ANNUAL REPORT
2014 IN REVIEW
GOSPEL MUSIC ASSOCIATION
2014
BY THE NUMBERS
1,400,000
60,000
25,000
Viewers tuned in to watch GMA Dove Awards on TBN
Viewers streamed GMA-related music content
Viewers tuned in to watch Dove Awards through TBN’s mobile app
4,000+
40+
23%
Total Event Attendees
Countries tuned in to watch GMA streamed events
Growth in Individual Membership
Gospel music is the only genre defined by content rather than its sound which allows for an incredibly diverse community. The GMA is proud to represent all styles of Gospel music including Contemporary Christian, Gospel/Urban, Rap, HipHop, Southern Gospel, Worship, Latin and more!
GMA HONORS
Honoring the Past
The GMA Honors event celebrates individuals and organizations that are impacting our culture for Christ, both past and present. In addition, the event inducts four new members into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Event Highlights:
• Exposure: Streamed live to over 40 countries with 5,000 watching live. Broadcast edited and aired on JUCEtv • Live Event Attendance: 550 supporters participated through table purchases with an additional 250 fans enjoying general admission. • 2014 Honorees Included: Dr. Bobby Jones, Don Moen, Michael Guido, Show Hope and World Vision • 2014 GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Inductees Included: Brown Bannister, Take 6, Gaither Vocal Band and Rich Mullins • Additional Artist Participation Included: David Crowder, Michael W. Smith, Ellie Holcomb, Amy Grant, TobyMac, Michael Tait, Kevin Max and FOX News Correspondent, Jay Sekulow
GMA DOVE AWARDS
Creating Exposure & Celebrating the Present
For more than four decades, the GMA Dove Awards has honored the outstanding achievements and excellence in Christian and Gospel Music. One of the most anticipated music events of the year for fans and industry alike, the show celebrates our rich musical diversity.
Event Highlights:
• Exposure: 1,400,000 tuned in domestically to watch the first two airings of the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Up 43% over 2013. • Publicity: 100+ media outlets participated. Coverage included: Billboard, USA Today, AP, Getty, Fox & ABC affiliates • Live Event Attendance of 3,008 (capacity) • 18% Sponsorship Growth over 2013. Partners included: Lipscomb University, Cantinas Ranch Foundation, Grand Canyon University, Compassion International, Food for the Hungry, SoundExchange, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Steinway & Sons • Introduced Dove VIP Experience – an opportunity for consumers to engage with our artists and the Doves in an enhanced way. A portion of proceeds benefitted the Gospel Music Trust Fund. • Preshow: Streamed live via Hearitfirst.com to over 50,000 viewers. Up 50% over last year. • Artist Participation Included: Natalie Grant, Colton Dixon, Mark Hall, Erica Campbell, for King & Country, Pat Boone, Mandisa, Amy Grant, Newsboys, Kari Jobe, Love & The Outcome, Danny Gokey, Dr. Bobby Jones, Hezekiah Walker, Brian Free & Assurance, Karen Peck & New River, Wayne Haun, Ernie Haase, Capital Kings, author Karen Kingsbury, 1 Girl Nation, Ellie Holcomb, David and Tamela Mann, Sandi Patty, Tedashii, Alan and Lisa Robertson of Duck Dynasty, Tye Tribbett, and Bill Gaither
GMA IMMERSE
Investing in the Future
IMMERSE is a 3-day conference for aspiring Christian artists, songwriters and worship leaders. We bring in the top artists and professionals in the Christian music business to help develop and encourage the next generation of industry leaders. IMMERSE also includes a unique mentoring and competition element called reVIEWyou.
Event Highlights:
• Live Event Attendance: Over 300 (33% growth over 2013) • Artist Participation Included: Jamie Grace, Matthew West, Matt Maher, Francesca Battistelli, Capital Kings, Johnny Diaz and more. • Industry Participation from Companies Including: Capitol CMG, Provident Music Group, Word Entertainment, CAA, Integrity Music Publishing, Daywind Music Group, LifeWay Worship and many more. • Thanks to a partnership with Disney and Night of Joy, one of our registrants, Phil Perry, was selected to perform on the Night of Joy stage in front of 30,000 people at Disney World in Sept. • Over 20% of 2014 attendees pre-registered for the 2015 event. • 2014 marked the second year of a partnership with LifeWay on this event. This relationship provides an amazing venue, staff assistance and programming assets that the GMA is incredibly grateful for.
