34th Annual GMA Music in the Rockies

In addition to the competition, the American Bible Society will conduct workshops at GMA Music in the Rockies about the art of writing Bible-based lyrics.

For the third year, Compassion International, one of the nation’s largest Christian child sponsorship organizations, will present the Music & Ministry Experience, selecting one competing artist to accompany an established artist on an all-expense paid ministry trip to a Compassion International destination.  The honor is a priceless opportunity to explore the practical integration of music and ministry – and to meet some of the 130,000 children who have been sponsored as a result of involvement by the Christian music community with Compassion.    

In addition to the Bible Society and Compassion honors, more than $50,000 in prizes will be awarded in the GMA Academy National Competition.  The talent event includes a GMA Music in the Rockies first -- a recording development deal with Centricity Music; a rising independent label, as well as the Walt Disney World Best of Show prize which bestows a performance slot at the "Night of Joy" event at the Walt Disney World® Resort, September 5-6, 2008 in Florida.   All competitors have the opportunity to perform in front of key A&R, record label and publishing executives and to receive on-the-spot feedback from celebrity artist judges, including: recording artist Joy Williams, Tom Jackson, and Mark Bright, producer for Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts.

The deadline to apply for the songwriting competitions for GMA Music in the Rockies is June 30, which also carries a 20 percent discount off event registration.  Complete information is available at www.musicintherockies.com.

In addition to the competitions, GMA Music in the Rockies offers an unsurpassed variety of training and career development classes taught by artists and other industry professionals. This year’s event will emphasize being a creative Christian in the music industry and how to make an impact in mainstream entertainment. Topics cover everything from pitching songs to singing in pitch and include creative workshops for songwriting and practical training in song publishing, legal matters and performance booking.