The Gospel Music Association (GMA) will host a GMA Academy event February 16-17, 2007 in Dallas with Fo Yo Soul Entertainment/Zomba recording artist Kirk Franklin and Ardent/INO Recording Artist Todd Agnew. The Christian and gospel music industry’s official weekend training camp and talent competition for signed and aspiring artists and songwriters, the GMA Academy event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Dallas.

Academy registration is available online at www.gospelmusic.org. There is a deadline to register for the talent competitions, which is January 16.

The GMA Academy was originally established to encourage and train musical talent interested in developing a ministry or career in Christian and gospel music. Through various seminars and critique sessions, individuals receive in-depth instruction, covering practical business concerns to improving artistic and songwriting skills, taught by music industry professionals. The event also includes the industry’s oldest and most respected talent competition.

“The GMA Academy events are intensely rewarding. In one, focused, weekend, registrants will make time to focus on their individual calling in music, learn more about the inner-workings of the Christian and gospel music industry, network with influential industry executives and receive valuable feedback about songwriting and performance skills. I cannot think of any more important way to spend two days if I were an aspiring or independent artist or songwriter,” said John W. Styll, president of the GMA.

The GMA Academy Dallas begins on Friday, February 16 for two days of intensive training with tracks for songwriters and performers. Artists Franklin and Agnew will participate in the GMA Academy event as Artists-in-Residence and present a teaching concert on the first night, along with the GMA Academy Regional SONG of 2007 Competition. The event concludes Saturday night with the GMA Academy Regional ARTIST 2007 Competition and showcase performances of the winners.

Winners from the talent competition at GMA Academy Dallas will be invited to go on to the Artist & Song of 2007 National Competitions at GMA Music in the Rockies, held in August 2007 in Estes Park, Colo.

In addition to Franklin and Agnew, GMA Academy Dallas will feature influential professionals from all areas of the music business who serve as faculty for the weekend event. Additionally, author and speaker Reed Arvin will offer keynotes for each morning. Arvin is an accomplished author, with his legal thrillers published around the world in 13 different languages. His latest work, Blood of Angels (2006, HarperTorch), has been named to numerous Top 10 lists since its release. Prior to becoming an author, Arvin was an accomplished musician/producer touring with artists Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant and producing 12 #1 songs for the late Rich Mullins. Arvin served on the original GMA Academy Advisory Council as dean, and was the managing editor for the first GMA Academy music curriculum, which was published in 1999.

Complete information and details about the GMA Academy Dallas can be found at this direct web link: http://www.gospelmusic.org/events/summaryDetail.aspx?aid=17&pid=73.

ABOUT THE GMA
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Christian/Gospel 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.