NASHVILLE, TN. (Gospel
Music Association) - The Gospel
Music Association (GMA) has partnered with CBA, Christian retail's trade association, for the first time to present 'The Power of Music' at the opening of CBA's International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in Denver, Colo. on July 9. 'The Power of Music'? will be a music and inspirational showcase presented in association with the GMA on Sunday at 8 p.m. at the Colorado Convention Center, site of the 2006 ICRS. Leigh Nash, Bebo Norman, Salvador, Mike Bowling Group and Ana
Laura are set to perform new music that evening.
In between performances, several key industry professionals, including Randy Ross, music merchandising specialist of Parable Christian Stores; Greg Bays, senior vice president of EMI CMG Distribution; and Dusty Wells, senior director, national account sales of Word Distribution, will share personal stories of how Christian music has impacted their lives. GMA President John W. Styll will host the evening's festivities.
'We were delighted to embark on a new, more active relationship with CBA and to be associated with their convention. The message of 'The Power of Music' and how it impacts lives is at the heart of GMA's mission, so it is appropriate for our organization, which represents all styles of gospel music, to help facilitate bringing some of the most exciting new music to Christian retailers and others that will attend ICRS. We look forward to building on this new CBA-GMA relationship,'? said Styll.
Commented CBA President Bill Anderson: 'As we seek to grow the Christian Retail Channel, CBA is resolved to work with Industry partners who are also committed to helping Christian stores grow their businesses. An important distinction Christian Retailers offer - over their general market competitors - is product awareness, in-depth knowledge, and commitment to the Message. For the Music Department this means Christian retailers who are personally familiar with the latest in music, artists, and trends''even when that music might differ from their own tastes and personal preferences. This partnership with GMA helps CBA offer our retailers a tremendous line-up of musical guests that will give our members not only an enjoyable evening, but exposure to a variety of important music genres, and an experiential education that will help them be even more effective retailers of new music.....increasing sales and ministry.'
'The Power of Music' will mark the highly anticipated debut of Leigh Nash who releases her first solo record since the amicable split of her band, Sixpence None the Richer in 2004. Sixpence None the Richer won a total of six Dove Awards during their time together, including being named Group of the Year in 2000. Nash's ethereal and shimmering vocals have been missed in Christian music. Her August 15th release of Blue on Blue (on Nettwerk Records through Provident-Integrity Distribution) is already garnering excellent reviews for Nash's collection of songs that share her experiences as a wife and new mother.
Multiple Dove-nominated singer/songwriter Bebo Norman will share new music from his upcoming project, Between the Dreaming and the Coming True (Essential Records through Provident-Integrity Distribution). Scheduled to be released on September 19th, this will be Norman's fifth studio album, and his first in two years.
Salvador will bring a Latin beat to 'The Power of Music'? showcase. Their sixth release on Word Records (through Word Distribution) which releases on July 27th is an all-Spanish, best-of collection featuring their most loved hits from past albums. 'The Power of Music' will also feature recent debut artists Mike Bowling Group, Daywind Records' newest group and Reunion Records' Ana Laura. Mike Bowling Group released its debut recording, Graceland, this week, and Ana Laura's self-titled debut project was released earlier this spring.
