Gospel Music Week 2003
by Russ Breimeier | posted 1/01/2003
 1 of 7
Gospel Music Week sets the tone for the year ahead in Christian music, introducing brand new artists and the latest news concerning old favorites. ChristianityToday.com is happy to share daily coverage (April 6-10) to relay the events of GM Week 2003, which culminated with the 34th Annual Dove Awards. You can view the list of nominees and winners by clicking here. Check your TV listings to catch the Dove Awards on PAX (April 19, 9pm ET/PT) and on TBN in later weeks. Also, be sure to check out our exclusive photo gallery from behind the scenes at the Dove Awards.
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5
04/06/03
I went into our first day of Gospel Music Week wondering if we would have anything interesting to share, since our interviews don't begin until Monday. Barring any stories of snowstorms and lost luggage to hamper our trip, it promised to be a light report for me to type at midnight.
Be careful what you wish for. We left Chicago just in time, hours before a major snowstorm was scheduled to hit. Not to be outdone by the Windy City, Nashville attracted equivalent precipitation in the form of daylong rain, as well as a flash flood warning. Still, give me rain over snow to ensure we reach our destination.
If only the weather were the only hassle. In a stunning display of incompetence, our airline succeeded in losing a good third of the passengers' luggage—including ours. I'm happy to report that just a few hours before bedtime, our belongings were finally delivered to us. Also on our flight were the members of Switchfoot (sans Jon Foreman) who were in Chicago because of a layover. Fortunately for them, their items (including musical gear) were among those on our flight. Isn't flying fun?
Upon arriving in Nashville, Mike Herman and I checked into our hotel suite, completed our registration, and then ran into some old friends, publicists, and key music industry people (most notably John Styll, former editor of CCM Magazine and president of the Gospel Music Association)—not a bad way to start!
It turns out there was far too much to do on our first night for one journalist—a running theme at GM Week, to my understanding.
Our freelance writer, Andy Argyrakis, was scheduled at the last minute to emcee "The Tsunami Showcase" at a local venue. It began with local artist Kevin William, Stereo Motion, and new Furious? Records worship band, Everyone. The real highlights, however, were Glassbyrd (backed by members of Caedmon's Call and The Normals), All Star United (whose newer material sounded fresher in a live setting), and urban pop siblings Souljahz. Meanwhile, Mike and I kicked off our Gospel Music Week experience with an evening of worship in the legendary Ryman Auditorium, led by Michael W. Smith and an all-star choir of Christian artists (including Amy Grant, Geoff Moore, and Natalie Grant. Though very similar to the worship experiences led by Michael in the last two years, it was refreshing to see so many new and talented Christian artists part of the occasion.
The worship service also began the week with a healthy dose of patriotism and humility. Many in the Christian music industry have been wondering what kind of tone this year's GM Week would have in light of the war in Iraq. Michael began the worship service with "The Star Spangled Banner" (including the worshipful second verse) and "America the Beautiful." After that, he brought out Scott O'Grady (the U.S. pilot shot down in Bosnia behind enemy lines some ten years ago), who spoke on the importance of prayer for our troops and our enemies. He then led the worshippers in prayer. That was followed by a powerful but exhausting hour and forty-five minutes of worship, with no down time between songs and few worshippers sitting. In the end, Michael emphasized the artists' desire to please God and defer the spotlight from themselves, asking everyone to "pray for us."
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try an Issue of Today's Christian Woman Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.
If you decide you want to keep Today's Christian Woman coming, honor your invoice for just $17.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Today's Christian Woman as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
