Jars of Clay. Nichole Nordeman. Stacie Orrico. BarlowGirl. Matthew West. Rachael Lampa. Aspiring artists from all over the country have journeyed this week to the Rocky Mountain resort town of Estes Park, Colorado to find out if they might join this notable list of successful gospel music recording artists who launched their careers at the gospel music industry’s longest-running talent competition.

GMA’s 31st Annual Music in the Rockies, which continues through August 6th, features six days of educational/professional development seminars and music concerts, but it is the Spotlight 2005 and Song of 2005, the official Gospel Music Association (GMA) talent competition for unsigned artists and songwriters, that draws so many aspiring artists. Competition preliminaries began this morning.

Spotlight finalists for performance and Song finalists for songwriting will be chosen on Friday for Contemporary Christian, Praise & Worship, Southern Gospel, and Urban Gospel genres with grand prize awards handed out each category. In addition to a package of prizes, those winners will be given a coveted performance slot on the main stage at Friday night’s Music in the Rockies’ final concert.

New to the Music in the Rockies’ competitions for 2005 is a partnership between the GMA and Walt Disney World Resort which will send one contestant to perform at Night of Joy at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Fla. in September. Judges from Walt Disney World are at the competition this week to make their selection.

Another sponsor, Compassion International, has created a “Music & Ministry Experience” for another blessed aspiring artist. The international child development organization will invite one competitor to travel with an established Christian artist to a Compassion International destination. This all-expense paid ministry trip will provide a unique opportunity to explore the practical integration of music and ministry.

“There is nothing like Music in the Rockies in all of music,” said John Mays, Vice President of A&R for Centricity Records and faculty member for the GMA Academy. “It’s a priceless opportunity for those aspiring to join this profession to be mentored by artists and to be seen and heard by key A&R, record label and publishing decision makers. Every year lives are changed, and music careers and ministries are launched at Music in the Rockies.”

GMA Music in the Rockies started in 1974. That summer, Cam Floria, president of Christian Artists’ Corp., launched an event called Christian Artists Music Seminar in the Rockies, designed to bring together experts in the Christian music industry to provide networking and training opportunities for church choir directors and aspiring musicians. In 2000, the GMA acquired Seminar in the Rockies from Christian Artist Corporation. In 2004, GMA changed the name to GMA Music in the Rockies.

Founded in 1964, the 4,500-member Gospel Music Association is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music. The GMA represents all styles of gospel music including contemporary pop, rock, urban gospel, praise & worship, Southern gospel, country and children’s gospel music. The GMA produces the GMA Music Awardsä, which recognizes achievement in all genres of gospel music and are voted on by members of the GMA.