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30 Apr 2004
GMA Week 2004
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Gospel Music Week 2004 came and went in a flurry of activity as usual. For those who have never attended this week of events that occur each April in downtown Nashville, TN let me share a few of the activities that we were privileged to attend this year. During a press conference, GMA president, John Styll, released a GMA-commissioned Barna Survey on how Christian teens in America view illegal downloading and file-sharing of music. It was interesting to note that the survey revealed that there is little difference between the views of Christian teens and non-Christian teens. Only 10 percent of Christian teens believe that it is morally wrong to download, copy and share copyrighted material such as music. Six percent of non-Christian teens believe the same. Because of this survey the Gospel Music Association will launch an industry campaign called, "Millions of Wrongs Don't Make It Right." Sunday evening of GMA Week is opened with an Evening Woship Service. This year's event was hosted by Michael W. Smith and was held at the historic Ryman Auditiorium. We were unable to attend but we heard such great reports. One report was of the unusual way that the service started. Michael W. Smith opened the service by asking for special prayer for Janice Chaffee, wife of GMA Board Chairman and head of Chaffee Management Group, Jim Chaffee. Janice is battling cancer and was also attending the service. The evening culminated in the Songwriter's Showcase. Having attended this event in the past, it is most assuredly my favorite event of the entire week. Each year the chart topping Songwriters are asked to perform their songs. They are given an opportunity to speak a little about their song and their life. This is a very personal time of sharing and a chance to look at the heart of the songwriter and the influence of their songs. From Adult Contemporary, CHR, Rock, Inspirational to Southern Gospel. Many of the songwriters are artists as well. The event was hosted by Bart Millard of Mercy Me and Bebo Norman. The hosts were funny, witty and inspirational. Bart Millard performed his nominated Song of the Year, "Word of God Speak," which he co-wrote with Peter Kipley. Bebo Norman also performed his nominated Song of the Year, "Great Light of the World." Other Song of the Year Nominated songwriters who performed were, Steven Curtis Chapman (All About Love), Mark Schultz (Child of Mine), Chad Cates and Sue C. Smith (Everything to Me which later won Inspirational Song of the Year), Peter Furler (He Reigns), Mark Hall (If We Are The Body who later won Songwriter of the Year), Kim Williams (Three Wooden Crosses). Other performances by Chart topping songwriters were Gerald Crabb (The Cross - though Gerald was too sick to perform, Jason Crabb stepped in and performed the song for him.), SuperChic(k) (Hero), Scott Krippayne and Tony Wood (I Cannot Hide From You), and Jeremy Camp (I Still Believe). Whether you enjoy the music of Christian Rock, Southern Gospel, or Inspirational it is hard to not find something to like during this showcase. Not only are the songs great, but hearing from the heart of the songwriter is a true blessing. My favorites of the evening were, Scott Krippayne, Mark Schultz, Peter Furler and Gerald/Jason Crabb. I truly enjoyed seeing Sue C. Smith (who has written countless SG songs as well as CCM) perform and wish I would have had the chance to meet her. Kim Williams, the author of "Three Wooden Crosses" was a delight.
Monday morning started with the GMA Special Awards and Membership meeting which was hosted by Chonda Pierce and included performances by The Katinas and Karen Peck & New River. The rest of the day was filled with seminars and luncheons. One such showcase was put on by the Spring Hill Music Group who was celebrating their 10th anniversary. The showcase included a video featuring the first decade of the record company. Performances were by Babbie Mason and Joyce Martin-McCollough who shared from her upcoming solo project which is scheduled for release in August. SpringHill debuted a new artist, Charity Von as well. Monday afternoon brought the seminar, "The Beginning: Celebrating the Foundation of the Gospel Music Association...Southern Gospel...We Were There!" This roundtable discussion was sponsored by the Southern Gospel Music Guild and included panelists, Les Beasley, Don Butler, Bill Gaither, Don Light, Joe Moscheo, Dottie Rambo and Ben Speer and was moderated by Deborah Evans Price, SeniorWriter for Billboard Magazine. Don Light of Don Light Talent spoke on how the GMA was started. Don was working for Billboard Magazine at the time and saw that the CMA (Country Music Association) was a vehicle to get Country Music covered in Billboard and he saw that an organization like that for Gospel Music could get Gospel Music covered in Billboard and other major publications. The original Board of Directors for the GMA were Marvin Norcross, Brock Speer, Don Light, Les Beasley, JD Sumner, Smitty Gatlin, James Blackwood and Ben Speer. Les Beasley added that Tennessee Ernie Ford was the first President followed by Jim Meyers then Les Beasley. Les was the first president who wanted the GMA to be a working organization. Ben Speer added that they wanted something that the press could use as a main information center. Joe Moscheo, who has been on the board for 35 years, was the first artist to represent artists within the organization. The