Winners at GMA Music in the Rockies National Talent Competition

Nashville, Tenn. – Shannon Whitson of Estes Park, Colo., Maggie Erickson of Frisco, Texas and Shelly Johnson of Franklin, Tenn. were the big winners coming out of the 34th GMA Music in the Rockies, held last week in Estes Park, Colo.

The GMA Academy Artist & Song of 2008 National Competition is the Christian and gospel music community's premier talent competition for unsigned artists and songwriters that has in recent years seen entrants like “American Idol” champion Jordin Sparks and fellow finalist Chris Sligh, Chris Tomlin, Matthew West and BarlowGirl go on to successful music careers.

Photo Below: Shelly Johnson, winner of GMA Song of 2008 (Semi-Pro class), ABS winner in Semi-Pro songwriting class and Compassion International Music & Ministry Experience recipient.

Hundreds of artist and songwriting contestants from 40 states and six foreign countries competed for grand prizes which included a record development deal with Centricity Music, a “Disney Best of Show” award and performance slot at Night of Joy at Walt Disney World and a Compassion International ministry trip. Also at stake were GMA's grand prize titles for Artist and Song 2008 and American Bible Society's new ABS Scripture Song Awards which offered a chance for the winning songs produced by a major Christian music recording label.

Photo Below: Shannon Whitson, winner of GMA Artist Solo 2008 and Centricity Music recording development deal.

Maggie Erickson was chosen as GMA's Artist Solo 2008 in the age 25 and up category. She is also the recipient of GMA's “Disney's Night of Joy Best of Show Award,” which means she willperform at Night of Joy at Walt Disney World ( www.disneyworld.com/nightofjoy ), one of the top Christian music events in the country which has sold out the past three years. Erickson will share the billing at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista , Fla. , with GMA Dove Award winners tobyMac, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, MercyMe and 12 other artists who will perform Sept. 5-6 at Night of Joy.