LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Gospel Music Channel will shine the spotlight on “American Idol.”

Filmmaker David Lewis’ “From Idol to Inspiration” will premiere Thursday before the Gospel Music Association’s 40th annual Dove Awards telecast. The one-hour documentary explores the effect of the Fox network singing competition on Christian music.

The documentary features interviews with several former “Idol” finalists and with Maria Santiago, sister-in-law of current finalist Danny Gokey, who has worked for eight years at Faith Builders International in Milwaukee and at its sister congregation in Beloit, Wis.

Mandisa Hundley, Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey and Melinda Doolittle are the ex-”Idol” finalists featured in the documentary.

Fox is a unit of News Corp.

On the Net:

http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/

http://www.americanidol.com/

Donnie McClurkin All For One, One For All- At GospelMusicChannel.com

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Season Premiere Set For June 6

Gospel Music Channel announced today it will once again invite performers to audition to compete for the chance to win a record & music video deal, among other prizes, in nine audition cities, for a fourth season of Gospel Dream.

The cities and dates scheduled for Gospel Dream auditions are:

Seattle – Northwest University Chapel – 5520 108th Ave. NE Kirkland, WA 98033 April 1
Minneapolis – 3 Degrees – 113 N. 5th St Minneapolis, MN 55403 April 8
Dallas – Open Door City Church – 8421 Boulevard 26 N. Richland Hills, TX 76180 April 10
Los Angeles – Dream Center Angeles Temple – 1100 Glendale Blvd L.A. CA 90026 April 14
Oakland – Shiloh Church – 3295 School St. Oakland, CA 90026 April 15
Nashville – Marathon Village – 1305 Clinton St. Nashville TN 37203 April 25
Orlando – Northland Church – 530 Dog Track Road Longwood, FL 32750 May 1
Atlanta – Wagon Works – 1514 East Cleveland Ave., 2nd Floor, East Point, GA 30344 May 2
Detroit – Wayne State University Student Center Room 29 – 5221 Gullen Mall Detroit MI 48202 May 4

Locate accommodation options near audition events

Specific times, locations, and official rules and required forms for the auditions will be provided shortly. Stay tuned to gospelmusicchannel.com/gospeldream for the latest information.

Singers from all Gospel/Christian styles, including traditional, rock, pop, country and soul are invited to audition for Gospel Dream 2009. Solo artists age 16 to 40 are eligible. Between 30 and 35 contestants from the audition cities will be selected to compete for the crown in Nashville.

Gospel Dream will been seen Saturday nights at 9 PM ET on Gospel Music Channel beginning June 6, culminating with the grand finale coronation of the new Gospel Dream winner on July 11.

“Gospel Dream is the original music reality competition on television that celebrates aspiring artists who desire to inspire, as well as to entertain,” commented Charles Humbard, founder and president, Gospel Music Channel. “The show connected with our viewers in the first three seasons and season four competition promises to be even more compelling and will be seen by even more viewers thanks to our tremendous growth in distribution.”

Elvin Ross is the creator, executive producer and musical director of the Gospel Dream series.

Gospel Music Channel is the fastest-growing network in television and can be seen in more than 42 million homes on various cable systems around the country and on DIRECTV on channel 338.

Go to GospelMusicChannel.com For Entry Process

The voting will continue during GMC’s exclusive live telecast of The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards, Thursday, April 23 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Winners will be announced on-air that night, then featured on GospelMusicChannel.com. Fans will choose from a pre-determined list of nominees for “Concert of the Year,” “Festival of the Year” and “Radio Show of the Year,” while their submissions for “Fan Site of the Year”* will be culled into a list of final nominees.

The list of nominees for the inaugural “GMC Fan Awards” is as follows:

Radio Show of the Year for 2008
20 The Countdown Magazine (Jon Rivers)
Bobby Jones’ syndicated radio show
CoCo Brother Radio Show
The Gospel Greats (Paul Heil)
Joy FM Morning Show (Daniel Britt)
“Looking up to #1 with Johnny Stone” from WAWZ New York
Solid Gospel Morning Show (Gregg Hutchins)
Sound of Light (Jack Eason)
The Heart of Worship (Don Buettner)
Top 20 Meltdown (WAY-FM show)
Total Axxess (WAY-FM/CHRSN)
Weekend 22 (Ken Farley show)
Weekend Top 20 (Ken Farley show)
Willie Mae McIver Rejoice Musical Soul Food (Syndicated)
Yolanda Adams’ Morning Show
Festival of the Year for 2008
AgapeFest – Greenville, IL May 1-2
Alive Festival – Canal Fulton, OH June 16-20
Atlanta Fest presented by Chick-fil-A – Atlanta, GA June 17-20
Cornerstone – Bushnell, IL June 29 – July 4
Creation NE – Mt. Union, PA June 24-27
Creation NW – George, WA July 22-25
Ichthus – Wilmore, KY June 10-13
Ignite – Chicago, IL July 18-19
Lifest – Oshkosh, WI July 8-12
Rock the Light – Kansas City, MO Aug. 29-30
Sonshine Fest – Willmar, MN July 16-18
Spirit West Coast – Del Mar, CA May 22-24
Spirit West Coast – Monterey, CA July 29 – Aug. 1