Imperials won the first Dove Award for Artist of the Year. A question was asked, "How has the GMA evolved?" Bill Gaither replied, "it has evolved into something to take gospel music further." Brock Speer was instrumental in persuading Bill to join. Dottie Rambo added, "As a publisher, GMA has put publishers on the map." Les Beasley was asked, "What were the early challenges?" to which he replied, "At first there were two organizations, The Statesmen and the Blackwoods had an organization in Memphis, TN while other artists had an organization in Nashville, TN. The two organizations finally came together and chartered as one." Other challenges were mentioned to be finances. Marvin Norcross ower of Word Records was very helpful in dealing with the finances and according to Les Beasley, "bailed them out" a few times. The first Dove Awards were held in 1969 in Memphis, TN at the Peabody Hotel. Les Beasley is responsible for the design of the Dove Award. The dove was chosen because it is a symbol of peace. "At what point did the GMA take on other genres?" was posed next. Bill Gaither answered that through the 60's it was four guys and a piano which was complimentary to the pop field at the time. Basically it was the only commercial gospel music. The only other type of gospel music was black gospel which wasn't well represented at the time. In the 70's when the Jesus Movement hit the scene, Christian Music began to take on a different modern sound and at that time different styles of Christian music took on popularity." During this time the GMA met all over the country as far as California hoping to prove that it wasn't just a Nashville thing. Les Beasley added that he was a proponent of expanding to cover all sounds of gospel music. Bill Gaither added, "We are a message wrapped in a 100 different styles." When asked, "How much resistence was this new infiltration of music met with?" Ben Speer answered that "I don't personally like it and many do no like it, but if the message is true, go with the message." The Dove Awards have been criticized for having big secular artists and names as hosts. This year's event was co-hosted by Dieon Sanders. In the beginning they were criticized for using major Country Artists as hosts but they were trying to reach outside the realm of gospel music. Ben Speer was asked how the GMA impacted the Speers. "Because the Dove Awards are very prestigious it caused us to hone our craft even more. It became a priority for the Speers to be the very best they could be," replied Ben. The roundtable discussion can be summed up by this statement by Ben Speer,"Many artists are not a part of GMA because they don't see the big picture." The highlight of the Monday evening was the World Vision concert at the Renaissance Hotel Ballroom. Margaret Becker served as emcee and introduced a variety of artists which included Sanctus Real, Jump5, Casting Crowns, The Crabb Family, Sara Groves, Kelly Minter, Todd Agnew, Rita Springer, NewSong, The Katinas, Misty Freeman, Starfield and David Nasser.
Tuesday morning brought a new music showcase from Daywind Records featuring live performances by LordSong and the Exalting Him Talent Contest winner, Karen Harding, as well as The McRaes, Mike Bowling and The Hoskins Family.
When asked of all the tools at their disposal (i.e. website, special events, special projects, etc) what do they find is most useful, Smokie Norful answered that being able to deal with issues that 20 years you couldn't even talk about has been very positive. Jason Crabb replied that their most useful tool is one on one contact with the fan after the concert. Tuesday afternoon brought Gaither Music Group new music session featuring a 15 minute concert by The Isaacs. But the highlight of the day culminated in the evening concert sponsored by The Southern Gospel Music Guild. The concert held at the Hilton Suites Ballroom was hosted by Mark Lowry and featured The Booth Brothers, Talley Trio, Crabb Family, Signature Sound Quartet, LordSong and Stan Whitmire. Also during the concert we were treated with a surprise appearance by Michael English and Reggie Smith who joined Mark Lowry on a song and Kim Green Hopper.
Wednesday wrapped up the weeks activities and one of the highlights was the Radio/Retail Luncheon featuring Clint Brown, Tree63, The Crabb Family, David Phelps and Rachael Lampa.
Wednesday evening ended with the Dove Awards. One of the highlights for me was to see actor, Stephen Baldwin. Stephen is a new Christian who is taking a bold stand for Christ within his family and within the entertainment industry. My favorite quote was given by him in the Dove Awards Press room, "I may be the only Bible that my family will ever read."
If you missed this year's Gospel Music Week, then make plans now for next year. Whether you are a seasoned veteran in the music industry or an independant artist traveling just a few dates a year there is much to be learned during the week. Check out the Gospel Music Association's website and consider becoming a member today! Reader Comments
Excellent article and great pics!
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GMA Week 2004
 Written: 04/30/2004  Author: SGN Category:
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Early afternoon brought the discussion of "The Heart of the Artist" featuring Chris Tomlin, Mark Hall (Casting Crowns), Jason Crabb (The Crabb Family), Smokie Norful and Mojo (The Supertones), moderated by GMA Board Chairman, Jim Chaffee.
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