President George W. Bush’s Message to the Industry
President George W. Bush’s videotaped message to the industry played at CBA International Convention is posted on Bush Video through Monday. Hear his encouragement to the industry and his comments on the role of faith and faith-based organizations.
7/28/03 Gospel Music Association Announces Dove Changes
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) will make key changes to Dove Awards voting including the addition of a new Worship Song of the Year category, announced John W. Styll, president of the GMA. Full story at Dove Changes Announced
Provident Music Group Promotes Wheeler, Williams
Provident Music Group announces the promotion of 13-year industry veteran, Jimmy Wheeler, from senior director of national Christian sales for Zomba to vice president of mainstream sales and marketing for Provident Music Group. Wheeler will continue to manage all aspects of Provident’s Christian music sales to the mainstream market, including Best Buy, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Borders, Target and Circuit City. Nina Williams, former vice president of marketing for Essential Records, has been named vice president of marketing for Provident Label Group. Williams will report to Dean Diehl, sr. vice president of marketing for the label group, and will direct marketing for artists and projects across imprints under the label group umbrella.
7/23/03 Word Label Group Promotes Lori Cline
The Word Label Group announces the promotion of Lori Cline to Director of National Promotions. Cline, formerly Manager of the department, steps up to lead in the day-to-day operation of the radio team. “Lori is perfect for this crucial position in our company,” states Mark Lusk, SR VP of Marketing and Artist Development. “Her passion for radio and upbeat spirit are contagious.” Before coming to Word, Cline spent five years with 89.3 FM KSBJ out of Houston, Texas. While there her role encompassed an evening announcer slot as host of “Open Line” and “KSBJ’s Top Ten At Ten”, along with assisting in promotions, writing copy, voice work, event-planning, and remote broadcasts. Prior to working the Houston market, Cline did on-air production and sales account work at 107.7 FM KYTN in Little Rock, Arkansas.
7/21/03 Martin Makes Special Andy Griffith Guitar
Andy Griffith, America’s best loved sheriff, is also one of America’s favorite actors, comedians and musicians. A former minister of music, Andy’s Martin guitar became an integral part of Mayberry and later made frequent appearances on “Matlock.” At his January performance at Nashville’s historic Ryman auditorium it was announced that Martin Guitars was making a guitar in his honor. That guitar has just been released and is available to order from Martin guitars for the next 60 days.
7/11/03 1-2-3 Entertainment Announces Outside Events
1-2-3 Entertainment has announced the establishment of Outside Events, a live-events company that develops, manages and markets touring properties and portable concert venues. Outside Events is responsible for producing this summer’s “Electric Barnyard” Tour featuring country legends Marty Stuart and Merle Haggard. In addition, the company will also produce the third annual “Festival Con Dios” Tour, headlined by best-selling and award winning group Newsboys.
7/10/03 Artists Support Remix
Rebecca St. James; Steven Curtis Chapman; and members of Audio Adrenaline, Avalon, dc Talk, Jars of Clay, MercyMe, Third Day, and more will read books of the Bible for “Remix,” an Oasis Audio version of The Message (NavPress) produced by Charlie Peacock.
7/9/03 Rachel Farris on LidRock
Rachel Farris will launch her new album “Soak,” using an innovative form
of music delivery, LidRock. LidRock is a mini enhanced cd featuring two
tracks from Farris’ album, interview footage and video; It will be
given out free to over 4 million consumers affixed to the lids of the
fountain drinks purchased when attending Regal, Edwards and United
Theaters during the peak movie going month of July. Farris will also
appear in a 3:15 video airing on 2500 movie theatre screens and on lobby
video walls which features live footage and excerpts from her video.
The promotion runs through the month of July and will reach over 25
million movie attendees. On July 11, Farris will perform on the Wayne
Brady Show.
In addition to being given away in movie theaters, Rachel Farris’
LidRock will be on 800,000 drinks purchased at Universal Theme Parks in
Los Angeles and Farris’ hometown of Orlando. Farris’ video will appear
on CityWalk video screens while music from the album will be played on
Universal Theme Parks sound systems. Rachel will appear in concert this
summer at one of the Universal Theme Parks.
7/8/03 Gospel Music Sales Decline
The Gospel Music Assoc.’s Nielsen SoundScan midyear report shows Christian and gospel music sales declined with the overall music-sales slump, dropping 10.23% in first-half 2003 compared to 2002–to 21,046,000 units from 23,445,000 units. However, Christian music maintained its solid overall market share of 7.14% of all music sales.
7/1/03 Festival Con Dios
Plus One, the Newsboys, and Kutless, will Sanctus Real, KJ-52, Stereo Motion, comedian Bob Smiley, and more at this year’s multi-activity Festival Con Dios. Ryan Dobson will be the featured speaker. The festival runs mid-September through October in 20+ cities.
