web exclusive
The 2005 GMA Week Journal
By Jennifer E. Jones
CBN.com Producer
CBN.com –
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Home of the Titans, Country Music
Television, and cowboy hats. They call it Music City, and there's
no wondering why with such tourist attractions as the Grand Ole
Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Nashville is known for
a lot of things but, once a year in Spring time, a four-block
radius of downtown becomes the congested stomping ground for all
of Christian music. Welcome to the maddening, exhilerating six-day
conference known as GMA Week.
Gospel Music Association (GMA) Week is held every April at the
lovely Renaissance Hotel in the heart of downtown. Although the
attendees start coming as early as Friday, the hotel is teeming
with artists, managers, record label representatives and the media
by Sunday evening. The lobby alone becomes a "Who's Who"
of Christian Music. Just in one day, I found myself sharing an
elevator with Chris Rice, standing in line at the coffee house
with members of SonicFLOOD, and bumping right into KJ-52 coming
up the escalator. It's a place to see and be seen, make new friends,
and learn what's hot in Christian music today.
Not letting anyone forget that we are here on the Lord's business,
Sunday kicked off with a chapel service featuring special guest
speaker, Louie Giglio, the director of Passion Conferences. He
encouraged the thousands of GMA attendees to remember the Sabbath
day as a day, not just to rest, but to remember that we are all
a small part in God's great story. Church would not be complete
without praise and worship and it was led by none other than Chris
Tomlin and David Crowder. A particularly stirring set was given
by Crowder who performed acoustic versions of his hits "O
Praise Him" and "Open Skies".
Later that afternoon, the grand ballroom of the Renaissance became
the largest "meet'n'greet" ever assembled. The artist
reception, hosted by Christian Radio Weekly (CRW), contained almost
every Christian artist in one room to sign pictures, take photos,
and chat it up with GMA registrants. All the major labels were
there featuring their star rosters including Michael W. Smith,
Rebecca St. James, Bebo Norman, Rachel Lampa and much, much more.
GMA Week is known for its special "showcases" where
several artists play shorter sets, giving everyone a musical buffet
of their album. As if that's not enough to get any music lover
salivating, the special treat comes when you're invited to the
private acoustic performances throughout the hotel suites. A GMA
Unplugged exclusive was held on the 15th floor this year that
included singer/songwriters Warren Barfield, Chris Rice, and Ashley
Cleveland with a few other brand new artists. An audience of less
than 40 enjoyed an intimate time of stories, devotions and songs
by the artists including several new tunes off their new and upcoming
albums.
The one event that has industry buzz before the first registrant's
bag hits the hotel floor is the Sunday Evening Worship service.
The rustic Ryman Auditorium was lit alive by a stellar performance
from Michael W. Smith, Darlene Zschech, Peter Furler of the Newsboys,
and Christy Nockels of Watermark. Backed up by an all-star choir
(with the familiar faces of Bryan Duncan, BarlowGirl, FFH, the
Katinas and many more), Smitty led a powerful two hours of praise
and worship that had the crowd jumping for joy and awed to silence.
Songs included "Healing Rain", "Shout to the Lord",
"Awesome God", and "He Reigns" just to name
a few.
After the worship service, the brave ventured over to the See
Spot Rock concert a few blocks down at Rocketown, Michael W. Smith's
coffee bar. The hottest names in Christian hard rock such as Falling
Up, Stellar Kart, and Hawk Nelson were just a few of the bands
raising the roof into the early morning hours.
Look out tomorrow for more Inside the GMA with tidbits from interviews
with Out of Eden and other special artists as well as exciting
recaps of the evening showcases.
Read more music articles on CBN.com.
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