Gma 2005

[glitch1501]

here is a link to the GMA (gospel music association) nominations for 2005

http://www.gmamusicawards.com/categories/
just thought some might be interested

[Stephen]

I stoped caring about the GMA's a few years back. The same people win every year. It really has nothing to do with talent...its who they want to hand pick to get along. As Pete Stewart said the last time he went to the GMA's, rather then being called the Gospel music awards, GMA stands for God moves away. God is the last thing on peoples minds it seems there....

[glitch1501]

ya know, i sorta agree with you there

[CobaltAngel]

Yessss! I was looking at this yesterday! I'm so happy to see Switchfoot is up for so many things. And Hawk Nelson, Sanctus Real, Toby Mac, and TFK are in there too. Pretty rad.

God is the last thing on peoples minds it seems there....

Would you please stop saying that?;; Its not up to us to judge people's minds. We can't see there thoughts, only God can.

[Kkun]

No Coby. Mewithoutyou, Showbread, Blindside, And Five Iron Frenzy Are Not Represented In That List And They All Had Very Good 2004 Releases. This Is Not Rad.

>_>;

[CobaltAngel]

Actaully, now that you mention it... Relient K's not in there either. They need to get with the program. o.o *claps hands*

[Stephen]

Would you please stop saying that?;; Its not up to us to judge people's minds. We can't see there thoughts, only God can.

Blindly following others is dangerous. The Bible says to judge men by there fruits. I see very little fruits in the GMA awards.

They need to get with the program

According to your first post, you just contradicted yourself.


For those that actaully are curious as to what I was talking about with Pete Stewart. (A guy who knows all about the Christian music scene considering how many different artists he produced CDs for) This interview is taken from Petes own site. Guy interviewed him. Took some digging but I found it.

Second of all, to acknowledge all the rumors and questions, yes, I have recently left my label home of 5 years, Forefront Records. Last year around the time my record came out, Eddie DeGarmo resigned from his position at Forefront and "new blood" has taken/is taking over. To put it in simple terms, it really just hasn't been the right fit. I love the people there and will continue to have a good relationship with them, but since Eddie’s departure I especially haven't felt like my vision and theirs has matched.
Speaking of which, my vision and the vision of CCM music, an industry I’ve been involved with for some time now, is something I’ve been giving much thought to recently. Do you ever wonder why bands with artistic integrity, commercial appeal, and great music seem to get "persecuted" or shoved aside in Christian music? Let me digress a little...
One of the best alt/rock albums to come out of a CCM label recently, in my opinion, is the debut album by Chasing Furies. I saw the video for their single from this record last year at GMA (which my friends and I believe stands for "God moves away"), and as someone who pays fairly close attention to what's on MTV, etc. I can say that it's one of the best videos I’ve seen, certainly the best CCM video I’ve ever seen. I was disgusted to find out later that most Christian video shows/channels chose to ban the video because Sarah, the lead singer, has her tongue pierced. In my opinion, that's a ridiculous, religiously-motivated, out of touch view of the world, society, and what's important.
Another big "bummer": Great Britain and CCM's Delirious, who released their follow-up album Mezzamorphis last year, were the subject of scrutiny when a large Christian bookstore chain decided to pull their album from the shelves. In the song "it's ok", one of the lyrics reads "she's as pretty as hell", which of course offended some rather conservative types I guess. They didn't bother to read that in the context of the song, the lyric actually meant that this person was *not* pretty on the inside and needed a home, one which God could provide for her. The song conveys the very message of Christianity that these people are holding up as the banner as to why the song offends them.
I can go on. I don't know how many people at Christian shows I’ve heard badmouth Sixpence None the Richer now that they've had mainstream success (especially with a love song). Never mind the fact that among whatever other situations have come up for the band, Leigh had an opportunity to discuss the spiritual meaning of the band's name in front of more viewers one night on Letterman than most CCM bands reach in a lifetime.
Here’s my point: it's hard to be passionate about an industry that seems intent on keeping its doors shut to the outside in an effort to please its own members. CCM labels aren't interested in penetrating the mainstream market because that represents a huge financial risk when they can safely sell records to Christian record buyers at Christian bookstores through Christian magazines and Christian radio. Well, I’m not so sure I’m a fan of playing it safe. And I’m not so sure Jesus was either.
The great commission states that Christians are to go into the world and preach the gospel. Instead, CCM has the opposite tactic of basically standing still in our own circle and waiting for others to possibly come to us. I’m not saying that no good comes or has come from the Christian industry, but I am saying that it is lacking...incredibly.
Last year at the aforementioned GMA, I was struck with a thought that sparked my deeply considering all of this. For those who are unfamiliar with GMA, it is the yearly convention in the CCM industry where the who's who and the movers and shakers all gather for a week to do interviews, make contacts, perform showcases and generally "shmooze". Most of it takes place in the Nashville renaissance hotel lobby. As I was looking around at all the important looking executives with suits, rock stars with shades, and managers with breifcases and cell phones, all with their shiny GMA badges shaking hands and making things happen, it struck me that as cars were driving by the busy downtown street in front of the hotel all day, the chances were that almost none of those who drove them had ever bought, listened to, or heard Christian music, and most probably didn't even know what it was or have a clue who anyone inside was. They all most likely listen to regular old mainstream radio, buy CD's at tower records and watch VH1 or MTV, if they watch music videos (okay, you'll have to add CMT since this is Nashville we're talking about). Meanwhile there's a whole hotel lobby full and buzzing because of an industry that's supposedly interested in reaching the world through its music. This seems sadly ironic and not right to me.
The fact is, the very things that offend the CCM gatekeepers and preclude CCM record sales are the very things that can make an artist real, relatable, and potentially able to reach someone besides CCM listeners. In other words, CCM is [getting] stale because we have to wuss it out, church it up, and make it less than artistic or viable in order to sell records. So those very things that one is Pressured to do to sell in CCM will keep one from ever having a chance to sell outside of CCM...that's a problem.
Here's how I break it down in one sentence. As Christians, we ought to be using records to reach people with Jesus; instead, we use Jesus to sell records to Christians.
This whole subject has led me to be a little less active in my solo career than I had previously planned. I’m still searching, but to be honest I lost a lot of passion for where I am in certain ways. I still love rock and roll and, most of all, I still love God...I’m just not sure how much those two are working for each other these days.
I’m not saying I’ve got it all figured out or that everyone needs to listen to or agree with me or anything, but I wanted to shed some light on where I’ve been and open myself up a little to those who've been wondering. I am definitely planning on recording another album down the road, although at this time I have no concrete plans on when and what it will be. I do plan on utilizing this web site in the future to release songs as I get closer to a completed project, but I’m waiting for now until I feel ready.
I want to say a huge thanks to those who've sent encouraging emails over the past year and who've gone to concerts and given support. I hope to see more of you on the road and look forward to hearing from you as well.
take care,
Pete