OUR YEAR
Accomplishments
JANUARY Leadership Networking featuring SoundExchange
FEBRUARY Inaugural Brunch for the Band Wives featuring Mary Beth Chapman
MARCH GMA Moves into Residence at Lipscomb University Dove Awards Presents New Music Showcase
APRIL GMA Honors Brunch for the Band Wives featuring Debbie Smith
MAY Inaugural NEXT: Young Professionals Networking Event Brunch for the Band Wives featuring Beth Barcus of Porter’s Call
JULY NEXT: Young Professionals Networking Event featuring Radio Panel Brunch for the Band Wives featuring Andi Ashworth
JUNE NEXT: Christian Music’s Young Professionals IMMERSE Dove Awards Product Screening
AUGUST Dove Awards Nominee Press Conference NEXT: Young Professionals Serve with People Loving Nashville
SEPTEMBER Band Wives Date Night (GMA Provided Childcare) IMMERSE winner performs at Night of Joy
DECEMBER Band Wives Date Night (GMA Provided Childcare)
OCTOBER 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards Dove Awards Presents: Rhett Walker Band
NEW INITIATIVES FOUNDED IN
2014
SUPPORTING OUR CREATIVE COMMUNITY AND THEIR FAMILIES
The GMA, Gospel Music Trust Fund and Dave Ramsey partnered to make in-depth financial education available to artists. Resources include a counseling session and a Dave Ramsey library available free of charge.
Launched in an effort to support the women that are often home alone while husbands are on the road working, Brunch for the Band Wives struck a chord by providing community, childcare, mentorship and bagels!
PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING
Christian Music’s Young Professionals - NEXT was created to connect and support young leaders in Christian music. These regular events facilitate networking, service and education to young professionals.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS These entities have partnered with the GMA in extraordinary ways to accomplish our mission in 2014:
Our Mission: To Expose, Promote and Celebrate the Gospel through Music.
LOOKING AT WHAT’S AHEAD IN
2015
OUR VISION The GMA seeks to create greater exposure, speak with a united voice for change and create a stronger future for Christian/Gospel music through service and community. In addition to supporting the growth and expansion of the genre.
OUR DIRECTION & NEW INITIATIVES
NETWORKING Provide networking opportunities that facilitate enhanced relationships among new and existing members of the music community.
EDUCATION
INDUSTRY REPORTING
& INSIGHTS
Focus on creating conversations among individuals with unique Collecting and presenting data and varied experiences. Providing dialogue and awareness of new which accurately reflects the impact of the Christian & Gospel industry. and shifting trends.
WELL-BEING OF ARTISTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
LEGACY & EVENT BRANDING
Invest in services that equip, protect and enhance our creatives and their families.
Pursue opportunities to showcase the Hall of Fame, GMA and Dove Awards brands year-round.
Our Mission: To Expose, Promote and Celebrate the Gospel through Music.
