Kerry Douglas Celebrated at BMI Event

 BMI celebrated the best in Gospel music at the 2026 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards held at BMI’s Nashville office this week.  BMI honored the songwriters and publishers behind the past year’s 25 most-performed Gospel songs and announced the Songwriters, Song, and Publisher of the Year.  Gospel, entertainment, and media tycoon Kerry Douglas was named one of BMI’s Gospel Songwriters of the Year in a three-way tie with Kierra Sheard-Kelly and J Drew Sheard, II.  Douglas, CEO of Blacksmoke Music Worldwide and Blacksmoke Publishing, wrote three songs that received the most performances on terrestrial radio, satellite radio, and digital streaming services over the past year.

Douglas states, “This is an incredible honor for Blacksmoke Music and me.  I received these awards because Kerry Douglas Publishing and Blacksmoke Music have helped artists Jevon Dewand, Earnest Pugh, and Pastor Mike, Jr., and I will keep helping songwriters, producers, and artists in this industry as God continues to help me.  Thank you to the team at BMI – Mike O’Neill, CEO, Mike Steinberg, EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer, and Catherine Brewton, Vice President of Creative for recognizing my work.”

Douglas and his publishing company received honors for the songs “Don’t Give Up” by Earnest Pugh, “Windows” by Pastor Mike Jr., and “Without You” by Jevon Dewand & The Tap Starz, totaling seven awards that commemorated his and his publishing company’s successful year.

In music, a hit song contains a catchy, relatable melody with creative phrasing and structure. Musicality and great production lay the foundation for a great song that provokes emotion and response.  Ultimately, marketing is necessary to capture listeners and digital streaming success.

“The most important thing is for everyone to understand the connection with the songwriter, the publisher and the marketer of the music who helps create the demand for songs,” Douglas shares.  “I encourage every up-and-coming songwriter to put three parts together – first a great song, connect with an established publisher, and then a great marketing team to create value for that song.”

He continues, “Songwriters need to look at the world of music from the inside out.  It’s not just about having a great pen to craft songs; you need the other components to help raise the value of your pen.”