Historical Marker Unveiling Celebrates Influence Of CCM Music On Nashville

Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant reveal the historical marker honoring Belmont Church, Koinonia Coffeehouse and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)(GMA/Mickey Bernal)

Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Gospel Music Association President Jackie Patillo, and Nashville Mayor David Briley were among those who celebrated the installation of a new historical marker at 1000 16th Ave. S. on Thursday (July 25) in Nashville. The marker honors the decades of musical influence the genre of Contemporary Christian Music, Belmont Church, and Koinonia Coffeehouse have had on the city of Nashville.

“The Gospel Music Association is thankful for our colleagues at Curb/Word Entertainment, Capitol Christian Music Group, and Provident Music Group for their financial support for the historical marker and dedication to serving our community in this way,” commented GMA President & Executive Director, Jackie Patillo. “We are also honored to receive the resolution from the Metro Council, on behalf of the CCM and Gospel industry based here, which honors the 50th year of the Dove Awards and we want to urge the community to consider attending the awards on October 15th at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena.”

“Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music have played a big, but sometimes unsung, role in Nashville’s creative evolution and in our being known worldwide as Music City,” said Nashville Mayor David Briley. He continued, “It’s fitting that we honor the impact these musicians, singers, songwriters, producers, engineers and others have had on listeners around the world.”

District 8 Councilwoman Nancy VanReece and Nashville Metro Historical Society Historian Jessica Reeves were also on hand for the celebration.

The Koinonia Celebration Concert will be held on Saturday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. featuring artists and songs from the celebrated era including Dogwood, Fireworks and more at the Koinonia Coffeehouse (1000 16th Avenue South). The concert is open to the public on a first come basis.

On July 16, the Nashville Metropolitan Council included a reading of a resolution celebrating 50 years of the Gospel Music Association (GMA)’s Dove Awards, acknowledging the impact of the upcoming unveiling of the historical marker and thanking GMA for collaborating with three major CCM record companies to fund the historical marker.

Other Metro historical markers have been created to honor well known locations such as Ryman Auditorium, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and Belmont Mansion, or markers are based on events such as the Battle of Nashville or the East Nashville Fire. Some markers honor its most famous leaders and creative people such as Revolutionary War General Thomas Overton, dancer Albertine Walker, and Poet Laureate Randall Jarrell.

(Front row, L-R): Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Brown Bannister. (Back row, L-R): Lanier Ferguson, Gary Pugh, Jackie Patillo, Nancy VanReece, Mayor David Briley, Steve Chapman, Annie Chapman and Scott Brickel. (GMA/Mickey Bernal)