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.

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.

At the conclusion of the week-long competition held in conjunction with GMA Music in the Rockies’ training and professional development, Shannon Whitson was named GMA’s Artist Solo 2008 for contestants in the 13-24 age category. Centricity Music (www.centricitymusic.com) also chose 22-year-old Whitson to receive its recording development deal. Centricity Music, an independent label whose artists include Downhere, Andrew Peterson, Circleslide (previous GMA winner), and Jaime Jamgochian was recently featured in Christianity Today, which described the label as “home to some of the Christian music industry's brightest and best, Centricity Music is a small label on the rise thanks to good old-fashioned techniques like artist development and fan interaction.”

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 will perform 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.

23-year-old songwriter Shelly Johnson penned two award-winning songs for the GMA Music in the Rockies songwriting competitions. “The Power of the Cross” was named GMA’s Song of 2008 in the Semi-pro category and American Bible Society recognized her song, “Draw Near” for its top prize in the Semi-pro category. Compassion International (www.compassion.com), a Christian child advocacy organization which Compassion helps more than 1 million children in 24 countries, was drawn to Johnson’s ministry emphasis of her music and named her their recipient of the Music & Ministry Experience, an all-expense paid ministry trip to a Compassion International destination.

In addition to Whitson, Erickson and Johnson, winners were also honored in several categories defined by musical style and/or age. These winners, too, receive prizes including personal consultation meetings with music industry executives, free tuition to future GMA events, and several other product prizes. Those winners include:

GMA Vocal One (ages 13-24) Winner/Centricity Music Winner
Shannon Whitson (www.myspace.com/shannonlabriemusic)
Estes Park, Colo.

GMA Vocal One Runner Up
Desiree Olson (www.myspace.com/DesireeOlson)
Spring Hill, Tenn.

GMA Vocal Two (ages 25 and up) Winner/Night of Joy at Walt Disney World Winner
Maggie Erickson (http://www.myspace.com/maggieerickson)
Frisco, Texas

GMA Vocal Two Runner Up
Peggy Mann (www.peggymann.com)
Grand Lake, Colo.

GMA Band Winner
Rough Draft (www.roughdraftband.com)
Fort Collins, Colo.

GMA Band Runner Up
1000 Generations (www.1000generations.com)
Indianapolis, Ind.

GMA Small Group/Duet Winner
Of Scripture (www.myspace.com/ofscripture)
Wichita Falls, Texas

GMA Small Group/Duet Runner Up
Ben & Nicole
Portland, Ore.

GMA Instrumental Winner
Matthew Kooi
Orland Park, Ill.

GMA Instrumental Runner Up
Scotti "Stringz" Bartnett (www.myspace.com/scottistringz)
Sheads Ferry, N.C.

GMA Overall Song Winner
“Ascend to Heaven” by Richie Fike (www.fikeanddana.com)
Colorado Springs, Colo.

GMA Overall Song Runner Up
“A Little Bit of Something” by Erik Bledsoe (www.erikbledsoemusic.com)
Nashville, Tenn.

GMA Semi-Pro Song Winner/Compassion International Winner
“Power of the Cross” by Shelly Johnson (www.shellyejohnson.com)
Franklin, Tenn.

GMA Semi-Pro Runner Up
“Truly Jesus” by Christopher Kai (http://www.myspace.com/christopherkaimusic)
Manchester, Mo.

ABS Amateur Class Winner
“Psalm 63” by Erik Bledsoe (www.erikbledsoemusic.com)
Nashville, Tenn.

ABS Amateur Class Runner Up
“Lead Me” by Cindy James (www.mcjmusic.com)
Vista, Calif.

ABS Semi-Professional Class Winner
“Draw Near” by Shelly Johnson (www.shellyejohnson.com)
Franklin, Tenn.

ABS Semi-Professional Class Runner Up
“Do You Know the Books of the Bible?” by D. Jerome Garrett (www.myspace.com/djeromegarrett)
Monticello, Fla.

ABS Professional Class Winner
“King of Mercy” by Jason Dyba (www.myspace.com/dybamusic) and Clint Lamberth
Nashville, Tenn.

GMA Music in the Rockies, which has a rich history of more than 30 years, was held for the final time this August in Estes Park. Over the course of 34 years, this event has become known as the music community's premier talent competition and training experience for Christian artists, songwriters, and worship leaders. In addition to the unsurpassed variety of training and career development classes taught by artists and other industry professionals, the event also has its own unique and remarkable musical legacy. Besides Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Keith Green and Sandi Patty, who each have an established history with the event, many of today’s biggest artists trace their musical heritage to Estes Park. Although GMA Music in the Rockies is coming to an end, GMA is excited to announce the launching of a brand new training event in Music City in the summer of 2009! Details coming soon.

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

Maggie Erickson, winner of GMA Artist Solo 2008 and Disney's Night of Joy Best of Show Award.

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.

About GMA:
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the gospel/Christian 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.

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