[CobaltAngel]

Blindly following others is dangerous.

Who am I blindly following? Did i say I was worshipping GMA? It jsut seems to be that you have some sort of a grudge against christian music. Its wrong to assume because some bands and companies may just be in it for the money and glory, that they all are. But I don't really wanna start a fight so I'm sorry I said anything.

According to your first post, you just contradicted yourself.

I was joking because i realized that they didn't have alot of really good bands haha. ^^;;;

[Stephen]

When I said blindly following others, I was speaking in reference to the fact that you got defensive when someone dared say somthing against the GMA awards. I have no grudge, but at the same time...I won't be spoon fed propaganda about an industry whos purpose is not seeing souls saved but seeing pockets lined. I also never said all the bands were guily. The people who run the record lables and the people who run award shows are in it for the money. The bands are simply money making tools. I won't argue with you anymore...I won't post here again. I simply wish that people would open there eyes to whats around them. Just because something claims to be Christian, does not make it so. Have you ever wondered why all Christian groups boycott secular music? Why they push only Christian music? Perhaps its because they like helping fellow Christians make money. Your free to belive whatever you want, and at the end of the day...its music consumers like you who only make award shows like the GMAs possible. I've said my peace, enjoy your music.

[CobaltAngel]

I don't have anything against secular music man. I didn't say anything about that. All I'm trying to say is: Do you know them personally? No. You can't change them and so why don't you worry more about the messed-up people you know personally instead of pointing fingers at people who you can't even judge because you don't know their personality first hand.

Like I said, I'm sorry. And you do have some really good points, and that thing you posted was really interesting. I jsut disagree lol. ^^;;;;;;;;

[The_Marauding_Maniac]

Listen: I live with Kati. She never would blindly follow others. She hates it when people manipulate others, so she is careful about these things. She is happy that her favorite bands are up there and it's almost moot whether the bands are actually good Christians, even thought they probably are. If a band can convert or bring alive Christians, they've done thier part.

[Ashley]

Enough, Marauding_Maniac. This disagreement was between Shatterheart and Coby and you're not making it any better, even if you are a sibling. And they've said their peace, so drop it. Any further arguments about this and I will personally lock the thread.

[CobaltAngel]

I don't think Luke was tryin to get into the fight, he was just sticking up for me. ;3

Anyway, back to the awards, I haven't kept up with them in the past because to be quite honest I didn't even know they exstisted until last year. Looking at the arcives, it doesn't seem that differant than the grammies, one person seems to clean up pretty much everything each year, lol. Still, I'm really interested now to see how switchfoot does.
Toby Mckeehan had better win some too. o.o /