• 2019 - First Songwriter to be inducted into the Mississippi Songwriters' Hall of Fame

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• 2011 - First honored with his own road marker in the Mississippi  Country Music Trail /VanCleave, Mississippi.  Others honored include Elvis Presley, Faith Hill, Tammy Wynette and more.

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• 2003 - Inducted into the NSAI Hall of Fame

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• 1994 - CCMA Mainstream Artist of the Year

• 1994 - Dove Award Country Recorded Song of the Year (There But For The Grace of God Go I)

• 1994 - TNN / MCN Christian Country Artist

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• 1993 - CCMA Country Songwriter of the Year

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• 1992 - Grammy Award for Best Country Song (Love Can Build a Bridge)

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• 1991 - BMI Songwriter of the Year

• 1991 - Dove Award Country Recorded Song of the Year (Seein' My Father In Me)

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• 1990 - BMI Songwriter of the Year

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• 1989 - BMI Songwriter of the Year

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• 1988 - ACM Award for Song of the Year (Forever and Ever, Amen) 

• 1988 - Grammy Award for Best County Song (Forever and Ever, Amen) 

• 1988 TNN Viewers Choice Awards: Forever and Ever, Amen)

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• 1987 - ACM Award for Song of the Year (On the Other Hand) 

• 1987 - BMI Songwriter of the Year

• 1987 - CMA Award for Song of the Year (Forever and Ever, Amen)

• 1987 - Music City News Traditional County Song of the Year (On The Other Hand)

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• 1986 - CMA Award for Song of the Year (On the

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