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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – February 14, 2005 – Aspiring songwriters and performers from across the country competed in Nashville last week for the Gospel Music Association’s GMA Academy Regional Talent Competition and Seminar with multiple artist and songwriter winners to move on to the National Finals later this year.

The “Song of 2006” for songwriters and “Artist 2006” talent competitions were held in downtown Nashville at the First Baptist Church last Friday and Saturday, along with intensive educational seminars led by music industry professionals that are/which are designed to help aspiring artists and songwriters. Each competition was broken down by genre and judged by various executives from the contemporary Christian and gospel Music industry. This same competition has produced such best-selling artists as Jars of Clay, Matthew West, BarlowGirl, Stacie Orrico and Nicole Nordeman.

GMA Academy Song of 2006 Overall Song Winner

“Wrap Me in Mercy,” by Jamie Boemer (Calera, Ala.).

GMA Academy Artist 2006 Overall Artist Winner

Isaac Simpson & DP (Cols, Ohio).

GMA Academy Song of 2006 Regional Winners

Pop-Rock/Alternative Song: “Melody Sings,” by Cody Diffee, Justin Joslin of freshsunday (Yukon, Okla.).

Gospel/Urban Song: “I Just Wanna Say,” by Justin Davis (Huntsville, Ala.).

Praise & Worship/Choral Song: “I Want to Sing,” by Carmen Stanczykiewicz (Zionsville, Ind.).

Southern Gospel Song: “I Swung the Hammer,” by Bill DiLuigi (Nashville, Tenn.),

Pop-AC/Inspirational Song: “Wrap Me in Mercy,” by Jamie Boemer (Calera, Ala.),


GMA Academy Artist of 2006 Regional Winners

Vocal: Hank Murphy (Louisville, Ga.)

Band: freshsunday (Yukon, Okla.)

Regional winners will now travel to Estes Park, Colo., to compete at the National Artist & Song Competition, held at the GMA Music in the Rockies July 30 through August 5, 2005. Visit http://www.gospelmusic.org for more details and registration information.

The GMA Academy was launched in 1995 for the purpose of educating, encouraging and supporting the growth and development of the next generation of Christian artists. At GMA Academy and GMA Music in the Rockies, aspiring songwriters and performers receive in-depth instruction from gospel music industry professionals – from practical business concerns to improving artistic skills. The regional GMA Academy hosts a talent competition for artists and songwriters. Regional winners automatically advance to the national competition at GMA Music in the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo.

Founded in 1964, the 4,000-member GMA (http://www.gospelmusic.org) is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music. The GMA represents all styles of gospel music including contemporary pop, rock, urban gospel, praise & worship, Southern gospel, country and children’s gospel music. The GMA produces the GMA Music Awards, which recognizes achievement in all genres of gospel music and are voted on by members of the GMA. The 37th Annual GMA Music Awards will be held April 5, 2006 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn.

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