STEVE GILREATH APPOINTED AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHRISTIAN & GOSPEL MUSIC MUSEUM AT THE DOVE CENTER
NEWS SOURCE: Merge PR
June 24, 2024
NASHVILLE, TENN. (JUNE 24, 2024) The Gospel Music Association proudly announces Steve Gilreath's appointment as the first Executive Director of the Christian & Gospel Music Museum at the Dove Center. A seasoned music industry veteran, Gilreath will provide leadership, strategic direction, and overall museum management. His role will be crucial in preserving, promoting, and celebrating the history and cultural significance of all Christian and Gospel music genres. The Dove Center will include the museum, Hall of Fame, and a small event space/venue with programming, to be announced.
Gilreath will report directly to Jackie Patillo, President of the Gospel Music Association (GMA). Patillo expresses her enthusiasm for his new role: "I'm thrilled to announce Steve Gilreath as the first Executive Director of the Dove Center's Christian & Gospel Music Museum. His creativity, shared vision, and passion for our industry make him the right person to lead this kingdom project."
During his 30+ years in the music industry as a producer, director, marketing VP, and network executive, Gilreath has interacted with many artists, managers, and labels in Christian and Gospel music extending his appreciation for all genres of the industry. Gilreath's producing credits include a decade as the Producer of the Dove Awards as well as a White House special presented by the GMA hosted by President George W. Bush featuring CeCe Winans, Bill Gaither, Michael W. Smith, Blind Boys of Alabama, Steven Curtis Chapman, and more.
“I’ve worked with Steve Gilreath for many years on many different projects. His love for Christian music, his creativity, and his passion for our industry make him the perfect person for this role," shares Bill Reeves, CEO of David C Cook & Integrity Music.
Volunteering for ten years at the Inner City Chicago Young Life Clubs, Gilreath’s love for Gospel music pre-dates his move to Nashville where songs grabbed his heart. After producing the Dove Awards in the 2000s, he stepped away to help bring life to the first online music curriculum, QuaverMusic, which now reaches millions of students. The program helped him understand emerging technologies, and education challenges facing teachers and students with the arts, which will be a critical constituency for the museum.
As Executive Director of On Demand Platforms for K-LOVE over the last three years, Gilreath birthed the K-LOVE On Demand Network, creating hundreds of new shows that feature music in unique settings—including a chance to direct four different shows from the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, featuring Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake, MercyMe, Zach Williams, We The Kingdom, Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns and twenty more artists. The ’23 event with ten artists premiered in theaters nationwide as a Fathom Event.
Gilreath adds, “I’m grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to reveal plans for using this space to honor God through recognizing the work of those who came before and will carry on after us."
ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN & GOSPEL MUSIC MUSEUM AT THE DOVE CENTER: The Christian & Gospel Music Museum is set to open in Fall 2025. The museum will feature state-of-the-art interactive displays celebrating today's artists while looking to the horizon for tomorrow's leaders and preserving the legacies of Christian & Gospel music's trailblazers. The museum's atmosphere will amplify the transforming message of the gospel while also telling the past and present story of Christian & Gospel music.
ABOUT STEVE GILREATH: Steve Gilreath is a respected figure in the music industry, known for his extensive experience and innovative approach. His leadership at the Christian & Gospel Music Museum is anticipated to bring new energy and vision to the institution. As a community leader, active in various Men’s Ministries, and civic events, speaker, and fan of Nashville events, Steve will serve as a bridge-builder to other organizations in the area.
ABOUT GOSPEL MUSIC ASSOCIATION & FOUNDATION: Since 1964, the Gospel Music Association's mission has been to expose, promote and celebrate the Gospel through music. As a trade organization, the GMA serves creatives and professionals within the Christian and Gospel music industry. It supports this richly diverse community by providing for basic needs through the GMA Foundation, preserving the legacies of the genre’s trailblazers through the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and celebrating the work of today’s artists through broadcast events like the GMA Dove Awards and Let Us Adore Him: A Christmas Celebration - which collectively reaches millions of people around the world annually.
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