and $1,646 to Hope Is Alive, an addiction recovery program, along with additional support for regional food banks. Staff also volunteered more than 70 hours serving addiction recovery ministries, domestic violence shelters, veteran housing programs, and disability-focused nonprofits. The station hosted a community wide Faith, Family, Fun Day at their studios, supported 39 churches through their Family Calendar, visited 11 VBS programs, hosted its first pickleball and golf tournaments, and helped lead a prison Hope Event, bringing encouragement and faith inside correctional facilities. For the 23rd consecutive year, The House received the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Community Service Award, reflecting sustained, Kingdom-centered service in action.
WBCL (Fort Wayne)
Each summer, WBCL selects one nonprofit partner to highlight through a station-wide community outreach initiative designed to raise both awareness and financial support. From June through August, the campaign is promoted across on-air programming, digital platforms, and through popular “Sticker Stops,” which take place in nearly 30 cities throughout their listening area. These community events create opportunities for listeners to connect with the WCBL team, learn about the featured ministry, and contribute to the cause. In 2025, WBCL partnered with Trans World Radio (TWR) to help bring the message of hope to Cuba during a time of significant humanitarian and spiritual need. With limited access to missionaries, pastors, and churches, many Cuban families relied on Christian radio as one of the few ways to hear the Gospel. Through TWR’s broadcasts, the message of Christ reached individuals and families in their homes, cars, and communities, day and night. WBCL set a goal to raise $35,000, enough to reach one million people through TWR’s ministry. Listeners responded with overwhelming generosity, ultimately contributing more than $55,000. Through donations collected online and at Sticker Stop events across the region, the community came together to extend hope beyond borders—helping ensure that families in Cuba had the opportunity to hear about the love of Jesus.
Rich Mullins Artist Impact Award
Presented to an artist or group to recognize their long-time contributions to the music and ministry of Christian radio.