Concert of the Year (From April 08 – March 09)
Gaither Homecoming Tour
Hello Love
Marvin Sapp
Music Builds
National Quartet Convention
Night of Joy
Singing in the Sun (Myrtle Beach, SC)
Social Justice
United
Winter Jam
Winter Wonder Slam

*Eligible sites include any website or social networking page created and operated by a fan or fans that is dedicated to an artist or band and is not in any way operated by the artist/band, record label or management.

Gospel Music Channel can be seen in more than 43 million homes on various cable systems and on DIRECTV on channel 338.

Revealed during a special one-hour show over the weekend, the winners were voted for by viewers and fans in seven different categories including “Best Contemporary Video of the Year,” which went to Switchfoot for “This is Home;” “Best Rock Video of the Year,” which went to Flyleaf for “All Around Me;” and “Best Soul Video of the Year,” which went to Marvin Sapp for “Never Would Have Made It.”

The overall “Video of the Year” went to Flyleaf for “All Around Me.”

One is the fastest-growing network in television today, Gospel Music Channel is accessible in more than 40 million homes on various cable systems around the country and on DIRECTV.

Gospel Music Channel Video Award Winners:
Best Contemporary Video of the Year – Switchfoot “This Is Home”
Best Country Video of the Year – Rascal Flatts “Every Day”
Best Hip Hop Video of the Year – Lecrae “Prayin For You”
Best Latin Video of the Year – Funky & Alex Campos “No Vuelvo Pa’tras”
Best Pop Video of the Year – SONSOFDAY “This Place”
Best Rock Video of the Year – Flyleaf “All Around Me”
Best Soul Video of the Year – Marvin Sapp “Never Would Have Made It”
Gospel Music Channel Video of the Year – Flyleaf “All Around Me”

Mary Mary – The Sound (Columbia/Integrity)
21:03 – Total Attention (Verity)
Deitrick Haddon – Revealed (Zomba)
DecembeRadio – Satisfied (Slanted Records)
Fireflight – Unbreakable (Flicker)
Josh Wilson – Trying to Fit the Ocean in a Cup (Sparrow)
Newworldson – Salvation Station (Inpop)
Brandon Heath – What If We (Reunion Records)
Crabb Revival – Runaway Train (Daywind)
Greater Vision – Not Alone (Daywind)

The Top Ten Best Albums of 2008 were compiled by the senior music editors and staff at GospelMusicChannel.com, along with input from the staff at Gospel Music Channel.

In conjunction with their Top Ten Best of 2008 feature, GospelMusicChannel.com is offering fans a chance to win the entire Top Ten CD collection by visiting http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/topten/albums2008.

“With all the challenges facing the Gospel music industry, it’s always such an encouragement–such a labor of love–to look back over the year of the music itself and rediscover what makes Gospel music and all its sub-genres so rich,” says senior content strategist for GospelMusicChannel.com Melissa Riddle. “From familiar artists like Mary Mary to virtual unknowns like Josh Wilson, the artistry represented here has never been more relevant. GospelMusicChannel.com’s Top Ten Best Albums of 2008 represents the diversity and depth that is Gospel/Christian music, and after much deliberation and passionate discussion, we couldn’t be more excited to share what we consider to be the ‘cream of this year’s crop.’”

GospelMusicChannel.com also heralded 10 ‘Honorable Mention’ projects as standouts for 2008, including: Til We See The Shore by Seabird (Inpop), Just the Beginning by Kurt Carr (Zomba), Anberlin’s New Surrender (Universal Republic), Karen Peck & New River’s Ephesians One (Daywind), The Afters’ Never Going Back To OK (INO), Free by Darwin Hobbs (Tyscot Records), Tye Tribett & G.A.’s Stand Out (Sony Urban/Columbia), Music from the Motion Picture Billy: The Early Years (Arista/Essential), and After Edmund’s Hello (Slanted Records).

GospelMusicChannel.com has become the fastest-growing site and a leader among all gospel/Christian music web sites.* Gospel Music Channel is the fastest-growing network in television today can be seen in nearly 40 million homes on various cable systems and nationwide on DIRECTV on channel 338.

*Source: Compete.com

Contact: Jim Weiss (770) 692-4579 jim@gospelmusicchannel.com

Gospel Music Heritage Month honors a true American art form for its vast contributions to our culture, bringing a message of hope and inspiration to people of all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. People are encouraged to celebrate Gospel Music Heritage Month by attending concerts, events, watching and listening to gospel music, learning and reading about gospel music and more. Visit http://www.GospelMusicChannel.com for more information.

Gospel Music Channel will celebrate on-air, online and on-demand by featuring the greatest names ever in gospel music throughout the month. Mahalia Jackson, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Amy Grant, Al Green, Dixie Hummingbirds, Kirk Franklin, Michael W. Smith, Bobby Jones, Natalie Grant, Bill Gaither and many others will be seen in GMC world and network premieres, documentaries, original specials and series.

“Gospel music is an historical American art form that has spanned hundreds of generations and both inspires and entertains across racial, ethnic, religious, and geographic boundaries. We must officially recognize the great contributions to American culture that have derived from the rich heritage of gospel music and its artists,” said Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas).

“This is the opportunity for the millions of gospel/Christian music fans to have their own national month to honor and celebrate the rich heritage of their music,” said Charles Humbard, Founder and President of the Gospel Music Channel.

Gospel Music Channel is the fastest-growing network in television today and can be seen in nearly 40 million homes on various cable systems around the country and on DIRECTV on Channel 338.

Melinda Watts, a 29-year-old leader of two foundations that help support troubled young girls and their families from Fair Oaks, California, was crowned the winner of the American Idol®-inspired talent search series Gospel Dream 2008 last night on the Gospel Music Channel television network.

Watts shared the stage of the Gospel Dream 2008 finals with Kymm Lowery of Beach Park, Ill. and John McKoy, Jr. of Monroe, N.C. in the dramatic season finale of GMC’s American Idol®-inspired talent search series, with all three performers offering outstanding and uplifting performances. Yet it was Watts who receives the grand prizes of Gospel Dream 2008 – a record and music video deal and a Royal Caribbean Cruise – and the potential for a career that she has dreamed since she began singing at the age of six.

“Every ten years or so you have an anointed superstar artist who graces us with the word of God in song, as CeCe Winans and Yolanda Adams have done. Now we have Melinda Watts,” said Alvin Williams, Senior Director of Music Development for the Gospel Music Channel.

Watts’ personal story is as compelling as her singing ability. She and her husband William are new parents to six-month old Lyric and live in the Sacramento area where Watts has been pursuing her other dream – that of helping teens and young women.

An English teacher by vocation, she has established a foundation called Project Sunday because of the great need for mentoring and ministering to young women in her community. She has also set-up Heaven’s House for Girls, created to provide research-based solutions for troubled teen girls and their families. Watts’ hope for both foundations is to develop the self-reliant attitude among girls and young women that manifests in their ambitions, assertiveness and individualism, she says.

Winning her Gospel Dream should only help to elevate both charities. A singer and songwriter, Watts hopes to write a substantial amount on her upcoming CD to be released through Gospel Music Channel in early 2009, and hopes people will feel compelled to the heart of God.

“I want people to listen to my music and want to draw closer to God,” she says. “I also want them to want to grow in the grace of God and to be bold in their faith, like a revival through music.”

Watts, who grew a large fan base as the series went on, was crowned as the new Gospel Dream winner by Gospel/Christian music’s version of Simon, Paula and Randy: GRAMMY award-winning record producer/songwriter Big Jim Wright, Dove and Stellar award-winning cross-cultural worship music artist/songwriter Martha Munizzi and one of Gospel music’s most prolific talents and part of one of music’s hottest production companies (PJAM) J Moss. They were equally impressed by Watts’ vocal talents and passion all through the competition but especially with her final performances of the contemporary praise song “You are Good” and the traditional hymn “Tis So Sweet.” “Tis So Sweet” is Melinda’s first single and has already been serviced to radio stations across the country. It can be heard at http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/shows/gospeldream.

Watts’ Gospel Dream 2008 journey began nearly five months ago in Los Angeles when she tried out during the first round of auditions. She was chosen from among thousands of singing hopefuls all Gospel/Christian styles including rock, pop, country and soul at auditions in Los Angeles, Chicago, Phoenix, Miami and Atlanta. 16 contestants were selected and invited to Nashville, Tenn. to perform in five rounds of televised competitions.

Gospel Dream 2008 was hosted by popular artist/songwriter Matthew West with backstage reporting by GMC Insider’s Kelly Sutton. Celebrity musical mentors who coached the contestants throughout the series included PAJAM, Myron Butler, Bernie Herms, Lesley Moore and Darlene McCoy. The Gospel Dream series was created by Executive Producer Elvin Ross who is also the series’ executive producer and musical director.

The Gospel Dream 2008 series can be seen again Thursday nights at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT beginning July 31.

Gospel Music Channel is the nation’s first and only 24/7 television network devoted to the uplifting, inspiring and diverse music that is Gospel/Christian music. Gospel Music Channel is the fastest-growing network in television today and can be seen in nearly 40 million homes on various cable systems around the country and on DIRECTV channel 338.