GMA Music In The Rockies Winners of National Talent Competition

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – August 9, 2007 – Rachel Hurt from Shep, Ky., is among the several aspiring artists and songwriters who are one step closer to their dreams of a music career after winning multiple honors at the GMA Academy Artist and Song of 2007 talent competition at the 33rd GMA Music in the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo., last week.

GMA Academy Artist and Song of 2007 competition is the official Gospel Music Association (GMA) talent competition for unsigned artists and was held during GMA’s annual Music in the Rockies (www.musicintherockies.com) event July 29 to August 3 and featured six days of educational and professional development seminars and music concerts.

At the conclusion of the week-long competition, Hurt was named GMA’s Artist Vocal Solo 2007 Grand Prize Winner as well as the recipient of GMA’s “Disney's Night of Joy Best of Show Award,” which means she will perform at Night of Joy at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in September.  Hurt also was selected to have a song on two upcoming CD projects.

The GMA Academy national competition awards winners in performing and songwriting categories with five Overall Grand Prize winners named for solo, group, band, instrumental and song. The Grand Prize winners receive prize packages worth thousands of dollars and offer priceless opportunities for these artists to pursue their musical goals. Joining Hurt in the Overall Winner category were The Sonflowerz, a worship band from Colorado Springs, Colo., which won Overall Vocal Group; Hollow, a Christian rock band originating from Oklahoma City, Okla., took the Overall Band honors and Clairmont, Calif., native Steve Merrick won the Overall Instrumental award.  “How Big Small Can Be,” written by Steven and Amanda Potaczek from Indianapolis, Ind., was named as the Overall Song of 2007 winner.

“We heard a lot of talented artists and songwriters at this year’s Music in the Rockies.  We hope that this week has given them the tools and confidence to find their place in music, whether that be as a recording artist, songwriter or worship leader,” said John W. Styll, president and CEO of the GMA.