Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, MercyMe concert to save Gospel Music Assoc. Oct. 12

September 25, 12:43 PMNashville Gospel Music & Entertainment ExaminerKathryn Darden

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Gospel Music Association Plans Fund-Raising Dinner

Photo of Michael W. Smith from Wikipedia

Earlier this month in "Gospel Music Association announces major cutbacks; John Styll steps down as CEO of GMA," I reported running into a friend who has served on the Board of the Gospel Music Association (GMA). This friend described a planned $1,000 ticket fund-raising event for the GMA, confirming rumors regarding financial difficulties faced by the Gospel Music Association which I have been hearing since May when the GMA eliminated several paid staff positions, which was the first hint of fiscal problems.

GMA Fund-Raiser on October 12

Today a press release was issued by the Gospel Music Association providing details about that fund-raiser. Several of gospel music's top artists will gather at the Loveless Café in Nashville on Monday, October 12 to perform at an exclusive dinner concert in support of the Gospel Music Association, sponsor of the annual GMA Week and the Dove Awards, among other things.

Who's Who of Gospel Artists to Perform

Five-time Dove Award Producer of the Year Brown Bannister will produce the evening of entertainment, which will include performances from Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Natalie Grant, Kirk Franklin, Point of Grace, Fisk Jubilee Singers and The Booth Brothers. Bannister and all the artists are donating their time and expenses to support the GMA. (See the slideshow.)

Public Invited to "Save the GMA" Event

Today the Gospel Music Association announced that the public will be able to buy tickets to attend the benefit concert which they are calling a "strolling dinner and show" to help underwrite the Christian music organization which has promoted gospel music for more than 45 years. The $1,000 ticket price covers the costs to produce the fund-raising event and with a provide a tax-deductible donation to the GMA. The benefit concert is part of a "Save the GMA" campaign.

Michael W. Smith Comments

"It's an honor to join Casting Crowns, Amy, Kirk, MercyMe, and all of the other artists on this lineup, in support of the GMA," says industry leader and award-winning gospel artist, Michael W. Smith, who is performing at the fund-raiser. "This organization has been an incredible support to so many of us as we've built our ministries and careers, and we want to do all we can to help ensure a solid platform from which it can operate."

$1,000 "Save the GMA" Tickets Available

Tickets to the concert are available by calling the GMA office at 615.242.0303, ext. 238. The dinner and show will be from 6:00 - 11:00 p.m. on Monday, October 12 at the Loveless Barn, the new performance venue added to the Loveless Café restaurant on Highway 100 in Nashville.