THOSE LEADING US INTO
2015
LEADERSHIP
Gospel Music Association Trade Organization Board of Directors
Chris Erlanson, 168 Management Chris Hauser, Hauser Promotions Deborah Evans Price, Freelance Journalist Mike Harland, LifeWay Worship Dr. Randy Lowry, Lipscomb University Rod Riley, Word Entertainment Scott Brickell, BrickHouse Entertainment Brandon Heath, Artist/Songwriter Demetrus Alexander-Stewart, CW Entertainment Ed Harper, The Harper Agency Eric Eitel, MediaComplete Ian Eskelin, Songwriter/Producer Mark Maxwell, Entertainment Attorney Mitch Peyser, Time Life Chonda Pierce, Creative Mgmt. and Productions, Inc. James Ackerman, Spinnaker Media Fund, LP Michael Miller, Salem Music Network
Scott Fehrenbacher, Grand Canyon University Linda Klosterman, TKO Marketing Charles Dorris, Charles Dorris & Associates Leslie Roberts, BMI Michael Martin, ASCAP John Mullins, SESAC Howard Rachinski, CCLI Clarke Beasley, National Quartet Convention, Inc. Greg Bays, Capitol CMG Distribution Martin Smith, David C. Cook Lynn Morrow, Adams and Reese LLP John T. Benson, III, Triad II, Lifetime Board Member Joe Moscheo, Lifetime Board Member Les Beasley, The Florida Boys, Lifetime Board Member Ed Leonard, Daywind Music Group Jackie Patillo, Gospel Music Association
Our Mission: To Expose, Promote and Celebrate the Gospel through Music.
THANK YOU TO OUR
GMA
ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER Control Track EOS Artist Management Eturnal Entertainment, LLC Forerunner Music Girl on A Mission Music, LLC Good Time, Inc.
Reflection Music Group Sunset Gallery Music WBGR Online Radio Word Entertainment X-tratainment, Inc.
SUPPORTING CFM Music Hauser Promotions MediaComplete Songboard
Spirit Ministries, Inc. Vocal Motion Six (VMSIX) ZZR Music/PML Productions
Our Mission: To Expose, Promote and Celebrate the Gospel through Music.
THANK YOU TO OUR
GMA
EVENT SPONSORS
GET INVOLVED Interested in becoming more involved with the Gospel Music Association? Here’s how:
BECOME A MEMBER Join a community of individuals that are committed to the development and exposure of Christian/ Gospel music.
MAKE A GIFT Invest in the future of the GMA by supporting our operations through our Associates Program.
BECOME A CORPORATE PARTNER
SPONSOR AN INITIATIVE OR EVENT
Partner your organization with the mission of the GMA and benefit from year-round benefits and exclusive offers.
Gain exposure for your brand in front of our community of gatekeepers, artists and influencers.
To learn more, please contact Jackie Patillo at jackie@gospelmusic.org or (615) 277-1331.
Our Mission: To Expose, Promote and Celebrate the Gospel through Music.
ABOUT THE GOSPEL MUSIC ASSOCIATION (GMA)
Purpose: To foster interest among the general public in gospel and Christian music, to build community and cooperation among industry leadership in order to address mutual business issues to maximize sales of Christian music and to promote public awareness of Christian music in our culture. The Gospel Music Association (GMA) was founded in 1964 by leading southern gospel music industry executives for the purpose of promoting, encouraging, supporting and developing gospel, religious, and sacred music. The group of four men and one woman who formed the GMA in 1964 did so out of a concern for a fragmented industry badly in need of cohesion. James Blackwood, J.D. Sumner, Cecil Blackwood, Dorothy Pate, and Donald W. Butler, Sr. intended the GMA to be a centralized resource center where those interested in the gospel music industry could obtain information about, among other things, artists, record companies and publishers. According to the official Charter of Incorporation, this group of southern gospel music industry executives formed the organization “For the purpose of the promotion of music generally, and the promoting, encouraging, supporting, developing, and dissemination of gospel, religious, spiritual and sacred music, and to approve, encourage, and endorse gospel music, conventions, concerts, programs, recordings, sheet music, hymnals, orchestration, arrangements, television and radio shows and productions, and other means of bringing gospel music before the public.” Originally established as a 501c(3) “public benefit” organization, over the years the GMA began to operate more like a “mutual benefit” trade organization. In 2003, the GMA Board of Directors decided to separate the “public benefit” activities from the “mutual benefit” activities by forming a new organization. The result is that the GMA Trade Organization and the GMA Foundation have differing missions and each is governed by its own Board of Directors, although operated by the same staff. Jackie Patillo, President and Executive Director Justin Fratt, Director of Operations Alexandra Mohilowski, Customer Care and Marketing Coordinator
Our Mission: To Expose, Promote and Celebrate the Gospel through Music.