In a departure from the normal course of events, the Gospel Music Association’s Gospel Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will become a major television and live event of its own, according to Gospel Music Association President John W. Styll.
The all-new extravaganza will also be produced as a one-hour television show set to air on TBN on Wednesday, February 11th, 2004. The show will emanate from Trinity Music City in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
It was simultaneously announced that Pat Boone will host the show and television broadcast. Styll noted, “We’re going to be doing things a bit differently. This year, the Induction Ceremony will be an entirely different show from the Dove Awards, it will be produced as a one-hour television show which will air on TBN.” Commenting on the selection of Pat Boone as the host, Styll added, “Our entire Hall of Fame Committee agrees that Pat Boone is the perfect person to serve as host of this show.”
Mr. Boone celebrated, “This wonderful show will feature performances as well as inductions. I am very pleased to have been selected by the Hall of Fame Committee and look forward to acting as host for an exciting and momentous evening.”
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) will induct Reverend Al Green, Sandi Patty, Frances W. Preston and the recently deceased Vestal Goodman into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The four music industry greats will be honored at a special Hall of Fame Awards show on February 11, 2004 in Nashville, announced John W. Styll, president of the GMA.
“The newest inductees for the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame exemplify the great diversity and history of Christian and gospel music,” said Styll. “Their contributions to our culture have had a profound and lasting impact and will be forever remembered by this honor.”
The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame was established in 1971 and has inducted 125 members since its inception, including Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Amy Grant, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Andrae Crouch, Tennessee Ernie Ford, The Oak Ridge Boys, Petra, Bill and Gloria Gaither, the Rambos, Thomas A. Dorsey, the Fairfield Four, Billy Graham and the Jordanaires.
Pat Boone is the ORIGINAL American Idol and 2004 marks the anniversary of his 50th year in show biz – and the 51st wedding anniversary to his wife Shirley. Pat Boone continues to influence and inspire fans, industry newcomers and seasoned veterans alike. A best-selling author, successful entrepreneur, film actor, chart-topping recording star, family man and legendary humanitarian, Pat’s contribution to the American culture has reached legendary status.
With over 45 million units sold and 38 top 40 hits, he’s recognized by Billboard Magazine as the #10 rock recording artist in history, placing higher on that impressive chart than either Madonna or Billy Joel. Entertainment Weekly proclaimed him “Winner of the Week” in 2003 as Pat Boone incredibly landed his 61st hit, “Under God,” a top 15 single on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart from his American Glory album. In 2003, the Gospel Music Association took note of these achievements when they inducted Pat into the GMA Hall of Fame.
Pat started his own record label, The Gold Label, to showcase artists that have inspired music, memories and more. Due to popular demand for new material, Pat is currently in the studio recording tracks for a 2004 Gold Label release. In the past two years, the imprint has produced/released 26 albums from such notables as Sha Na Na, Jack Jones, Glen Campbell and Stephen Collins of the WB’s 7th Heaven.
Pat hit the national spotlight with his American Idol-like appearance on the Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour. Since his chart debut on April 2, 1955 – months before Fats Domino, Chuck Berry Little Richard or Elvis; he has established himself as the second most important force of the early rock era, just behind Presley. Prior to graduating from Columbia University, Pat had already appeared for over a year on the Arthur Godfrey Show and eventually was the youngest person EVER awarded his own weekly musical variety show on ABC. At the box office, Pat has had a string of successful films including “State Fair”, “Journey to the Center Of The Earth”, “April Love”, “The Cross and the Switchblade”, “The Greatest Story Ever Told” and many more..
His first book Twixt Twelve and Twenty became the #1 non-fiction best seller for two years. Pat also wrote A New Song which went on to sell over a million hard cover copies, with millions more in paperback and has been translated into 17 languages.
The renowned man in white bucks has certainly made a profound impact on the entertainment world. A true legend in every sense of the word, he has inspired the lives of millions through his positive outlook and message of family, compassion, understanding, hope, love and faith.
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