GMA Academy Regional Talent Competition and Seminar

MUSIC CITY, Tenn. - A city known as one of the music capitals of the world will be the setting this Fall when the Gospel Music Association (GMA) hosts the GMA Academy Regional Talent Competition and Seminar October 12-13, 2007, the Christian/Gospel industry's official weekend training camp and competition forartists and songwriters.

The GMA Academy Music City regional event will be held at Christ Church in Nashville beginning on Friday, October 12 for two days of intensive songwriting and performance training and the gospel music industry’s most influential talent competition. Past winners at GMA Academy include current American Idol Champion Jordin Sparks who competed and won at GMA Academy in 2004.

One of the main attractions of the GMA Academy will be the talent competition. The Nashville Regional Artist and Song Competition, GMA’s official talent competition for unsigned artists and songwriters will be held during the weekend event. Artist and Song winners will be chosen from submitted entries in various genres and categories with finalists chosen to perform at a closing night concert at the Academy. Regional winners from the competition will be chosen to advance to the semifinal round of the GMA Music in the Rockies national competition held in Estes Park, Colorado in August 2008.

Detailed registration information and hotel and transportation options for GMA Academy Regional Talent Competition and Seminar are available online at www.gospelmusic.org or by calling 615-242-0303. Entry into the talent competition requires advance registration and has a firm deadline of September 17, 2007. That date also carries a discounted registration rate.

More details about the GMA Academy Regional Event will be announced in coming weeks, including information about artists-in-residence, key-note speakers and class descriptions. ABOUT THE GMA

Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Christian/Gospel music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music of all styles including pop, rock, praise & worship, black gospel, R&B, hip hop, southern gospel, country, and more. The GMA community consists of 4,000 members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Music Week, GMA Music in the Rockies, and the GMA Academy. For more information, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.