All Star Concert Hopes To Save The GMA

Amy Grant
Christian and Gospel music’s premier artists will gather in Nashville on Monday night, Oct. 12, for the Save The GMA concert at the Loveless Cafe Barn. Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Natalie Grant, Kirk Franklin, Point of Grace, Fisk Jubilee Singers and The Booth Brothers are all on board for the show to be produced by five-time Dove Award Producer of the Year Brown Bannister.
Under increasing financial pressure, the Gospel Music Association is hoping this all star event will raise enough money to keep the organization running. The GMA laid off more than half of its staff in early 2009, and earlier this month Pres. and CEO John Styll also exited.

Michael W. Smith
Daywind Music Pres. Ed Leonard, who serves as chairman of the GMA Board, explains the organization’s importance. “In a time of restricted sponsorship dollar availability and financial hardships faced by many in our community, the GMA has continued to be there for all of us, offering first class events, tackling important legislative issues and promoting the genre to the world through the Dove Awards.” Among the GMA’s other initiatives are GMA Music Week, the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and Immerse.
Save The GMA is open to the public and industry, with tickets priced at $1,000. The cost covers event production and a significant tax-deductible donation. Tickets are available by calling the GMA office at 615-242-0303, ext. 238.

The syndicated radio show GAC Nights: Live From Nashville is coming to an end tomorrow (9/30). It was on-air almost two years but couldn’t find another home when its contract with Citadel radio ran out. Exiting are Executive Producer Donna Hughes, co-host Buzz Brainard, and Associate Producer Renee McNeill.


LeAnn Rimes is teaming up with volunteers from The Home Depot, Academy of Country Music, KaBOOM!, the United Way and community members to build a playground in just one day at Spring Valley Apartments in Murfreesboro.

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Dedicated fans from as far away as New York and Massachusetts packed Bucky Covington’s hometown Rockingham, NC over the weekend, where he held his first hometown concert since competing on American Idol in 2006. Over 6,000 friends, fans, family and neighbors watched the show where he previewed songs from his upcoming sophomore album, I’m Alright. Near the end of the concert Rockingham Mayor Gene McLaurin took the stage to declare September 26 “Bucky Covington Day” and present the singer with a key to the city. While at home, Covington also lent a hand to the area’s BackPack Pals program, which provides nutritious weekend meals to underpriviledged students. He stopped by the organization’s facilities to help stuff backpacks and collected food and monetary donations at the concert.

Luke Bryan will promote his new album Doin’ My Thing with an industrious tour visiting nine cities in nine days. The launch for his second album will kick-off Oct. 5 in Statesboro, Georgia, with Bryan’s previously announced Farm Tour benefit show.
Brenda Lee, Ray Walker (the Jordanaires), Manuel and the families of Loretta Lynn and Merle Kilgore are the latest additions to the growing list of celebrities participating in tomorrow’s (9/29) dedication of the Nashville Music Garden. The event will be emceed by Ralph Emery, with Barbara Mandrell and Lynn Anderson serving as celebrity hosts. The star-studded open-to-the-public ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Hall of Fame Park, located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Demonbreun (across from the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum).