Every year, Christian radio's most beloved artists get the chance to be recognized not by streams or sales - but by the very broadcasters who have championed their music on air for years. That moment is coming again in May.
The Christian Music Broadcasters have announced the five finalists for the 2026 Rich Mullins Artist Impact Award - and this year's list is stacked.
Crowder. Jason Gray. Matt Maher. Natalie Grant. Passion.
Five names that need no introduction to anyone who has ever tuned in to a Christian radio station. Each of these artists has spent years - in some cases, decades - building a legacy not just on charts, but in the lives of everyday listeners who found hope, comfort, and faith through their music.
The Rich Mullins Artist Impact Award is named after the late singer-songwriter whose deeply personal, theologically rich music helped define modern Christian music in the 1980s and 90s. The award, presented annually by the CMB at their Momentum conference, honors an artist or group for their long-term contributions to Christian radio ministry. Past recipients include Phil Wickham (2025), for KING & COUNTRY (2021), and CeCe Winans (2023) - a short list of artists who have each left an undeniable mark on the genre.
This year's five finalists represent a wide cross-section of Christian music - from Crowder's Southern-rooted, high-energy worship to Matt Maher's liturgically grounded songwriting, Natalie Grant's powerful female voice in CCM, Jason Gray's honest and story-driven artistry, and Passion's generational influence over college-age worship culture worldwide.
The winner will be announced Friday, May 29 during the CMB Awards Ceremony at Momentum in Florida.
Any one of them would be a worthy recipient. Watch this space.
